As a project manager and brand specialist, I am always thinking ahead before dollars are spent. I always want the client to win and ultimately be a sustainable business whether they are into fashion, real estate, marketing whatever their niche might be.

The big thing I focus on with the agency and my freelance business is how my client's ideas are effectively communicated. This could be done by social media campaigns, phenomenal storytelling,  influencer marketing, billboards, but no matter what it is, understanding these platforms and their changes are critical to the growth of your business.

Over the past couple of days, there have been a number of new changes being announced from Instagram and Facebook. A few I am really thrilled about. Some, I have questions and will wait to see how it plays out.

Image: Instagram

LET'S DIG INTO ALL THESE CHANGES

Tagged Products 

Let’s say you post a picture wearing your fave outfit, or maybe you are a fashion brand or coffee roaster, you can now tag your product in the post rather than posting links and URLs in your bio. This is different than being able to just tag your product, this is also for personal and creator profiles, not just businesses.

Create Mode

This will help you build a post from scratch. You will not need an existing photo or video, this will also include the tagged products I mentioned above, more sticker options and the ability to really showcase yourself as a creator. You can shoutout tools, apps and so much more in a better format. This will be rolled out soon.

Phasing Out Likes

Hiding likes and video views while you scroll through the feeds. This will hopefully nudge ANYONE who is using this platform to appreciate what they create a bit more, and not to focus on the feedback, likes, or views that they focus on instead. This will phase out fake influencers or accounts that seem huge, use the same filters but have no real impact. At the end of the day, what are you actually influencing? How many conversations happened as a result. Real community is hands down the best thing ever! I just saw a pal see this in her story, so I know it is now in Saint John.

The Fundraising Donation Sticker

This is being rolled out to residents in the US right now more countries will have the option later. 100% of the funds will go to that chosen nonprofit. This is a great incentive for anyone with a great message to elevate their cause. 

New Camera Design

Over the next few weeks, you will notice the story options look different. This will now look like a radial dial around your main shutter button.

Image: Instagram

Facebook Newsfeed Reconstruction

This will collectively bring the focus back to privacy and establishing a real true connection. Since the issue Facebook had with privacy back in 2018, they will be making, in my opinion, a very smart business decision to look at the data more often and really implement some new ways to measure social impact and make a better impact on mental health and business as a result.

This also means that they will be focusing on expanding social circles, and this will include a new feature called Meet New Friends, that essentially connects strangers that have something in common with one another. This could be a school or current employer.

One of the biggest changes I am iffy about is the Secret Crush feature. Over time this will be a place you can connect with your crush. I expect there to be a lot of hesitation and questions around this, but I also know they have done their research on how people use WhatsApp, Snapchat, Tinder etc.

Facebook Messenger

This will be really aimed now at groups and close friends. The idea is to encourage a quick message, but a meet or hangout offline, easier.

What does it mean? How will we measure social impact or ROI?

In my honest opinion, I think if you are an influencer, or a YouTuber or someone who relies specifically on these platforms, you need to be up to date on these changes, and constantly think about your sales funnel.

Is it a standard one or a permeable funnel where opportunities, deals, can fit in at any time? If all of a sudden, Google Adsense was not paying YouTubers, would they still be video creators? Would they still have the same hustle to give value to their audience?

It is important to keep it real and the real unit of measure is who you fucking impact.

Key Questions if you are looking for Brand Deals or Sponsorship or even just social media marketing buy-in from someone at your company:

1. How many people on average do you actually talk to?
2. How many people message you or your page?
3. How many emails? how many voice memos, get sent to new followers?
4. Website traffic? What is your demographic? Does it correlate into who you sell to? Who you advertise too?

I hope this article helps with all of the changes coming in the near future. I would love to hear your opinions on everything. As these changes roll out, and as you all start to see them, I will do my best to do a part 2.

-Cait