Social networking sites. Ones to watch in 2015?
December 24, 2014
Exploding onto the scene, making a quiet entrance or growing in popularity?
There is always talk about which new social media platforms are replacing the existing channels. Although it is never as simple as a platform becoming obsolete in a matter of days, new tools and apps and sites are popping up all the time. Whether or not they will grow in popularity and gain cult-like status or disappear into the cloud ether never to be seen again, only time will tell.
WeChat – mobile voice and text messaging service from China, WeChat has now become the largest standalone messaging app by monthly users. More than 100 countries can register their phone numbers and sign up through Facebook. Bye-bye WhatsApp?
eva – a video based social networking site. Describing itself as “the mobile YouTube for the Instagram generation,” eva is set up for people looking to share content and express themselves through video. What do you think: is this innovative or been done before?
Instagram – not new by any stretch, Instagram has now taken over Twitter in monthly users and Citigroup has raised its valuation to $35 billion (see source) from a mere $19 billion. The platform appeals to younger users and has grown significantly in popularity. Is this the dawn when Instagram becomes the new Facebook?
Yik Yak – yakking is what people do best. Sharing content on Yik Yak is private and creates a live feed of what’s going on around town.
tsu – “We believe in quality content, real ownership, and the value of one’s own network.” Tsu claims to be socially responsible, rewarding users for quality content and allowing users to maintain ownership of their content. One million users joined in just over one month, that’s not too shabby!
We can’t complete this post without mentioning Facebook and Twitter. The two most popular social media sites are going to need to change with the times to keep up, stay fresh and resonate with young audiences.
Facebook’s new call to action for 2015
December 15, 2014
Driving more call to actions on Facebook in 2015
Facebook Pages are giving marketers additional capabilities on their brands’ pages with a set of new call-to-action buttons.
Call-to-action options, including Book Now, Contact Us, Shop Now & Sign Up, will help brands actualise the value of their communities. A welcome move, especially after the challenge of reduced organic reach that Facebook Communities managers have been faced with.
It is an interesting move that Facebook are placing this call-to-action button in such a prominent position (next to the Like button), encouraging marketers to consider Facebook as the social gateway to their other online activity.
Initially the call-to-action buttons will roll out in the States, followed by the rest of the World.
Facebook have followed the success of call-to-action buttons on other assets including Facebook ads.
Marketers should use the opportunity to test and optimise the new functionality with the curiosity, discipline and critical eye of any good eCRM social media professional.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has long talked about offering more action orientated options communities. We expect more action-orientated buttons to follow later on in 2015
