Welcome to this week's episode of Social Chatter where we cover the latest social media news from this past week.
Each episode of Social Chatter is available as a blog post or video.
Let's see what's new in social media this week with your hosts, Christian Karasiewicz and Nick Rishwain!
Watch This Week's Social Media Updates
Facebook Live 360 Video
In Facebook news, they have started rolling out Facebook Live 360 video.
This new video format will give users a real-time, immersive look into a scene.
Right now, Facebook is working with National Geographic on their first live 360 video.
Here is what this type of video will look like.
Why Facebook Live 360 Video Matters
As you can see from the example, you now have yet another way to draw your customers into your business through Facebook.
Couple Facebook 360 live video with Facebook 360 photos and you have a powerful recipe to engage your customers on all fronts.
Right now, Facebook live 360 video will only be available for select Facebook partners.
Profiles and pages can expect to see Facebook Live 360 video later in 2017.
Drive Mobile App Installs With Facebook Dynamic Ads
This week, Facebook has also started allowing brands to use Facebook dynamic ads to drive mobile app installs.
If you are new to dynamic ads, here is how Facebook defines them.
"Dynamic ads let you create relevant and timely ads on Facebook based on the products people have visited on your website or your app. These ads are best for businesses with large product catalogs who want to create personalized ads for their customers.
Dynamic ads look identical to other link ads or carousel-format ads that are available on Facebook. However, instead of individually creating an ad for each of your products, Facebook creates the ads for you and personalizes them for each of your customers."
What this means is that when users see these ads on a brands website or on Facebook, they may be encouraged now to install a corresponding mobile app.
Why Dynamic Facebook Ads Matter
By allowing brands to drive mobile app installs from dynamic Facebook Ads, this should help brands with their own mobile app to get their app in front of the right audience.
With more and more businesses using Facebook in their marketing, it is no longer about having the largest audience.
Instead, businesses want to focus on getting their product in front of the right audience.
Dynamic Facebook ads can help.
To get started with dynamic Facebook Ads, go here.
Facebook Events App Now Available For Android
Also this week, the Facebook Events app is now available for Android users.
A number of months ago, Facebook rolled out the events app for iOS.
It is finally now available for Android users.
The Facebook Events app can help you find events near you.
If a Facebook Page is creating events, you will also get notifications when they change.
Overall, we really like the Facebook Events app and are glad to see it is coming to Android.
Why the Facebook Events App for Android Matters
The Facebook Events app is an important app for Facebook users.
If you are fans of many Facebook Pages, if they are posting events, if you have the app and they make changes, you will get notified.
As a business owner, you should also encourage your customers to install the app as well.
This way your Facebook Page stays top-of-mind for them if they aren't seeing your updates in the news feed.
You can download the Facebook Events app for Android here.
Facebook Parents Portal
Also in Facebook news this week, they have launched a parents portal.
This new resource for parents on Facebook aims to "help foster conversations among parents and their children about staying safe online."
According to Facebook, "Keeping you and your information safe is at the core of everything we do. Whether you have a personal account or your teen does, we've compiled some basic information and tips to help you get the most out of your experience and help your child navigate theirs. We're also pleased to connect you with online safety organizations around the world that offer additional resources specifically for parents."
The new site also includes step-by-step videos to help parents learn things quickly.
Why A Facebook Parents Portal Matters
As Facebook has grown over the years, it has become more complex.
Parents already have a difficult job keeping up with their everyday lives, as well as their kids lives.
The parents portal provides a safe and convenient place for parents to go to learn about Facebook, learn about bullying prevention, how to do a security checkup and more.
It is good to see Facebook launch this initiative to help parents get tips and tricks and above all, help their children navigate their experience on Facebook.
Here is a short video on the new Facebook parents portal.
Instagram Saved Posts
In Instagram news, they have launched Instagram saved posts.
This will allow you to save posts that you want to revisit later.
Here is what Instagram saved posts look like.
Why Instagram Saved Posts Matter
How many times have you wanted to bookmark or save an Instagram post for later?
Often times, we would take a screenshot or email it to ourselves.
With the Instagram saved posts feature, you can quickly access posts that you want to view later on.
Saving an Instagram post is as easy as tapping the bookmark icon on a post.
To see all of the Instagram posts that you have saved, tap on your profile and then on the bookmark icon.
Here is where you view Instagram saved posts.
You can read more about saved posts here.
Snapchat Group Chat, Shazam, Scissors and Paintbrush
In Snapchat news, they have launched four new features.
Here is a list of the four new Snapchat features.
- Snapchat group chat
- Shazam capabilities
- Scissors
- Paintbrush
Here is a rundown on each of these new Snapchat features.
Snapchat Group Chat
With Snapchat group chat, 16 people can now chat together.
Another highlight of this new Snapchat feature is that you can easily leave your group chat to message a person and then rejoin the group chat with just one tap.
Snapchat group chat also includes stickers, bitmojis and voice notes.
Shazam Capabilities
If you are a Shazam user (iOS | Android), you can now hold down on the Snapchat camera to identify a song that is playing in the vicinity.
According to Snap, Inc, "When you Shazam a song, a pop-up box prompts you to learn more about the song. From there, you can listen to a preview clip, see lyrics, watch the Vevo video, and see recommended songs. The same options are available for songs you've Shazamed that are saved in settings."
Snapchat Scissors
Another new feature from Snapchat is called Scissors.
With Snapchat Scissors, you can cut out part of a message on the preview screen and turn it into a custom sticker.
Here is a screenshot showing you how to use Snapchat Scissors.
Snapchat Paintbrush
One last Snapchat feature this week is Paintbrush.
Snapchat Paintbrush can be applied to your snaps in Memories.
To access the Snapchat paintbrush feature, load a video or photo.
You should see a paintbrush appear.
This will let you turn your snaps into an artistic masterpiece.
Here is an example of the Snapchat Paintbrush feature.
Why Snapchat Groups, Shazam, Scissors and Paintbrush Matter
Instagram recently announced live video.
This week, Snapchat has released additional features for their platform.
Right now, it is a battle for marketshare between Snapchat and Instagram.
Each platform is trying to outdo one another.
As a business owner, this benefits you.
You have many new features at your disposal to help you tell a meaningful story to your Snapchat audience in new and creative ways!
To try out these new Snapchat features be sure you have updated your Snapchat app.
Replace Snapchat Spectacle Lenses
Also in Snapchat news, you can now replace your the lenses in your Spectacles.
Why Replacing Lenses In Snapchat Spectacles Matters
If you wear prescription glasses, you'll have a hard time using Snapchat Spectacles with your glasses until now.
Fortunately, GlassesUSA was listening and created prescription lenses for Snapchat Spectacles.
You can get any lenses for your Snapchat Spectacles starting at just $29.
To get prescription lenses for your Snapchat Spectacles, follow these steps.
- Go here
- Search for GlassesUSA - you will earn 7.5% cashback on your purchase
- Order your Snapchat Spectacles lenses
Once you have your new prescription lenses for your Spectacles, watch this short video to see how easy it is to replace the lenses in your Snapchat Spectacles.
Twitter Adds Ability to Broadcast Live Video When Composing A Tweet
In Twitter news, you can now broadcast live video on Periscope when composing a tweet.
Why Twitter Livestreaming From the Compose Tweet Button Matters
If you are a Periscope user, this is great news.
When you are ready to share a message with your audience, you can now share a tweet with links or images, record a video or use live video to broadcast to your Periscope channel.
As a business owner, this gives you more options as well on how you want to get your message across to your audience.
If you're unsure of the type of message you should share, test out different options to see which one resonates the best.
To get the ability to broadcast live video on Twitter, you will need to update your Twitter app.
Slack Adds Group and One-to-One Video Calls
In Slack news, they have added group and one-to-one video calls.
According to Slack, if you are on a paid plan, "your team can make group video calls with up to 15 people."
Video calling will also include the calls emoji feature.
What this means is that without having to unmute, you can use an emoji to ask a question, add a thumbs up to show your approval or thank people.
When you use the calls emoji features, they will briefly display over a video and play a subtle sound.
Slack video calling will also work with Google Hangouts as well as Zoom.
Why Slack Group and One-to-One Video Calls Matter
Slack needed to add group and one-to-one video calling.
This is because a lot of people are already using Facebook Messenger as a means to communicate with colleagues and clients.
By adding Slack group and one-to-one video calls, this helps Slack to stay relevant in a very competitive space.
Overall, we really like that they support Google Hangouts and Zoom for video calling.
Here is an example of Slack group and one-to-one video calls.
As you can see, it works great!
You can learn more about Slack group and one-to-one video calls here.
Tools
In addition to sharing the latest in social media news from this past week, we also highlighted some great tools and apps to check out.
Google Forms
Google Forms is a free desktop app for creating surveys, collecting blog post submissions and more.
With Google Forms, your business can quickly gather feedback from customers on new products.
You can also use Google Forms to survey people who attended a webinar or attended one of your events.
We also use Google Forms to collect submissions for guest blog posts.
Google Forms is a free versatile tool. You can try it out below.
Try Google FormsLeadQuizzes
The next tool we wanted to share with you is called LeadQuizzes.
LeadQuizzes is a desktop app that your business can use to attract, qualify and market to leads.
With LeadQuizzes, you can generate qualified leads for your business, promote products or services and get customer feedback using customer surveys to help enhance your businesses offerings.
Here is a demo of how LeadQuizzes works.
You can try LeadQuizzes out for 14 days below.
Try LeadQuizzesDusk - Anonymous Live Video
The last tool we wanted to share this week is called Dusk (iOS).
Dusk is a mobile app that you can use to be anonymous on live video.
A lot of people feel uncomfortable with using live video. Sometimes this is because of the peer pressure. Other times it is because they feel embarrassed.
When you use Dusk, here is what happens when using live video.
- Your video is pixelates
- They mask your voice
- You can mute people who are abusive
- You can report people who are spamming you or being abusive
Dusk is a free app.
If you are considering using live video and want to test it out first, Dusk is a great app for doing that.
You can download the Dusk app for free below.
Download DuskWrap-up
That's it for this week's episode of Social Chatter.
Be sure to tune-in to our next episode of Social Chatter to find out what's new in social media!
If you have any questions about of the social media news or tools that were mentioned this week, please share them with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or in the comments below.
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