1. Twitter Adds Explore
The Scoop
Twitter’s “Moments” tab has been replaced with an “Explore” tab in the app. The section still remains, just under the Explore tab now. Explore contains trending topics, Moments, search and live videos. It was implemented to make searches for popular topics, news stories and trends easier.
The Explore tab was introduced to its Twitter users last week. Currently, the Explore tab is available to iOS users and soon will be available on Androids.
Meeting Planner Takeaway
Twitter, like many other social media platforms, wants to emphasize the importance of live videos with the Explore tab. After all, these appear on top of other content in the Explore tab. Twitter also recognizes that people want quick presentations of easily digestible news through a single resource, emphasizing the popularity of concise and digestible content.
2. MailChimp Incorporates New Facebook Feature
The Scoop
MailChimp’s 15 million users will now be able to buy and manage Facebook ads through its platform. Thanks to the collaborative project, companies can more easily and effectively showcase products, drive traffic to pages and/or encourage enlistment on MailChimp.
A larger audience will be established as Facebook users and mailing lists are combined. Overall, MailChimp hopes to integrate more advertising systems and improve marketing tools.
Meeting Planner Takeaway
The first lesson that can be learned from this development is that Facebook ads are extremely effective at engaging users. MailChimp will not be charging users extra for Facebook integration because they are so confident in its contribution to their brand. The other important takeaway is that MailChimp is a promising program to invest in if you are looking for a way to streamline your online advertising and marketing tools—especially if you’re a small business.
3. Facebook Begins Using Stories
The Scoop
Facebook is getting aboard the momentary-content trend. Much like Instagram, Facebook is adopting a Snapchat-style feature. Considering how successful Instagram Stories have been, 150 million daily users within the first five months, Facebook’s similar development doesn’t come as too much of a surprise.
Facebook Stories is currently available in Ireland, but it’s safe to expect an expansion soon.
What it Means for Planners
Snapchat is extremely popular. In fact, Eventbrite reports that Snapchat has 200 million active monthly users, which is double the number that LinkedIn has. Big media brands are taking note of the urgency and intrigue evoked by Snapchat’s temporal design and opportunity for exclusivity. Interestingly enough, these elements are exactly what attract people to events.
With several platforms now providing this service, you don’t have to choose just one.
4. Gen X Surpasses Millennials in Social Media Use
The Scoop
A report by Nielsen released this month reveals that Americans within the ages of 18 to 34 years old spend less time on social media than those 35 to 49 years old.
On average, the older demographic used six hours and 58 minutes on social media per week. Meanwhile, the younger sample spent less, only six hours and 19 minutes on average. Adults who were 50 and older spent an average of four hours and nine minutes on their social media pages per week.
This report is based on data, not self-reports, collected from 9,000 smartphones and 1,300 tablet users throughout the United States, spanning from July until September 2016.
What it Means for Planners
These results are both surprising and crucial for any business. Social media strategies rely heavily on the target demographic. Understanding your audience is the biggest component of successfully catering to them.
