Instagram launch a new typeface
Part of your brand is the typefaces you choose to use. Use them consistently, for a long time, and soon people will start to identify them with your business. But of course, everyone can choose to use those same typefaces, it’s hard to be unique.
What can you do to ensure you still stand out? Well if you are Instagram, you design your own typeface. Called ‘Instagram Sans’ it’s a pretty unique typeface that is based on their history and their original ‘wordmark’ (that’s a text-only logo for us brand beginners). It will certainly stand out as 100% Instagram whenever it’s used.
I don’t have it yet, do you?
https://about.instagram.com/brand/
TikTok live subscriptions
Subscriptions are definitely a hot trend in 2022. Instagram and Twitter offer creator subscriptions where, for a small fee, you can get exclusive content and other perks from the people you sub to.
Now TikTok is rolling out its creator subscriptions for live streamers on the platform. It’s invite-only at the moment. Creators will be able to offer special badges for their subscriber’s profiles, customised emote (emoji) that creators can design themselves and subscriber-only chat.
Will this subscriber model take off? People are already overwhelmed with streaming subscriptions like Netflix and Disney+, is there an appetite for multi subscriptions like this. I guess we’ll find out as these tools evolve.
https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/live-subscription-invite-only
Messenger Recurring Messages
First, there were chatbots, then we got too many chatbot messages so they stopped us sending them, now they’re letting us send them again, for a fee.
OK it is slightly different now. Messenger users will be able to choose not just the sort of messages they get but the frequency: daily, weekly, or monthly. They’ll also get re-opt-in reminders so you know tthe people who get your messages really want them.
This will be great for retail and travel businesses in particular. Is there a lesson we can learn for email marketing here? Maybe that re-confirming of opt-in is something that would work well. It would ensure you’re constantly refreshing your subscriber list and reflecting their interest.
Facebook video dubbing
Thanks to Netflix and other streaming services the world has accepted subtitled videos and shows. Social media platforms have also contributed as most people watch videos with the sound off.
But what about dubbed video? It’s not as accessible to people who need captions but could it mean more video views from people who speak a different language?
Facebook is working on auto-dubbing videos you upload to the platform into different languages. Upload your video, switch on auto-dubbing and it does the work for you. Although I don’t know what it sounds like yet my expectations aren’t high… I’m hoping we can all go back to sub-titles soon.
WhatsApp Government Docs In India
We all know how long it can take to get documents from the government. All the red tape, application forms, letters. But that’s no longer a problem in India.
The Indian Government has partnered with WhatsApp to allow users to access their government documents via the platform. Including PAN Cards (ID cards) and driving licences.
India has 487 million WhatsApp users so this service will be hugely useful to people there. Would we trust WhatsApp to deliver something similar here? Is this more proof of the WeChatification of Meta?
What can’t you do on LinkedIn?
One common complaint on LinkedIn, particularly from women is the amount of harassment they receive. This can’t be good for a network that prides itself on being professional. It’s brand-damaging, if harassment in the workplace isn’t OK, harassment on LinkedIn isn’t OK.
But it seems that some people need to know what constitutes harassment. With that in mind, LinkedIn has updated its ‘Professional Community Policies’ to outline what’s not Ok, with examples.
The three pillars are ‘Be Safe’ ‘Be Trustworthy’ ‘Be Professional’
Don’t:
- Post harassing content -including Doxing and bullying
- Threaten, insight, or promote violence
- Depict content exploiting children
- Sell illegal stuff
- Promote dangerous organisations or individuals
- Share fake news
- Make a fake account
- Scam people
- Be hateful
- Engage in sexual innuendos or unwanted advances
- Share harmful or shocking material
- Spam people
Seems straightforward but from experience, I know people need reminding!
https://www.linkedin.com/legal/professional-community-policies
Are official Instagram Reposts Coming?
Reposting on Instagram is a legal nightmare. Even though apps exist to help you regram posts from others, without permission from the originator you are breaching the creator’s copyright and can be sued.
Unlike Facebook, Twitter and other platforms there isn’t an inbuilt reshare button, unless you are sharing to stories. Could this be about to change?
Reverse hacker Allesandro Palluzi has noticed that Instagram is toying with the idea. Is this a good thing? Or is Instagram better for not having a regram button?
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