Say hi to Angela, one of Random Agency's newest Social Media Interns! We can't wait to get to know her and what better way to do that than a Q & A?
First, the obvious question: Why did you choose Random Agency?
In the first conversations, I felt drawn to the team because of their passion and creativity for the work they do. I wanted to gain a better understanding of this strategic process through hands-on experience in an internship role and with a dynamic team!
Tell us three Random Facts about yourself.
1). I'm into all things art-related.
2). My favorite director is David Lynch!
3). I learned to write in cursive before print.
Favorite TV show?
Suits
If money was no object, where would you go and what would you do?
All around Western Europe! I would like to experience local cuisines and activities- especially those artisanal and nature-related to gain a deep understanding of culture. In addition, I would also make many stops in major fashion and tech hubs to attend events and shows!
What's in your refrigerator right now?
A box of cherry tomatoes, greek yogurt, spinach, â…“ bag of kale, aloe vera water, and 3 lemons
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
Mind reading
What's your favorite childhood memory?
Entrepreneurship day in 4th grade
Name one thing you wish you could do better.
Playing the piano
Which three things would you take to a desert island?
1). Chapstick
2). Water filter
3). Scissors
What is the last book you read?
Notes from Underground - Fyodor Dostoevsky
What is your favorite account to follow on TikTok?
Say hi to Sydney, one of Random Agency's newest Social Media Interns! We can't wait to get to know her and what better way to do that than a Q & A?
First, the obvious question: Why did you choose Random Agency?
Random Agency stood out to me because they have a dedication to social media marketing, which aligns perfectly with my desire to enhance my own skills in this area. Additionally, the team at Random Agency is filled with ambitious individuals who genuinely enjoy their work and actively encourage the growth of their colleagues' professional journeys.
Tell us three Random Facts about yourself.
I have been vegetarian my whole life.
I was a club swimmer for 7 years.
I've lived in Florida my whole life.
Favorite TV show?
Ozark is my all-time favorite show, but I have been loving Black Mirror right now.
If money was no object, where would you go and what would you do?
I would like to spend at least a year traveling around the world to visit new places and experience different cultures.
What's in your refrigerator right now?
There isn't a lot in my fridge right now except a lot of different types of cheese.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
I would love to be able to teleport anywhere. It would save me a lot of time and money traveling.
What's your favorite childhood memory?
It is hard to pick just one childhood memory. However, growing up I was fortunate to have 5-10 families who became family friends and I loved when we would all get together for holidays and vacations.
Name one thing you wish you could do better.
I wish I could sing better because I am a terrible singer.
Which three things would you take to a desert island?
A water filter
My dog to keep me company and protect me
A hammock
What is the last book you read?
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
What is your favorite account to follow on TikTok?
Celebrating Pride Month in the digital world: Many companies have gotten it wrong (some VERY wrong), and others have nailed it. If you want to acknowledge and celebrate Pride in your brand's online content this month, here are the biggest do's and don'ts to remember.
Do go beyond the bare minimum. Don't treat it like a box to be checked off.
If your only plans for the month are to change your brand's profile pics to rainbow logos, try to go deeper. Here are some ideas to spark your creativity:
Brainstorm thoughtful, valuable content you could include in your social media content calendar for June.
Write a few posts about historical or current LGBTQ+ trailblazers in your industry.
Highlight LGBTQ+ employees and their contributions to your company.
Partner with local LGBTQ-owned companies to showcase their products or services on your pages. Giving LGBTQ+ businesses some love on your social media is a great way to show real support for the community beyond just changing a logo.
Donate to LGBTQ+ organizations and invite your followers to contribute. This is your company's opportunity to put their money where their mouth is. Actions speak louder than words, especially during Pride Month.
One great example comes from Abercrombie & Fitch, who kicked off Pride Month early by announcing their donation to The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people. They also worked with LGBTQ+ talent for this content and launched a fashionable pride collection in partnership with The Trevor Project.
Do think outside of the box. Don't be boring.
Pride is about expression. Have fun with your posts! Here are some more ideas to spark MORE creativity:
Create and share a Pride Month playlist. Get your team or employees involved by asking for song recommendations and creating a Spotify playlist full of LGBTQ+ anthems. Check out our own example from the Random team!
Compile and share a list of other LGBTQ+ media recommendations, like the books, shows, or movies your team is loving this month.
Collaborate with LGBTQ+ digital influencers for top-notch Pride content.
Your audience will notice if you treat Pride Month content like a box to check off (Cool, we made a pretty post with a rainbow, we're done). Authenticity goes a long way, and you don't want to come across as only fulfilling an obligation and nothing more. Put some effort in, y'all. Let's make this month's social media content a true celebration of the LGBTQ+ community!
Do be mindful of your representation. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
An important part of creating Pride content on your brand's social media is being mindful of how you might be depicting LGBTQ+ individuals in your posts or ads.
Here are some questions to ask yourself as you triple-check posts before hitting publish:
If utilizing models for photos, is there adequate representation of different races, abilities, and genders?
Could any of the imagery or copy be construed to uphold offensive stereotypes about the LGBTQ+ community?
If you're in doubt, this is when it can come in handy to consult a DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) expert in your organization or collaborate with LGBTQ+ members of your team and community.
Do have a community management plan. Don't let any hate win.
Unfortunately, now more than ever, celebrating Pride online can come with some backlash. It's good to have a plan for responding to any hateful comments that might appear on your posts this month.
One strategy is to hide any and all derogatory comments. This strategy can work if your brand's values align more with creating a safe space for LGBTQ+ followers on your page.
Another strategy is to respond to hateful comments. This can take more time and resources, but it can be worth it if your brand is focused on starting conversations and educating people. Check out more tips for community management during Pride Month here.
Do continue your efforts after June is over. Don't forget about inclusion year-round.
Many brands let themselves fall victim to this phenomenon. No, we're not saying brands need to keep a rainbow logo all year round. But diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts shouldn't be contained to one month per year.
Some ideas for you:
Sprinkle Pride content throughout the year.
Create connections with local LGBTQ+ organizations and individuals you can promote monthly.
The point here is to really take time to acknowledge, celebrate, and welcome people from all communities and identities that may be in your audience online.
More than ever, consumers are watching brands and expecting them to make clear stances on social causes. Brands and corporations have incredible power to influence and change the world for the better. That responsibility is one to be taken seriously.
Happy Pride!
Our team are social media and digital marketing experts! Let's work together to drive your brand to the next level. Chat with us below to get started!
What to Know About Lemon8, the New App from TikTok's Parent Company
When life gives you lemons, make Lemon8? Today we're breaking down the details of the new photo and video lifestyle app Lemon8 from ByteDance, TikTok's parent company.
The history
ByteDance has recently been pushing Lemon8 in the U.S. and U.K., but it has existed in other countries like Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand since 2020. Some have speculated whether this push is just an attempt to distract from the U.S. Congress's current effort to ban TikTok. Whether the excitement is real or just a conspiracy (as one content creator has called it), it sure has gotten many people talking and downloading.
At the time of writing, Lemon8 is the number one most downloaded lifestyle app in the App Store, just above Pinterest. The app has received around 16 million downloads worldwide, according to Apptopia, with Japan as its largest market. In the U.S., there are about 4 million active users.
What's in the app?
When you download the app, you're prompted to add your birthday and pronouns and then choose Interests. The options are pretty limited; you can choose from fashion, makeup, skincare, food, wellness, bags, accessories, travel, perfume, nail, home, and pets.
You can then create an account and set up your profile. Besides the feature of having both For You and Following pages, there aren't many direct similarities to TikTok. The interface is more similar to Pinterest, with a scrolling page of photos, carousels, and videos.
One eye-catching feature is the stylish text and stickers you can add to photos and videos in-app. After a quick scroll on the For You page, you can see tons of Get Ready With Mes, how-tos, recipes, and fashion inspo. Many posts include affiliate links and location tags. Like any social media platform, you can like, comment, share, and save.
There's also a search page that shows you Editor's Picks and the top trending hashtags.
The app reminds us more of Pinterest than of TikTok, at least for now. The content is mostly lifestyle-inspired, lacking the newsworthy, humorous, random content that is abundant on TikTok. This may be the primary purpose of the app, drawing lifestyle lovers and creators from other platforms. In fact, Lemon8 is reportedly even paying content creators to post on Lemon8 if they follow guidelines like creating a set amount of posts in a month.
Should brands join Lemon8?
While it seems the app hasn't gained enough traction or virality yet (even the top posts don't get much engagement), we see real potential for brands to join the app in the future. This could be a great place for clothing, makeup, skincare, and home brands to make their mark.
Looking to level up your brand's social media game? We got you! Chat with our social media and marketing experts by contacting us below.
Say hi to Ryan, one of Random Agency's newest team members! We can't wait to get to know him and what better way to do that than a Q & A?
First, the obvious question: Why did you choose Random Agency?
Is it lame to say that Random chose me? I bet everybody says that. Maybe not. Either way, I did feel a bit of a magnetic pull towards the Random universe, as I've admired what the company has been doing from a far. Transparently, Random co-founder John Patterson and I worked together at a previous agency, and him and I clicked pretty much from day one. While our career paths went in separate directions after a year of commiserating, I always hoped to work with John again in the future. When I decided to make a move from my previous position, John and Lauren were the first folks I rang up. Lucky for me, they decided to take a chance on me and bring me into the fold. I honestly couldn't be happier to be here!
Tell us three cool things about yourself.
I play in a few bands (I mean, can you get any cooler?) and write songs; it's basically what defines me and gives me an outlet that has allowed me to see the world and get through tough times.
I have an amazing 11-going-on-12-year-old son named Emitt who is a burgeoning basketball star; I absolutely love watching him play and am 100% his biggest fan.
I've ran around 15 half-marathons, one full marathon, and spend most of my Sunday mornings running between 10 and 15 miles; some would argue that this is actually uncool because of how much running can suck (and I would agree, sometimes it does), but I personally love it and credit it with helping me become a better person.
Favorite TV show?
Um, yeah. I watch A LOT of TV, embarrassingly. But I feel like everybody does, so whatever. That said, it's hard to pick just one show, but some of the best I've seen in recent years are Severance, Ted Lasso, Succession, Barry, Fargo, Westworld, Yellowjackets and Game of Thrones. I'm also a sucker for terrible, raunchy, substanceless reality TV, most notably Vanderpump Rules and Love is Blind.
If money was no object, where would you go and what would you do?
I would absolutely love to take my son to watch the NBA Finals courtside - doesn't matter the team, doesn't matter the place per se, but a perfect scenario would be a game 7 in the hometown of the team who ends up winning that night. It would be amazing to watch all that from that close, and see them crown a champion after playing 7 hard-fought games.
What's in your refrigerator right now?
Food.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
The ability to sleep for 1 hour but make it feel like 8 or 9 hours - just so I could get more done during the day.
What's your favorite childhood memory?
Too many to count, but I have one that sticks out where my grandma took me out on a fun day when I was probably 11 or 12 years old. We went golfing, we drove around, we ate something called a loose burger at a restaurant that I can't remember the name of. It wasn't anything completely or totally special, but I think about that day a lot when I think of her. She was an awesome person and I miss her.
Name one thing you wish you could do better.
Just one? I just should probably say something related to mental health or handling tough situations better, but for real, I wish I could actually cook something edible that didn't resemble hot garbage on a summer day. I mean, I probably could if I tried, but I've been lucky to be surrounded by great cooks all my life. I can make a mean grilled cheese, though.
Which three things would you take to a desert island?
My guitar, my son, and my girlfriend. We would probably die but at least we would be together and I could sing us some songs about how it would have been smarter to bring a knife or harpoon or some twine or something.
What is the last book you read?
Smart Brevity by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen and Roy Schwartz & How to Write One Song by Jeff Tweedy
What is your favorite account to follow on Instagram?
Even though I don't drink anymore (sober for 6 years, baby!), I love @drunkpeopledoingthings - it's a great reminder to stay off the sauce and it also is a never ending source of people falling, getting slapped, jumping off of rooftops, running into street lamps, and just, generally, acting a fool. I'm happy there are people out there willing to embarrass themselves on the internet so I don't have to (anymore).
The New Era of Twitter - An Update
It's been five months since Twitter fell into the hands of Elon Musk, and it's been an exciting ride. We're here to dive into what's happened in the past months and where the platform could be heading for the rest of this year.
What's Up with Twitter Blue?
All hell broke loose when the $8/month paid subscription was first introduced on Twitter. Impersonators took advantage of the blue checkmark to publish tweets to look like they were from the actual company, inevitably causing chaos. Just days after Twitter Blue was introduced, the platform killed it again.
But not for long. Twitter Blue was resurrected from the dead and is still in place today. For $8/month, subscribers can edit their tweets, write tweets up to 4,000 characters, have their replies appear above others in threads, and access even more features.
One difference from the first rollout of Twitter Blue is that the blue checkmark will not appear right after subscribing. Accounts will still be reviewed to ensure subscribed accounts meet all eligibility criteria'' before the checkmark appears.
Lastly, account security is no longer free under Musk's reign. To use two-factor authentication (like getting a code texted to you when you sign in), users must subscribe to Twitter Blue. There are other ways to authenticate your account if you don't pay, but they aren't convenient by any means.
Losing the Big Bucks
With all the changes happening on the platform and the rise in hate speech (we'll talk about that in a sec), advertisers are taking their money and running.
According to Reuters, more than 500 big-name advertisers have paused spending money on advertising on Twitter. On January 17 of this year, the company's revenue was reportedly 40% lower than the same day the year before. Yikes.
Twitter also reversed its ban on political ads, which could be why many advertisers are leaving. Especially with a big presidential election coming up next year, companies might be hesitant to exist on a platform with the potential for intense controversy and hostile rhetoric.
The Rise of the Gold Checkmark
Twitter Blue for Businesses now exists for companies that are sticking it out and keeping Twitter in their social media strategy. They still have to pay the monthly subscription but receive a gold checkmark and a square profile picture rather than a round one.
This acts as a safety measure to ensure real companies can be told apart from any impersonators. Definitely a good move on Twitter's part to keep any incidents like the one with Eli Lilly from happening again.
Increase in Hate Speech
In Elon Musk's mission to protect free speech, he has restored over 60,000 accounts with more than 10,000 followers each. These accounts had previously been banned for hate speech. Many of these accounts reportedly belong to neo-Nazi and QAnon individuals.
So far, no other platform has stepped up to the plate to take the place of Twitter. It remains the top platform for news and current events, and many businesses still utilize it in their social media strategies. Now only time will tell if Twitter survives.
Need a boost in your social media presence? Our team at Random is ready to help! Send us a message below to get started with us.
Say hi to Dimitrios, one of Random Agency's newest Social Media Interns! We can't wait to get to know him and what better way to do that than a Q & A?
First, the obvious question: Why did you choose Random Agency?
I am very passionate about marketing and it was a dream of mine to be able to be a part of a successful marketing agency. Working with people that are as passionate as me makes my job easier and more enjoyable.
Tell us three cool things about yourself.
1. I am a collegiate basketball athlete.
2. I am Greek.
3. I won a gold medal in the European Championship competing with the Greek national team.
Favorite TV show?
You
If money was no object, where would you go and what would you do?
I would fly to Paris and go to culinary school so I can fulfill my dream of owning a restaurant on a small Greek island one day.
What's in your refrigerator right now?
There is lots of fruit, chicken, and some salmon.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
I would pick teleport, so I do not have to worry about traffic.
What's your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory is of my mom taking me to a soccer academy because I was playing soccer in the house and broke her favorite vase.
Name one thing you wish you could do better.
I wish I could speak more languages.
Which three things would you take to a desert island?
1. Hammock
2. Grill
3. Knife
What is the last book you read?
I just finished reading The Richest Man in Babylon.
What is your favorite account to follow on Instagram?
The Top Social Media Conferences to Attend this Year
Discover the latest social media marketing innovations with these top conferences to attend in 2023.
Whether you're a content creator, an experienced marketer, or a business owner looking to utilize social media, these conferences are a great way to learn from the best in the biz!
February 2023
FREE and Digital!
Global Marketing Day by Semrush - February 16-17, Online
First up is a nonstop, 24-hour livestream experience that features sessions from international leading marketers. The sessions stream from New York, London, and Dubai, and it's absolutely free to attend! Hear from marketing experts from some of the world's biggest and most innovative companies, like Google, Microsoft, The New York Times, and Vogue.
Social Media Strategies Summit - February 21-24, Online
This conference is perfect for marketers who are looking to up their strategy game. The summit kicks off with an interactive workshop on data and analytics literacy, then continues with panels and roundtable discussions. Hear from social strategy leaders from Shopify, Sony, Peloton, Amtrak, and more.
Podcaster Movement Evolutions - March 7-10, Las Vegas, NV
Coming up in March is the ultimate conference for all our podcasters out there! Join the gathering in Las Vegas to access workshops, panels, and breakout sessions with the top podcasting industry experts. Plus, explore the expo hall to discover new equipment and network with brands and fellow podcasters.
While not strictly focused on social media marketing, SXSW is one of the largest conferences and festivals celebrating the tech, film, and music industries. This year's conference topics include Advertising & Brand Experience, Design, and Media Industry. This is an in-person event, but they also offer digital passes to stream keynotes and featured sessions online!
Social Media Marketing World - March 13-15, San Diego, CA
This conference from Social Media Examiner is like a treasure trove of knowledge. Learn from top industry professionals and connect with fellow marketers. Some of the speaker session topics this year include: How to Captivate an Audience with Long-Form Video, Mastering TikTok Marketing, Advanced LinkedIn Ads, Decoding the YouTube Algorithm, Copywriting Technique, and so much more! Can't make it in person? They also offer tickets to virtually access the recordings and livestreams of the sessions.
Adobe's Summit is great for marketers on both the creative and data sides, with keynote topics that range from Trends and Inspiration to Customer Data Management. Dozens of expert speakers will be attending, so there's no lack of knowledge to be gained here. If you can't make it in person, attend virtually for free!
This digital marketing conference is perfect for all kinds of roles in the marketing world and features panels, masterclasses, and demos from some of the world's biggest companies. Grab your whole team tickets and spread out, because they have a huge range of topics to learn about: Data Science and Big Data, Paid Search Marketing, Podcast and Webinar Marketing, SEO, and Visual and Voice Search, just to name a few.
In their own words, MozCon is like summer camp for marketers. They aim to create a more laidback, non-stuffy atmosphere while still providing top-notch learning from industry experts. Discover the newest marketing innovations for SEO, search marketing, mobile optimization, and more. (And also stick around for the games and parties!)
VidSummit is built for YouTubers, TikTokers, and influencers, but marketers and brands can find just as much value in this conference. Connect with other innovative marketers and content creators, and even hear from some of YouTube's biggest stars, like Mr. Beast. This is a great place to get insider insights and learn about topics such as Harnessing the Power of Data, Driving Click-Through Rates with Thumbnails, and YouTube Shorts.
