A Random Twitter Update - Recent Changes to the Platform

Twitter right now is kind of like that one freeway you drive on that's always under construction. No matter how much work is being done, it's hard to see an end in sight. And a lot has happened on Twitter since our last update.

Some of these updates might actually seem like good features, while others seem like an attempt to stay relevant (or make money). One thing is for sure: changes to Twitter will not be stopping anytime soon. Early last month, Elon Musk, current CEO of Twitter, announced that Linda Yaccarino, NBCUniversal's former advertising chief, would be Twitter's new CEO, while he would focus on product development. This gives Musk plenty of extra time to concoct new additions to the app.

But for the meantime, there's plenty of change to talk about. Read on for all the latest features and news surrounding the ever-evolving platform:

Video Updates

Musk has been talking about bolstering Twitter's video content for quite some time now, and the first few updates to support this goal have already been implemented.

One of the more significant updates was giving Twitter Blue subscribers the ability to upload videos up to two hours long on the app. For reference, free users can only upload videos up to 140 seconds long. This seems like an amazing feature, but time will tell if it's incentivizing enough for users to subscribe to Twitter Blue, which is an $8 per month subscription. Back in December, Twitter added hour-long uploads for Twitter Blue, and since then, only about 0.3% of Twitter users have subscribed to the exclusive service.

Other features that Twitter has implemented in an attempt to match other video-sharing platforms are video playback speed and picture-in-picture video playback (meaning you can keep watching a video while scrolling through the app). This means that you can watch clumsy cat videos and read up on celebrity feuds at the same time!

API Access

It seems as if Musk can't decide what he wants to do with the Twitter application programming interface (API). At first, Twitter announced that they would be cutting off all access to the API (which used to be completely free). This caused an uproar, so Musk changed his mind and instead offered tiered access to the API, where each tier gives different capabilities.

Naturally, this also caused an uproar (taking away something that once was free will do that) because this meant that third-party platforms like Sprout Social and Agorapulse would be paying a large fee to maintain their Twitter connection. A few apps have already fallen at the hand of the API restriction, including Twitteriffic and Tweetbot.

As of right now, these are the current access tiers that Twitter has in place:

DM Updates

One of Musk's major initiatives with Twitter has involved improving security for its users. Seems like a worthy mission for a platform that has been exploited in the past. This goal has resulted in Twitter launching encrypted direct messages. Or at least, trying to launch direct messages. 

Here's what Musk tweeted when encrypted messages were released:

Seems like something you wouldn't want to hear when launching a security measure! Encrypted direct messages would ensure that users have full privacy control over their DMs and won't have to worry about info being shared with Twitter. Here's the predictable catch: only verified users can encrypt their DMs. Shoulda seen it coming.

Advertising Updates

Incentive to subscribe to Twitter Blue seems to be a theme for a lot of these updates. As of April 21, running ads on Twitter is now a feature only available to paying users, or those who are verified by other means. 

Here's the official notice that pop-ups on the Twitter ads dashboard:

This update might mean nothing for those already exceeding $1,000 in ad spend, but it means extra costs for those who rely on Twitter for advertising.

Other Notable Updates:

While these new changes might be exciting to some, a new study shows that 25% of users don't see themselves using Twitter 12 months from now. Will any of these new updates entice users to stay with the iconic app, or will more tweeters start to jump ship? 

Wanting your brand to stay on top of social media trends? Shoot us a message to see how we can help!

5 Ways YouTube Shorts Can Grow Your YouTube channel.

Do you ever feel like your YouTube channel is stuck in a virtual traffic jam, with no hope of ever reaching its destination? You're posting quality content, but you get the same pity comments from friends and family members on every video.

Smartphone with YouTube Shorts loading.

Well, worry not, because in this blog post, we're going to be exploring YouTube Shorts and how they can help you break free from the gridlock and accelerate your channel's growth. YouTube Shorts are short-form, vertical video content that resembles and rivals Instagram Reels and TikTok.

Reach New Audiences

Utilizing YouTube Shorts will unlock a whole new demographic of viewers - one that still values quality, but appreciates short-form and highly consistent content.

Since Shorts are easy to consume, the content reach is significantly different from regular, long-form YouTube videos. Additionally, shorter-form content has a higher tendency to be shared, helping to attract new viewers to your channel. With YouTube Shorts, you no longer have to rely on the YouTube search bar for people to find your content. In fact, according to Pierce Vellucci, A YouTube Product Manager, Shorts get recommended based on a user's watch history and their engagement with different accounts.

Promote Regular Channel Content

YouTube Shorts is a great tool to promote your regular channel content. Think of YouTube Shorts as a teaser trailer for your longer-form content.

Let's say you're a fitness influencer with a YouTube channel. You could create a 30-second Short that highlights one specific exercise or move, with a call-to-action (CTA) encouraging viewers to check out your longer workout videos for a full routine. Additionally, you could include a CTA asking viewers to subscribe to your channel for more fitness content, helping to grow your audience and brand.

Repurpose Regular Channel Content

Any time you post a long-form video on your YouTube channel, it's an opportunity for you to repurpose that content into shorter-form bits for YouTube Shorts. You can take a snippet or highlight from your longer video and create a short clip that showcases the most exciting or interesting part. This could be a key point you made, a funny moment, or a visually stunning shot. Here an example of long-form content being repurposed into a Short from Wired:

It's double the exposure for the price of one! What a deal, right? Plus, it gives new audiences on YouTube Shorts a taste of what your long-form videos are like.

Easily Jump on Trends

Following trends plays a huge role in growing your following on social media, and utilizing YouTube Shorts is a great way to do just that. When you participate in popular trends, you increase the likelihood of your content being shared and discovered by more people. By keeping up with the latest trends, you can showcase your brand's personality and creativity, while also building your audience and establishing yourself as a relevant creator in your niche.

But why do you need YouTube Shorts to do this? Well, as you probably already know, producing long-form YouTube videos often takes time and planning. Trends on social media sometimes live and die in just a few days. Because YouTube Shorts are easy to make and can be less-polished, it lends itself better to following trends in a timely manner.

Grow Monetization Opportunities

For creators, any new opportunity to make money on social media is good news. YouTube finally introduced monetization options for Shorts earlier this year through the YouTube Partner Program. By enabling ads to appear in-between their videos, creators can earn revenue from their Shorts content and boost their income stream. This is just one more way to bring in a few extra dollars on top of the revenue your channel might already be gaining.

Need help growing your social media presence? We're good at that. Shoot us a message today!

What Should I Post on LinkedIn? Engaging Post Formats to Try

LinkedIn is no longer a simple networking site where you only post when you're looking for a job. Today, in 2023, LinkedIn is used to share ideas, information, and useful content from all types of industry.

But with over 900 million users, posting on LinkedIn can be intimidating. New users often struggle figuring out what to post. If that's the case for you, we're here for you. Here are a few engaging post ideas to help you stand out!

Carousel Posts

Carousels work great on LinkedIn because it's a simple, digestible way to share your expertise on something. Not only are they simple to consume, but they're more interactive than a typical image post. LinkedIn influencers have been using carousels for a while now, but these posts are just as engaging as ever.

Carousels are a great way to showcase products, ideas, tips, and any other helpful information in a visual format.

Text-Only Listicles

Text-only posts have a huge impact on LinkedIn. Even in a world where videos and branded images are meant to catch our eye, text-only posts seem to perform very well on LinkedIn. Maybe it's because these posts seem more authentic and intimate to audiences.

Whatever the reason, breaking up text-only posts into listicles is a great way to share tips, hacks, or something you've learned recently.

LinkedIn Polls

LinkedIn Polls are probably the most simple posts to interact with. In essence, it's just a post with a question and some buttons. Everyone likes sharing their opinion on topics whether they be controversial or trivial. This is not only a great way to get increased engagement, but also a great tool to learn what your LinkedIn network thinks about a certain topic.

Personal Stories

Sharing a story from your own life is a great way to connect with your network on LinkedIn. You just need to make sure that it is something that offers value to whoever reads this. Posts like this don't even have to be centered around employment or work-related things.

I have seen dozens of personal story posts that deal with subjects about family, community, personal struggle, etc. The purpose of these posts is to show your values and personality, all while inspiring/entertaining your network.

Need additional help beefing up your LinkedIn game? Shoot us a message to get started!

Meet Stefany, Our Newest Account Executive

Say hi to Stefany, Random Agency's newest Account Executive! 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?

It's funny because, throughout the process of being laid off and trying to rediscover myself and what I wanted, I realized that at the rate I was going, I wasn't exactly growing to my fullest potential. I was a Jack of all Trades, but a Master of None to an extent. So, I needed to guide my path toward a specialized category of Marketing/Advertising to then grow that specific skill set.

Through my search, I found myself being drawn more and more toward the world of social and paid media. Then, That Random Agency came up on my LinkedIn! Since the moment of applying, it was a chain of fortuitous events that lead me here and I can't be more thankful. 

Tell us three cool things about yourself.

Get ready for this

  1. I am a first-generation American of Romanian immigrant parents. 
  2. I have a love for the pop-culture world “ especially when it comes to movies, actors, and artists.
  3. I have a personal goal to tour and hike at all the U.S. National Parks. 

Bonus: I have a small interest in fitness and nutrition “ all about those micronutrients! 

Favorite TV show?

Favorites for different reasons

If money was no object, where would you go and what would you do?

If money were no object, I would take myself, my husband and our two dogs on a tour of the Netherlands mountains and valleys during the summer. Where we could hike, have fun in tulip fields and possibly live happily ever after. 

What's in your refrigerator right now?

Oh. Uh this is awkward, I have hardly anything in there right now since I just got back from a trip. But there is some salmon defrosting for dinner tonight and some fried rice leftovers. (likely to go together this evening)

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

Walking through walls like Kitty Pryde in the X-Men. I mean, just the coolest. 

What's your favorite childhood memory?

My parents would take my brother and me on camping trips all the time as kids. I remember one time we went out on one of these trips with our boat hooked up to my Dad's truck, so you know it was at least somewhere with water. Throughout the trip, it happened to be my brother's birthday and so my parents look into a restaurant down the lake across from our campsite for dinner that night.

We made reservations, cleaned up, and took the boat to the old marina that I could only imagine as anything else but cool at the time. I must have been about 6 years old, so anything is cool honestly. I remember seeing turtles and fish come up to the surface in the boat bays. I guess people would feed them often because they were NOT scared of us. 

We walk up the hill from the marina and get into what I could probably paint as a local little dive diner by today's standards, but back then it was a fancy place that we'd never been. We sit down for a while and when it comes to getting our orders, the waiter asks me what I want. Of course, I haven't even glanced at the menu. I mean how could I? I was so young, I didn't know what was going on. So, then I tell them, Spaghetti! 

They didn't have that on the menu. 

I'm pretty sure this place was a burger bar. They probably didn't even stock noodles for pasta. The waiter looked at me and to my surprise to this day, said, Okay, sweetie. 

You know, it was my brother's birthday, but when they came out with a plate of poorly made noodles and sauce, it felt like my birthday. 

Name one thing you wish you could do better.

I wish I could run faster per mile but with my stubby short legs, every 2 steps for me is 1 step for any person of average height.

Which three things would you take to a desert island?

  1. The food: Endless supply of peanuts 
  2. The friend: My dog, Dotson
  3. The escape plan: The police phone booth from Dr. Who to transport out of there

What is the last book you read?

In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollen

It's basically about all of the foods and food-like substances we eat, where they come from in nature, as well as what to look out for nutritionally in certain food items.

What is your favorite account to follow on Instagram?

Ooooh, this is a new one for me actually, but @bigmootoo. It's a dog influencer from Thailand that is the funniest meme-like dog I have ever seen. I mean look at him as a little cop. 

4 Creative Approaches for Your Next CTA

Whether you're a social media manager, content creator, or business owner, you understand how important it is to have a strong call to action (CTA) for your audience. But the same Click here! CTA is overused and doesn't quite speak to a customer like you hope it would. A great CTA needs more depth than that.

Here are four creative CTA approaches that are sure to shake things up a bit:

Graphic of multiple "Click Me!" buttons with mouse cursor hovering over middle.

Provide an Actionable Next Step

Sure, Click Me! and Follow the Link! sound exciting, but they don't really give us a clue to what will happen. Your audience wants to know where this journey will guide them. Putting an actionable next step in your CTA will show your audience what they can expect. CrazyEgg uses the CTA Show me my Heatmap below to let their customer know what the next step in the process is. Pretty clever. Take a look:

Handle an Objection

Your audience will always have a reason not to follow through with your CTA. Whether it's because they don't want to spend money, or they don't want to spend the time, the objection is in the back of their mind. 

This just means that you can use the CTA to your advantage and handle some of those objections. For example, you can tell your audience in your CTA that no credit card is required or that they can try a demo of your product in just 2 minutes. Here's a look at how Basecamp handles objection in their simple CTA:

Call to action for Basecamp website.

Show some specifics

Have you ever been invited to a party that you don't know details about? Maybe you don't know where it's at, if it's formal or casual, or who else is going to be there? Kinda stressful, right?

That same feeling of uncertainty can happen when a CTA fails to show some specifics. In the example below, Netflix gives you a specific number (30 days) to ease your uncertainty:

Call to action for Netflix website.

Demonstrate Empathy

Good copywriting talks to an audience on their personal level. Using this empathy can be a great tool when creating a CTA. 

Everyone has a pain point, and the best thing you can do is acknowledge that pain point. Everyone wants their problems to be heard, right? Look how Metafy points out the problem and empathizes with their customer's desires:

Call to action for Metafy website.

We hope these unique approaches help you give some fire to your call to actions. If you need more help navigating the social and digital worlds, reach out to us below!

Send us a Message!

Is the Internet Changing? - What to know about SCOTUS and Section 230

The internet is a wonderful, exciting, and chaotic place. With how much it has shaped modern culture, it's hard to imagine our world without it. But the internet as we know it could be coming to a dramatic change. This is all due to the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) deciding to revisit Section 230, a law that protects online platforms from user liability.

If you're a business owner, social media manager, or simply an individual that uses social media, this could change how you use the internet. So, buckle up, because we've put together all the important info you need to know.

What exactly is Section 230?

Section 230 is often referred to as the "26 words that created the internet." 

Why?

Because it's been credited with enabling the growth of the internet and the rise of user-generated content platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. The law was passed in 1996 as part of the Communications Decency Act, and it clearly states that online platforms are not responsible for the content any of their users post.

However, Section 230 has also come under scrutiny in recent years because of an increase in hate speech and misinformation that's been published to these platforms. Which brings us back to SCOTUS's push to reform or repeal this impactful law.

What does this mean for brands?

Brands have a lot to be worried about with this change. For years, Section 230 has provided a level of protection against liability for user-generated content. This means that companies have been able to build and promote their online presence without having to worry about the risk of lawsuits stemming from user comments or reviews. A change in this law would force brands to become more accountable for the content on their platforms.

A possible outcome of this is increased moderation and filtering of user-generated content. This would limit the free flow of information. As a result, brands may have to reevaluate their approach to digital marketing, focusing more on moderation and content management to minimize legal risk.

How does this affect users?

Ordinary social media users and individual content creators are also at risk. If platforms become more responsible for the content on their sites, it could lead to increased censorship and limitations on free speech. This could impact the ability of individuals to express themselves online, particularly on controversial topics or issues.

Additionally, if brands are held responsible for third-party content, it could lead to increased scrutiny and backlash from consumers. This could change how people interact with brands on social media.

Will this affect politics?

Section 230 has been a contentious issue between political parties. Some argue that it gives too much power to big tech companies and others claim that it is necessary for free speech on the internet. If the Supreme Court makes changes to this law, it could influence the way that politicians and policymakers approach online content and regulation.

One more thing to note: If brands become more responsible for user-generated content, they may be forced to take a stance on controversial issues that arise on their platforms. This could lead to increased pressure from consumers and advocacy groups to take action on specific issues or content, putting companies in difficult positions. It could also lead to more transparency and accountability when it comes to political advertising.

What should you do?

Big changes to online platforms means even bigger changes for users of the platform. Whether you're a digital marketer, social media manager, or an ordinary user, it's important to stay informed about changes to Section 230. After all, it did give us the internet as we know it today.

Need help strategizing your social media presence? We're here for you.

Send us a message

4 Copywriting Best Practices to Help You Shine on Social Media

What's harder than writing a 10-page essay? Writing a two-sentence caption for social media.

Ok, we're joking. But copywriting for social media presents its own set of challenges. You have to write with strict character limits and for an audience that might call you out if they spot a mistake in your grammar, all while getting your message across.

But with quality copy comes better engagement and action from your audience, making it all worthwhile. So, if you've ever spent two hours looking at the same Instagram caption, these best practices are for you!

Photo of man's hands typing on a laptop.

Involve Your Audience!

Just like I'm talking to you right now, it's important that your social media copywriting is inclusive and immersive for your audience. Why? Well, you're more likely to pay attention to something that is speaking directly to YOU. Remember, for the most part, copywriting on social media doesn't have to be too formal.

One good way to involve your audience on social media is to ask questions (bonus points if they're open-ended). This will get them engaged and excited to add to the conversation. Look how Chase uses copywriting to involve their audience:

Keep it Simple. Like, REALLY simple.

Attention spans are not long on social media. Keep your copy concise and to the point. Use bullet points, lists, or emojis to break up long chunks of text and make it more visually appealing. Most social media users decide very quickly if they're going to interact with a post. If the main message of your post is front and center, they're more likely to stay and engage. Check how Starbucks kept it simple with their copy:

On top of that, you only have a few lines of text to explain your product, service, post, or promotion. Cut the jargon and write like you're talking to an 8th grader. This will save you the trouble of having a confused audience. So, use plain language and short sentences. To make sure you have your message down, practice on your mom, friend, or dog to see if they understand (your dog won't, but it'll be cute).

Have a clear purpose.

What action do you want your audience to take? Do you want them to head to your website or leave a comment? Whatever it may be, make it clear in your CTA (call to action).

Remember that your CTA doesn't have to be some large button or super big element in your post. It could be as simple as encouraging your reader to comment or giving them a good reason to click the link in your bio. But for the love of all things holy, make sure it's not boring! Here's how New York Magazine casually introduces their CTA:

Stay Consistent.

Lastly, consistency is key when it comes to social media copywriting. The style of your writing might differ based on the needs of different social channels, but keep a consistent tone. This will help you build a strong brand identity and make it easier for your audience to recognize your posts.

Bonus Tips!

Use Emojis: Using emojis can make all the difference in a social media caption. Emojis can help break up the text, emphasize copy, and add some needed emotion and expression to your words!

Read Your Copy Out Loud: This is one of the most effective ways to test your copy on readability. If you read your copy out loud and it sounds like a robot wrote it, you'll want to change some things. 

Use Writing Tools: There are writing tools both paid and free like Grammarly and Hemingway Editor that can be super beneficial. Never again will you have to worry if your copy is unreadable or full of grammatical errors!

Want more tips on how to engage your audience? Follow That Random Agency on social media or connect with us by sending a message below!

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