Why Do Social Media Platforms Copy Each Other?

It's not uncommon to find similarities between various platforms in the dynamic world of social media. From layout and design to features and functionality, social media platforms frequently seem to copy one another. But why? To find an answer, we are going to look at some of the primary reasons for this trend, as well as examine its effects on the digital world.

  1. User Familiarity and User Experience

The main reason social media platforms resemble one another is to provide consumers with a familiar experience. Users feel more comfortable and the learning curve is reduced when a new platform incorporates features that have already proven successful on another platform. If users are already accustomed to the features and characteristics of their preferred social media platforms, they can rapidly adapt to the new one. By reducing complexity and ensuring a smooth transition, platforms can secure new users more effectively. 

  1. Competitive Advantage

In the fiercely competitive social media world, platforms constantly seek ways to gain an edge over their competitors. Copying successful features from competitors can be a strategic move to capture a larger user base. By incorporating popular features, platforms aim to retain existing users and attract those who are looking for similar functions. For example, Instagram's introduction of Stories, which were first made popular by Snapchat, helped Instagram maintain its position as a leading platform and drew users away from its competitors.

  1. Market Validation

Creating a new feature requires significant resources, time, and effort. By observing and copying features that have proven successful on other platforms, social media companies can leverage market validation. If a particular feature is well-received on one platform, it suggests that users are interested in that functionality, reducing the risk associated with innovation. For instance, TikTok's skyrocketing popularity demonstrated the immense appeal of short videos, prompting other platforms like Instagram and YouTube to introduce similar features such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. By implementing features that have already been validated, platforms can focus on refining the execution rather than reinventing the wheel.

  1. User Expectations and Trends

Social media platforms are under constant pressure to live up to user expectations and keep up with the emerging trends. Users often desire similar experiences across several platforms to maintain a consistent digital presence. If a new platform fails to offer features that are popular on existing platforms, it risks being perceived as outdated or irrelevant. This is evident in the case of Vine, a once popular short-form video platform that failed to adapt to the evolving social media landscape. With the rise of platforms like Instagram and Youtube, which capitalized on the demand for short video content, Vine's inability to incorporate additional features ultimately led to its decline and eventual shutdown. This serves as a compelling example of the importance of adapting to trends and implementing features that resonate with users to maintain relevance in the social media ecosystem.

  1. Monetization Strategies

Social media platforms rely largely on advertising revenue and user engagement metrics. By duplicating successful features, platforms can tap into established monetization strategies. For instance, Facebook capitalized on the increased interest in real-time interactive content when it introduced live video streaming. With the help of this feature, advertisers and influencers had a great opportunity to monetize their video by including sponsorships and advertisements.

Facebook gave businesses and influencers a platform to reach a highly engaged audience while content creators could make money and form profitable partnerships by facilitating the seamless integration of promotional content within live streams. Platforms can create opportunities for both users and advertisers, attracting more investment and increasing profit.

Due to the competitive nature of the digital market and the goal to provide consumers with a seamless experience, social media companies are increasingly mimicking one another. Although some would claim that it hinders innovation, the approach has many benefits, as noted above. In the near future, we can anticipate more replication, adaptation, and invention as the social media world continues to change. This will eventually influence how social interaction and digital communication will develop in the coming years. 

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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.

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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 Mes, 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.

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Get Influenced: Analyzing The Top Social Media Platforms For Each Generation

Casey Wright

April 2023

Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. It has changed the way we communicate, share information, and interact with each other. There are various social media platforms available today, and each platform has its own unique features and target audience. In this blog, we will explore which social media platforms are used most by each generation and the reasons behind their influence.

Generation Z (born between 1997-2012)

Generation Z is the youngest generation and the most tech-savvy. They have grown up with technology and have a strong presence on social media. According to a survey conducted by Pew Research Center, the top social media platforms used by Generation Z are:

  1. TikTok - TikTok is a short-form video sharing app that allows users to create and share 15-second videos that are often accompanied by music. This format is particularly appealing to Generation Z, who have grown up with short attention spans and a preference for quick and easily digestible content. TikTok's algorithm is designed to show users content that is relevant to their interests. This means that users are constantly exposed to new and interesting content, which keeps them engaged and coming back for more. TikTok has a strong sense of community. Users can interact with each other through likes, comments, and shares, and there are many popular challenges and trends that users can participate in. 

This sense of community and belonging is particularly important to Generation Z, who are known for their social consciousness and desire to connect with others. Overall, TikTok's unique format, personalized content, sense of community, and emphasis on creativity and self-expression makes it the most influential platform for this young and vocal generation.

  1. Instagram - Instagram is a photo and video sharing app that allows users to share pictures and videos of their daily lives. This format is particularly appealing to Generation Z, who are known for their love of visual content and their desire to share their experiences with others. Instagram has a strong emphasis on aesthetics and creativity. Users can use a range of filters, editing tools, and hashtags to create unique and visually appealing content. This allows Generation Z to express themselves in new and exciting ways and to showcase their talents and creativity to a wider audience. 

The platform is constantly evolving and introducing new features and trends that allow Generation Z to stay up-to-date with social culture and to express themselves in new and exciting ways. Overall, Instagram's focus on visual content, creativity, community, dynamic features, and constant innovation has kept Gen Z engaged for over a decade.

Generation Y (born between 1981-1996)

Generation Y, also known as millennials, grew up during the rise of the internet and social media. They are comfortable with technology and are heavy users of social media. According to a survey conducted by Pew Research Center, the top social media platforms used by Generation Y are:

  1. Facebook - Facebook was the first major social media platform that many millennials used and it has become a part of their daily lives. Many millennials have been using Facebook for over a decade, and it has become a way to stay in touch with friends and family members who are spread out across the country or the world. 

The platform's wide range of features, including messaging, groups, events, and pages allows millennials to connect with others who share their interests and to stay up-to-date with the latest news and events in their communities. Overall, Facebook's longevity, wide range of features, strong sense of community, emphasis on privacy and security, and diverse content has made it a hugely popular platform among millennials.

  1. Twitter - Twitter is a platform that allows users to express their thoughts and ideas in short, concise messages called tweets. This format is particularly appealing to millennials, who are known for their ability to communicate quickly and efficiently. Users can interact with each other through retweets, likes, and replies, and there are many popular hashtags and trends that users can participate in. 

The platform is widely used by journalists, politicians, and celebrities which has given the generation a way to digest local and world news beyond the traditional morning newspaper. Overall, Twitter's focus on concise messaging, community, real-time news and events, and diverse content makes it the perfect platform for Millennials.

Generation X (born between 1965-1980)

Generation X grew up during a time of rapid technological change. They are comfortable with technology but are not as heavily reliant on social media as younger generations. According to a survey conducted by Pew Research Center, the top social media platforms used by Generation X are:

  1. Facebook - Many Gen Xers use Facebook to connect with old friends and classmates, as well as to participate in discussions and debates about topics that are important to them. This sense of community and belonging is particularly important to Gen Xers, who are often seeking to establish and maintain relationships.
  1. LinkedIn - LinkedIn is a platform that is specifically designed for professional networking. This is particularly important to Gen Xers, who are often in their peak career-building years and may be seeking new job opportunities, networking contacts, or industry insights. The platform has a strong emphasis on professionalism. 

Users are encouraged to create detailed profiles that highlight their education, work experience, and professional achievements. This allows Gen Xers to showcase their skills and expertise to potential employers or business partners. Overall, LinkedIn's focus on professional networking, emphasis on professionalism, wide range of features, strong sense of community, and educational content has made it a hit with Generation X.

  1. Pinterest - Pinterest is a platform that allows users to discover and save inspiration and ideas for a wide range of topics, including recipes, home decor, fashion, and travel. This is particularly appealing to Gen Xers, who are often seeking inspiration and new ideas for their personal lives and interests. 

The platform's highly visual and user-friendly interface allows users to easily create boards and save or organize pins in a way that is easy to navigate and share with others. Many Gen Xers use Pinterest to connect with others who share their interests and to discover new content through social sharing and collaboration. Overall, Pinterest's focus on inspiration and ideas, user-friendly interface, sense of community, diverse content, and emphasis on personalization has found its place in this generation of users.

Baby Boomers (born between 1946-1964)

Baby Boomers grew up during a time when technology was not as prevalent as it is today. They are not as comfortable with technology as younger generations, but they are increasingly using social media to stay in touch with family and friends. According to a survey conducted by Pew Research Center, the top social media platforms used by Baby Boomers are:

  1. Facebook - Facebook is one of the longest standing social media platforms, which has allowed time for older generations such as Boomers to learn and adapt with the platform more than others.  Boomers are often in a phase of life where their children have moved away from home or have friends or family members who live in different parts of the country of the world so being able to post life updates and stay connected has proven to be extremely beneficial to this generation of users. This sense of community and belonging is particularly important to Boomers, who may be seeking to establish new social connections as they enter retirement.
  1. YouTube - YouTube is a platform that offers a wide range of content, including music, news, educational videos, and entertainment. Boomers appreciate the diversity of content and the ability to explore new topics and interests. 

With the platform's user-friendly interface and the ability to easily search for educational content, Boomers enjoy taking advantage of lifelong learning content such as wealth resources, tutorials, and topic based podcasts. Overall, YouTube's diverse range of content, user-friendly interface, educational resources, sense of community, and personalization features have made it a hugely popular platform amongst Boomers.

Understanding the platforms your target audience uses is crucial for the success of your marketing campaigns. By knowing where your audience spends their time online, you can tailor your messaging, content, and advertising efforts to resonate with them. Each platform has its unique features, audience demographics, and communication styles. Therefore, adapting your strategy to match each platform's characteristics will help you engage your target audience and build a strong online presence. 

Additionally, understanding the platforms your audience uses will allow you to optimize your advertising budget and reach the right people at the right time. Overall, knowing your target audience's preferred platforms will help you create more relevant and effective campaigns that drive engagement, conversions, and brand loyalty.

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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. 

From the time Musk took over until December 2022, there was a 200% increase in anti-Black slurs, researchers told the New York Times. 

The Road Ahead

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.

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Meet Dimitrios, Our Newest Social Media Intern

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?

@dearmodern

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!

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