Tag: twitter

Threads: Meta’s New Social Media App Takes Flight

Post author By Alan Spicer - YouTube Certified Expert
Post date 6 July 2023

In a world where social media platforms are constantly vying for user attention, Meta has made a bold move by launching Threads, a direct competitor to Twitter.

The app has made a splash, amassing millions of users within the first 12 hours of its release in the UK and US.

However, the European Union (EU) has put a pin in Meta’s plans for a pan-European launch due to concerns about compliance with the upcoming Digital Markets Act.

Threads, the new kid on the social media block, was officially introduced to the public on Apple and Google’s app stores at 11pm UK time on Wednesday, July 5th.

Interestingly, there’s no desktop version available yet. Meta’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg, expressed his vision for Threads as a “public conversations app with one billion-plus people on it,” a feat he believes Twitter has yet to achieve.

Threads is seen by many as Zuckerberg’s latest move in his ongoing rivalry with Twitter’s owner, Elon Musk, the billionaire behind PayPal and Tesla. This rivalry heated up recently when Twitter introduced a new rate-limiting policy for users who refuse to pay a monthly charge for verified status, a move that seemed to inadvertently trigger a self-inflicted distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack on Twitter’s own systems.

Threads aims to capitalize on Instagram’s massive user base for rapid growth. The strategy is simple: make it easy for Instagram users, especially high-profile celebrities and influencers, to sign up using their existing Instagram credentials. This allows them to “reserve” their accounts and protect their identities. Big names like celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, reality TV star Kim Kardashian, and Formula 1 driver Lando Norris have already jumped on board.

When users sign up for Threads, they share a wealth of information from their Instagram profiles, including login information, account ID, name, username, profile information, followers, accounts they follow, age, and any violations of intellectual property or community guidelines. Like other Meta products, Threads also collects a wide range of personal data, from health and fitness information to financial data, contacts, content, browsing history, usage data, diagnostics, purchasing history, location, search history, identifiers, and sensitive information.

However, this cross-platform functionality is what has put the brakes on Threads’ European launch. The EU’s Digital Markets Act, set to be fully implemented in 2024, strictly prohibits sharing user data across different platforms. Violations could result in fines of up to 10% of annual global revenues for tech giants.

A representative from Meta confirmed that due to “upcoming regulatory uncertainty,” Threads will not be launched in the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes the 27 EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

The Irish Data Protection Commission, acting as the lead regulator for Meta in the EU, clarified that it has not blocked the EU launch but has been in dialogue with Meta about Threads’ use of data. They stated that Meta had not yet prepared Threads for an EU launch.

This development comes in the wake of a recent ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) that has significantly impacted Meta’s legal basis for data processing to serve targeted ads to EU users. In May 2023, the Irish DPC also halted Meta from transferring Facebook user data from the EU to the US, imposing a fine of €1.2bn.

Angel Maldonado, CEO and founder of Empathy.co, a privacy-driven search platform, commented on the situation, stating that tech giants like Meta are operating under a misconception about data ownership. He argued that simply clicking a checkbox does not mean that consumers’ data belongs to these companies. He calledout these business models as “abusive, obscene and wrong.”

Maldonado further emphasized that the CJEU’s decision serves as a warning to Big Tech companies about the risks of personalized advertising business models and treating consumer data as a commodity. He said, “This ruling shows the tables are turning in favor of privacy. Common sense always prevails, and with regulatory bodies circling Meta, they’ll soon have to start playing within the bounds of fair play. Consumers must have the ability to hold, protect and control their own data before it gets processed for any other means.”

As the social media landscape continues to evolve, it’s clear that privacy concerns are becoming increasingly important. While Threads has made a strong debut in the UK and US, its future in the EU remains uncertain. As we wait to see how this story unfolds, it’s a good time to reflect on the data we share on social media and how it’s used.

In the meantime, if you’re looking for Twitter alternatives, there are several options available. Mastodon, for example, is a decentralized social network where users can create their own servers or join others. Gab is another alternative that emphasizes free speech and user privacy. Then there’s Hive Social, a recently established social media network that temporarily closed its servers to address deep structural privacy issues identified by ethical hackers.

Interesting Stats

Twitter Monthly Active Users: As of the first quarter of 2021, Twitter had 330 million monthly active users worldwide.
Instagram Monthly Active Users: As of June 2021, Instagram had reached a whopping 1 billion monthly active users.
Facebook (Meta) Monthly Active Users: As of the second quarter of 2021, Facebook had over 2.8 billion monthly active users.
Mastodon Users: As of 2021, Mastodon, a Twitter alternative, had over 4.4 million users.
Gab Users: Gab, another Twitter alternative, had over 4 million users as of 2021.
EU Digital Markets Act Fines: The upcoming EU Digital Markets Act could impose fines of up to 10% of a tech giant’s annual global revenues for violations.
Fine Imposed on Meta by Irish DPC: In May 2023, Meta was fined €1.2 billion by the Irish Data Protection Commission for transferring Facebook user data from the EU to the US.

Fun fact: Did you know that as of 2021, Twitter had over 330 million monthly active users? With Threads aiming to create a “public conversations app with one billion-plus people on it,” it’s clear that Meta is setting its sights high. Only time will tell if Threads can truly rival Twitter’s popularity and influence.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

What Happened To Alex Jones?

Post author By Alan Spicer - YouTube Certified Expert
Post date 9 June 2023

Alex Jones, born in 1974 in Dallas, Texas, has become one of the most recognizable and controversial figures in American media. His journey, from a community college dropout with a passion for broadcasting to the head of the Infowars media empire, is characterized by his proclivity for conspiracy theories and the controversies that have surrounded him.

Alex Jones – Early Years and the Rise of Infowars

Jones began his career on a public access television show in Austin, Texas, in the late 1990s. He soon transitioned to radio, presenting a unique mix of libertarian ideals, anti-establishment rhetoric, and conspiracy theories. These shows laid the groundwork for what would become Infowars, a multimedia conglomerate that included websites, radio broadcasts, and documentary films.

Jones’s delivery style, imbued with urgency and conviction, drew a dedicated following, with listeners tuning in from across the nation. Infowars served as a conduit for fringe theories, frequently involving alleged government cover-ups and globalist conspiracies.

As the internet age advanced, Infowars capitalized on its digital presence to reach a wider audience, extending Jones’s influence.

Alex Jones Conspiracy Theories and Controversies

Jones’s controversial theories often revolve around major national and global events. Notably, he has claimed the U.S. government’s involvement in the 9/11 attacks and that climate change is a hoax. His persistence in promoting these narratives, despite their debunking by established authorities, has been a significant part of his media persona.

However, it is perhaps the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting theory that marked a turning point in Jones’s career.

After the horrific 2012 event where 26 people, including 20 children, were killed, Jones claimed the incident was a hoax perpetrated by the government to promote gun control. These claims caused widespread outrage, particularly from the victims’ families.

Alex Jones Legal Repercussions and the Fall of Infowars

The Sandy Hook claims led to a series of defamation lawsuits against Jones, initiated by the victims’ families. This legal action marked the beginning of Jones’s fall from his previously unassailable position. Jones’s defense, which hinged on his assertion that he was a “performance artist” playing a character, did not deter the courts.

In the face of the lawsuits, several social media platforms and other online services, including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Apple, banned Jones and Infowars for violating their policies on hate speech and harassment. This crackdown severely restricted Infowars’ reach and significantly impacted the platform’s revenue.

Simultaneously, Jones faced increased scrutiny from the public and media, with his credibility considerably damaged. Many viewed Jones’s actions as crossing a line from free speech into the realm of harmful misinformation and harassment.

Conclusion

Jones’s rise and fall illuminate a dark aspect of media’s power in the digital age. While he found a niche audience that resonated with his anti-establishment and conspiratorial narratives, his fall underscores society’s collective responsibility to uphold truth and the impact of misinformation.

Despite Jones’s diminishing influence, his legacy continues to be a topic of intense discussion concerning free speech, the media’s role in society, and the boundaries of acceptable discourse in the digital world.

SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS & TRICKS YOUTUBE YOUTUBE TUTORIALS

Does Location Matter on YouTube? Exploring Geographic Impact on Success

Post author By Alan Spicer - YouTube Certified Expert
Post date 29 April 2023

In the age of globalization, YouTube has emerged as a popular platform for content creators and audiences worldwide.

With over 2 billion logged-in monthly users, it’s no wonder that people from all corners of the globe are turning to YouTube for entertainment, information, and inspiration.

However, does location play a significant role in the success of a YouTube channel? Short Answer – Location impacts YouTube’s algorithm and audience engagement, but success isn’t limited by geography. By creating globally appealing content, collaborating with international creators, and using social media for promotion, YouTubers can reach audiences worldwide and overcome location barriers.

This blog post delves into the impact of geographic location on YouTube, providing interesting statistics, insights, and examples.

The Influence of Location on YouTube’s Algorithm

YouTube’s algorithm is designed to personalize content recommendations based on user preferences, watch history, and location.

This means that users are more likely to be shown videos in their native language and videos that are popular within their region.

YouTube’s localization features

YouTube has 100+ localized versions of the platform, making it easier for users to discover content that’s relevant to their region. These localized versions feature trending videos and recommendations tailored to the specific country or region.

Example: Regional differences in trending videos

Trending videos in the United States may differ from those in Japan or India, reflecting the diverse interests of audiences in each country. This localization helps users connect with content that resonates with their culture and interests.

Search preferences based on region

YouTube’s search algorithm also takes location into account, prioritizing videos that are more relevant to users’ regions. This can impact visibility for creators targeting a global audience, as their content may not appear as prominently in search results for users in other countries.

Case study: Local vs. international search results

For example, a user searching for cooking tutorials in India may be shown more videos from Indian creators, while a user in the United States may see more videos from American creators. This can create challenges for creators looking to reach a broader, international audience.

Geographic Distribution of YouTube Users

Top 10 Countries by YouTube Users (As of 2021)

Rank	Country	Number of Users
1	United States	197 million
2	India	190 million
3	Brazil	85 million
4	Japan	67 million
5	Russia	62 million
6	Indonesia	61 million
7	Mexico	49 million
8	United Kingdom	47 million
9	Turkey	37 million
10	South Korea	37 million

Average Watch Time by Country (As of 2021)

Country	Average Watch Time (Minutes)
United States	40.0
India	29.1
Brazil	35.3
Japan	27.4
Russia	32.8

Difficulty gaining traction?

Creators from smaller markets or countries with lower YouTube usage may face challenges in gaining traction, as they have a smaller potential audience to begin with.

This can make it difficult to achieve the same level of success as creators from larger markets.

Limited local sponsorship opportunities

Additionally, creators in smaller markets may have fewer opportunities for local sponsorships and brand deals, as companies may be more likely to invest in creators with a larger audience reach. This can limit the potential revenue streams for these creators.

Success Stories: YouTubers Who Defied Geographic Boundaries

Its not all doom and gloom, here is some examples of international success from creators all over the globe.

PewDiePie: A Swedish content creator dominating the global stage

PewDiePie, whose real name is Felix Kjellberg, hails from Sweden but has managed to become one of the most successful YouTubers worldwide.

With over 110 million subscribers, PewDiePie’s entertaining and relatable content has resonated with audiences across the globe, proving that location is not a barrier to success.

Superwoman (Lilly Singh): A Canadian-Indian YouTuber breaking barriers

Lilly Singh, known as Superwoman on YouTube, is a Canadian-Indian creator who has gained international fame through her comedic skits and insightful commentary. With more than 14 million subscribers, Lilly has successfully transcended geographic boundaries and built a loyal fan base around the world.

JuegaGerman: A Chilean YouTuber conquering the Spanish-speaking world

Germán Garmendia, known as JuegaGerman, is a Chilean YouTuber who has amassed over 42 million subscribers with his engaging gaming videos and humorous content. Despite coming from a smaller market, JuegaGerman has managed to make a significant impact on the Spanish-speaking YouTube community and beyond.

Tips for Overcoming Location Barriers

There is some foundation work you can do to broaden your appeal internationally if you are looking to expand beyond your inital location.

Language considerations

To reach a broader audience, consider creating content in English or other widely-spoken languages. Including subtitles or translations can also help make your content more accessible to international viewers.

Universal themes and formats

Focus on themes and formats that have universal appeal, such as comedy, storytelling, or how-to tutorials. This can help your content resonate with viewers from different cultures and backgrounds.

Collaborations with international creators

If you are looking to grow faster in diferent locations, consider tapping into other peoples audiences with collabs.

Benefits of cross-promotion

Collaborating with creators from other countries can help you tap into new audiences and increase your visibility. Cross-promotion through collaborations can introduce your content to viewers who may not have discovered it otherwise.

Example: Collab between American YouTuber Rhett & Link and Australian YouTuber HowToBasic

In a collaboration between American creators Rhett & Link and Australian creator HowToBasic, the YouTubers combined their unique styles of comedy and entertainment, attracting viewers from both their established audiences.

Utilizing social media for broader reach

The internet is a huge web of social media accounts and potential audiences. Try and meet your audience where they are, spread your content all over the social media bubble.

Connecting with global audiences

Use social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to engage with your audience and promote your content. This can help you connect with viewers from around the world and build a loyal fan base.

Promoting content through multiple channels

Share your videos on various platforms to increase their visibility and reach a more diverse audience. Encourage your followers to share your content with their networks, further expanding your reach.

Looking to grow your brand outside your location?…

While location does have an impact on YouTube’s algorithm and audience engagement, content creators can still achieve success regardless of their geographic location.

By creating content with global appeal, collaborating with international creators, and utilizing social media for promotion, YouTubers can defy geographic boundaries and reach audiences around the world.

Success on YouTube is not solely determined by location, but rather by the quality and relatability of the content you create.

NEWS SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter rival T2 raises $1.1million investment

Post author By Alan Spicer - YouTube Certified Expert
Post date 18 January 2023

Are you tired of the drama and chaos on Twitter? A new startup, currently known as T2, is on a mission to provide users with a simple platform for short-form posts. The brainchild of Gabor Cselle, a former employee at both Google and Twitter, T2 recently raised $1.1 million from a group of 17 investors.

Cselle’s vision for T2 is to create a “familiar place that is very close to the original [Twitter].” His team of investors includes Google VP Bradley Horowitz and former Wikipedia CEO Katherine Maher, making T2 a formidable competitor in the social media space.

T2 is not the only alternative to Twitter in the works, with platforms like Mastodon and Hive gaining popularity in recent months. However, Mastodon has developed a reputation for being dull, while Hive was forced offline due to security issues.

T2 plans to take on Twitter one step at a time, starting small and focusing on building a strong community. If you’re interested in joining the T2 waitlist, be sure to keep an eye out for updates on the official launch and name of the platform. With a solid team and a clear vision, T2 could be the next big thing in social media.

T2 aims to provide a more streamlined and user-friendly experience compared to the current social media giant, Twitter. With a focus on short-form posts and minimal drama, T2 is positioning itself as a more peaceful and enjoyable alternative to the often chaotic world of Twitter.

Gabor Cselle, the founder of T2, has a wealth of experience in the tech industry, having worked at both Google and Twitter. With this experience, he has assembled a team of investors that includes Google VP Bradley Horowitz and former Wikipedia CEO Katherine Maher, which gives T2 a strong foundation to build upon.

One of the major challenges T2 faces is the competition from other Twitter alternatives like Mastodon and Hive. However, T2 differentiates itself by its simple design and user-friendly interface, which makes it more accessible to a wider audience. Additionally, T2 plans to prioritize security and privacy, which are becoming increasingly important for users.

While T2 is still in its early stages, the company’s $1.1 million seed round and strong team of investors indicate that it has the potential to become a major player in the social media landscape. If you’re looking for a more peaceful and enjoyable social media experience, be sure to keep an eye out for T2’s official launch and join the waitlist to be one of the first to try out the platform.

Tags social media, t2, twitter, twitter alternative, twitter rival

SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS & TRICKS YOUTUBE

How to Promote YouTube Videos on Twitter

Post author By Alan Spicer - YouTube Certified Expert
Post date 24 June 2021
1 Comment on How to Promote YouTube Videos on Twitter

The explosion of social media and sheer pervasiveness of its adoption has left us with no shortage of places to promote our YouTube videos when the time comes. There’s short form messaging platforms, long form message platforms, image-only platforms… you get the idea.

In fact, the main dilemma you face when promoting your work on social media is not the where (the answer to that being as many places as you can) but the how. And, as you might expect, the answer is different depending on which platform you are promoting to. You wouldn’t promote your work on Facebook the same way you would on Twitter. Well, you could, but you’d be missing out on an opportunity to maximise your potential.

In this post, we’re going to be looking at how to promote YouTube videos on Twitter.

Why is Promoting Videos on Twitter Different?

In truth, it doesn’t have to be. If you wanted, you could easily write a single update informing everyone about your new video, throw a link and maybe a few hashtags in there, and push it out to all of your social media platforms. It would get the information out, and it’s better than nothing.

The thing is, people don’t use every social media platform the same way. It’s a lot like evolution and natural selection. Animals can co-exist in different niches, but when two creatures are in direct competition for the same resources, one of them has got to go.

This is why Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, TikTok, and countless other social media platforms with their own unique take on things are able to exist alongside each other. Meanwhile, platforms like MySpace, Vine, and Path are no longer around.

Each platform is used in different ways, so it makes sense that promoting things on each platform would take a different form.

More Than Just an Update Feed

One of the main things Twitter users expect from you is some kind of inherent value to your content. In truth, this applies to all social media, but the form that value takes differs. What we mean by value, is that your Twitter account should give people a reason to follow it in its own right, not just because of the YouTube channel it is promoting.

If a Twitter account just exists to tweet out the latest videos, very few people follow it. And, if very few people are following it, there isn’t going to be much value in promoting your videos there.

You should try to use your account regularly, providing content that your potential audience enjoys. If you are a tutorial YouTuber, tweet tips and tricks from time to time. If you are a comedy YouTuber, tweet jokes. The idea is to get people to want to follow your Twitter account for the content you are putting out on the account. That way, when you promote a video, it won’t feel like you’re just advertising at them, and they are more likely to want to check it out because they already like your content.

Don’t be Afraid to Share Other YouTuber’s Content

Technically, this is kind of an addition to the above point, as it is essentially a way to add more value to your Twitter account. Don’t be afraid to share relevant content from other YouTubers if it has some value for your followers.

Yes, sharing content that could rightly be termed “competition” might sound counterintuitive at first, but ask yourself this; what are the chances that your viewers would never have come across your “competition” on their own?

The reality of being a content creator today is that there is no such thing as a completely untapped niche, and you will always have competition. The trick is to be authentically you. You might be delivering the same content, but you’re doing it your way.

But occasionally sharing useful content from other YouTubers not only adds value to your Twitter feed, it can help build positive relationships with those other YouTubers.

Put it in Your Bio

Unlike YouTube, many tweeters will head over to your bio before they click that follow button, which makes your bio quite important. You don’t have a lot of space to cram it all in, but you should make a special effort to get across what you do, and, if YouTube is your main thing, definitely put a link to your channel in there.

Get Involved

Another way in which Twitter is quite different from YouTube is in the reciprocal nature of the platform. Despite the comments, YouTube is very much a one-way experience. Not so with Twitter.

Twitter is a place for conversations, and conversations are a great way to find new people who are interested in the kinds of things you make videos about. Of course, you have to find a balance between getting involved on Twitter and spending far too much time on Twitter, but that’s a learning curve we all must master.

Always Use Hashtags

Hopefully, if you’ve been engaging with the relevant communities, you will already know which hashtags are appropriate for your content. But, if you don’t, make sure to do a little research and find out where the action is regarding the videos you make.

You don’t need to go overboard and populate your tweet with nothing but hashtags and a link, but there should be at least one or two in there to get your video in front of the right eyeballs.

Final Thoughts

Twitter is just one tool in your video promotion arsenal, but it happens to be the tools with the largest immediate reach. Sure, Facebook might have more users, but there is far less potential for your content to spread beyond your immediate circle on Facebook than there is on Twitter.

Like all tools, it needs to be used correctly to get the best out of it. But, as always, you need a foundation of good content. No matter how good your Twitter strategy is, there needs to be compelling content to promote with it.

Top 5 Tools To Get You Started on YouTube

Very quickly before you go here are 5 amazing tools I have used every day to grow my YouTube channel from 0 to 30K subscribers in the last 12 months that I could not live without.

1. VidIQ helps boost my views and get found in search

I almost exclusively switched to VidIQ from a rival in 2020.

Within 12 months I tripled the size of my channel and very quickly learnt the power of thumbnails, click through rate and proper search optimization. Best of all, they are FREE!

2. Adobe Creative Suite helps me craft amazing looking thumbnails and eye-catching videos

I have been making youtube videos on and off since 2013.

When I first started I threw things together in Window Movie Maker, cringed at how it looked but thought “that’s the best I can do so it’ll have to do”.

Big mistake!

I soon realized the move time you put into your editing and the more engaging your thumbnails are the more views you will get and the more people will trust you enough to subscribe.

That is why I took the plunge and invested in my editing and design process with Adobe Creative Suite. They offer a WIDE range of tools to help make amazing videos, simple to use tools for overlays, graphics, one click tools to fix your audio and the very powerful Photoshop graphics program to make eye-catching thumbnails.

Best of all you can get a free trial for 30 days on their website, a discount if you are a student and if you are a regular human being it starts from as little as £9 per month if you want to commit to a plan.

3. Rev.com helps people read my videos

You can’t always listen to a video.

Maybe you’re on a bus, a train or sat in a living room with a 5 year old singing baby shark on loop… for HOURS. Or, you are trying to make as little noise as possible while your new born is FINALLY sleeping.

This is where Rev can help you or your audience consume your content on the go, in silence or in a language not native to the video.

Rev.com can help you translate your videos, transcribe your videos, add subtitles and even convert those subtitles into other languages – all from just $1.50 per minute.

A GREAT way to find an audience and keep them hooked no matter where they are watching your content.

4. PlaceIT can help you STAND OUT on YouTube

I SUCK at making anything flashy or arty.

I have every intention in the world to make something that looks cool but im about as artistic as a dropped ice-cream cone on the web windy day.

That is why I could not live on YouTube without someone like PlaceIT. They offer custom YouTube Banners, Avatars, YouTube Video Intros and YouTube End Screen Templates that are easy to edit with simple click, upload wizard to help you make amazing professional graphics in minutes.

Best of all, some of their templates are FREE! or you can pay a small fee if you want to go for their slightly more premium designs (pst – I always used the free ones).

5. StoryBlocks helps me add amazing video b-roll cutaways

I mainly make tutorials and talking head videos.

And in this modern world this can be a little boring if you don’t see something funky every once in a while.

I try with overlays, jump cuts and being funny but my secret weapon is b-roll overlay content.

I can talk about skydiving, food, money, kids, cats – ANYTHING I WANT – with a quick search on the StoryBlocks website I can find a great looking clip to overlay on my videos, keeping them entertained and watching for longer.

They have a wide library of videos, graphics, images and even a video maker tool and it wont break the bank with plans starting from as little as £8.25 ($9) per month.

Tags share to twitter, share videos, sharing, twitter, youtube, youtube promotion

WEB DESIGN

The Power Of Twitter and Social Media

Post author By Alan Spicer - YouTube Certified Expert
Post date 30 June 2017
3 Comments on The Power Of Twitter and Social Media

What’s the point of Social Media?

With around 300 million active Social Media users and 500 million tweets per day, Twitter presents a potential that is difficult to ignore. The colossal site is now big news, and savvy businesses are using it to get their message across to the world – for free.

One of the most widely used and accepted internet-marketing strategies in the world today; Twitter offers an inexpensive and highly effective resource for online business enhancement. HD1 Web Design is one of the best services to help you leverage the channel effectively for your business. Whilst Facebook is the major Social Media player and has great role in all business brand awareness but don’t forget Twitter and YouTube in your social media plan.

What’s the point of Twitter? The huge popularity of Twitter can be attributed to its ability to satisfy people’s craving for immediate news. The site also appeals to the vast majority because it is concise, informal and conversational. Most agree that it is less time consuming and the 140-character limit pushes people to be brief and clever.

Businesses are increasingly resorting to HD1 Web Design & Social Media Consultancy to amp their brand online, and not without good reason.

Showcase your company the best possible way in the virtual world using HD1 Web Design

This online ‘haven for humanity’ boasts of an enormous viral potential. No matter what your reasons are for being in twitter – business, personal or political – it offers the easiest way to spread the word. Twitter can also help you link with other popular social media channels including Facebook, LinkedIn and other networking sites. A distinct “buzz” online can do wonders for your business.

Real Time Connection With Customers

Most twitter users use the micro blogging site to share what is happening around them. We can connect your business message to what is relevant to your customers in real time thereby helping establish a connection with them. Posting great content and engaging with customers helps build credibility, which translates to more business.

Know Industry Trends

Twitter can help a business monitor discussions among customers about the particular industry and get a feel of what their potential buyers are looking for. You can keep abreast of industry trends and note changes in customer preferences. This will give you valuable insights and will aid you in making the right decisions in your business.

A Human Touch To Your Online Brand & Business

When you talk regularly about what your business does, you are giving it a human feel and not just hiding behind a business facade. Customers connect to you more when they are offered a better insight into your business goals, values and everyday dealings. You can trust us to portray your company in a manner that will appeal to your target section.

Brand Building

Twitter lends character to a business. The tone of your tweets can be informative and straightforward, casual or funny – it all depends on what image you want to portray about your brand. Apart from writing in the tone you prefer, we also help identify keywords that are relevant to your market; this helps your business to get into the flow of twitter traffic, making it easier for your potential customers to locate you.

All said, twitter is here to stay and can take your business to the next level. Twitter marketing involves several aspects and is best handled by our expert team of social media professionals at HD1 Web Design, who are well versed with the many nuances of the channel to help you achieve the best possible outcome. All social media sites have strengths for different businesses, we are here to help you make the most of social media and brand building for your business.

Tags facebook, online branding, online marketing, social media, social media advertising, social media branding, social media marketing, social media reach, social media trends, twitter

LISTS MARKETING SEO SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS & TRICKS YOUTUBE

7 Reasons Why Social Media is an Absolute Must for Business Branding

Post author By Alan Spicer - YouTube Certified Expert
Post date 6 June 2017
8 Comments on 7 Reasons Why Social Media is an Absolute Must for Business Branding

The Power Of Social Business Media Marketing

Although a relatively new phenomenon, social media is rapidly turning into a vital part of the modern marketing mix. Speaking of the so-called social media revolution, nowadays managing a flexible presence on each of the BIG THREE (Facebook, Twitter and Google+), has become a MUST for any marketer striving to bring his or her business up to speed.

What better proof than 665 million of daily active users on Facebook and over 500 million registered accounts on Twitter? Lacking social profiles on platforms such as LinkedIn, Pinterest, Tumblr, Stumbleupon, and Reddit would be a strategic miss for those companies looking to reach greater exposure in the digital market.

Here are some quick facts showing the tremendous role of social media in today’s business world…

A significant 86% of marketers said that social media was important to their businesses.
By spending as little as 6 hours per week, 64%+ of marketers see lead generation benefits with social media.
75% of marketers reporting positive results in terms of traffic increase as one of the major benefits of social media.
A significant 89% of all businesses that have a dedicated social media platform as part of their marketing strategy reported an increase in their market exposure.
More than half of marketers who have used social media marketing for over 3 years reported an increase in sales over that period.

Now that we have understood the influence of social media on your target market, lets discover the applied benefits it offers to your business.

1. Showcase Your Brand

Handling a strong social media presence is an efficient way to build your company’s reputation and showcase your business. By regularly updating your prospects on all the brand and social happenings, they subconsciously start to view your company as an authority.

Once you define your business objective “whether creating brand awareness, relationship building or driving new sales“ you can work in parallel on all of them. It is just a question of how well you will manage to position your business on the major social media networks.

2. Develop a loyal community of prospects

In reality people simply enjoy being part of a business that is proactively building a lively community. Studies have discovered that customers would purchase from businesses with an active Facebook fan page rather than without.

An emotional connection with your prospects will vouch for your positive business reputation. Community strength is a very powerful branding force, and social media offers exactly this kind of relationship-building opportunity that is virtually limitless.

From a marketing perspective, it delivers the best chances for brands to create a massive community of loyal and active customers.

3. Increase digital exposure

If you are eager to be found among the millions of sites on the web, you sure need to work hard on enhancing your social presence.

Social media leads to massive exposure due to its worldwide access, sharing capabilities, and huge amount of daily users. It delivers instant information in the digital marketplace, thus giving businesses the ability to advertise their products, going beyond distance.

Statistics have proven that interacting in social media networks even 2-3 times per week can significantly increase your online presence in both the traditional and digital market space, while you are building new relationships outside the four walls of your office.

4. Enhance company trustworthiness

Social media channels are proactive tools when it comes to increasing your company trustworthiness.

By closely communicating with your clients on a social media level, you become a trusted source of information which makes it a great asset when creating company awareness and brand credibility. Social media can be a great source of customer service, transforming negative customers experience into a positive outcome for your business.

Always keep in mind that customer satisfaction is the key to retention and in the long run it is loyalty awarding to your brand.

5. Expand sales

Getting speed access to consumers feedback is undoubtedly going to jump-start your sales results.

Prospects are more likely to become customers if you respond to their specific requirements in a prompt and personal manner. Social media helps you easily discover your customers preferences so that you can: focus on meeting their special needs and expectations, gain proficiency in that exact niche, excel your product list, and research your competitors.

Believe it or not, this will do the trick for your business and will monetize your efforts.

6. Boost traffic and search engine ranking

Social media channels are major generators, constantly bringing high volume of traffic to your webpage. That has brought to life the idea of integrating social media to companies websites as a way to convert leads into prospects.

Website builders, such as WordPress, now offer an option to connect your page with social media and share your business updates with a click. The more channels you participate in, the more the traffic to be reached online. In regard to the search engine benefits, the truth is that Google likes social media. In recent years, the search giant has allowed live tweets from Twitter to appear in search results, together with personal profiles and Facebook business pages.

Businesses can easily use that privilege by optimizing keywords in the title and description in a way that reflects the search queries. Combining SEO efforts with social media will become a powerful mix to help maximize your marketing efforts.

7. Cut marketing costs

Social media marketing is one of the most affordable ways to brand your business. In the past years it has solidly taken over traditional print marketing and advertising.

Promoting your products on social media platforms will increase your return on investment (ROI). With a strong social media strategy you can achieve business miracles in the market. Using social media lets your advertising opportunities grow exponentially, while energizing your PR efforts without a huge money and time commitment.

Social media has become an imperative for all brands looking to be a part of the digital market and create buzz around their business. Although the importance of social media in today’s business landscape is indisputable, businesses are still not making the most of its full potential. It simply takes creativity, passion, and consistency to keep your social media campaigns ruling and rolling.

Regardless of the serious competition, there are millions of people waiting to be reached.

Don’t let your competitors beat you out in the socialsphere. Your next prospect could possibly come from social media.