August 31, 2023

Signed, Sealed, Delivered from LinkedIn 💌

With both new and refurbished features, LinkedIn is providing brands with a more streamlined newsletter publishing experience. Recent updates include:

• More capabilities to format, adjust the layout, and embed multimedia content in newsletters
• Customization options that allow users to save drafts and schedule newsletters for when their audiences are most active
• Multimarket features that allow any individual user or company to post up to five newsletters on varying topics in one place

As other social media platforms struggle with engagement, LinkedIn continues to boast strong growth. For newsletters specifically, daily readership has tripled over the last year, reaching 1.3 million. 

Newsletters can help build trust with your audience and offer an excellent vehicle for thought leadership. Whether you’re looking to launch a newsletter or refresh a current one, LinkedIn’s offering is worth exploring.

TL;DR: New and refreshed features for LinkedIn offer brands new tools to maximize content and connect with customers.

Scope Out Your Meta Competitors 🔍

If you’re curious about what your competitors are up to, Meta has you covered. Located in the Ads Library, the new search tool for branded content lets you sort by brand or influencer to gain insights on strategic partnerships and campaign frequency. Filter by date and app to see any posts, Stories, videos and Reels on Facebook and Instagram that involved a paid partnership.

The new tool comes at a time when companies are spending more on branded content. More than half of media-decision makers on both the brand and agency side plan to increase their investments in social media this year. If you’ve yet to work with influencers, competitor analysis is a great place to start. Find out which influencers similar brands are working with and identify what you like and don’t like about their campaigns to begin building your own strategy. In addition to providing useful insight to brands, the new feature is also part of Meta’s broader efforts to prioritize transparency on its platforms.

TL;DR: Meta launched a new search tool for branded content on its platforms, giving marketers the opportunity to analyze how competitors are using paid partnerships.

WHAT LIT US UP

Business Advice from Pumpkin Spice 🎃

September's nearly here, but pumpkin spice season is already in full-swing! In the 20 years since this cultural phenomenon first hit the Starbucks menu, it’s turned from a little treat to a big trend. 

Brands from Dunkin' Donuts to Peet's to Krispy Kreme have filled their social media pages with #PSL posts, sponsored influencer content, and top-notch memes. 

Companies have not been shy about finding new ways to weave this autumn favorite into their brand (look at pumpkin spice salmon and scented garbage bags). Even Starbucks is mixing it up with a Pumpkin Spice espresso martini only at their Starbucks Reserve stores. (A great way to get people through the door!) 

What’s most gourd-eous about this PSL parade is the stellar example it sets for strategic timing. These pumpkin-touting brands start planning months in advance, and this strategy can be applied outside of the gourd-flavored foods sector. Cyclical trends, holidays*, and annual conferences can easily sneak up on you if you're not planning ahead. A long lead time offers plenty of opportunity to get those creative juices flowing so you can come up with an idea that differentiates your brand from the pack. 

Though it may be from an unlikely source, take some advice from the pumpkin spice latte. Out-of-the-box thinking, bold new strategies, and early planning can make your product launch or next event an audience favorite.

TL;DR: Pumpkin spice season is a reminder to strategize and plan in advance for trends or seasonal events and to look for innovative ways to incorporate them into your brand. 

ICYMI

Threads for Web Launches

via Facebook

TikTok Releases 2023 Holiday Campaign Guide

via TikTok

YouTube Gives Shorts Advice on the Algorithm, Hashtags and More

via Social Media Today

*Yes, it's time to start planning your holiday card!

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