If you’re on the Gray Coast, that is, Vancouver, B.C., our recent record-breaking rainfall has had a positive effect on this digital publicist. The perpetual pitter-patter allows me to focus on social media’s frenetic feed culture. Here’s what’s interesting as seen through my #PRFilter.
First off, I’ve noticed more people than ever cheating on Twitter. Taking a screenshot of a few sentences or even a paragraph and attaching it to your tweet so you can say more, is just pure, utter laziness. Respect the tool and use it how it’s intended. Remember, a key message shouldn’t take more than 140 characters anyways! And, with Twitter twisting anyway it can to be as likeable as Instagram and SnapChat, “photo and GIF attachments do not count towards the 140 character limit in a Tweet.” So you have all the room you need to say something intelligent.
Next, I’m loving the option to use huge text on Facebook at the right time, for the right brand. Watch the font in a post grow to 24-point (normally it’s 14-point) when the text is less than 35 characters. Why do this? Simple – amplify a message and make it stand out. Tip: Watch insights closely and make note of any drop-off in reach or engagement. All caps can backfire in a second if a message breaks through the obnoxious threshold.
I’ve added the Grammarly extension to my Chrome browser. Typos happen and this free tool catches them when I’m writing social media posts – thank you! So very helpful … a (good or bad) sign of robo times ahead? Makes me wonder, if Uber now has self-driving cars, how long until brands have robo-story pitching, digital-writing bots on staff?
All types of companies from travel to retail (I’m quite friendly with the one on Sephora!) are employing chatbots on their websites to guide customers on their shopping journey. Can the PR industry find a way to employ these virtual agents? I’m thinking answers to basic questions during an online news conference, providing links to images or background info, maybe even some live tweeting. Hootsuite’s offering something similar – suggesting your next message! Tried it?
Holiday campaigns are popping up across multiple channels. Macy’s The Santa calls on people of all ages to post a photo, message or video with #SantaProject via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube to show “positive affirmations” of their beliefs. The second part of this integrates with old-fashioned media – a curation of responses will be featured in a Macy’s television commercial coming this December.
Are you launching any holiday campaigns? Share their digital touch points in the comments section so our network can help spread the cheer!
