We’re half way through July ALREADY. This year is flying and as ever, it can be hard to keep up with all things social. Step up: your weekly digest. So, what’s new?
Earlier this year Twitter gave Google access to a lot of its data. A new report shows that Google is now indexing 466% more tweets since February 2015, which is when Google initially gained access to Twitter data. Great news in terms of SEO, but it comes with a caveat: the search engine still prioritises those accounts that have a high follower count and higher ‘social authority’ – ie. engagement. What does this mean for you and I? Twitter is great for helping with your search engine results, but you need to make sure you’re engaging with people and growing your followers AS WELL as tweeting great content that is keyword rich. Not much then.
The battle for our video steaming hearts continues with Meerkat upping the ante this week and introducing both a WordPress plug in (great for embedding the stream on your website) and multi-user take overs (great for involving your audience in your broadcast). I really like this development. One of the main benefits of social media against more traditional marketing options is the fact that it is a two-way street. You can build REAL relationships with people, listen to what they have to say – and have a stronger brand because of it. So the news that broadcasters on Meerkat can now invite viewers to take over their stream for up to sixty seconds makes perfect sense – we’ve gone from ‘broadcasting to’ to ‘broadcasting with’. I like it.
The news that Marks & Spencer refused an elderly couple an extra teabag went viral this week on Facebook, and is a timely reminder of just how important the customer service element of social media is. A small incident in store = an angry post on the M&S Facebook page = thousands and thousands more messages condemning the store, planning to boycott and sharing their outrage on social networks. A PR disaster for the brand, made worse by their slow and ill thought through reaction. Have you got a policy in place for when disaster strikes? Now’s the time to get one!
Would love to hear if you’ve been experimenting with either Meerkat or Periscope – which is your favourite?
By Kate Tyler
Kate heads up Shake Social.
Kate Tyler is the founder of Shake Social and our long time social media expert. A regular speaker at events, Kate offers consultancy and training on a range of digital marketing topics, in particular safeguarding and using social media in an educational setting.