Instagram Creates New Account for the Business Community

 

   On October 14th, 2015, Instagram created an account to showcase the successes of small businesses, ad agencies, and brands. This account is available for the general public at @Instagramforbusiness. Instagram went back to pay respect to those who helped keep the company in business during times of Facebook explosion, YouTube, and Twitter on the rise. Those who helped Instagram were companies like Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream that used the social media platform to advertise. Although the users are the life blood of Instagram, commercial ads are the heart keeping the company alive.

  
   @Instagramforbusiness is a place where businesses can be the first to showcase its newest products and for users to hear it first. Businesses have found more creative ways to advertise on Instagram without making it "look" like an advertisement. Businesses went from advertising on traditional forms of media that incorporated music, text, movement, and scripts. Companies are now limited to just a photo and a small caption in order to promote the products or services in its entirety. For an example, in the picture to the right, Redbull promoted its products through its partnership with NASCAR. Redbull keeps people moving even through the toughest moments, and that is showcased here by putting its content on the back of a NASCAR vehicle. NASCAR is known for its extreme racing, dangerous moments, and endurance of its cars and drivers. That's a very creative way to showcase an energy drink with just a picture. Instagram allows those companies to do so now with this new account. Companies can now hit it home with the consumer all in one social community.

   People in the social community @Instagramforbusiness are now able to share these ads with their followers - strengthening the ad equivalency value through power users. Huge influencers that mention positive opinions about certain ads creates more value for the company's products. This is huge for companies advertising on social media because word of mouse can give companies more than what they bargained for on social media advertisements. Being an aspiring small business owner, I like this move by Instagram. Small businesses need a channel to make big splashes in marketing efforts and Instagram has found a way how.

For more information feel free to refer to this link:

http://marketingland.com/instagram-says-its-for-business-not-just-selfies-with-new-account-146873
 

Facebook to Test "Reaction" Buttons

   Facebook Inc. is set to release a new button, along with the "Like" button, to incorporate reactions like anger, happiness, and love. This new feature is set to be "tested" today to its users in Ireland and Spain.

   Facebook has been trying to figure out ways to compliment the "Like" button for the past view months and this is another idea brought forth to take the place of the "Dislike" button that was proposed. The dislike button stirred up controversy by taking away the "positive" online community that Facebook offers. Facebook decided not pursue that idea and instead came up with the reaction buttons instead.

   The reaction buttons are in testing stages as of today, but if successful, may be incorporated in the social media platform to all its users. As of now, the buttons consist of emojis with certain reactions on each. More reactions may be added later on, but right now users are limited to: love, laughter, happiness, shock, sadness, and anger.

   If successful, this feature is set to bolster Facebook's level of participation in it's online communities. Also, it may cause a wave of new standards of behavior across more social media outlets like Twitter or Instagram. Like all new products features, people will get curious and test them out. It also may attract a new crowd of users that express themselves in ways other than "like".

   I will follow this story closer. For more information you can refer to this link:

http://www.engadget.com/2015/10/08/facebook-tests-reactions-a-like-button-with-more-emotions/

Using YouTube as a Video Resume

   During my free time outside of school and work, I am involved in the sport of paintball. Just recently, I overheard a local shop owner speak to a player interested in getting exposed to potential teams. At first, I thought to myself, "he would need to play local events and play around when teams practice." To my surprise, that wasn't the case.

   The shop owner mentioned something that I've never thought of during my time of getting exposure: video resumes via YouTube. A recent trend in the paintball community is that players are using YouTube as a paintball resume for prospective teams. Players would post their best footage, mix it up together, add some music and other effects to create something teams can view before making contact.

   After I heard that, I remembered that come high school and college players do that to attract scouts. When connecting that to paintball, I see that it can be very cost effective to create a video resume. Paintball is a very expensive sport. For a player to pay entrance fees and boxes of paint it can add up when playing frequently. So, during the few times a player goes out and plays, they can record themselves to give teams a first person view of the player's performance. With just a little bit of time behind the computer a player can create a video that can be seen by a greater amount of people off the field.

   YouTube is a form of social media that can a great marketing tool if utilized correctly. YouTube can make "nobodies" into stars. For the purposes of this blog, YouTube can be a great marketing tool for potential sports recruits. Not only can one person reach the masses with just one video, IT'S FREE!