What you need to know about the latest Instagram updates
A few weeks ago, Adam Mosseri – head of Instagram – announced the biggest Instagram change yet; “We’re no longer a photo-sharing app.” Adam explained that Instagram is not going to prioritize photos in the feed. Instead, they’re going to start focusing on creators, video, shopping and messaging. The most important two elements here are video and shopping. You can expect to see more updates around video but one of the most important updates he gave was on the algorithm. By the sounds of it, Instagram is reformulating to have a more organic reach. This means that, just like TikTok, you’ll see a lot more videos from people you don’t follow.
Our branding, website and social media packages explained
Let’s talk about The Branding Box, baby. If you’ve been following us for a while, you know that The Branding Box is an extension of The Pencil Box. It’s our creative solution for start-ups and small businesses. Since we’ve launched The Branding Box offering, it’s grown from ready-made logo design and branding kits to include website templates, as well as social media content creation and management packages. Let’s get into it.
TPB’s Branding Questionnaire: A guide to beginning your brand
If you’ve been keeping up with The Pencil Box’s social media posts for a while now, you’ll know just how important branding is. In fact, it’s one of the important aspects of a successful business. You’re introducing your brand’s personality to your audience and it’s what makes you stand out among your competition. It’s the reason people will choose your brand over others. For a start-up or small businesses especially, it’s important to attract and retain loyal customers and branding will do just that. It’s not just a pretty logo or a clever slogan. It’s why you’re doing what you’re doing, how you’re doing it and where it’s going down. This all forms part of your brand strategy. So where do we begin?
How to sell to the infamous Gen Z
Before you can sell to Gen Z, you have to know what – or who – that is. It’s me. Aaliyah, the copywriter here at The Pencil Box. I’m part of the generation of people born between 1995 and 2015. I’m often mistaken for being a Millennial, but Millennials are the generation born between 1980 and 1994. (Let me guess: you just found out that you’re a Millennial, right?) Despite many similarities, these two generations are not the same. Many older Millennials, who’ve just turned 40, have settled down and are making large purchases like cars and property. The youngest Gen Zers, on the other hand, haven’t even started Grade 1. Our attitudes towards technology, politics, trends and money are very different. When it comes to creating marketing strategies targeted at these two groups, it’s best to come up with two different strategies. You might already know how to sell to Millennials, but do you know how to sell to Gen Z?
The era of video: pricy but powerful
No one can deny the power of video. Consistently, statistics show that video consumption is only increasing. In 2019, Limelight – a content delivery network system – reported that internet users spend close to seven hours per week watching online videos. It’s clear then that videos do better on social media. Videos posted on any platform – whether it’s Facebook, Instagram or Twitter – generate up to 1200% more shares than texts and images combined. Marketing software company, HubSpot, completed a study that shows that 54% of consumers want to see more video content from the brands they follow – and that includes you. But what goes into the making of powerful video content? While some videos are simple enough that you just need some good light and your cell phone, branded or promotional videos require a lot more steps, both before and after actually shooting the content.
How to use social media as a business
Whether you’re sharing photos of your puppy or creating IGTV videos on how South Africans pronounce certain words, you have little restrictions when it comes to your private social media. However, when it comes to your business, there is a certain way to do things. Especially when it comes to the digital world. After all, one small social slipup will be on the internet forever. So, here’s our code of dos and don’ts for businesses.
TPB’s list of local thinkers, makers and doers to watch
We reached out to our fellow creatives, freelancers, small business owners, entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, mompreneurs, mentors, consultants and other amazing humans. We did this because although we might be far from each other, we are not alone. In these difficult times, we want to support those around us.
Find inspiration with these Instagram accounts
Inspirational Instagram accounts to follow today We’re sure you know how it feels to keep scrolling and scrolling through your Instagram feed, looking for something – anything – that moves you. You want something to engage with, to inspire you, to make you get up off the couch and get cracking on your laptop – especially during these overwhelming and uncertain times. So, it’s time to give your Instagram feed a makeover. We’ve done the work for you and scoured the ‘gram to bring you the best inspirational accounts to follow. Here are ten accounts that aid our anxiety and promote positivity:
What’s happening on Instagram right now
As the corononavirus continues to sweep around the globe, our world has become new and uncertain. It has changed the way we connect, forcing many of our conversations online and making social media bigger than ever before. People are using various platforms to share information, talk about their concerns and getting creative with new TikTok dance moves they’ve learnt while in self-isolation.
Tried, Tested, Tossed: TPB Guide to Productivity Apps
Running a small business doesn’t actually mean having to run around from office to clients and back to the office to check on your team. Neither does it mean sitting in front of your laptop with fifteen different tabs open. In fact, business management can be made simple with the right productivity apps. How do you know which apps will work for you? Our team has tried, tested and tossed a few apps to help make it easier for you to find the right tools for your business.