Social media is always evolving to satisfy the needs and interests of its users. New social media platforms emerge to serve specific audiences or to offer something different. In 2016, a little app called TikTok transformed the social media landscape through its short videos and casual, spontaneous aesthetic; it’s now the most-downloaded app in the world.

Of course, not all new social media apps will blow up like TikTok. But they do reveal how social trends and user expectations are evolving over time. If you’re not already keeping an eye on the platforms below, it’s worth checking them out to see how social media is changing in 2023.

New social media platforms to watch in 2023

BeReal

If you’re tired of the “Instagram Reality” of filters, photoshop, and faked photo ops that dominate social media, then BeReal could be for you.

But what is BeReal exactly? Created in France in 2019, the mission of this app is to create “a new and unique way to discover who your friends really are”. Here’s the premise:

Every day at a random time BeReal sends you a notification that it’s time to be real. You then have 2 minutes to snap a photo of whatever it is you happen to be doing. (It’s actually two photos at once, using your phone’s front and back cameras.)

No filters. No editing. And you can only do a re-shot within that 2-minute window.

Instagram has taken note, launching its own two-camera filter to replicate the BeReal look within its own app.

In 2022, BeReal’s usage was up 312%, and downloads were up 1,000% from the previous year. (It’s been downloaded just shy of 30 million times since its launch.) In other words: this app is hot, hot, hot.

Clubhouse

Clubhouse is an audio app, featuring chat rooms where users can drop in to listen to live conversations.

Clubhouse made a huge splash when it was released in March 2020 for iOS. An Android version followed in May 2021. In between those two dates, the app exploded in popularity, acquiring two million active weekly users by December 2021.

This is especially impressive considering the app was technically still in beta-mode, and restricted to invitation-only. (Or maybe that exclusivity was why interest was so high? In the early months that invite codes were reportedly selling for $400.) In July 2021, when Clubhouse opened up to everyone, there was a 10 million person waitlist.

But, alas, it looks like Clubhouse’s shine has faded, peaking in popularity in February 2021, when big names like Oprah Winfrey were hosting chats, and declined from there. Since then, active users have declined more than 60%.

Clubhouse is staying sharp by offering new features and partnering with TED, and still hosts more than 3.5 million active users, primarily in the STEM space. You also have to give credit where credit is due: Clubhouse did inspire bigger players to their own audio-only apps (LinkedIn, Spotify, and Twitter, for a time), so whether it carries on past 2023 or not, its legacy will be felt for years to come.

Instagram Reels

Like Twitter Spaces, Instagram Reels is not a new social media platform so much as a new feature. But it’s still worth paying attention to.

Reels launched in 2020 as Instagram’s answer to TikTok. While short-form video was already a part of Instagram posts and Stories, Reels added some new capabilities.

Instagram Reels are short videos (up to 90 seconds) that can be edited right in the app. Unlike Stories, they don’t disappear after 24 hours. They live in your feed under a dedicated tab.

Reels offer more sophisticated editing options than Stories: you can edit clips together, adjust the layout, or add AR effects. The results are fun and creative, which is why Reels are so popular on the Explore page.

And interest in Reels is definitely growing over time:

Should your brand be making Reels? We ran an experiment to see if Reels would boost our engagement, and overall we saw a small improvement. But Reels can be a powerful way to connect with audiences, and Instagram has configured the app to showcase quality Reels content.

And if you’re already creating video content for Stories, it’s definitely worth exploring Reels to extend the reach and lifespan of your content!

Spotify Live

In June 2021, Spotify released their new app for live audio conversations (sound familiar?) called Spotify Greenroom–in April 2022, the branding was changed to Spotify Live.

The twist is that Spotify focuses on musical artists and athletes, leveraging its existing user base of podcast and music fans.

While a Spotify account isn’t required for Greenroom, you can log in to the app with your Spotify credentials. You can tune in to Spotify Live chats via your favorite artist or creator’s page (look for the “Live on Spotify” feature), and if you want to join in the conversation, you can use the dedicated Spotify Live app to chime in on a discussion or start your own Live room.

A month after launch, they had 141,000 downloads on iOS and 100,000 on Android, though Spotify has been cagey with more recent numbers. While this new social media app hasn’t taken off in a big way (yet?), Spotify has the advantage of building on a platform that’s already audio-focused.

Discord

Just as TikTok was once merely “the dance challenge app,” Discord was launched in 2015 as a niche app for the gaming community. Since then, it’s grown into a major player among chat-focused social media platforms. In March 2022, Discord secured $995 million USD in funding, and in July 2022, it welcomed 522 million visitors. With money and popularity on its side, it’ll be interesting to see where the chat hub goes from here.

Discord is still popular among gamers, who can stream games on the app. But other communities use the video, audio, and text features to chat about all kinds of topics, from dating shows to sports. The NFT and crypto community tend to congregate on Discord servers, too.

While Discord doesn’t sell ads, brands can still have a presence on the app by creating their own channels or servers (collections of related channels on a topic). The emphasis on genuine connection and conversation offers a chance to build deep relationships and gain valuable customer insights.

Twitch

Founded in 2011, Twitch is one of the oldest platforms on this list. And although it has 26.5 million active users daily, unless you’re in the game space, you’re probably not familiar with it.

Here’s the deal: Twitch is a video streaming platform where creators stream live content to their audiences. As of October 2022, there were 7.1 million active streamers.

While games still dominate the platform, streamers create all kinds of content: cooking shows, makeup tutorials, and musical performances. In a single quarter, Twitch users watched 6.1 billion hours of streaming content.

As Twitch continues to expand its reach beyond the gaming community, brands have more opportunities to reach audiences through the app. Companies can create their own branded channels, partner with Twitch influencers, or buy ads on the platform.

Want to learn more about Twitch? We’ve created a guide to Twitch marketing for you.

Patreon

Founded in 2013, Patreon allows content creators to earn money from subscriptions. In exchange for their financial support, subscribers receive access to exclusive, regular content and can interact with content creators. Since its inception, Patreon has grown to more than 250,000 creators and over eight million paid subscribers.

For creators who have developed a following on other platforms like YouTube or Instagram, Patreon can provide more ownership and control over revenue. Patreon offers two models: a monthly subscription or a plan that allows you to pay per post.

Substack

The simplest way to describe Substack is as an email newsletter platform. Founded in 2017, Substack is a publishing platform that leverages the power of individual creators over media outlets. Each creator has their own publication, which allows them to connect directly with audiences without the oversight of a publisher.

There’s also Substack for Podcasts, a relatively new tool that allows audio creators to publish and grow their podcasts. In early 2022, Substack also started beta-testing a video player for creators, meaning the potential for content creation is only growing.

Creators can offer paid tiers (starting at $5 USD/month) as well as free content. Like other social media platforms, Substack relies on influencers to build its audience and has offered six-figure advances to entice well-known writers to publish on the platform.

Relatively speaking, Substack is still pretty small: as of November 2022, it had more than 1.5 million subscribers. However, that’s a dramatic increase over the 250,000 subscribers it had in September 2020. And interest in Substack is continuing to grow:

Substack represents a departure from many other social media platforms, which reward novelty and immediate gratification. Creators on Substack typically produce long-form, in-depth written content, which requires deep engagement with subjects and topics. Substack prides itself on deviating from the “attention economy.” Each Substack functions as a community for its audience, who can post comments and interact with posts.

Substack also represents a shift away from traditional publishing, as users turn away from larger outlets in favor of curating a personalized selection of writers and creators. Its growing popularity suggests that, despite rumors of declining attention spans, users are very willing to engage with in-depth, quality content.

Telegram

Messaging app Telegram was founded in 2013 as a privacy-focused alternative to bigger platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Users can exchange files, photos, videos, and more through chats through group chats that can include up to 200,000 people. There are also public Telegram channels, which can attract millions of followers.

Telegram has grown rapidly in recent years: it now boasts 550 million monthly active users, and in December 2022, reached 1 million premium subscribers. Recently, it has attracted even more attention for its role in the Russia-Ukraine War.

Telegram added advertising to the platform in October 2021. Ads are limited to public channels, and Telegram has promised not to give advertisers access to personal data or track whether users click on ads. Instead of targeting specific user demographics or interests, advertisers can choose the topics, channels, and languages for their ads. Brands can also reach audiences organically by starting public channels or creating chatbots to support customers.

Polywork

Does LinkedIn finally have a challenger? Polywork, launched in April 2021, is a new social media platform focused on professional networking, where users can create profiles, curate a personal feed, and reach out to other users to collaborate and work together. It raised another $28 million in September 2022, so it doesn’t look like it’s going anywhere.

Unlike LinkedIn, where users have a single headline describing their current role or specialty, Polywork designed for the hustle-culture generation, allowing users to highlight multiple roles, side gigs, passion projects, and specialties.

In addition to profiles, Polywork aims to connect individuals for collaboration with beta features like a digital space for group work called Clubs.

It’s exciting to see someone finally shaking up the professional networking space with a more Gen Z-friendly platform. It’ll take a lot to unseat LinkedIn, which has 875 million members. But Polywork is worth keeping an eye on, as it represents an exciting evolution in professional social networking.

Yubo

Launched in 2015, Yubo is a live-streaming app with a focus on friendships and connection, with 40 million users (up from 25 million in December 2021). Though it was founded in France (bonjour!), 60% of its users are based in Canada and the US. And during the early months of COVID, when everyone was stuck at home, Yubo tripled its daily user base.

Yubo users can create video chats, where the streamers can interact with viewers. Users can add each other as friends, which allows them to start individual chats.

Among new social media apps, Yubo is particularly teen-friendly, with a dedicated community for users 13- to 17-years-old. And Yubo has invested significant resources in making the platform a safe space for users.

Advanced age-verification technology is intended to mitigate abuse, and there is a Safety Hub that users can access 24/7 to report concerns or ask questions. There is also human and algorithmic monitoring of content to swiftly address any breaches of the community guidelines. And users who share personal information in a chat, such as their phone number, will receive a pop-up safety alert to educate them about risk.

This focus is refreshing, given how many platforms have become unsafe spaces where users (particularly women and people of color) face harassment and threats. While Yubo doesn’t offer advertising or opportunities for brand partnerships, it’s an example of how user expectations around safety and privacy are changing.

Mastodon

Downloads of Mastadon jumped 6,000% in the wake of Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter Whether users stay there remains to be seen, but it’s definitely a Twitter alternative that should be on marketers’ radar. As of November 2022, Mastodon had one million monthly users. (For comparison, Twitter is predicting it’ll reach 335 million global users in 2023.)

Mastodon is a free, open-source platform and social networking app, launched in March 2016, where users can share text, image, and video updates with followers. Unlike Twitter, however, Mastodon is a decentralized social network: users can start their own in-app networks with regulations of their choosing. People can then join servers that are relevant to their interest

Like Twitter, Mastodon users can follow each other and engage in conversation with replies and likes. But unlike Twitter, Mastodon’s newsfeed is purely chronological (no algorithm to appease here) and currently has no advertising options. This could provide a challenge to marketers looking for paid-placement opportunities, but if you’re looking to reach a niche audience with some organic engagement tactics, the right server could be waiting there for you. Plus, Mastodon may also be a good place to do some social listening.

Learn more about the up-and-coming Twitter alternative, Mastadon, here.

Locket

Launched in early 2022, the Locket widget is designed to display photos from your BFFs right on your phone’s home screen (whether you’ve got an iPhone or an Android). Your pals add pictures using the Locket app, and they’ll appear on your end throughout the day.

Developer Matt Moss created the widget to share photos with his girlfriend, but the concept intrigued so many of his friends that he made the tool into a public app.

@locketcamera

Link in bio #locket #widget #2021 #2022

? original sound – Locket

Within a few weeks of its launch, Locket skyrocketed to the top of the U.S. App Store charts, with more than two million users signing up in just two weeks. Though it was developed as a bit of a micro-social network intended for engaging with your five or 10 closest friends, it recently raised $12.5 million in funding… so obviously, someone out there in the business world thinks there’s potential here for branding.

For marketers, the big lesson here is that there’s a growing interest in more personal digital experiences, and building quality connections, not just racking up huge likes.

Tribel

Tribel bills itself as a “bigotry-free social network where kindness and intelligence flourish” and is owned by the activists Rafael and Omar Rivero, who run the news website Occupy Democrats.

Tribel claimed to have 400,000 users as of October 2022. The layout and functionality look quite similar to Twitter, but as you might imagine, Tribel’s small but active audience leans left. You’ll find a lot of political memes here. Customize your profile and feed, or join a public or private group.

There doesn’t currently appear to be a way to advertise on Tribel, but if a vocal, left-leaning audience is your jam, joining this network to start some dialogue could be worthwhile.

Learn more about identifying your target audience here.

Hive Social

Hive Social was first developed by a mysterious founder named “Raluca” back in 2019; In November 2022, the network hit 1.5 million users.

The mobile-only social media app is similar to Twitter. Follow other users, like, and repost content. One key way that Hive Social is distinct from Twitter, though, is that its feed is chronological; Raluca, so says the About Us lore, was inspired to create Hive because she was tired of her posts not being seen by friends.

Another differentiator: there are no character limits for posts on Hive Social. There’s also no way to verify users at this point or to boost posts.

But what there is is a range of ways to customize your profile, too — connect your account to your Spotify to play a song when people visit your profile, and add your astrological sign and pronouns if you’d like.

Gas

Gas is currently only available in 12 states but is dominating high schools wherever it goes. Between August 2022 and November 2022, it was downloaded 5.1 million times. The social media app allows users to post poll questions about their friends and collect anonymous answers. (Think “Who should DJ every party?”)

The questions all skew positive, which makes sense, given that the name “Gas” refers to the goal of “gassing up” friends with compliments. Users earn coins for participating in polls, which they can then trade in to reveal who answered questions about them. Juicy!

If your ideal audience is Gen Z (or younger), this is a key one to keep an eye on. And these sharing apps tend to trickle up to older demographics — think about how teenagers were the first adopters of Snap and TikTok before Millennials got in the mix.

Dig into our latest Digital Trends report for youth trends and up-and-coming social platforms to make sure you’re always in the loop.

CoHost

CoHost takes its design cues from Web 1.0 — you get the retro feeling of being back on a Geocities page — but the blogging site offers some intriguing modern features. There are no character limits, and the option to make pages with themes for different projects or random whims; these pages can be collaborative if you want to team up for something. The Verge describes CoHost as “the awkward offspring of Tumblr, Twitter, and a hint of Reddit.”

Users can incorporate CSS into their posts, which makes for some interesting, clickable content with interactivity — an unusual feature for a social media site.

CoHost is still in invite-only mode and is experimenting with monetization via subscription-only CoHost plus accounts.

Opportunities for social media marketers here are currently unclear, but keep your eyes on this space. A social network for creativity seems like a refreshing change of pace.

Counter Social

The ad-free, chronological news feed launched in November 2017 but finds itself as part of the Twitter Alternates conversation in 2023.

CounterSocial claims to have more than 63 million monthly users, though these people aren’t necessarily signing in from all over the globe — the app bans access to common bot-and-troll hotspots like Russia, Iran, North Korea, Syria, China, and Pakistan. (A move some critics have called xenophobic.)

Funded purely by app users and founded by a hacker named The Jester, CounterSocial is built on the principle of no attacks, no ads, no harassment, and no disinformation. Fans praise the lack of toxicity in the community and can even apply a filter to see “lighter” content if they crave more dog pics and less political discourse. Consideration for cybersecurity is built in throughout: uploaded images and videos are stripped of metadata.

An app to manage all your social networks in one place

It can be intimidating to keep up with every new social media platform that arrives on the scene, but having a basic understanding of the landscape is critical if you want to make smart choices for your brand’s social media strategy.

Luckily, social media dashboards like Hootsuite can help keep your workflow running smoothly with your tried-tested-and-true social media accounts, so you have more time to study up on the new kids in town.

Our current social network integrations include: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google Business Profile, and Whatsapp.

Save time managing your social media presence with Hootsuite. From a single dashboard you can publish and schedule posts to all the major networks, find relevant conversions, engage the audience, measure results, and more. Try it free today.

Get Started

The post 18 New Social Media Apps & Platforms in 2023 appeared first on Social Media Marketing & Management Dashboard.

Originally posted on April 5, 2023 @ 4:41 pm

A potent tool that can assist marketers and content producers in successfully reaching their target consumers is content distribution software (CDS). They can manage, distribute, and optimize the material they produce across a variety of channels, thanks to it. By automating the process of delivering content to various channels, including social media, email, and websites, […]

Originally posted on April 4, 2023 @ 7:40 am

Sometimes it’s nice to take a break from endlessly scrolling through your feed — and endlessly scroll through someone’s individual Instagram page instead.

Welcome to The Grid.

Lined up in neat rows of three, each Instagram post suddenly is part of a bigger picture. A peek into a user’s soul… or at least their content strategy.

And Instagram power users know just how to work this viewpoint to their advantage with artfully planned posts that, together, create a gorgeous Instagram grid layout.

If you haven’t thought about what your own rows of squares add up to, it’s about time. Here’s all you need to know about building an attention-grabbing Instagram grid to grow your following and engagement.

Why your Instagram grid layout matters

When someone follows you for the first time or navigates to your profile to check out your content, your Instagram photo grid is an opportunity to showcase your vibe or brand at a glance.

The grid gives you a birds-eye view of a user’s posting history. This is your first impression of their body of work: a visual, big-picture introduction to their personal or professional brand.

For individual users, creating a beautiful grid may not matter — sure, color coding your posts could be a fun personal challenge, but if you’re just on the ‘gram to connect with friends, not amass an audience, branding likely isn’t too important.

But for brands, creatives, or influencers, consistency and style are critical, particularly if your account is focused on aesthetics or lifestyle.

After all, your grid is a quick and easy way to get your message across. Plus, anyone viewing your profile is thinking about following you. This is your chance to show exactly what you offer.

Are you avant-garde or on-trend? Will your content soothe or bring the drama? Is your brand consistent or chaotic? One look at a grid, and they’ll get the (sorry, not sorry) picture.

10 creative ways to design an Instagram grid layout

Great grids for Instagram start with a vision. So we’ve scoured the platform to dig up some of the best grids on Instagram to inspire your own look. Think of these as your Instagram grid templates.

Commit to a color combo

This is probably the most common grid style going — not that I’m calling anyone lazy (don’t @ me!), but it really doesn’t get much easier than this.

Pick a color palette (pinks and greys?) or a certain tone (high contrast neons?) to feature in every photo. Viewed together, your gallery will look like a matching set, even if the content of your pics varies. Home and lifestyle influencer

Travel Instagrammer @rachelontheroad_ exclusively features photos from a desaturated palette of cool blues, pinks, and greys. A neon green pic, for instance, would seem jarring and out of place here.

In case your travel destination (or home or office) isn’t decorated like an Insta-ready backdrop, one easy way to make sure your photos all speak the same visual language is simply to use the same filter for every photo to help create a consistent tone.

A variation on this theme? Using a standard filter or color palette, but also working in an “accent” color or filter every few posts, too. Maybe your Instagram feed is mostly dreamy, sepia-toned boho fantasy, but every few rows, we see a vibrant pop of forest green. Woo! You’re playing with fire!

We couldn’t tell you exactly what Lightroom preset @lemons.for.days is using but… probably something called, like, “Peach Dew Dreams.”

Repeat yourself

There’s something soothing about scrolling a feed that gives you the same thing over and over again. There’s no doubt what you’re going to get when every photo follows the same template.

In the case of decorative cakemaker @takemehome_cake, each creation is photographed from the exact same angle on the same backdrop. The color may vary due to seasonal lighting, but the result is a pleasingly predictable feed where the individual product gets to pop against an endless grid of grey.

Create a checkerboard effect

By alternating the style of photos you post, you’ll easily create a checkerboard look on your grid. Try alternating text quotes with photography or mixing close-up shots with landscape photos. Going back and forth with two distinct colors can work, too.

Influencer @jillian.harris alternates full-frame photos with pink-border pics to create a unique grid look.

Food blogger @feedthepudge alternates food posts with ones of his own face to offer variety for anyone scrolling through.

Vancouver fitness studio @cmmngrndyvr mixes bright graphics with dark and moody photos.

Hot tip: if you’re using text-based posts, keep the background color or fonts consistent to really make the pattern clear. Check and mate.

(Need a little help on the graphic design front? There are tons of great tools and templates out there to create visuals that pop.)

Design row by row

Think outside the box… and inside the, um, row. Uniting the images on each row by theme or color can create a powerful impact

Sorry if you’re squeamish about freshly tattooed skin, but this example from @spooky_skeleton_wizard had to be shared. This tattoo studio alternates rows of sketches with rows of new ink.

The trick for this one, of course, is that you have to post three images at a time, or the alignment will be off.

If you’re bold enough to experiment with panoramic images for one of your rows — a trio of photos that add up to one long, horizontal image — many users post the same caption for each one to make it clear they’re three parts of a whole, like photographer @gregorygiepel did with his architectural shots.

Break outside of the box

Though the grid by nature crops all of your Instagram photos to a square, editing your photos to a different shape within that square can create a distinct look for your Instagram photo grid.

Circles? Rectangles? The choice is yours! Most Instagram editing tools can help create these unique borders.

Pet food brand @iams did circle frames for its images for a while.

…while charity @writers_ex uses a selection of off-kilter shapes in its signature colors to brand each post.

Get fresh with fonts

Regularly including text in your posts can contribute to a striking, font-forward overall look. There are plenty of accounts out there that specialize in info-images, but even sprinkling in a text-heavy image among the photos can make for a stylish display.

Try thinking about your Instagram grid like the page of a magazine — by strategically scheduling images with words and visuals, you can create a spread with balance that’s full of interesting moments to draw the “reader” in.

@nikerunning has a mix of bold text-forward posts, illustrations, and photos, but because they post each of these elements regularly, it feels intentional and cohesive. The lesson? You can have totally disparate ingredients in your design palette, but if you use them regularly and with balance, your grid will look pulled together.

Making a grid that’s all-text-all-the-time works, too. The trick is to stick with a consistent color palette and font selection to make sure each post looks great next to the last, like @mr.pugo here.

Turn your grid into the rainbow

You need both patience and a great color sense to pull this look off. The goal is to post regularly in one saturated color and slowly transition to the next shade in the rainbow with your next rows of posts.

To truly get the full effect of waterbottle company @mybkr’s shifting palette, you’ll need to scroll, but they go through periods of being inspired by the color of one bottle and then move on to another… from sage to baby blue, for example.

Embrace the border

Creating a consistent look can be as simple as applying a border to all your images.

Influencer @kwn.li uses a white border on all their images, but you could create a signature look with any color scheme. The free Whitagram app is one option to quickly apply this edit, with borders and backdrops in all sorts of different shades.

Turn your posts into a puzzle

This layout is a tricky one to pull off on a day-to-day basis, but for a big announcement or campaign or to launch a new account, a puzzle grid certainly packs a punch.

A puzzle grid creates one big, interconnected image out of all the squares. Individually, these posts probably look like nonsense. But viewed together, it’s a work of art.

Give Montessori account @hetmamapunt a round of applause for this visual feat, will ya?

Consider a little chaos

In this fast-and-furious social media world, there’s a certain charm to the no-polish-no-worries look.

Adopt the chaotic energy of the “extremely online” set by mashing up memes, screenshots, TikTok reshares, hastily snapped food pics, poorly lit impromptu photo shoots, and whatever else you might find on your camera roll.

Journalist Taylor Lorenz’s meme account is a perfect example of this ethos. Think “Explore Page” gone haywire.

Viewed as a whole, your grid takes on a trendy cluttercore vibe. If your brand is at one with Gen Z, this unplanned, untamed, wild, and creative Instagram grid style could be for you.

6 tips for planning an Instagram grid

Of course, none of these sleek grids for Instagram happen by accident. You gotta grind for that grid! Here are some things to keep in mind as you’re planning out the big picture.

1. Preview first

Before you post it: map it.

You could mock it up in photo-editing software, or use Hootsuite’s app integration that lets you preview your layout before it goes live… think of it as your Instagram grid template.

Right now, it’s for personal accounts only, but business account functionality is coming soon.

Create an Instagram grid layout of up to nine images, and then schedule them to go up in the exact right order via the Hootsuite dashboard.

2. Keep it consistent

Creating a great Instagram photo grid means sticking to a plan. One off-beat photo in the wrong color, the wrong filter, or in the wrong order can throw your whole look out of whack.

Just imagine if makeup company @bareminerals tossed in a picture of a night at a neon-tinged rave to their earthy skin-toned, carefully curated grid. Chaos!

3. Make sure it matches your brand

Ultimately, the goal of a grid isn’t just to impress your friends with your dedication to using a particular Lightroom preset filter. It’s to build a unified look for your brand.

So, if you’re a recruiting firm for high-level executives, having a playful rainbow grid might not quite fit the professional and serious tone you’re going for. A monochromatic, text-based series of posts, on the other hand…

4. Take advantage of image editing tools

In case you haven’t figured it out yet: Instagram is a visual medium… and it’s hard to put together a great grid unless the individual pictures also are great.

Luckily, there are tons of great photo editing tools out there, as well as expert advice around every corner… for example, our guides to taking great Instagram photos and staying on top of the hottest Instagram trends.

5. Don’t forget: Reels are part of your grid, too

Your Instagram Reels can live on your grid alongside your main posts, so don’t forget to select a suitable Reels cover photo. Or use one of our professionally-designed Reels Cover Templates to create a consistent look for your Reels.

Each of @airbnb’s Reels have a carefully selected cover photo of a rental home, viewed from a street-level exterior. It creates a sense of consistency with your other Instagram grid posts.

6. Schedule your posts in advance

Keep your gorgeous IG grid active and updated with the help of a scheduling tool that allows you to drop just the right filtered pic (or three) at just the right time. Hootsuite’s dashboard, for example, makes it easy to prep your best photos at your convenience. Get that grid going!

Try Hootsuite for $0

Of course, creating a great grid is just one way to capture attention on the ‘gram. For more marketing tips and tricks to take your account to the next level, check out our ultimate guide to Instagram marketing here.

Instagram grid FAQs

How do you post a 3×3 grid on Instagram?

If you want to do a grid layout on Instagram, you’re going to need to do some pre-planning.

Mock it up in photo-editing software, or use Hootsuite’s Instagram Grid planner integration to preview your layout before it goes live.

(Note: right now, it’s for personal accounts only, but business account functionality is coming soon.)

Create an Instagram grid layout of up to nine images, and then schedule them to go up in the exact right order via the Hootsuite dashboard.

How do I change my grid on Instagram?

Changing your grid on Instagram starts with deciding on your new look. Do you want the posts to all be in a specific, consistent color palette? Should each image on the grid contribute to one big picture? What is your visual goal and how does it tie in to your Instagram brand?

Peep some of our creative inspiration sources above to figure out what you want your Instagram account to look like, or explore 2023’s biggest Instagram photo-editing trends to spark some ideas for your big grid makeover.

Before you start adding your new images, delete or archive anything that you’ve previously posted that doesn’t match your desired look.

Now it’s time to start plotting out your fresh content.

Either mock it up in photo-editing software or use Hootsuite’s Instagram Grid planner integration to preview your layout before it goes live. (Use these Instagram editing tips to give your images a consistent aesthetic.)

Create an Instagram grid layout of up to nine images, and then schedule them to go up in the exact right order via the Hootsuite dashboard.

Start building your Instagram presence using Hootsuite. Schedule and publish posts directly to Instagram, engage your audience, measure performance, and run all your other social media profiles — all from one simple dashboard. Try it free today.

Get Started

Mock it up in photo-editing software, or use Hootsuite’s Instagram Grid planner integration to preview your layout before it goes live.

(Note: right now, it’s for personal accounts only, but business account functionality is coming soon.)

Create an Instagram grid layout of up to nine images, and then schedule them to go up in the exact right order via the Hootsuite dashboard.”
}
},{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “How do I change my grid on Instagram?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Changing your grid on Instagram starts with deciding on your new look. Do you want the posts to all be in a specific, consistent color palette? Should each image on the grid contribute to one big picture? What is your visual goal and how does it tie in to your Instagram brand?

Peep some of our creative inspiration sources above to figure out what you want your Instagram account to look like, or explore 2023’s biggest Instagram photo-editing trends to spark some ideas for your big grid makeover.

Before you start adding your new images, delete or archive anything that you’ve previously posted that doesn’t match your desired look.

Now it’s time to start plotting out your fresh content.

Either mock it up in photo-editing software, or use Hootsuite’s Instagram Grid planner integration to preview your layout before it goes live. (Use these Instagram editing tips to give your images a consistent aesthetic.)

Create an Instagram grid layout of up to nine images, and then schedule them to go up in the exact right order via the Hootsuite dashboard.”
}
}]
}

The post 10 Ways to Design Your Instagram Grid Layout Like a Pro appeared first on Social Media Marketing & Management Dashboard.

Originally posted on April 5, 2023 @ 1:41 pm

In 2014, pro golfer Chris Kennedy Tweeted a dare to three friends: dump a bucket of icy water on your head within 24 hours or donate $100 to support ALS. The now-famous ice bucket challenge went viral, raised $115 million in donations, and funded new treatments for the disease. The campaign set the standard for how to fundraise on social media.

Not every social media donation drive delivers such stunning results. There’s competition for scrolling thumbs, and the platforms themselves keep throttling the reach of organic posts.

But social media is still fertile ground for fundraising. Non-profits, universities, government agencies, and hospitals will find energetic supporters ready to help meet funding goals there. The trick is knowing how to do it.

In this post, you’ll learn the unique advantages fundraisers have over other organizations on social media. You’ll see successful campaigns to mimic. And you’ll find a toolkit to make your team more efficient.

How to fundraise on social media: 12 tips

An organization in rural Iowa can reach wealthy donors in Singapore. A niche non-profit can connect to its best supporters with a few mouse clicks. That’s the power of fundraising on social media.

But there’s more to promoting a fundraiser on social media than simply posting pretty pictures. These 12 tips show you how to create a fundraising strategy, network with followers, and track your progress.

1. Create a goal-oriented plan

Any social media fundraising campaign needs both a destination and a roadmap.

The destination is your goal. It’s probably based on dollars donated. But it could also include other key performance indicators (KPI) like total new donors, repeat donors, or average donation amount. Pick a reasonable target based on previous drives and a stretch goal. That’ll motivate your team to blow past previous campaigns.

The roadmap is your campaign plan. It’s the how and when that’ll lead to achieving your goal. Your social media campaign plan should include:

Start and end dates
The types of posts you’ll publish
Hashtags, both specific (like #ALSicebucketchallenge) and general (like #ALSsucks)
How people will donate
Roles and responsibilities for the team
A budget for things like paid post distribution if applicable

Consistency is key in social media. So while creating your plan, explain how you’ll publish content regularly. One option is to produce a batch of posts and schedule them for release at optimal times.

2. Pick the right social platform

The demographics of your donors and the type of content you’ll publish dictate which social platforms you use.

Here’s how each of the most widely used social media apps stacks up.

Facebook’s users skew older than the average audience on other socials. It’s also a versatile platform to post videos, images, long-form text, and managed events.

Instagram’s audience is concentrated between 18 and 34-year-olds. The platform is primarily visual, so it’s the place for a carousel of photos and videos.

Twitter’s user graph looks like Facebook’s, with nearly 60% between 25 and 49 years old. As the place for 280-character comments, it’s best to use Twitter for direct donation requests, like Generous Heart did with this Tweet.

The day is almost upon us. Give Generously!! #401gives #donate #fundraiser #nonprofit #youth #organization #community #grassroots #bipoc #leadership #lgbtq #volunteer #fyp #share https://t.co/qDKTrojJZs pic.twitter.com/Asy0qeuK18

— Generous Heart (@GenHeartUSA) March 22, 2023

LinkedIn is where professionals go to find jobs and talk shop. Regardless of age, this is where you’ll inspire corporate donations.

TikTok is the platform to use if your goal is to reach Gen Z; most people on the platform are under 34. Funny, educational short videos are the key to success here.

YouTube holds a unique position on this list as the place for long-form videos. They give you more space to tell a deeper story. There’s a cross-generational audience on YouTube, so just make sure your content matches your target demographic.

3. Optimize your content for mobile

Most people flip through social feeds on their phone (e.g., 97.4% of Facebook users access via the mobile app). You want your posts to shine on small devices.

Here’s a fundraising post from Water for People that’s optimized for mobile.

Notice that the copy is short and snappy. That’s important because Instagram truncates captions until someone clicks them. Write your highest impact statement clearly in the first few words.

The post has most of its hashtags after the main text. Hashtags are important, but you don’t want them blocking out other copy. You can also hide them in a comment.

See how they shortened the link via Ow.ly? That’s another way to keep the copy tight. They also put the full link in their bio. IG doesn’t let you link in captions, so make sure donors know where to go.

One thing missing from this post is a donate button so followers could donate without leaving Instagram. We’ll explain how that works in a minute.

4. Show and tell your story

Researcher Paul Zak uncovered an interesting truth about our brains. We’re more likely to support a cause when we hear stories about it.

That’s why your fundraising posts should include emotional stories about the people, places, or animals you help.

The Make-A-Wish team is masterful at telling stories on YouTube. Their features show supporters how their donations change lives. Watching a child, who’s been through the roughest of times, meet their hero is a powerful motivator.

These videos are beautifully produced, but you don’t need a professional videographer or voiceover pro to create yours. Sixty seconds of iPhone footage or a well-timed photograph can be just as persuasive. Combine it with a quick paragraph on how your organization uses funds, and new donors will jump at the chance to help.

5. Add donation links to posts

Alright, you’ve captured the hearts and minds of new supporters with your fabulous posts. But if it takes seven steps to donate, some givers will move on. Luckily, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok let donors give without leaving the platform.

Here’s an adorable example from the Hotel for Homeless Dogs. They presented a carousel of cute canines, then added a fundraising link to the post.

Followers that click the link go to a donation page in the IG app. They can donate directly or share the campaign to their posts and Stories. The whole process is more straightforward than clicking through to an external page.

Facebook also has an automated thank-you tool to show appreciation without extra work on your team. And several apps let you add donate stickers or buttons to live streams so donors can give during live events.

6. Use your bio

Posts are usually the star of your social media fundraising campaign. But don’t forget your bio. It’s valuable space you can maximize on every social media platform.

Check out how St Jude’s Children’s Hospital uses its profile to raise money.

The bio is so effective because it has:

a “Donate Now” button that links to their donation website
a fundraising link so followers can donate and share from Instagram
a link to their store
several pinned Stories that show other ways to give

That’s an efficient use of valuable real estate.

7. Enlist your supporters

The network effect is influential on social media. A single request can find its way onto thousands of feeds when people share it around.

The American Heart Association tapped into the network effect with its #keepthebeat challenge. They asked followers to share a video with creative ways to move to a beat. Dancing, bouncing, and even kicking were all on the table.

People posting videos challenged three friends to find their own way to keep the beat. Each post included a text-to-donate number so viewers could donate from their phone.

Peer-to-peer fundraisers like this are popular on social media and there are several versions of them. Birthday campaigns—where users post your donation link on their birthday—are simple. Giving days, like #givingtuesday, are common, too.

8. Collaborate with creators and KOLs

It takes time to build an audience of passionate patrons. Shortcut the process by tapping into the existing networks of popular social media creators and key opinion leaders.

Step one, find the right partner for your fundraiser. Aim for someone who has an audience you want to reach and a vibe that matches your goal. Here, the British Red Cross collabed with men’s lifestyle guru Ehab Ali.

Ali showed sharp dressers they could find fine fashions in the BRC resale shops, and support a great cause at the same time.

Ali and the BRC used Instagram’s Collaborate feature. You can see that both accounts are tagged. That means BRC’s followers and Ali’s audience sew the reel. Your partners can also add donate buttons to their posts or links to your giving pages in their bios.

However you decide to collaborate, don’t worry about finding top-tier celebrities with massive audiences. (Although if Selena Gomez wants to shout out your org, even better.) Look for micro-influencers with a few thousand followers that are easier to reach. Or partner with like-minded corporations or other non-profits. Whatever helps you boost the signal to new audiences.

9. Consider paid posts

Social media algorithms prioritize posts from close connections. That’s great for user experience but makes reaching donors difficult with organic posts. One solution is to spend on sponsored posts.

Sponsored posts, Tweets, or videos are available on almost every social media channel. The best part is that you can pick an ideal audience to view your donation requests. Say your organization helps people overseas like the World Food Program does. You could tell Facebook to show your post to travel enthusiasts.

Source: World Food Program USA on Facebook

You can target an audience by demographics like location, age, interest, or activity like former donors. You can even find a “look-a-like” audience with similar characteristics to people who already follow you.

Of course, the downside to sponsored posts is the cost. But if you start with a small investment, it won’t break the bank to test the waters. Then use metrics to see what’s working and focus your budget on the places with the highest return.

10. Say thanks and celebrate the wins

You set benchmarks for success in your plan. When you hit them, celebrate publicly and thank all the donors that helped get you there. You’ll remind current supporters that their help matters and sweep new donors up in the excitement.

When the American Heart Association hit a million-dollar milestone in one of its campaigns, people took to TikTok to share the love.

@americanheartassociation

THANK YOU!! YOU ALL & so many others have come together to raise $1,038,645.56 & counting for the American Heart Association! This life-changing accomplishment and milestone will save lives for years to come. This is a testament that the power we have when we come together is unlimited. @kfiercce @kristinekapow @kickinitwithk20 @marriedwithflaws @nadines_heart @scottdhenry @shannonwinnington @duetraiders @swoledds @thehealingheart @themccartys @vanessacutting

? original sound – American Heart

Several devoted AHA supporters posted short videos throwing streamers and saying congrats for the big win.

The beauty of this strategy is that the AHA supporters did all the work. Plus, they shared the post with their network, expanding its organic reach beyond the charity’s page. That’s a lot of exposure for their fundraising campaigns without a lot of work put on volunteers.

11. Track and analyze performance

Results grow wherever your focus goes. Analytics let you see which posts and platforms deliver the best results. What if your Instagram paid ads get many views, but more people donate through Facebook? You could shift the paid budget to Facebook and use IG for awareness.

The best results analysis includes both big-picture views and granular, post-level tracking. A few metrics to review include:

Engagement rate
Impressions
Likes
Profile visits
Website clicks

You can pull these metrics individually from each platform. Or you can create a custom dashboard in Hootsuite that collects data from several social media apps.

Start free 30-day trial

It’s much easier to compare when you can see like-for-like results from each social media app. And with Hootsuite, you get benchmarks from your industry to know how you compare.

12. Use the right tools

Most fundraising organizations run lean. There’s never enough time to do all the work that needs to get done. The right social media tools let your team work more efficiently and effectively.

Social media platforms offer options to help fundraisers get a leg up on other organizations.

Facebook’s fundraising suite includes donate buttons, supporter fundraising campaigns, and automated ‘thank you’ replies.
Instagram offers support buttons, fundraiser posts, donation stickers, and several ways to collaborate with creators and celebrities.
YouTube’s non-profit program gives you dedicated technical support and Link Anywhere Cards—links that direct viewers to your fundraising website (there’s also a YouTube program specifically for education organizations).
TikTok for Good has plenty of crowdfunding campaign ideas and fundraiser tools, including account management support.
Twitter provides pro bono ad credits, advertising resources, and skills training to help non-profits reach their fundraising goals.

You’ll also need a fundraising landing page if you don’t already have one built into your website. Donorbox and Little Green Light are good options.

For creating, scheduling, and managing social media posts and campaigns, Hootsuite has you covered.

Composer is where you’ll build and schedule posts in Hootsuite. You can write text, add images and videos, and even design posts using Canva (without leaving the Hootsuite dashboard).

There’s a Grammarly plugin to avoid any embarrassing spelling mistakes. Plus, Composer will suggest the optimal time to publish your post.

Start free 30-day trial

Hootsuite supports your collaboration efforts, too. Assign permissions to team members so only the right people are allowed to create, schedule, or approve content. Then let the team review and respond to all the DMs, comments, and Twitter mentions from one centralized Inbox. No more making a dozen people check a dozen different inboxes.

Try for free

You’ll likely post on a variety of social media platforms. In Hootsuite, you can manage all your paid and organic posts from Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And as mentioned, you can view the analytics in one place.

How to fundraise on social media: FAQs

Can social media be used for fundraising?

Social media is an inexpensive and easy-to-use platform for raising funds and engaging donors. More people say social media inspires them to donate than email, websites, print, or TV ads.

Can I fundraise on Instagram?

Instagram has several advantages for fundraising. There are dedicated tools to collect donations and spread the word about your cause, plus a large and active community of potential supporters.

Which social media platform is the best for fundraising?

The best social media platform for fundraising depends on your donor demographics and the types of content you’ll share. Facebook and Twitter users skew older, TikTok younger, and Instagram has a more multi-generational audience.

How do I get people to donate on social media?

Social media is a flexible communication channel with many methods to motivate donors. You can post a direct donation link to your account, ask followers to create fundraising posts on your behalf, and collaborate with creators to tap into their network of followers.

Use Hootsuite to manage your next fundraising campaign on social media. From a single dashboard, you can schedule and publish posts across networks, engage the audience, and measure results. Try it free today.

Get Started

The post How to Fundraise on Social Media: 12 Tips to Increase Donations appeared first on Social Media Marketing & Management Dashboard.

Originally posted on April 4, 2023 @ 2:41 pm