Friday, 12 August 2016

Guide to Instagram Stories

On August 2, 2016, Instagram launched a new feature called ‘Stories’ that is much alike the Snapchat’s stories experience- difference being is that Insta’s Stories feature is ‘better’.
Instead of posting selected photos, you can share multiple photos or videos that you click or capture throughout the day, as a compilation in a slideshow format. This will automatically disappear after 24 hours so that you can start fresh again, tomorrow. You can share as much as you want, throughout the day, thus forming your own story of the day. It certainly makes the Instagram more ‘happening’. Also, new ways have been provided in the stories feature to make your story more alive. Like, the text and drawing tools, emojis and swipeable color filters, that you can apply to your photos and make them more expressive.

It alleviates you from the pain of over-posting. So now instead of posting your highlights of life only, you can bring your whole everyday life on Instagram. The sharing is easy and more efficient. You also don’t need to build an audience for you stories, as your story is displayed at the top of the old feed, where everyone in your follower list is going to see it. You can consider it as an expansion of what Snapchat instituted. 

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Like how Instagram is loved by everyone, Stories has also made ways in the habit of people of almost all the ages. It is growing popular and likable every day. Instagram Stories has also become a brand favorite. According to Nick Sheingold, associate director of strategy at Laundry Service, "Instagram is really brand friendly, so that's a huge opportunity.” For instance, Nike grabbed 800,000 likes in just 24 hours through an Instagram story that it posted on the very first day of the launch of Stories. It is far more than its video got on the Snapchat which is around 66,000 likes.

Now about how can one create a story on Instagram, here’s the process:
  • You need to first tap on the plus button located at the top left-hand side of the home screen or just swipe in left to the feed. You can also access stories directly by quick launching it through swiping right of the main screen.
  • At the bottom of the screen, you will be able to see a circle button to take photos or videos (hold).
  • After when you are done, capturing photos or videos, you can edit them by adding text, emoji, or a drawing.
  • Tap did save your story.
  • Lastly, tap the check mark button to share your story.
The stories thus created can be accessed by all your followers and they can swipe through all your photos and videos for a time period of 24 hours. The story update is notified to your follower by a colorful ring around your profile picture and it will also pop up at the top of your followers' Feeds. All they need to do it tap on your profile picture. You can also delete your story anytime you want if you don’t want any particular photo for people to see, by clicking on the three dot at the bottom of your photo or video and then hit delete and confirm.

If you like a story in particular and has become your favorite, you can save that story directly to your phone and then you get to refresh that memory forever. You will get a save button in the three dot menu, the same place where you get the delete.

Instagram stories can be shared to all and also can be held private. It follows your current privacy setting of the account. When the settings are at private, the stories are visible only to the followers. Also, you can hide the story from anyone or Barr anyone to respond to your story you don’t want to share the story even if he/she follows you. You can check for who has watched your story and who hasn’t. These all inclusions in the story feature make it more flexible and user-friendly than the Snapchat’s story feature.

So in a nutshell, we can say that Instagram stories add a place for you on the Insta-world, where all your contents that are more ordinary or not ‘good enough’, can be reflected everyone only for a short period of time, after which it disappears and you won’t be judged. If you had are ashamed of an awkward photo or an embarrassing face that you made or some played a prank with you and got it on camera, it all will vanish within 24 hours, leaving behind laughs and fun, without being a permanent memory, unlike the highlights. So now you can share highlights along with almost everything happening with you in your daily life and you won’t have to worry about cleaning up of the mess as it already takes care of it.

Saturday, 6 August 2016

What Is Online Reputation Management?

When was the last time you Googled your Toronto business? If it’s been a while, it might be time to so. In order to brand your business in a positive light, you have to see where you can improve. When speaking of the online world, this means that you need to know what your prospective and current clients will see when they search for you online. Do you have room to improve? Are you on the right track? Investing in online reputation management services will help you put your best foot forward online.

What Is Online Reputation Management (ORM)?

ORM services are essential strategies used to counteract negative online results related to your company, products, and services—or to maintain the balance of your positive vs. negative online feedback. We utilize ethical strategies that maximize the positive and beneficial search results—and help to bury the less than desirable results.
http://www.unlimitedexposure.com/online-reputation-management-orm-services.html
Why You Need ORM Services For Your Toronto Business

With the limitless online review sites, social media posts, online news sources, videos , public records, blogs and articles, there could literally be hundreds or thousands of online content related to your small business—many of which you have never seen. This goes well beyond your website and curated content, to the content published by both pleased and less than pleased clients and former employees. Establish and maintain balance by investing in a monthly ORM package.

What If You Have Recently Had A String Bad Press Or Reviews?

Even if you have had a recent surge in bad press or poor consumer reviews, we can help to get you back on track sooner rather than later. All businesses go through highs and lows, but it is how you pick yourself backup that matters. You of course need to implement the in-house systems required to improve your service gap, but you also need to actively repair your online reputation.

Most prospects will research you online first, so make sure that what they see is an accurate reflection of your brand!

Source URL: http://www.unlimitedexposure.com/basic-digital-marketing/354-what-is-online-reputation-management.html

Friday, 5 August 2016

Is It Ok To Text Your Clients?

Mobile communication may cause you to weigh the pros and cons of texting your clients as a means of ongoing communication, or even as part of your online marketing strategy. There are a few things to consider before you open the door for texting your clients.

After Hours Communication

One of the largest challenges with text messages is that they are designed to be an “instant” method of communication. You may find that your clients use email when they have more detail to send, and that they text when they have a quick question and would like an instant answer. While you might be on-board with this during business hours, texting to your shared personal/professional mobile phone opens the door for after-hours and weekend texting. If you open the door for texting, be sure to let each client know that you restrict phone calls and texting to standard business hours. 
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Another Communication Channel To Manage

Texting might be convenient, but it is also an additional communication channel that you and your team will have to manage. It can get a bit tricky to manage text messages and email communication, so get into the habit of sending all essential texts messages to your email inbox too. Also consider downloading a business app that is designed to help you manage your SMS communication.

Automated Text Messaging

If you will only be using text messaging as part of an automated messaging feature, make sure that you begin with an opt-in feature that each of your clients agree to. For example, you could automate appointment reminders, or promotions linked to your current internet marketing strategies. Don’t forget to build in a text-based opt-out feature to all automated text messaging—and have a feature to manage any responses to your automated messages.

The pros and cons to texting clients are many. Just remember that once you open the door, it is difficult to close.

Source URL: http://www.unlimitedexposure.com/basic-digital-marketing/353-is-it-ok-to-text-your-clients.html

Monday, 1 August 2016

Organizing Your Inbox

Do you have hundreds or thousands of emails in your website inbox? If so, you are not alone. While features such as Gmail’s auto sorting of Primary, Social, and Promotions make managing your emails a bit easier—your inbox can easily become disorganized and overwhelming. Even with advanced search functions, it is not always easy to find the email you are looking for, but the tips below will help you to regain order in your inbox.

Set Up Folders:-

First things first, set up folders that you can easily transfer your emails to after reading. Folders can be categorized in a variety of ways, for example by the name of the sender or a topic. You can even create subcategories within each folder.

Do A Mass Sweep:-

Once your folders are set up, do a mass sweep. Depending on your email provider, you may be able to delete all emails from one sender at once, for example, deleting all of your Facebook emails. If your email requires you to go one by one, read 50 or so emails each day until your inbox only has actionable emails left in it. The rest should be deleted or transferred to appropriate folders.

Use Priority Features:-

The goal is to have 20 or fewer emails in your inbox at all times, and the only ones there should be actionable emails that still require your attention. Use color-coding, or other priority features to create a virtual to-do list within your inbox. For example, you could flag or star each email that still needs your attention.

Delete As You Go:-

Once your inbox is clean and organized, the goal is to keep it that way—meaning that you must continue to sort and delete as you go.

These tips will work for your website or work email, and personal email alike. If possible, keep your personal and professional emails separate.