Are you tired of feeling like the only person on Facebook who doesn't know what the Facebook pixel is? Do you want to join the cool kids and start using the Facebook pixel on your website? Look no further, because this blog post is here to explain why you should have the Facebook pixel installed on your website, and make it funny too!
First, let's start with the basics: what is the Facebook pixel? In short, the Facebook pixel is a piece of code that you can add to your website that allows you to track and measure the effectiveness of your advertising on Facebook.
But why should you care about the Facebook pixel? Here are a few reasons:
In short, the Facebook pixel is like a magic wand for your Facebook advertising. It allows you to track and measure the effectiveness of your ads, retarget people who have visited your website, and create better ads. And all you have to do is add a little bit of code to your website.
But wait, there's more! The Facebook pixel can also help with things like:
So, if you want to reach more potential customers and make more sales, it's time to get the Facebook pixel installed on your website. Trust us, your advertising budget will thank you. Just don't be surprised if your friends start calling you the "Facebook pixel wizard" – it's a title that comes with great power and responsibility!
TikTok, the short-form video app, has taken the social media world by storm. In just a few short years, it has amassed a massive user base and has become a major player in the world of social media. This rapid rise has many people wondering: is TikTok killing Instagram?
There are several reasons why TikTok is gaining popularity at the expense of Instagram. One of the biggest reasons is the way that TikTok is designed. The app is built around short-form videos, typically between 15 and 60 seconds long. This format allows users to quickly and easily share their thoughts, ideas, and experiences with others.
In contrast, Instagram is focused more on photos and longer-form content. While Instagram does have a video feature, it is not as heavily emphasized as it is on TikTok. As a result, many users are finding that TikTok is a better platform for sharing their videos.
Another reason for TikTok's success is its algorithm. The app's algorithm is designed to surface content that is relevant and interesting to each individual user. This means that users are more likely to see content that they actually enjoy, rather than content that is simply popular.
In contrast, Instagram's algorithm has come under fire for prioritizing content from celebrities and influencers over content from regular users. This has led to a perception that the app is becoming less authentic and more focused on promoting sponsored content.
TikTok has also been successful in part because of its user-friendly interface. The app is intuitive and easy to use, which has made it popular among younger users. In contrast, Instagram has been criticized for its complex and cluttered interface, which can be confusing for new users.
Another factor contributing to TikTok's success is its focus on community. The app encourages users to participate in challenges and trends, which helps to foster a sense of community among users. This is in stark contrast to Instagram, which has been criticized for promoting a culture of perfection and unattainable beauty standards.
Overall, it seems clear that TikTok is gaining popularity at the expense of Instagram. While Instagram is still a popular app, many users are finding that TikTok is a better platform for sharing their short-form videos and connecting with others. As a result, it is likely that TikTok will continue to grow in popularity, while Instagram may struggle to maintain its relevance in the face of stiff competition.
Are you a social media marketer who is tired of spending hours crafting the perfect posts and responding to customer inquiries? Do you dream of a world where you can delegate these tedious tasks to a trusty AI assistant? If so, it's time to get to know chat GPT (Generative Pretrained Transformer) – the AI assistant that's here to make your life easier!
For the uninitiated, chat GPT is a large language model trained by OpenAI that can generate human-like text based on a given prompt. This makes it the perfect tool for social media marketers, who can use it to quickly generate engaging content and responses to customer inquiries.
But wait, there's more! Chat GPT can also help social media marketers in a variety of other ways, such as:
In short, chat GPT is the perfect AI assistant for social media marketers who want to save time and improve their content. So why not give it a try and see how it can help you level up your social media game? Just don't be surprised if your boss starts calling you the "chat GPT master" – it's a title that comes with great power and responsibility!
This blog was actually written by Chat GPT with the prompt - “write a blog about how chat gpt can help social media marketers - make it funny and keep it under 500 words”
Not bad!
The world of social media marketing is constantly evolving, and one of the biggest disruptors in recent years has been the increasing use of video. More and more businesses in Northern Ireland are using video to promote their products and services on social media, and for good reason. Video is an incredibly powerful tool for engaging with customers and building a strong brand presence in Northern Ireland.
There are several reasons why video is disrupting the world of social media marketing in Northern Ireland. First, video is an incredibly versatile medium. It can be used to tell a story, demonstrate a product, provide valuable information, or simply entertain viewers. This versatility makes it easy for Northern Irish businesses to create content that resonates with their target audience, regardless of the platform they are using.
Another reason why video is disrupting social media marketing in Northern Ireland is that it is highly effective at engaging with customers. People in Northern Ireland are more likely to watch a video than read a long-form blog post or article, and they are also more likely to share a video with their friends and followers. This makes it an ideal tool for spreading brand awareness and reaching new audiences in Northern Ireland.
One of the biggest challenges for businesses in Northern Ireland when it comes to social media marketing is standing out in a crowded landscape. With so much content being shared on social media, it can be difficult to get your message to cut through the noise. However, video is highly effective at capturing people's attention and holding it. This makes it an ideal tool for getting your message seen and heard by your target audience in Northern Ireland.
Another reason why video is disrupting social media marketing in Northern Ireland is that it is more accessible than ever before. In the past, creating high-quality video content required expensive equipment and a lot of technical expertise. However, advances in technology have made it possible for anyone with a smartphone to create professional-looking videos. This has democratized the medium and made it possible for businesses of all sizes in Northern Ireland to create high-quality video content on a budget.
In addition to its versatility, effectiveness, and accessibility, video is also a great way to build trust and credibility with your audience in Northern Ireland. When people in Northern Ireland see a business using video to promote their products and services, they are more likely to perceive that business as being professional, credible, and trustworthy. This can be incredibly valuable for businesses in Northern Ireland that are looking to build a strong brand presence and establish themselves as leaders in their industry.
Overall, the increasing use of video on social media is a major disruptor in the world of marketing in Northern Ireland. It is an incredibly powerful tool for engaging with customers, building brand awareness, and establishing trust and credibility.
As a digital marketing agency based in Belfast, we know a thing or two about the importance of social media for small businesses in Northern Ireland. And let us tell you, it's not just for keeping up with your mates or sharing pictures of your dinner - it's a crucial tool for growing your business.
But don't just take our word for it. Here are five reasons why your small business needs to be on social media:
In short, if you're a small business in Northern Ireland and you're not on social media, you're missing out. So why not join the party and give it a go!
Love it or hate it, social media has dramatically changed our lives and one platform that has completely transformed from what it once was is Instagram. With over 1 billion monthly active users, it has become the most influential app of this generation.
The platform is rolling out some major changes to improve the user experience and change the way in which businesses can use the app. With Instagram constantly making changes and updating the platform, it can be exhausting and difficult to keep up but that’s where we can help.
So, what changes will be most valuable to you and your business?
Instagram’s number one priority is for users to have an easy and enjoyable experience when using the app.
The CEO of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, revealed users will be able to switch between different views on their home screen, giving users the ability to tailor their Instagram experience in a way that works for them.
Here is a breakdown of the 3 different views:
Ultimately, this update will help you grow your business as users will be recommended to follow your business if they follow similar businesses or individuals but it also makes your content more visible.
But how can you use it to your advantage? For instance, the favourite view can be used as a means of inspiration for your business whereby you can clearly see competitors.
Instagram has said that it is moving away from the traditional view of the platform as a photo-sharing app to becoming a video-platform. Like most of us, you may be thinking why?
Well, Instagram is actively investing and prioritising Reels, promoting short, entertaining video content to mimic the formula that has contributed to the success of other video platforms like TikTok and Youtube. The platform is trying to make video content as simple as possible for us to discover and create because it is often seen as a complex and time consuming task.
How can your business benefit from this change? Video content is starting to dominate Instagram so it is important that you level up your content to reach and grow your audience. Perhaps you could get your staff involved with making some fun reels.
Instagram has already started rolling out changes to the layout of the home screen. The most obvious change is that posts will become larger, taking up most of the screen, with a 9:16 ratio.
This update is to ultimately encourage the promotion of Reels particularly, and to be more mobile friendly. With this update, it is crucial to make your caption gripping and engaging as captions are limited to 1 sentence before users are asked to click to view ‘more’.
Instagram is continually and rapidly evolving to improve its user experience and like the rest of us, you can often feel overwhelmed trying to keep up. That is to say, all these changes will ultimately benefit your business and it is obvious why staying up to date with the latest updates is crucial when it comes to nailing your marketing strategy.
Me again! You’re favourite videographer!
In this blog I’ll be showing you some equipment that I personally would recommend for people starting out!
The first thing you should think about when you want to film a video is, what are you going to film it on? Whether you choose to do it on your phone, camcorder, DSLR or even a professional video camera there is no right or wrong answer here! Use what you have access to. ( A lot of high quality videos are actually filmed on Iphones!)
For today, I’ll only touch on sound.
Sound is what will make and break your video. Sound helps a viewer feel immersed in the experience. You can get away with low quality visuals but good sound will improve your video by 100%. Here are some questions to ask yourself:
Here are some budget friendly microphones you should consider investing in.
For just £12 this microphone can plug straight into your phone’s audio jack, you can then use a recording app, attach it to your collar and talk away! You can then transfer the footage from your phone onto your editing software, remember to clap as the peak of the sound waves will help you synch up the audio!
My next recommendation can be used for a 3.5mm phone jack as well as if your camera has a jack it can easily go in there.
I personally own this Boya Mic. It’s small and compact which is perfect for travel! For only £29 it is definitely worth the investment!
There are lot more professional and higher end sound equipment that you can use, but for a first timer I would just stick to a simple lav and shot gun mic.
Have fun in your video adventures!
Kisses! x
While the world was getting used to working from home and negotiating the challenges of being out of the office, at Erudite, we did the opposite. Having worked from home for the previous 3 years, 1 year ago we decided that while remote working had its definite benefits, the collaborative work that we loved to do and the culture we were trying to create existed better in a physical space with colleagues.
So, on the 19th of May 2021, I moved my small team of 2 into a penthouse office at the bottom of the Newtownards Road with views across the city. This was a huge step and felt like a significant moment in the story of Erudite. When we moved in, it was hard to meet other tenants and get to know people so it still was a little isolated as COVID restrictions were still in place. We even went round all the offices and gave out some little J Bird cupcakes to say ‘hi’ and get to know some folks.
Now we are in the office for 1 full year and our team has changed quite a bit since then. Here are my thoughts on the working from home v. working in the office debate.
Commute: I used to joke with my wife (who runs a hair salon from behind our house) that my commute to the home office was even shorter than hers… except I had to do the school run also which added a few miles to my commute. Now I do the school run on the way to work, it also gives me time to listen to podcasts and audiobooks or make some calls. On the way home, it also offers a space to decompress before returning to the carnage of life with three kids.
Communication: While at home and in the office, we use Slack for internal comms. This hasn’t changed for sending through information about projects or clients. When it comes to meetings and discussions, nothing beats face to face interaction. It also saves time in arranging meetings or impromptu discussions (which I am maybe a little too guilty of having). Zoom meetings are ok with one person but when it comes to a group - they can be very frustrating. Being in the office can be noisy at times and there isn’t a lot of privacy which has its challenges, although working from home (especially during school holidays or after school finishes) can be a challenge for peace and privacy also.
Cost: An office costs money - ours is serviced so the broadband, heat and electricity are covered within the cost. It also covers maintenance costs which are handy when something goes wrong with the building (which always does). Rent and rates need to be paid that don’t when working from home and the cost for fuel for staff also costs money. There are costs associated with heating your house and electricity when working from home and it is definitely cheaper for a business to work remotely.
Community: this is one of the main reasons for us to be in an office. Feeling part of a team, working together, having fun and a sense of belonging is a lot easier achieved when in an office. As ours is a shared office, you can’t escape this easily - even when you might want to. Feeling part of something is an important part of what we try to achieve and when recruiting, having the ’right fit’ that adds to our community is vital.
Owen’s Final Thoughts
There are clear benefits to home working and working in an office. While we are an office-based business, our staff have the flexibility to work at home if or when they need. Due to the nature of our work, the culture we have created and the sense of team and collaboration, the way forward for us is definitely in the office.
For most of us today is just Wednesday, referred to by some as ‘humpday’ meaning we’re half way to the weekend. Not to mention, it’s May the 4th or National Star Wars Day if that’s your thing. But did you know today is also International Fire Fighters Day, Petite and Proud Day, and National Candied Orange Peel Day? Yes, these things really exist. There is a National Day for just about everything and believe it or not, you should be utilising them as part of your business’ social media strategy.
Creating posts tailored to National Days allows you to reach a brand new audience, make a more personal connection with your existing audience, and, most importantly, keep your brand relevant. So how do you choose which days to get involved in, and how do you go about it?
Plan Ahead
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail-bla bla bla. The truth is your business probably won’t fail if you don’t do a post about National Frozen Yoghurt Day (2nd Feb) but if you don’t plan ahead, you may miss out on a really great marketing opportunity. Sit down once every few months and see what fun dates are coming up that you could utilise. Write them down and think about how you can apply them to your business.
Think Outside the Box
We all know about Christmas, Halloween and April Fools. The key is to join in on more than just these generic holidays. Think about your target audience, create some unique content, and most of all just have some fun. For example, March the 15th is ‘National Everything you Think is Wrong Day’. You could use this day to debunk some myths surrounding your industry.
Keep it Relevant
As much as you want to think outside the box, try your best to choose days that you can relate to your brand, product and overall values. If you own a vegan restaurant then you may think it won’t make sense for your business to do a post about International Chicken Wing Day. However, you could use it to promote your vegan chicken wings. It’s important to engage with what’s appropriate and relevant to your brand, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be creative.
Encourage Customer Involvement
These days are a great way to get to know your audience, and a great way to get them involved with your brand. For example, if you own a pet shop then National Dress up your Pet Day might be a great way to increase your reach online. Build up some anticipation and awareness in the weeks leading up to the day and get people to send you their pictures to share. Also, use hashtags! More people care about this stuff than you think…
Here are a few key dates that you may be able to incorporate into your social media strategy:
As you can see, there’s no shortage of things to celebrate and after the last few years, I think we all need that. Social media doesn’t have to be boring, and let’s face it, even if you can’t find a way to relate National Days to your business, at least you can stick International Gin and Tonic Day in your diary(19th October- thank me later).
To see the full list of National Days just click here.
Good things take time, and blog posts are no exception. Fellow blog writers will understand, the journey from topic selection through to publishing your work can command hours of our time.
Of course, if the blog post doesn’t generate the traffic you hoped for, it can leave you feeling a little deflated, especially after you dedicated so much time and effort into writing it.
Naturally, you’ll want your content to rank highly on Google so you have the best chance of being discovered and having people click through to your site. But how can you improve your ranking on Google?
3 magic words - Search Engine Optimisation, or SEO for short.
Help Google out through your use of headings, from H1 (your main title), to H2, H3 and H4, which should be used to break down the subtopics within your blog. This will help Google’s web crawlers understand what your blog is about and the different sections within it.
It’s easy to lose sight of the people your blog post is ultimately being written for, especially with all this SEO talk and trying to please Google. It’s important to write high-quality blogs with humans in mind, that answer the queries your target market has around your industry, products and services.
You want your page to load as fast as possible for the sake of creating a good user experience, but did you know Google rewards pages with fast loading speeds too?
Images can be lethal on your page loading speed if they’re not compressed to a smaller file size. This tends to become an issue if you have multiple images over 100KB each.
You shouldn’t have to compromise on quality either, and with free apps just like squoosh.app, you don’t have to!
You want your potential customers to find your content and an SEO friendly way to do this is by targeting the keywords they are searching for. But how do you know which keywords they’re searching for?
That’s where keyword research tools come in! One of the most popular sites is Ahrefs (the full version will require a paid subscription), however another popular site (and free to access) is Google Keyword Planner - it allows you to see what keywords users are searching for and their popularity by search volume and how those searches have changed over time.
If you want to rank well on Google, you should focus on building a link building strategy.
But what is link building? It’s the process of building the number of inbound links from other reputable, high quality websites. These are also referred to as backlinks.
A backlink essentially acts as a thumbs up to Google in saying that the content of your blog post is of good quality and worthy of being shared, which will allow Google to trust your content and increase your ranking on the search engine results page (SERP).
Writing for SEO (while keeping the human on the other end in mind) can help your content rank higher on Google, making it more discoverable among searchers. It’s important to know that you won’t see results right away, and that this process takes time and effort. Remember, good things are worth waiting for.
