As fresh as a crisp november gale, here is the best of the news and inspirations I stumbled upon in recent weeks. From the latest new features on social media to why the best website is the one about eggs, this month's issue has it all. Enjoy!
News
1.
What are the most trendy products of this year? Google has issued its Holiday 100 list, compiled based on the best performing searches on the search engine. Get inspired or even shocked. You might discover something you didn’t need or want or something you might focus on in your upcoming promotion. Human Dog Bed, anyone?
2.
Designers and programmers at Instagram have been busier than usual. In the past few weeks, many new features were announced and some already made it into the app for all of us to use.
The main thing is that from now on, you can share replies to posts as Stories. This can be done by swiping over the comment and you will see the option to share to Stories. The comment will then appear as a sticker in the Stories builder, so you can craft a story based directly on that response. Perfect for testimonials! You can share any comment that appears under your post. By highlighting your audience's most important interactions, you can foster a relationship with your fans or even start a conversation with them, so don’t be shy to use it!
Another great new feature is the option to post a poll in the comments section under your new Carousel or Reel. This is particularly useful if you want to keep your audience engaged and get valuable feedback to improve your content or offer.
3.
When it comes to brand growth, the general belief is that the heavy buyers are something like VIP, getting all the attention of marketers. However, latest research suggests that it's the non-buyers who are leading the growth at 62%, followed by the light buyers at 28%, and the heavy buyers being responsible for only 10%. So do not pamper those with the thickest wallets. Instead, focus on those who never heard of you. And get more insight into this by reading this report.
4.
This next piece requires some knowledge of Google Ad., but read it even if you’re new to the topic. You will learn that the auction system under the Google bonnet is actually not that fair, designed for those who pay the most. What a surprise, right?
5.
Who would have thought that something like a menopause can be capitalised on. It seems that the topic, so long taboo, is getting into the forefront of people’s attention. That part is great. However the money hungry businesses are just an inch behind, trying to steer the eyes from the substance of this issue to capitalising on it. Helen Lewis, one of my favourite columnists, dissects this emerging issue in her latest bit for The Atlantic.
Eye Candy: Just Egg
The philosophical dilemma about what was first - a hen or an egg, is completely irrelevant when we take into account the existence of Just Egg, an egg-replacement liquid for cooking. Songs like the opposite of attractive, I hear you non-vegans. But don’t get discouraged to learn more, as their website is absolutely breathtaking. Who would have thought that a webpage of such a simple product can be so engaging and visually pleasing. I recommend you to go there and click on every single button. I wish I could buy this in Nettó!
Number Of the Month: 100 million
Notes on Instagram are not dead. Meta reported that the short text feature on Instagram was used by more than 100 million teenagers in the 90 days earlier this year. They also measured that younger users are more likely to get an answer to their notes. Therefore Meta is expanding functionality of this novel Instagram feature with short selfie videos.
Trend Of the Month: Crompouce
No worries, no French are going to judge you, but imagine Vínarbrauðterta and Croissant having a baby. Now get this: that baby actually already exists and is starting to take over TikTok. Or at least quite a few of the savoury accounts on it. The novelty originates from the Netherlands and is called Crompouce. This trend is only emerging so if you in any way are linked to a bakery business, now is your chance to turn your average beige-white tiled joint into a trendy hot pink crunchy place!
Out Of the Box: News Fatigue
Here I usually mention something completely out of the marketing world, and this time is no different, though less weird or upplifting. Analysts from Reuters found that the overwhelmingly present 24/7 media massage through daily breaking news has a damaging effect on democracy. What originated as service to all of us, to inform about what is necessary to know to act on, is now making more and more individuals to check out and ultimately lose interest in societal issues, politics and subsequently to vote.
Did you like this newsletter? Or not so much? I will be happy for your feedback. And while you’re at it, check Hnappurinn's Instagram. I share marketing advice, for free. Let’s connect and chat over there.
Peace, puppets and techno,
Juraj
