Social Media

Although social media easily connects people across the world, it can also be limiting for certain groups, such as the visually impaired or deaf. Incorporating these tips in your digital presence can make your platforms more inclusive:

• Include captioning on videos for people who are hard of hearing. Adding subtitles will make your social media more accessible and can actually increase your views.

• Write hashtags in CamelCase such as #SocialMedia instead of #socialmedia. This is a simple solution that will make your hashtag easier to read.

Utilizing these simple steps can help you improve the digital experience for all users.

– Meaghan Hatch, Jones PR

People have always come to Facebook to connect with friends around day-to-day life, and celebrate important moments, like birthdays. As such, on May 9, Facebook launched Birthday Stories globally.

It is a new type of story where friends, family and everyone in the community can add digital birthday cards, photos and/or videos to a special Facebook story to celebrate one’s big day. The result is a happy birthday message that’s visual, memorable, interactive and fun.

It is like getting a personalized birthday card from everyone you care about, no matter where they might be in the world.

– Jehan Damji, Facebook

It’s already easy to shop for items discovered on Instagram. But recently, Instagram announced a feature it is testing that allows customers to pay for and manage orders directly within the social platform.

This new feature is both good and bad for retailers. The good: ease of purchase. The bad: Retailers won’t gather as much data about shoppers.

The lack of data is the larger problem and will continue to make brands more dependent on the social platform. Brands should continue to be cautious and make sure the company can survive if Instagram or Facebook were to shut down tomorrow.

– Emily Reeves Dean, Cranford Co.

Now more than ever, digital marketing is changing the way we communicate. Social media helps brands connect with target audiences with the click of a button.

The social media world changes on a dime, and we need to keep up. Here are a few ways to keep your brand’s feed fresh in the ever-changing environment on social media:

• Create a daily, weekly or monthly series.

• Run a contest or giveaway – people can’t resist the power of a gift.

• Conduct a social media takeover.

• Share, pin, retweet and regram.

• Create short clips of video content.

• Take advantage of trending topics.

– Shelby Westbrook, Jones PR

Known as the “cooler” social media platform, Instagram gives people what they desire at their core when it comes to social media – a place to engage and connect through images and videos, without having to be buried in all the “Facebook craziness.”

Good rules to follow:

1. Use influencers strategically: Allow them to create their own content to showcase your brand in an authentic way.
2. Instagram allows you to communicate directly with each comment – do so.
3. Use hashtags wisely and make sure they connect with your business.
4. Take the time to put out quality images and videos.

– Taylor Ketchum, Jones PR

Though it has had recent downfalls, it is still the birthplace of the hashtag and is still a top-used platform.

A major difference between Facebook and Twitter: If someone follows you on Twitter, you do not automatically “friend” them, as with Facebook. So it is important that you engage so you can start a two-way conversation.

Other rules to follow:

1. Use hashtags wisely.

2. Brands should use their logos and their avatars.

3. Avoid posts about individuals at a brand – focus on the overall company. Twitter is not where you want the #FBF post of the CEO.

– Taylor Ketchum, Jones PR

In the next four issues of The Oklahoma 100, a new series will take place that covers the big four social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn) and how to manage with appropriate social media etiquette.

The first platform to review: Facebook.

1. Facebook is a place to engage, consistently respond to comments.

2. Create content that makes fans feel welcomed and connected.

3. A good rule of thumb: Only have someone “like” a post if you’re conducting a poll with your fans.

4. Use first person when talking about a brand.

5. Limit yourself to using one hashtag.

– Taylor Ketchum, Jones PR