What is Lemon8 and should your business be jumping on board?
ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, has seen their Lemon8 app rising up the App Store charts in recent weeks. Lemon8 is described as ’a place for young creatives to share a diversity of content’. It is said to be like a cross between Instagram and Pinterest, with a particular focus on products, and highlighting content from specific product categories (i.e. fashion, makeup and food). On quick glance, it's giving us Tumblr vibes, which we love!
As Lemon8 is rising in popularity in the US, we thought now is a great time to take a look at the app and whether or not you should be looking at incorporating it into your social media strategy in 2023. However, quick disclaimer! Lemon8 isn't currently available in Australia, so you can't jump on, yet! But it's sure to launch very soon.
There are several reasons why businesses should consider incorporating Lemon8 into their social media strategies. Here are just a few:
- Video content is still king, and Lemon8 will allow you to get creative!
As we all know, video content has become increasingly popular in recent years. Research shows that video content is more engaging, memorable, and effective at driving sales than other forms of content. By incorporating Lemon8 into your social media strategy, you can easily create and share engaging video content that resonates with your audience and helps to build brand awareness.
- The platform is designed for simplicity
One of the great things about Lemon8 is that it's designed to be simple and user-friendly. The platform's interface is intuitive, making it easy for businesses to create and share videos without needing a lot of technical knowledge. This is particularly beneficial for smaller businesses that may not have the resources to hire a dedicated social media manager or outsource to an agency.
- The platform is still relatively new
While Lemon8 is growing in popularity, it's still a relatively new platform. This means that there is less competition than other social media platforms, which means there's more opportunity for your brand to stand out from the crowd. By getting in early and establishing a presence on Lemon8, businesses can gain a competitive advantage and build a loyal following.
So - ready to get creative?
Lemon8 looks to be a great social media platform that brands should consider incorporating into their social media strategies. By creating engaging stills and video content, businesses can build brand awareness, drive sales, and stand out from the crowd. With its user-friendly interface, mobile-first design, and growing popularity, Lemon8 is a platform that businesses should definitely keep on their radar. We're looking forward to trying it out when it launches in Australia!
Want to know more about the latest social media platform developments? We share these weekly in our Social Media Trend Report.
How much does a social media agency charge?
You’ve decided that you want to work with a social media agency - great!
One of the first questions on your mind is no doubt - how much is it going to cost me.
Great question, we’re glad you asked.
There’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach to social media management. (Hint - be wary of agencies with standard packages!)
A great agency will jump on a call (or ask you to share a detailed brief) to understand your goals and objectives, target audience, current pain points, preferred ways of working and approximate budget. From there, the agency will go away and put together a custom quote that balances what you’re wanting to achieve with what you have available to spend.
The best agencies will share flexible retainer options, that can be scaled up and down as budget and business activity require.
But that’s not helpful right? You want to know the figures.
Here’s a quick breakdown.
- Smaller agencies or freelancers may cost from $1,000 - $3,000 per month.
- Fees to work with a medium sized experienced social media agency typically start from $3,000 per month and scale from there, dependant on your requirements.
- To work with large well-known agency, fees will typically begin at $20,000 per month and head upwards from there.
So what can you expect for your spend?
When you work with a low-cost small social media agency or freelancer, you’ll typically get lots of hours dedicated to your account. Great! Lots of hours means lots of output.
On the flipside, you’ll often (but not always!) be working with a relatively inexperienced team, who only have a few clients on their books. Expect lots of attention but a little hand holding will be required. The old saying ‘you get what you pay for’ generally applies here.
When you work with a large agency (you know the ones, these are the guys with a top floor of a St Kilda Rd office building, or a warehouse in Cremorne, BIG brands on their books, hundreds of staff) you get the benefits that come with working with an industry heavy weight. They’ll often have a direct line into Meta, thought leaders in the creative department and a seriously impressive folio.
There are plenty of perks with working with the ‘names’. However, alongside the perks often come the red flags. Hundreds / thousands of clients mean your business will be one amongst MANY. Expect to have regular account manager turn over and a low amount of hours dedicated to your campaign.
Reactiveness is not a strong suit of these agencies. Because of their size, there are more layers and processes involved. So if you’re after a campaign that plays to trends and latest platform changes, this is not the place for you.
And of course, $20,000+ per month is not realistic for every business.
That brings us to the happy middle ground.
Now - please keep in mind we’re biased because this is the space we play in.
When you work with a medium sized social media agency, you’re typically working with a team of 15-30. These agencies are generally experienced businesses with a big mix of clients, from start ups, through to global businesses. In the great medium sized agencies (of which there are a few REALLY great agencies in Melbourne - and if MSC isn't the right fit for you, we can give you a few names of other agencies we love) there is typically really low staff turnover, meaning a consistent, dedicated Account Manager on your account.
Because these agencies have around 50-100 clients on their books at any given time, your business is not a number but a very important piece of the agency’s puzzle.
The cost is always going to be higher than a small agency or freelancers - expect an hourly rate of somewhere between $100-$200. But with that fee, you gain access to the skills of the entire team, which includes the senior team closely overseeing your campaign. So while the dedicated hours to your campaign might be slightly lower than what you’ll gain access to with a freelancer or small agency, the quality of work, attention to detail and expertise is much greater.
The medium sized agency is still small enough to be able to work really dynamically and reactively, as they’re not bogged down with procedures and red tape. (Typically, content can be produced within 24 hours, so that trends are still relevant by the time your work goes out.) But they're large enough to be well versed in strategy, and know what works for different business types and industries.
The team working on your account generally only works with around 5-10 clients, they’re not overloaded and they REALLY care about your business.
Perhaps the biggest perk? If you think about it - at an investment of $5,000 per month, you’re looking at paying $60,000 per year for your experienced agency team, which is equal to (but generally less than) what you would be spending on a single employee. So really - you’re saving money.
Have we convinced you?
If you’d like to chat further or request a bespoke proposal from our team, please reach out.
Or, check out what we're up to on LinkedIn.
Should my business be on TikTok?
Here are the reasons businesses should integrate TikTok into their social media strategy.
You’ve avoided it long enough! It’s time. Your business now needs to start thinking about using TikTok.
Why?
With over 1 billion users worldwide, TikTok is one of the fastest-growing social media platforms, with no signs of slowing down.
With its high engagement rates and creative features, TikTok presents a huge opportunity for businesses to reach a wide audience and grow their brand.
Here are some tips on how to succeed on TikTok as a business:
- Understand the platform and its audience: To succeed on TikTok, you need to understand the platform and its audience. TikTok is a platform that celebrates creativity, humour, and authenticity. It's important to create content that resonates with the platform's young and diverse audience.
- Be authentic and transparent: TikTok users value authenticity and transparency. Avoid using scripted or overly polished content, and instead showcase your brand's personality and values (and humour if you can!)
- Use creative visuals and music: TikTok is a visually-driven platform that encourages users to be creative with their content. Use eye-catching visuals, creative transitions, and trending music to make your content stand out from the crowd.
- Participate in challenges and trends: TikTok is known for its challenges and trends. Participating in relevant challenges can help your business reach a wider audience and increase engagement. Make sure to use trending hashtags to increase your visibility.
- Engage with your audience: TikTok is a social platform, so it's important to engage with your audience. Respond to comments, DMs, and user-generated content to build relationships with your followers and show that you value their feedback.
- Collaborate with other creators and brands: Collaborating with other creators and brands can help you reach new audiences and increase your credibility on the platform. Look for opportunities to collaborate with influencers or other businesses in your industry.
- Measure your success: To succeed on TikTok, you need to measure your success and adjust your strategy accordingly. Use TikTok's analytics to track your engagement rates, follower growth, and video performance. Use this data to identify areas for improvement and optimise your content strategy.
In some ways, TikTok is a great place to experiment with content, trends and authenticity, due to its less polished nature. And there’s no better time to start having a play than the present! One hot tip? Have fun, and don't take your brand too seriously.
Want some help putting a TikTok strategy together, or would you like to outsource the content creation to our team? We manage some of the largest TikTok accounts in Australia, and we’d love to assist. Get in touch today!
How do you know if you're shadowbanned on Instagram?
Have you heard of the term 'shadowbanned'? Let us fill you in.
Since you’ve found yourself reading this article, it’s safe to assume you’re well acquainted with Instagram being one of the most popular social media platforms! With over a BILLION active users worldwide (yep you read correctly), it’s easy to get lost in the crowd. As the algorithm is ever-changing, it might feel like some of your posts aren’t getting the attention they deserve...
Whilst this can be put down to many causes and usually isn’t a cause for immediate panic, in some cases, there could be a more insidious reason behind a notable lack of engagement, and that’s a Shadowban.
Sounds scary, huh? Let us explain. A shadowban is an Instagram practice where an account’s visibility is reduced without the account owner knowing it - hence the notion of “shadowbanned” or “hidden”.
This means the account’s posts won’t appear in hashtags or on the explore page for new viewers, making it harder for a greater audience to discover the account and hindering overall visibility and growth.
So, if you suspect your account is shadowbanned, here are some key signs to look out for.
1. Your Posts Aren’t Appearing in Hashtags
One of the most obvious indications your account might be shadowbanned is when your posts aren’t showing up in hashtags. Usually, when you include a hashtag in your post, it will appear on the corresponding hashtag page under “recent” tags, making it easier for people to discover your content. If your posts aren’t appearing in the recent hashtags tab right after you post, Instagram has likely shadowbanned your account.
2. Your Engagement Has Decreased
Another telltale sign that your account might be shadowbanned is an unexplained decrease in engagement. If your likes, comments, shares and organic reach have significantly decreased, it could be a sign that your account is no longer being made visible to your current followers or new accounts. This decrease in engagement can happen suddenly or gradually, so keep an eye on your metrics.
3. Your Account Has Received a Warning Message
If Instagram has identified any suspicious activity on your account, you might receive a warning message. This message could warn you about the use of bots or other automated services that violate Instagram’s terms of service. In some cases, Instagram might also inform you that your account has been shadowbanned.
4. Your Follower Growth Has Stopped
If your account has stopped gaining new followers or has significantly slowed down, it could be a sign that you’ve been shadowbanned. This is because your posts aren’t appearing on the explore page or in hashtags, making it harder for people to discover your account.
5. Your Posts Aren’t Visible to Your Followers
Lastly, if your posts are no longer appearing in your follower’s feeds, it could be a sign that your account has been shadowbanned. This often happens when Instagram detects suspicious activity on your account, or if you’ve appeared to violate Instagram’s terms of service.
We get it, a Shadowban can be extremely frustrating for any Instagram user, therefore it’s essential to know the signs to look out for. If you suspect that your account has been affected, it’s crucial to review your account activity and ensure that you’re following Instagram’s terms of service (Follow Instagram’s Terms and Guidelines here). If you’re still having trouble, we recommend reaching out to Instagram’s support team for assistance. Remember, creating engaging, unique content and following the best practices is the best way to avoid a shadowban and grow your Instagram following organically.
Want to know more about social media best practice, or work with our team? Get in touch today.
4 go-to tips for creating great social media content
Stuck in a content rut? Creating content that keeps falling flat?
Social media management can be a tricky job (speaking from experience here!) You need to constantly feed the hungry social media beast (read algorithm) with content. But creating content just for the sake of posting every day? It just doesn’t work. Particularly when you’re posting as a brand. Your content needs to have purpose and really resonate with your audience.
Easier said than done right? Well, to get you started, here are a few tips from our team on creating content that WORKS in 2023.
Here are our 4 go-to tips for creating great social media content this year.
- Be clear on your objectives
Every piece of social media content that you create should fit within a greater social media strategy, rather than creating for content’s sake. What are you try to achieve with your content? Be clear with your purpose and create with this in mind.
- Know your audience
Who are you speaking to on social media? Different audiences have different content preferences, and it’s important to create content that your audience will really resonate with. Figure out who you’re speaking to first, and then create content that suits.
- Create with authenticity
In 2023, authenticity is TRENDING. If your brand doesn’t have an authentic voice and content style, you’re likely to be left behind this year. Create content that really speaks to your brand and it’s values. Use a conversational tone and engage engage engage with your audience.
- Play to the platform
No more cross posting the same content across every platform guys! Look at each platforms’ specific algorithm preferences, and tweak your content to suit.
Want to learn more from our team? Get in touch to schedule a consultation session.
Want to see what we're up to? Visit us on Linkedin.
Will AI Replace Social Media Managers?
By now, you’ve no doubt heard of Chat GPT. It’s the AI app that everyone is talking about.
Of course, we’ve been curious, so we thought we’d check it out. We jumped on and asked the AI to write us a blog post on whether or not it’s about to replace us (real life creatives) as Social Media Managers.
Here’s what Chat GPT gave us.
Sure, here's a sample blog post on the topic:
"Will AI Replace Social Media Managers?
As artificial intelligence continues to make advancements in various industries, it's natural to wonder whether AI will replace social media managers. In this blog post, we'll explore the role of AI in the field of social media management and whether it's likely to replace human social media managers.
- Automating routine tasks - AI can automate routine tasks such as scheduling posts, generating reports, and analysing data, freeing up social media managers to focus on more strategic and creative work.
- Improved efficiency and accuracy - AI algorithms can analyse data and make predictions about the best times to post and the types of content that are most likely to perform well. This can lead to improved efficiency and accuracy, as well as insights into how to optimise social media campaigns.
- Limited creative abilities - While AI can automate routine tasks and provide valuable insights, it still lacks the creative abilities and human intuition that social media managers bring to the table. Social media is about connecting with people and creating a sense of community, which requires empathy, emotional intelligence, and the ability to understand the nuances of human behaviour.
- The importance of human interaction - Despite the advancements in technology, there is still a strong demand for human interaction on social media. People want to connect with brands and other users in a personal and meaningful way, and social media managers play a crucial role in facilitating these interactions.
In conclusion, while AI can automate routine tasks and provide valuable insights, it is unlikely to replace human social media managers. The importance of human interaction, creativity, and emotional intelligence in social media management make it unlikely that AI will fully replace human social media managers in the near future. However, it's important for social media managers to stay up-to-date with AI developments and to understand how they can work with AI to optimise their efforts and achieve better results."
So there you have it, the AI is telling us that it’s not here to (totally) replace us any time soon. Or is that what it wants us to think… Only time will tell!
In the meantime, if you'd like to work with a team of human, talented creatives - get in touch with us today. Or, check out our latest work on Instagram.
Want to see what others are saying about us? Check out our agency profile on Design Rush here.
Melbourne Social Co Celebrates Our 10th Birthday!
This year, Melbourne Social Co is celebrating 10 years in business.
I’m so incredibly proud of our business journey, from humble beginnings to now being recognised as one of Australia’s leading content-driven creative agencies.
I started Melbourne Social Co from my spare bedroom, as most start-ups begin, with one client and a lot of determination. As a person in my mid-20s at the time and of course, pre-kids - I loved working 60 hour weeks and throwing myself into the entrepreneurial game.
My client list quickly grew, and then so did my team, with my first hire being Rebekah Pickett, who has stuck with me (thanks Bek!) and now leads the team of 15+ creatives both here in Melbourne and around Australia. We’ve had 3.5 offices, a few different logos, many office plants (that sadly have not survived the journey) and an incredible predominately-female team of creatives over the journey. We have worked across almost every state in Australia (as well as a few ventures into NZ and Singapore) and have produced incredible work for household names like Fitbit, PETstock, BiC and more.
We’ve worked with SO many different businesses over the journey, from start-ups to global powerhouses, with both ends of the spectrum being equally rewarding.
While I understand that for many business owners, 2020 and now 2021 have been incredibly difficult, I am so proud to say that our team has gone from strength to strength over the past year in particular. Not only have our team adapted to working predominately remotely, but they have upskilled, hustled and continued to deliver incredible results over the pandemic period for our clients. In addition, we have on-boarded some of our biggest campaigns to date this year and are so excited to be working with some really great brands, such as Koko Black, Sass Clothing and Jenny Craig.
I’m so proud of our female-lead business, where we have been, where we are now, and where we are headed. Here’s to an exciting next 10 years!
Shelley
What’s the deal with Instagram Reels?
In typical Instagram fashion, mid-2020 Instagram launched a TikTok reboot on their platform. Almost a carbon-copy of the short-length video platform, Instagram Reels takes the best performing features from TikTok and reinvents them the Instagram way.
So, six months on, with a few strategic nip and tucks we’re able to take a better look at Instagram Reels, what it means for agencies, brands and personal profiles – and work out how to make the most of it!
Best posting practice
We all know that Facebook and Instagram can be cagey about algorithms and updates, which often leads to endless guessing games about best posting practice. Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri has been rumour busting every Friday on his Instagram stories (if you’re not following him – this is your sign to!). Most recently Mosseri discussed what users need to do to avoid red flags and restrictions on Reels.
- Avoid TikTok (or other platforms) watermarks. Mosseri stated outright that videos that are “visibly recycled from other apps (i.e, contains logos or watermarks)” won’t be recommended as often as other videos.
- Avoid low resolution or blurry videos. We recommend minimising the number of apps you use to create your Reels to avoid low-res videos. Using the Reel’s camera and editing tools is your best bet! They want you to be creating original content on their platform after all.
- Minimise the amount of text you’re using, and make sure it doesn’t cover majority of your video.
So you like making your videos on TikTok and you want to continue to use the platform to edit and publish…
No stress! There is any easy way to save your TikTok’s without a watermark on iOS!
- When viewing your TikTok, press the menu (three dots underneath the comment section on bottom right)
- Select Live Photo from the export menu
- Go to your Camera Roll to find the Live Photo. Select the share menu in the bottom left hand corner.
- Scroll through the options until you find Save As Video and select.
- Find your new video in your Camera Roll. Select Edit in the top right hand corner.
- Select the crop tool from the bottom tool menu.
- Select the tool that looks like three overlapping squares from the top tool bar.
- Select 9:16 from the bottom toolbar and crop the small TikTok watermark out of your video. Select done.
And you’re good to go! Just make sure that the video is still if a clear quality before you upload.
Stuck on content ideas for Instagram Reels?
We’re here to help! Here are a few different content ideas that work across most industries:
- Behind the scenes content: No matter what type of business you run, there’s a 99% chance your audience will LOVE behind the scenes content. An easy way to capture this is to put your camera on time-lapse as you pack up orders, style a product photo or work through orders.
A popular trend on TikTok and Reels is daily vlogs. If you feel confident enough to film yourself throughout your day and add a voice over, then we’d recommend trialling this too! - Before and after: Everyone loves a B&A! Think of different ways you could capture the change or effect you have as you work or on your clients / customers.
- Instructional: Whatever you do, there will always be someone who looks up to you and wants to learn from you! Can you break down simple daily tasks in easily digestible ways for your Reels?
Reels is heavily trend and music driven, both of which change week to week! So we recommend making sure you spend some quality time on Reels to keep track of current trends.
Remember that Instagram rewards users who utilise all of it’s features like Reels, IGTV or Live – so if you haven’t already taken a dip into the Reel’s pond, it could be worth the investment!
Stay tuned to Adam Mosseri’s Instagram stories and the Instagram Creators page for updates to features and trends.
Want to work with our team to create amazing content for your business? Get in touch today.
Melbourne Social Co Celebrates Nine Years In Business
Did you know that this month Melbourne Social Co celebrates our ninth year in business?
With a traditional fashion editorial background, our Director Shelley Friesen began forging a career in social media over ten years ago – establishing Melbourne Social Co in 2011. While pursuing IT wasn’t a stylish choice for a child of the 80’s, Shelley’s intuition to pursue social media was bang on (much like Olivia Newton John’s leotard in Let’s Get Physical!) “I got into digital marketing through identifying a need for businesses to embrace it. From my experience working in the editorial department of a fashion magazine and as a Marketing Manager for an Australian fashion and accessories label, I could see that social media was a tool businesses could adopt and utilise to connect with their consumers. Despite people’s hesitance at the time to take a leap of faith on such an emerging field, I decided to start my own digital marketing agency!”
Now a team of fifteen, most of whom can’t remember a world without selfies and Snapchat, Melbourne Social Co has been instrumental in building the digital presence of some of Australia’s biggest brands.
While 2020 has certainly presented its’ challenges for both our business and our wonderful clients, the power of digital and social media is greater than ever and we’re excited to be able to continue to assist small business owners in navigating this difficult time. (Read our top tips on using social media in times of crisis here.)
Want to get to know our team a little better? Click here.
Need assistance in navigating social media during the COVID-19 crisis? Our team of experts at Melbourne Social Co are here to help you. We can provide a range of services to assist your needs including virtual consulting sessions, copywriting, ad hoc graphic design, digital marketing campaign management and more.
We have a full team with all hands-on deck available to support you.
Our agency is also offering 50% off our online training resources during this time, should you be looking to upskill in social media management, strategy or content creation during your time at home. You can access our online courses here: courses.thesocialco.com.au and use the coupon code: upskillathome to redeem your discount.
How to get the most out of Instagram
Tackling the Instagram algorithm, stories and IGTV
There's not a lot of solid evidence out there as to how Instagram’s algorithm actually works. But we do know a few ways to help improve your impact on Instagram!
1. Utilise all of Instagram’s platforms. Post to IGTV, use interactive stickers on your stories and post video and photo content in galleries
2. Change your password! The amount of people / third party apps that are logged into your account can have an impact on which algorithm stream you’re put into
3. Give a little to get a little. Behind the scenes content performs great on Instagram. Whether it’s a peek into your production line or industry tricks, this content is clickable, likeable, shareable and saveable!
Nowadays, Instagram is so much more than just a newsfeed. We have the introduction of IGTV, the explore page, and of course stories which means you have so many avenues to display your content and the opportunity to expand your audience.
And it is no secret that Instagram stories now need to play a significant part in your social media content strategy.
Here are some of the major benefits to utilising Instagram stories:
- Increases visibility
When you post a story, it appears at the top of everyone’s screens. People are more likely to check stories before they start scrolling. This means stories are your best bet in being seen.
- Different type of content
Stories are a great way to capture real-time content. Behind the scenes, event coverage and everything else in between. This makes your brand seem real and relatable, which people love to see. They are more likely to engage when they think you’re approachable, instead of only seeing the retouched, flawless content that we post on our feed.
- You can get creative
With the array of colours, GIFs and stickers, you can really express your brand in an abundance of different ways. You can also interact with your audience through the use of the Polls, Questions, Location, and Quiz stickers. These tools are also an easy way to get engagement, which is also a win in digital marketing! When you use these stickers, people are not only more likely to interact with your story, but also your story is more likely to be seen. Stories are now visible on the Explore page, and when you use Instagram’s features, they will reward you by sharing your content with more and more people – how good is that?
Start posting more stories to your business accounts and see if you see any changes to your stats, you could be surprised!
IGTV – what is it, and why should businesses be using it?
IGTV is the latest Instagram trend that has taken the social media platform by storm. Although IGTV has been around since June 2018, it is only now gaining some momentum - this could be because Instagram finally allowed previews on your feed. When this happened back in 2019, views skyrocketed, and IGTV became an integral part of every social media campaign.
IGTV was originally introduced as an app where you could watch long-form, vertical videos from Instagram creators – basically a new competitor of YouTube! Before IGTV, you were only able to post videos that were 60 seconds long to Instagram. This was great for teaser content and short explainer videos, but now, you are able to post videos that are between 1 minute and an hour long! This opens up opportunities for really engaging content for your business, which means more traffic and a greater chance of expanding your audience.
Still wondering why you should use IGTV? There are some major benefits, here are just a few!
- When you use IGTV on stories, you can get access to the “Swipe Up” feature
This feature was only available to verified accounts and accounts with over 10,000 followers. Now, when you share your IGTV to your story, you’re not only opening yourself up to more views, you’re also giving yourself the ability to send your audience to your desired link.
- Able to post longer videos
As discussed, IGTV videos can be from one minute, to an hour. This means the possibilities are endless when it comes to posting videos on this platform. No more editing out great visuals and information to get your videos down to 1 minute! Create your first IGTV, and post EVERYTHING you want – not just what you can fit in to 60 seconds!
- Get ahead of the algorithm!
As we mentioned above, the best way to get in Instagram’s good graces, and make sure your getting the most out of the app, is to use all of its services. Be sure to post stories, use location tags, hashtags and start creating content for IGTV.
IGTV is very quickly becoming a must-use feature on the app, and it’s important you jump on board now!
What to learn the in's and out's of social media management from the comfort of your couch? Visit courses.thesocialco.com.au to enrol in our famous social media masterclass!
