??New Reels Ads in Meta, Thumb Frames for Shorts, Ai 'Trend' Ads for X, Notes Expansion in Instagram and TikTok Green Screen Update.
Add People
Add People are one of the largest digital marketing agencies in the UK, specifically built to service SMEs.
Hello and welcome to the latest edition of The Digital Dispatch!
As always, we've got some essential updates SMEs and marketers need to know. Whether you're looking to boost engagement, enhance your content, or optimise your ad spend, there's something here for (almost) everyone.
Don't forget to show your appreciation by sharing this newsletter with your network, or popping any questions you may have in the comments. ??
Here's what we've got for you in this edition:
Meta Expands Reels Overlay Ads for More Brands
Meta is introducing a new advertising option within Reels, its fastest-growing content format, by expanding Reels overlay ads to more advertisers.
These ads, which can appear as banners or video ads between Reel clips, offer a large call-to-action prompt to engage viewers.
With Reels driving 200 billion daily views across Facebook and Instagram, this format leverages high engagement to capture user attention.
In a way, Facebook is evolving into more of an entertainment platform than a traditional social network, capturing attention with its growing array of video content rather than user comments and social interactions.
What does this mean for SMEs?
For SMEs, this presents an excellent opportunity to boost brand visibility and connect with potential customers.
While this feature is being introduced gradually, it's a good time to start planning how to integrate Reels overlay ads into your marketing strategy.
YouTube Develops Thumb Frame Customisation for Shorts Clips
YouTube isn’t adding custom thumbnails for Shorts clips just yet but is introducing "thumb frame" customisation.
This feature allows you to edit the key frame of your Shorts post-upload, with options to add text and filters to boost engagement.
What does this update mean for SMEs?
While custom thumbnails aren't deemed crucial for Shorts due to how users typically view them, this new tool offers a practical way for SMEs to make their Shorts content more appealing.
So, if you’re looking to spruce up your Shorts without the hassle of full customisation, these new options from YouTube could be just what you need to engage your audience effectively.
X Introduces Trend Genius Ads
X has launched "Trend Genius" ads, a new advertising tool that uses AI to help advertisers connect with trending topics.
This tool enables you to select conversation topics—ranging from the Olympics to AI—and X's advanced AI will automatically deploy your ads when these topics are most popular.
By tapping into the buzz around major events or trends, Trend Genius aims to ensure your ads appear when engagement is highest, enhancing visibility and relevance.
Once the trend wanes, the ads are automatically turned off, which could help optimise your advertising budget.
For SMEs:
This update is particularly relevant for SMEs, potentially offering a cost-effective way to increase engagement and maximise the efficiency of ad spend.
Early tests by X have indicated strong engagement rates, suggesting that Trend Genius could be a valuable addition to your advertising strategy. If you still use X, that is ??.
Instagram Expands Notes: Boost Your Engagement with Real-Time Reactions
Instagram has just rolled out an exciting update to its Notes feature, now letting users leave Notes on Reels and feed posts.
Think of Notes as temporary Post-It note that last for three days and can only be shared by mutual followers.
This new feature provides a fresh way to spark interaction among friends, adding quick, fun comments directly on posts.
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Why is this relevant to SMEs?
Well, Notes have been a big hit, especially with teenagers, who are using them at a much higher rate than older users.
This update offers SMEs a new tool to engage their audience, especially the younger generation, making your Instagram content more interactive and engaging.
You'll have to get creative with this one, but notes could help keep your brand connected with followers in a lively, personal way.
Instagram Adds Multi-Track Audio to Reels
Instagram is shaking things up with a new feature that allows users to add up to 20 music tracks to a single Reel.
This means you can now mix and match different songs within one video, making your content more dynamic and engaging.
Whether you want to switch up the soundtrack as your video changes focus or blend old and new songs to show the passage of time, the possibilities are endless.
Why should SMEs care?
This tool provides a unique way to enhance your Reels, making them more captivating and likely to attract more viewers.
Plus, other users can use the same audio you create in their clips, potentially increasing your reach.
It’s a fresh, creative addition that can help your business stand out on Instagram, sparking new trends and boosting engagement with your audience.
TikTok Introduces Green Screen Feature
TikTok is introducing a new Green Screen feature in its mobile effects editor.
This will allow users to upload photos and create engaging effects using the green screen technique.
For SMEs:
Although not fully rolled out yet, this update could provide an easy and cost-effective way to produce high-quality, creative content that can attract more viewers and potential customers.
By utilising this feature (when available), SMEs could enhance their social media presence and better engage with their audience.
That's a Wrap!
Thanks for reading this edition of The Digital Dispatch. We hope you found these updates useful.
We'd love to hear your thoughts on this week's stories, so feel free to share your feedback in the comments.
Don't forget to share this newsletter with your network.
Have a fantastic and productive week, and we look forward to bringing you more exciting updates next Tuesday!
Who are we?
We’re Add People – a group of down-to-earth digital marketing experts specialising in budget-friendly campaigns that help small to medium-sized businesses grow.
From Plumbers to Dance Schools, we’ve helped all kinds of SMEs tap into digital marketing.
If you would like help with your digital marketing, then contact us here.
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Head of Commercial Growth @ Thrive Media Group | Digital Marketing Expert & LinkedIn Top Voice
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