The Latest Social Media Marketing Updates (15 September 2024 Edition)

If you’re a self-made business owner navigating the fast-paced world of social media, staying on top of the latest trends is critical for your growth.

This week, I’ve gathered the most important updates to keep you ahead of the curve. Let’s dive into the must-know changes happening across Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, and more.

1. Instagram Reel Cover Images: Are They Worth Your Time?

We’ve all been there – spending extra time designing the perfect cover image for our Instagram Reels, making sure it aligns with our brand and looks fabulous in our grid. But is it really worth it?

According to Instagram's head honcho, Adam Mosseri, cover images have little to no impact on Reel performance. While they might help your grid look polished and tell people what your Reel is about, their overall impact on visibility is minimal.

Actionable Tip:
If you’re pressed for time, skip creating a custom cover image. Focus instead on creating engaging content that grabs attention when your Reels appear in the feed or Explore tab.

2. Carousel Mode for Instagram Reels: A Game Changer?

Instagram is experimenting with a new carousel mode for Reels, allowing you to upload multiple images in a reel-like slideshow. While it sounds similar to the current slideshow feature, Instagram is clearly pushing Reels as a prime way to reach new audiences.

Actionable Tip:
Keep an eye out for this feature and give it a try. Anything that makes creating Reels easier is a win for your content strategy!

3. LinkedIn’s New Promotion Tactic: Annoying or Helpful?

LinkedIn is now promoting other creators’ content at the bottom of your newsletters and articles. Instead of keeping readers within your content ecosystem, LinkedIn is nudging them toward other people’s work.

While it’s great for discovering new creators, it’s frustrating if you want your audience to stay engaged with your content. Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do to change it, but it’s something to be mindful of when planning your LinkedIn strategy.

4. Instagram DMs Are Getting a Makeover

Instagram has been pushing direct messaging (DMs) as a core feature, and now we’re seeing some exciting updates. New stickers, themes, and photo editing features are rolling out, making DMs more interactive.

Actionable Tip:
Leverage Instagram DMs as part of your customer engagement strategy. Private conversations can help build stronger connections with your audience.

5. Threads Adds Follower Metrics from Your Posts

Threads, the new platform from Meta, is introducing a much-anticipated feature: you can now see when someone follows you from a specific post. This is a great tool to analyze what content is resonating with your audience.

Actionable Tip:
Use this data to fine-tune your content strategy. Identify which posts attract followers and create more content in that style.

6. Instagram Notes Get a Fun Upgrade with GIFs

Instagram continues to roll out small but fun features like GIFs in Notes. If you’re unfamiliar with Notes, think of them as status updates for your followers. Adding a GIF makes your status more engaging and fun.

Actionable Tip:
Don’t shy away from using GIFs! They’re an easy way to communicate a lot of personality in a small space.

7. Ads in Facebook Notifications: Meta’s New Ad Placement

Meta is rolling out ads in Facebook notifications – yes, you read that right! Among your regular notifications about tags and comments, you’ll soon see paid ads. While it feels like Meta is getting desperate for ad space, it’s another opportunity to reach your audience.

Actionable Tip:
If you’re running Facebook Ads, consider experimenting with this placement to see how it performs for your business.

8. Meta’s Smartwatch: The Future is Here

Lastly, Meta continues to expand its hardware with the upcoming Meta Smartwatch. If you’re already a fan of Meta’s Ray-Bans (like me!), the smartwatch might be your next must-have gadget. Stay tuned for more updates!

That’s a wrap on the latest social media marketing news for the week ending 15 September 2024. Stay ahead of the trends by incorporating these tips into your strategy and experimenting with the newest features.

Ready to Level Up Your Social Media Strategy?

Want more actionable advice like this? Click here to book a 1:1 training session with me to create a tailored social media strategy that works for your business!