The Latest Social Media Marketing Updates (29 September 2024 Edition)

Welcome to the latest Social Smarty Scoop! In this week’s roundup, we cover some big changes from Meta, fun new features on Instagram and Threads, and Meta’s fancy new VR glasses. Let’s dive into how these updates impact small business owners DIYing their social media marketing.

Meta's AI Assistant Updates: Celebrity Voices & Photo Editing

Meta is ramping up its AI Assistant with new features, but are they really game-changers? Mark Zuckerberg aims to make Meta’s AI the world’s best by the end of the year, and now we’re seeing updates like celebrity AI voices and smarter photo editing capabilities.

• Celebrity AI voices: Meta’s AI chatbot will soon sound like stars such as Dame Judy Dench or John Cena. This voice-over feature aims to make conversations feel more natural, but it might feel more like a gimmick for now.
• AI photo recognition and editing: Upload an image, and Meta’s AI can recognize objects and make edits. You can remove items, change colours, or tweak your image with just a few clicks.

Custom Facebook Reels Covers: Is It Worth the Effort?

Facebook now allows you to upload custom covers for reels, a feature Instagram users have had for some time. While Instagram users focus on creating a cohesive grid, Facebook doesn’t have the same visual layout.

Actionable Tip: Consider how much emphasis your audience places on aesthetics. If custom covers help boost engagement on Facebook, it might be worth investing time in designing eye-catching thumbnails.

Instagram's Multiple Profile Pictures: A Fun New Feature

Instagram is reportedly testing the option to set multiple profile pictures, allowing users to swipe through different photos.

Actionable Tip: For businesses, this could be a fun way to showcase different aspects of your brand. Highlight various products, promotions, or even team members to create a more dynamic profile.

Facebook's New Collaborator Feature for Posts

Facebook now allows collaborators on posts, a feature that has been highly effective on Instagram reels. Collaborating with other creators can dramatically expand your reach by sharing your content with their audience as well.

Actionable Tip: If you’re not already collaborating with other businesses or influencers, this is a great way to tap into a broader audience. Start by finding local partners whose followers would benefit from your products or services.

Threads Rolls Out Location Tags

Threads is adding the ability to include a location on posts, similar to Instagram.

Actionable Tip: For businesses targeting local customers, location tags are a must. Use this feature to increase your visibility and attract nearby customers to your storefront or event.

Meta’s Ray-Ban Smart Glasses: New Features

Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses have received some exciting updates, including QR code scanning and real-time language translation. These glasses also allow users to make phone calls directly from the device.

LinkedIn Scraps Top Voice Badges

LinkedIn is phasing out its Top Voice badges, which previously allowed users to earn recognition by commenting on niche articles.

Actionable Tip: Although the badge is disappearing, staying active and engaged on LinkedIn through thoughtful comments can still help build your credibility and grow your network.

Meta's New VR Glasses: The Future of Augmented Reality

Meta has unveiled its Orion Holographic Glasses in development, which come equipped with hand-eye tracking and advanced AR capabilities.

Actionable Tip: If you’re planning to explore AR for your business, keep these on your radar. Augmented reality could become a huge asset for businesses looking to provide immersive customer experiences.

That wraps up this week’s Social Smarty Scoop! If you’re looking for more ways to boost your social media strategy, download my free Social Media Content Calendar Template to get organised and grow your brand presence.

Need help taking your business’s social media to the next level? Check out my 1:1 Social Media Strategy Sessions for tailored advice that will accelerate your growth.

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