Imagine waking up one morning and finding your favourite news sources—the ones you’ve always relied on for daily updates—suddenly vanished from your Facebook and Instagram feeds. That’s exactly what happened to millions of Canadians when Meta, the parent company of these popular social media platforms, chose to block news content from its platforms, making it no longer viewable, in response to Canada’s Online News Act.
This decision has left many of us wondering, “Where do I go now for my news?” As small business owners, staying informed about current events is crucial for understanding your customers, adapting to market trends, and making informed decisions. So, how are Canadians adjusting to this new reality? Here are a few alternatives we’ve found.
The Rise of Direct Subscriptions and Newsletters
One of the most significant trends we’ve seen is a surge in subscriptions to traditional news outlets. Many Canadians are now opting to pay for direct access to news content, either through digital subscriptions or even physical newspapers. This shift has been a welcome change for established news organizations as they’ve experienced a renewed interest in their offerings.
This increase in direct subscriptions has also led to a rise in the popularity of e-newsletters as a way to receive curated news content. Many Canadians are finding value in receiving a daily or weekly newsletter that compiles the most important stories in one convenient format.
The Expanding Reach of Other Social Media Platforms
Beyond Facebook and Instagram, other social media platforms are also gaining popularity as news sources. Twitter, now rebranded as X, has long been a go-to platform for breaking news and real-time discussions. LinkedIn, while primarily focused on professional networking, is also emerging as a source of industry-specific news and insights. YouTube, with its vast array of content creators and channels, has also become a popular source of news and information for many people.
These platforms offer users the ability to curate their feeds and follow reputable sources, making it easier to filter out misinformation and stay up to date on current events. With the rise of algorithmic content curation, users can customize their news consumption like never before, tailoring their feeds to reflect their interests and priorities. As social media continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these platforms adapt to meet the changing needs and preferences of their users.
Sharing Screenshots
While Canadians are unable to share links to news outlets, many Canadians and news platforms have opted to share screenshots of headlines either outlining the bulk of the storyline or encouraging readers to find the article themselves. Some areas have even made Facebook groups with the sole purpose of distributing news in this format.
MYOB Helps Small Businesses Navigate the Changing Media Landscape
As a small business owner, navigating the ever-evolving landscape of social media can be challenging. That’s where MYOB comes in. We can help you create engaging content, curate and manage newsletters, optimize your social media presence, and connect with your target audience. Understanding how your customers consume news is essential for tailoring your messaging to effectively reach and engage with them.
From creating engaging videos to sharing informative blog posts, we can help you stay ahead in the digital landscape and distinguish your brand in a competitive online environment. With our expertise and tools, you can navigate the changing media landscape with confidence and see real results in your business growth.
Over to You
The decision by Meta to block news content in Canada has undoubtedly had a significant impact on how Canadians find and view their news. While the initial shock may have subsided, the long-term consequences of this move remain to be seen. As small business owners, it’s essential to stay informed and adapt to these changes. By exploring alternative news sources, you can continue to thrive in the digital age.
So, the question is, how are you getting your news now? Are you relying on traditional news outlets and e-newsletters, or exploring other social media platforms? We’d love to hear from you.
Imagine yourself at a bustling cocktail party. There’s a mix of people: the life of the party, the quiet observer, the professional networker, and the social butterfly. Each person has a unique personality, and you’re drawn to some more than others.
Similarly, social media platforms have distinct personalities. Understanding these personalities can help you choose the right platforms for your business and effectively maximize your online presence. Like a cocktail party, knowing where your target audience spends time and adjusting your approach is essential.
Whether you want to connect with like-minded professionals on LinkedIn, showcase your creativity on Instagram, or engage in real-time conversations on X, there’s a platform that suits your business’s personality and goals. By choosing the right platforms, you can effectively reach and engage with your audience, ultimately leading to increased brand awareness and growth.
Now, let’s dive into the world of social media and explore the different types of “party guests” you might encounter.
YouTube: The Life of the Party
YouTube is like the life of the party. Always ready for a good time, it’s the place to go for entertainment, education, and everything in between. Whether you’re looking for hilarious cat videos or in-depth tutorials, YouTube has it all.
For businesses, YouTube can be a powerful tool for building brand awareness, driving traffic to your website, and generating leads. Consider creating how-to videos demonstrating industry tips, product demos highlighting your offerings, or behind-the-scenes content to captivate your audience.
Facebook: The Hostess with the Most-ess
Facebook is like the friendly host of the party. It’s where everyone knows everyone, and there’s always something going on. As a business, Facebook is a great platform for connecting with customers, building relationships, and promoting your products or services. There are also opportunities to connect with other businesses through networking Facebook groups and engagement, as well as get involved in your business’s neighbourhood Facebook page.
With its large user base and precise targeting, Facebook can help your business reach more people and increase conversion rates. Plus, it’s a great place to collect customer reviews and feedback.
X: The Social Butterfly
X is the ultimate social butterfly. Conversations on X can be fast-paced, unpredictable, and often quite entertaining. It’s a great place to stay up to date on current events, connect with like-minded people, and engage in real-time discussions.
For businesses, X is useful for customer service, connecting with influencers, and engaging in industry discussions.
LinkedIn: The Professional Networker
LinkedIn is like the sophisticated professional at the party. It’s a great place to connect with other professionals, build your network, and find job opportunities. As a business, LinkedIn can help you establish your brand as a thought leader, generate leads, and recruit top talent.
Instagram: The Trendsetter
Instagram is like the stylish guest at the party. Instagram focuses on visuals, creativity, and inspiration. For businesses, Instagram can help you display your products, show a brand aesthetic, and connect with a younger audience.
TikTok: The New Kid on the Block
TikTok is the newest kid on the block, and it’s quickly gaining popularity. Known for its short, catchy videos, TikTok is a great platform for entertainment, education, and inspiration.
It’s also a powerful tool for businesses to reach a younger audience and go viral. With its algorithm that prioritizes engagement, TikTok can help you create content that resonates with your target audience and drive results.
So, which platform is the best fit for your business?
Your choice depends on your brand’s personality, target audience, and goals. Knowing the distinct personalities of social media platforms helps you choose the ones that will help you connect with customers and achieve your business goals.
At MYOB, we offer personalized social media strategy consultations tailored to your business needs. Let us help you navigate the social media landscape effectively. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your social media efforts.
Now, it’s time to mingle! Which social media platform are you eager to connect with first?
Are newsletters still relevant in the age of social media? Absolutely! While platforms like Instagram and TikTok have become popular for quick updates, newsletters offer a unique advantage: direct communication with your audience.
With newsletters, small businesses have the opportunity to connect with their customers in a more personal way. Unlike social media posts that may easily be overlooked, newsletters are delivered directly to the recipient’s inbox, ensuring that your message is seen. This direct line of communication allows businesses to share more detailed information, exclusive promotions, and behind-the-scenes content that may not be suited for social media.
Newsletters can also help businesses build trust and loyalty with their audience by consistently providing valuable and relevant content. Now, let’s explore the pros and cons of newsletters and how they can benefit your small business.
Advantages of Newsletters
High Open Rates: Newsletters have an average open rate of around 35.6%, which is significantly higher than open rates for other marketing channels. This is because subscribers have chosen to receive your content.
Measurable Value: Newsletters offer valuable analytics that let you monitor metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and unsubscribes. This data can help you refine your content strategy and measure the ROI of your newsletter efforts.
Cost-Effective: In comparison to other marketing channels, newsletters are relatively inexpensive to produce. The benefits of increased brand awareness, customer engagement, and lead generation more than justify that cost.
Targeted Reach: Newsletters allow for direct communication with your target audience. By segmenting your list based on characteristics like age, location, or interests, you can tailor your content to specific demographics or interests.
Link Building: Including links to your website in your newsletter can help improve your search engine rankings. By linking to relevant content, you can drive traffic to your site and increase engagement with your audience.
Shareability: Newsletters are easy to share. Subscribers can forward them to friends and colleagues, expanding your reach organically. And, when subscribers forward your newsletter to others, you are effectively expanding your reach at no cost. This can be a powerful way to grow your audience and increase brand awareness.
The Cons of Newsletters
Time-Consuming: Creating high-quality newsletter content can be time-consuming. You’ll need to plan, write, and design your content regularly.
Engagement Challenges: While newsletters have high open rates, they may not always lead to immediate action. It’s important to include a strong call to action to encourage subscribers to take the desired steps.
Deliverability Issues: Email providers may sometimes mark newsletters as spam, affecting their deliverability. To avoid this, follow best practices for email marketing, such as using a reputable email service provider and keeping your subscriber list scrubbed, accurate, and up-to-date.
How Newsletters Work
Newsletters typically involve the following steps:
Subscriber Acquisition: Gather email addresses from your website, social media, or in-person events like conferences or networking meetings. Be sure you are abiding by CASL laws while compiling your list! NOTE: CASL requires businesses to have either express consent (a subscriber has agreed verbally or in writing to receive your commercial emails) or implied consent which may exist if there is an existing business relationship (however, be aware there are often time-limits and specific circumstances tied to this type of consent!) CASL also requires an unsubscribe mechanism to be included in your messages.
Content Creation: Develop engaging content that aligns with your audience’s interests by researching their preferences and needs.
Email Design: Create visually appealing and mobile-responsive email templates that are easy to read and navigate.
Scheduling: Determine the frequency of your newsletters, consider the best timing for delivery, and schedule their distribution.
Analytics: Track key metrics such as open rates to measure the performance of your newsletters and make data-driven adjustments.
Tips for Successful Newsletters
Know Your Audience: Understand your subscribers’ needs and preferences to create relevant content.
Keep it Concise: People are busy, so keep your newsletters concise, visually engaging, and to the point.
Use a Strong Subject Line: Personalize your subject lines with relevant and compelling content to increase open rates.
Personalize Your Content: Use subscriber data to personalize your emails.
Test and Optimize: Experiment with different subject lines, content formats, and delivery times to find what works best for your audience. More recently, software for newsletters like Mailchimp leverage AI to help marketers optimize email performance through personalized send times, subject lines, and audience segmentation that align with individual behaviour and preferences.
Why Links to Headlines Matter
Linking to headlines within your newsletter can improve click-through rates and drive traffic to your website. Using relevant keywords and crafting engaging headlines can motivate subscribers to click through and explore further.
This can ultimately lead to increased engagement, conversions, and revenue for your business. By testing different headline strategies, you can find what resonates most with your audience and tailor your content to better meet their needs and interests. Taking the time to link to headlines that capture attention and provoke curiosity can make a significant impact on the success of your email marketing campaigns.
Software Options for Newsletters
There are many software options available to help you create and manage your newsletters. Some popular choices include:
Mailchimp: A user-friendly platform with a wide range of features.
Constant Contact: Offers a variety of email marketing tools and integrations.
Twilio SendGrid: A powerful and scalable choice for businesses with large email lists.
Over to You
For small businesses, newsletters can be an invaluable resource. They’ll allow you to develop successful campaigns that increase engagement and help you meet your marketing objectives. If you’re a small business owner seeking to make use of newsletters, consider partnering with the professionals at MYOB to assist in setting up and managing your email marketing campaigns.
As small-business owners operating in the fast-paced world of social media, our platforms serve as an essential avenue for connecting with our target audience, sharing our stories, and promoting our products or services. With so much information out there on the internet, it’s necessary to be cautious and discerning about what we post online. Being mindful of our online presence can help protect our reputation and ensure we are presenting ourselves in the best possible light.
Maintaining a positive and professional online presence is key to building trust and credibility with your audience. It’s important to remember that once something is out there on the internet, it’s pretty much impossible to erase completely. Remember to think twice before hitting that “share” button, and always consider the potential consequences of your online actions.
So, how can you actively prevent the unintentional spread of false information? Let’s explore a few suggestions.
Verify Your Sources
Misinformation runs rampant online, making fact-checking an absolute priority. Before sharing any content on your company’s social media platforms, it’s necessary to verify the accuracy of the information. While we all crave engagement and shares, authenticity should always be a top priority. A useful tool for fact-checking is Snopes, which helps verify the accuracy of stories, especially those concerning politics, news, or celebrities. When it comes to statistics, Statista is a reliable source of information.
The Perils of Unverified Posts
Apart from spreading misinformation, there is a risk of posts being altered after publication. Imagine this scenario: scammers creating posts about missing pets or children, only to alter the content at a later stage, perhaps to sell or promote a product that you had no intention of endorsing. This leaves you oblivious to the changes. This highlights how important it is to pay close attention to the original sources of the content we share, especially when talking about sensitive or urgent issues.
This kind of precaution is not only a sign of accountability but also a defense against unintentionally spreading false information. It helps in halting the spread of falsehoods, gossip, and myths that could be detrimental to you or your brand.
Balancing Professional and Personal Use
In contrast to posting and sharing on social media platforms as a casual user, using social media as a business requires a different type of focus. As small business owners, we must recognize the weight of our digital footprint and the impact it has on our brand’s credibility.
Fortunately, a variety of online and offline resources exist to help in crafting high-quality social media content that is accurate, engaging, and informative. By using these resources effectively, you can ensure that your online presence accurately reflects the values and professionalism of your business.
Using MYOB for Social Media Success
When it comes to navigating the intricacies of sharing compelling and accurate content, a business like MYOB can be an invaluable ally. Our team of experienced social media managers and writers works together with small business owners to craft and share content that captivates and informs. From empowering you to curate engaging posts to providing insights into your audience’s preferences, our team will equip you with the means to foster an authentic and trustworthy online presence.
Over to You!
In today’s ever-changing social media world, it is especially important to be cautious about what you post. Remember that every post you create and share represents your brand.
What strategies do you use to ensure your social media content is both authentic and reliable?
Remember when YouTube was just a place for funny cat clips and DIY tutorials? Those days are long gone. Today, it’s a massive platform, surpassing even traditional TV in terms of viewership. In fact, more people are tuning into YouTube on their TVs than Netflix, Disney+, or Amazon Prime combined. That’s a staggering statistic, isn’t it?
For small business owners, this presents a significant opportunity to reach a wide audience with their products or services. By creating engaging and informative videos that showcase their offerings, they can attract potential customers and generate revenue in ways that were never possible before. YouTube has truly become the go-to platform for both entertainment and shopping. With billions of users worldwide, the reach and potential for growth are practically limitless.
Understanding the YouTube Landscape
Small businesses that embrace YouTube as a marketing tool can stay ahead of the competition and tap into a whole new level of success. The key is to create content that is not only eye-catching and engaging but also offers real value to the viewer, building trust and loyalty in the process.
So, what does this mean for you, a small business owner? It means that YouTube is a valuable source of potential customers waiting to be discovered. It’s a platform where you can connect with your audience on a deeper level, build trust, and ultimately drive sales. For example, a small bakery could create a YouTube channel showcasing behind-the-scenes footage of their baking process, sharing recipes, and offering baking tips. By providing valuable content to viewers, they can attract a larger audience, build credibility in their industry, and ultimately increase sales both in-store and online.
Building a Strong YouTube Presence
These days, YouTube isn’t just about videos. It’s a versatile platform that’s evolving. Podcasts, for instance, are gaining immense popularity. What if you could leverage the power of social media to bring an interactive element to these audio-only formats? Imagine a YouTube channel where viewers can comment, like, and share their favorite podcast episodes. It has the potential to be a huge game-changer!
Not only could this increase engagement and foster a sense of community among listeners, but it would also provide valuable feedback for the creators to improve their content. This interactive element can set a podcast apart from the competition and attract a dedicated fan base. By embracing new ways to connect with their audience, content creators can truly maximize the potential of platforms like YouTube and reach new heights of success.
Growing Your YouTube Community
According to Statista, the number of monthly active users on YouTube reached almost 2.5 billion in October 2023, making it the second most popular social network on the internet. The platform’s popularity spans all over the world, with India and the United States having the largest YouTube audiences. That’s an enormous audience, isn’t it? And the best part? You can tap into specific demographics based on interests, age, and location.
Understanding your target audience’s demographics allows you to customize your content to match their interests and preferences. This level of targeted marketing can lead to higher engagement and ultimately, increased success on the platform. Additionally, YouTube’s algorithm rewards consistent and high-quality content, so by regularly posting videos that resonate with your audience, you can boost your visibility and grow your subscriber base.
Read This Before You Begin!
In a world where attention spans are decreasing and competition is intense, it’s vital to differentiate yourself and leave a lasting impact on viewers. With the right strategies in place, content creators can use the power of YouTube to connect with their audience in meaningful ways and achieve their goals.
But before you rush to upload your first video, there are a few things to consider. Copyright is very important. You could get into serious trouble if you use someone else’s content without their consent. Creating unique content or obtaining the necessary licensing is crucial. And keep in mind that giving acknowledgment to the creators is always a good idea, especially when using royalty-free music or photos.
For example, beauty vloggers who create makeup tutorials on YouTube must be sure they have permission to use music in the background of their videos to avoid copyright issues. They can either purchase a license for the music from the creator or use royalty-free tracks from sites like Bensound or Pixabay to keep their content legal and protect their channel from being taken down.
If you are unsure about whether your music is royalty-free or not (keep in mind songs by popular artists are not royalty-free), look at this site first: public domain. Unless you are choosing music from a royalty-free site, it is safe to assume there is a copyright associated with it as all music is inherently copyright protected unless otherwise noted.
Over to You!
Managing a YouTube channel can be time-consuming, especially when you’re juggling the demands of running a business. That’s where working with an organization like MYOB can be a lifesaver. We can take on the heavy lifting of tasks such as editing videos, loading them to your channel, monitoring engagement and tracking analytics, saving you time, and allowing you to focus on your business!
The potential of YouTube for small businesses is undeniable. It’s a platform that can level the playing field, allowing you to compete with larger companies. Remember, success on YouTube doesn’t come overnight; it takes time and dedication. It requires consistency, creativity, and a deep understanding of your audience.
So, are you ready to unlock the power of YouTube for your small business? Let’s chat!
