Meta vs. Meat
Managing Social Media is Hard Enough — Staying Up to Date Shouldn't Be.
This Platypus is need of a break and is taking a vacation. So I'll see you back here on Monday, Nov. 22nd (how much could happen in the social media world a few weeks?! 😳). This is also an important reminder to take breaks — from social media, from work, from everything; whatever you need to do. It's been a crazy few years.
In today's top stories:
Facebook rebrands; Wendy's wins best response
Instagram gives us the missing link
Twitter hits record on Spaces
And this singer is 100% that Yoda
Read on ⬇️
Status Update
Facebook has changed its status from a social media company to a social technology company, and it's all branded under the new name of Meta. You can even watch the exact moment it happened, courtesy of a video from BBC News. If you're wondering what this all means, I have a few details below. But I also strongly encourage you to check out this NY Times article by @kevinroose that does a fantastic job of outlining the four ways Meta could help Facebook avoid its biggest problems.
What You Need to Know
While Facebook is changing its corporate name, the individual apps (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger) will stay the same. "Meta" reflects the entire company, including a new focus on building a metaverse, which is an opportunity to transport yourself to different 3D worlds, and to engage with others in those online spaces, via a VR headset or wearable tech. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg released a video explaining the metaverse (you can watch this condensed version from CNET). However, this video by Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri actually does a better job of explaining it. "The idea is basically an internet that you're not on, but rather in." So, for example, instead of a Zoom meeting, imagine putting on an Oculus headset that takes you to a virtual meeting room, where your avatar is seated around a table with other avatars. (Now that's social distancing).
The Best Part...
I was honestly much less interested in Mark Zuckerberg's video announcement than I was in watching reactions unfold on Twitter in real time. There were a few real gems, like this one from @twitter: "BIG NEWS lol jk still Twitter." But one of the best was from the Twitter account of fast-food chain @Wendys, which tweeted: "Changing name to Meat." Not only was this pure genius, but many brands jumped in with replies, including The Meta Twitter account (aka Facebook), which replied with "Nice to meat you, @Wendys." Nascar replied with "Meat us in the fast lane 😜 🏁" And e-commerce giant Shopify responded with this question: "Meatify?" Scroll through the replies and you'll see many more gems. To the social media managers of all of these brand accounts: 👏.
Is Meta Ready?
Facebook didn't create the metaverse; it was first referenced by Neal Stephenson in his 1992 novel, "Snow Crash." And in some ways the metaverse is already here, typically via online games like Fortnite. So while Meta isn't the first, it is definitely trying to be a leader. It already has 10,000 employees working on this project, and expects to hire 10,000 more.
But the question is whether Meta is ready. The company has yet to prove that it's capable of responsibly managing its largest asset: Facebook. The behemoth of a social media platform, which launched in 2004, has increasingly come under fire amidst privacy scandals, misinformation mistakes and whistleblower testimony. And this new universe will be built in a largely unregulated environment. So, is the metaverse coming? Yes. Is Meta ready to manage this responsibility? Based on recent history, probably not.
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SOCIAL SNACKS
The Missing Link
Remember last week when we were so excited because Instagram announced we could all upload photos and videos via desktop? Well, this is even better. Now, Instagram has rolled out the ability for all accounts to use a Link Sticker in Stories (previously this was only reserved for accounts with 10,000+ followers). How to use it: Create a Story like you usually do by going into the app, clicking on the plus sign, and selecting Story. Then upload or capture your content. In the top navigation bar, select the sticker tool. Then find the Link Sticker, add your link and click Done. 🎉
Record, Replay, Repeat
Unlike other platforms, Twitter seems to be moving away from disappearing content. It now offers the ability to record sessions on its audio-only feature, called Spaces. A select group of hosts have been given the ability to record their sessions, which then creates a shareable link they can post. According to Mashable, anyone who attends a Space that is being recorded will receive an onscreen notification that it's being recorded. While it hasn't rolled out widely yet, it just might if it catches on.
ICYMI
🔴 TikTok adds new ways for people to share [TikTok Blog]
🔴 Snapchat aims to become net negative by 2030 [Snapchat Blog]
🔴 LinkedIn rolls out its freelance services marketplace globally after picking up 2M users in small US beta [TechCrunch]
🔴 YouTube is upping its gaming [YouTube Blog]
LINKEDIN CERTIFIED
This is not an ad. I'm honestly including this because I'm considering getting the certification, and little secret — I like to save things in my own newsletter, lol. So if you are a B2B marketer (that's my day job) LinkedIn now offers a free online certification for its ads platform through LinkedIn Marketing Labs.
There are three optional courses you can take before the exam, including: An introduction to LinkedIn Ads, Using LinkedIn's Ad Targeting, and Reporting and Analytics. And after you ace the test, don't forget to add it to your LinkedIn profile. 👍
LIZZO-LIKE
100% That Yoda
Ok, Halloween is officially over. But if you haven't seen these videos of Lizzo dressed up like Baby Yoda, you need to stop what you are doing and head over to her TikTok. The songstress dressed up as the Mandalorian character for a surprise performance at a Spotify Halloween party, according to PEOPLE magazine. She also took to the streets of L.A. in her new look, and she was more than happy to stop and chat with folks and take pics. Just another reason to love Lizzo, amirite?
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