Huwebes, Marso 31, 2016

Council endorses $1-billion Gardiner East rebuild, advances new transit plan


Councillor Josh Matlow's motion to study taking the Scarborough subway above ground also gets approval.

Snapchat is Growing Up: Everything You Need to Know About Snapchat's Latest Update

Snapchat is growing up pretty quickly. What started out as a way to share photos that self-destruct in 10 seconds, has evolved into one of the most complete and engaging communication platforms on the market today.


On March 29, Snapchat unveiled a major overhaul of its chat platform, enabling a whole bunch of new multimedia options for users. For the first time, users can now make audio and video calls through the app, as well as choose from over 200 stickers to send in messages and simultaneously switch between calls and messaging.


Snapchat's new-found versatility will help it compete with other popular private messaging apps like We Chat, Kik, Telegram and Facebook-owned properties, WhatsApp, and Messenger.


In this post, I'd love to dig into the Chat 2.0 update: how to use the new features and what this may mean for the future of Snapchat.


pablo (43)


Everything you need to know about the Snapchat Chat 2.0 update


The Chat 2.0 update brought with it a plethora of new features and enhancements. In this section, I'd love to give you the lowdown on each of the key new additions.


Auto-Advance Stories


You can now swipe left during a Story to jump right into your next friend's Story, or once a Story has finished playing the next one in your list will automatically start.


This makes consuming Story content much easier for users and could lead to an increase in the 7 billion video views Snapchat is generating daily.


snapchat-swipe


Stickers


Stickers have become an integral part of many messaging platforms over recent years and Snapchat has created a pool of over 200 stickers to include in your conversations.


stickers


Video or audio calls


You can now make audio and video calls through the Chat interface. To make a call simply tap on the phone icon for an audio call or the video camera icon for a video call.


What makes calls on Snapchat unique is the ability to be on a call and simultaneously send photos that appear as an overlay in the chat window.


video-call


Video or audio notes


Within the Chat interface, you can send quick, sub-10-second thumbnail videos and audio clips.


Video clips loop, much like GIFs and when tapped by the receiver will also play audio alongside the video. Audio notes, play through as the receive taps on them.


notes


From ephemeral photos to a vibrant communication tool


In 2014, Snapchat released Chat 1.0, and for the first time allowed users to communicate via text and video chat.


“When we first launched Chat, our goal was to emulate the best parts of face-to-face conversation,” the company explained in a recent blog post. “Chat 1.0 was all about the joys of being here - when most apps told you when your friend was typing, Chat let you know that your friend was listening. And it's the listening and engagement aspects of social media where Snapchat has really been able to differentiate itself.


Whereas sharing on most social platforms now feels like shouting into an empty street, Snapchat holds user attention. If you have 100 friends, half of them are likely to watch your Story, and for direct Snaps and chat conversations the engagement is even higher.


Snapchat's goal is “to be the best way to communicate - second only to hanging out face-to-face,” and of all the social media platforms and social networks out there, Snapchat is the closest relation to the way we interact in our day-to-day lives.


We love to share, chat, debate, and discuss with those closest to us and when we see our friends in real life, these moments disappear. Snapchat mimics that behavior far more than any other network.


With Facebook and Twitter, we give friends a glimpse into our lives. Snapchat allows you to share the whole picture in a more authentic way. It's full-screen, immersive nature brings our friends much closer to use than any other network. Watching someone's story means giving it your full attention, for a few seconds at least. Whereas scrolling through Facebook's news feed or Twitter's timeline, you will barely notice most updates.


With Chat 1.0 Snapchat made some large strides to further the authenticity of the platform and took a different approach to generating conversation, making exchanges between friends feel more serendipitous.


Instead of letting you know when a friend has sent you a message, Snapchat started to send a push notification to say that a friend has begun typing a message to you. Their hope was that by the time they hit send, you're already in the chat, ready to respond.


Here's how Snapchat has evolved since its launch in 2011:


snapchat-timeline


Chat 1.0 was a pivotal part of Snapchat's evolution from an ephemeral photo-sharing app into the private messaging space. Chat 2.0 will help move Snapchat away from being seen as a way for teenagers to send self-destructing photos into a major player in the messaging space alongside the likes of Whatsapp and Messenger.


A more familiar way to chat


Snapchat has always had a unique approach to messaging and communication, but this latest update brings with it a more familiar feeling. Chat 2.0 introduces features that have become common in other messaging apps, like Stickers and audio and video calling, but they've been included with Snapchat's own unique flavor (simultaneously being able to video chat and send images, for example).


This move appears to further signal Snapchat's intentions of moving more into the mainstream conversation when it comes to messaging.


When Snapchat first gained notoriety, like many almost every social platform, it was the teenage market that really started adopting it in droves. And today 41% of American teens are active on Snapchat.


To continue its growth, though, Snapchat needs to evolve and continue pushing for mainstream attention beyond the 18-25-year-olds who currently use the product.


Chat helps Snapchat to enter the conversation alongside apps like Messenger and Whatsapp and makes the value proposition much easier to grasp for many potential users. It's no longer about sending disappearing content, it's much more than that. It's about connecting in genuine ways with those closest to use over whatever medium feels best.


What this means for marketers


Social media seems to be trending towards more private conversations. How this will affect marketers long-term remains to be seen. But what's clear is that Snapchat is here to stay and marketers should be paying attention.


Chat aside, over recent months, Snapchat has continued to release important features to help aid its growth towards the mainstream.


In February, they released On-demand Geofilters. Geofilters are just like regular filters – a design you can overlay onto a photo or video you take in Snapchat – except they're only available in certain locations.


This update created a new revenue stream for the company, but also made Snapchat a powerful marketing tool for brands and businesses of all sizes. Now anyone can create their own Geofilter in a selected area for a chosen time (starting at $5 per 20,000 square feet per hour).


Brands and businesses should definitely be looking to take advantage of the opportunities provided by Snapchat as it continues to move towards the mainstream. Those who jump on early may see a first mover advantage and receive the best returns for their organic efforts and on-demand filters alike.


Talking point: Have you tried using Snapchat from a business perspective or created an On-demand Geofilter? Any tips or tricks you'd like to share? Let us know in the comments below the post.


Over to you


I'd love to hear your thoughts on Snapchat's Chat 2.0 update. Have you downloaded it yet? What are your first impressions? 


Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments 
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Running 220v for MIG Welder

I had 6awg wire with 50 amp breaker running from my house to my detached garage--about a 85 foot run to the subpanel in the garage. It was set up as 220v. There is also a separate 110v 12awg.



When I moved into the house, the 220v was split at the subpanel to make two more 110 lines.



A number of years ago, I had some excavation done in my yard and the guy hit and broke the wire which was buried. I replaced it with 8 wire. So, from breaker box to where it exits the house is #6 (about 30 ft), then buried from the house to the garage is #8 (about 40 feet), then where it enters the garage to the subpanel is again #6 (about 15 feet).



So, that breaker should be changed to a 40amp, I guess. I never changed it because I knew I would never pull that many amps. The biggest thing I run is a table saw along with flourescent lights.



But now, I would like to run a MIG welder in the garage. I would like to use a 220v with as many amps as possible.



So I figure I would wire as follows:



1) Change the 50amp breaker in the main panel to a 40amp to account for the #8 wire.



2) In the garage, I would take the two lines that were 220v that I split into 110s and I would splice them (or come out of the subpanel with them with a higher awg) so that in addition to still being two 110s, they would also be a 220 again.



3) The 220 would go into another subpanel with a 30amp breaker.



4) From this new 30amp subpanel, I would run #10 to an outlet for the welder.



This way I would be able to use a 30amp 220v welder. I guess I could use a 40amp in the subpanel but I figure because of the distance I should step it down a little.



Any thoughts?

Carrier 48dr016530ma 1793f46092

Hey guys,



Long time lurker first time poster. Being sent to a Frankenstein call on a carrier weather maker. An apprentice has been to the call six times. He has " checked the heat exchanger, replaced the roll out switch and has up a vent kit on it". I haven't laid eyes on the unit yet but wanted to see if anyone has enouctered said problem. The toll out switch is a capillary tube that wraps around the burner.



Any advice or recommendation will be appreciated.



D7



Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk

Council endorses $1-billion Gardiner East rebuild, advances new transit plan


Councillor Josh Matlow's motion to study taking the Scarborough subway above ground also gets approval.

Snapchat is Growing Up: Everything You Need to Know About Snapchat's Latest Update

Snapchat is growing up pretty quickly. What started out as a way to share photos that self-destruct in 10 seconds, has evolved into one of the most complete and engaging communication platforms on the market today.


On March 29, Snapchat unveiled a major overhaul of its chat platform, enabling a whole bunch of new multimedia options for users. For the first time, users can now make audio and video calls through the app, as well as choose from over 200 stickers to send in messages and simultaneously switch between calls and messaging.


Snapchat's new-found versatility will help it compete with other popular private messaging apps like We Chat, Kik, Telegram and Facebook-owned properties, WhatsApp, and Messenger.


In this post, I'd love to dig into the Chat 2.0 update: how to use the new features and what this may mean for the future of Snapchat.


pablo (43)


Everything you need to know about the Snapchat Chat 2.0 update


The Chat 2.0 update brought with it a plethora of new features and enhancements. In this section, I'd love to give you the lowdown on each of the key new additions.


Auto-Advance Stories


You can now swipe left during a Story to jump right into your next friend's Story, or once a Story has finished playing the next one in your list will automatically start.


This makes consuming Story content much easier for users and could lead to an increase in the 7 billion video views Snapchat is generating daily.


snapchat-swipe


Stickers


Stickers have become an integral part of many messaging platforms over recent years and Snapchat has created a pool of over 200 stickers to include in your conversations.


stickers


Video or audio calls


You can now make audio and video calls through the Chat interface. To make a call simply tap on the phone icon for an audio call or the video camera icon for a video call.


What makes calls on Snapchat unique is the ability to be on a call and simultaneously send photos that appear as an overlay in the chat window.


video-call


Video or audio notes


Within the Chat interface, you can send quick, sub-10-second thumbnail videos and audio clips.


Video clips loop, much like GIFs and when tapped by the receiver will also play audio alongside the video. Audio notes, play through as the receive taps on them.


notes


From ephemeral photos to a vibrant communication tool


In 2014, Snapchat released Chat 1.0, and for the first time allowed users to communicate via text and video chat.


“When we first launched Chat, our goal was to emulate the best parts of face-to-face conversation,” the company explained in a recent blog post. “Chat 1.0 was all about the joys of being here - when most apps told you when your friend was typing, Chat let you know that your friend was listening. And it's the listening and engagement aspects of social media where Snapchat has really been able to differentiate itself.


Whereas sharing on most social platforms now feels like shouting into an empty street, Snapchat holds user attention. If you have 100 friends, half of them are likely to watch your Story, and for direct Snaps and chat conversations the engagement is even higher.


Snapchat's goal is “to be the best way to communicate - second only to hanging out face-to-face,” and of all the social media platforms and social networks out there, Snapchat is the closest relation to the way we interact in our day-to-day lives.


We love to share, chat, debate, and discuss with those closest to us and when we see our friends in real life, these moments disappear. Snapchat mimics that behavior far more than any other network.


With Facebook and Twitter, we give friends a glimpse into our lives. Snapchat allows you to share the whole picture in a more authentic way. It's full-screen, immersive nature brings our friends much closer to use than any other network. Watching someone's story means giving it your full attention, for a few seconds at least. Whereas scrolling through Facebook's news feed or Twitter's timeline, you will barely notice most updates.


With Chat 1.0 Snapchat made some large strides to further the authenticity of the platform and took a different approach to generating conversation, making exchanges between friends feel more serendipitous.


Instead of letting you know when a friend has sent you a message, Snapchat started to send a push notification to say that a friend has begun typing a message to you. Their hope was that by the time they hit send, you're already in the chat, ready to respond.


Here's how Snapchat has evolved since its launch in 2011:


snapchat-timeline


Chat 1.0 was a pivotal part of Snapchat's evolution from an ephemeral photo-sharing app into the private messaging space. Chat 2.0 will help move Snapchat away from being seen as a way for teenagers to send self-destructing photos into a major player in the messaging space alongside the likes of Whatsapp and Messenger.


A more familiar way to chat


Snapchat has always had a unique approach to messaging and communication, but this latest update brings with it a more familiar feeling. Chat 2.0 introduces features that have become common in other messaging apps, like Stickers and audio and video calling, but they've been included with Snapchat's own unique flavor (simultaneously being able to video chat and send images, for example).


This move appears to further signal Snapchat's intentions of moving more into the mainstream conversation when it comes to messaging.


When Snapchat first gained notoriety, like many almost every social platform, it was the teenage market that really started adopting it in droves. And today 41% of American teens are active on Snapchat.


To continue its growth, though, Snapchat needs to evolve and continue pushing for mainstream attention beyond the 18-25-year-olds who currently use the product.


Chat helps Snapchat to enter the conversation alongside apps like Messenger and Whatsapp and makes the value proposition much easier to grasp for many potential users. It's no longer about sending disappearing content, it's much more than that. It's about connecting in genuine ways with those closest to use over whatever medium feels best.


What this means for marketers


Social media seems to be trending towards more private conversations. How this will affect marketers long-term remains to be seen. But what's clear is that Snapchat is here to stay and marketers should be paying attention.


Chat aside, over recent months, Snapchat has continued to release important features to help aid its growth towards the mainstream.


In February, they released On-demand Geofilters. Geofilters are just like regular filters – a design you can overlay onto a photo or video you take in Snapchat – except they're only available in certain locations.


This update created a new revenue stream for the company, but also made Snapchat a powerful marketing tool for brands and businesses of all sizes. Now anyone can create their own Geofilter in a selected area for a chosen time (starting at $5 per 20,000 square feet per hour).


Brands and businesses should definitely be looking to take advantage of the opportunities provided by Snapchat as it continues to move towards the mainstream. Those who jump on early may see a first mover advantage and receive the best returns for their organic efforts and on-demand filters alike.


Talking point: Have you tried using Snapchat from a business perspective or created an On-demand Geofilter? Any tips or tricks you'd like to share? Let us know in the comments below the post.


Over to you


I'd love to hear your thoughts on Snapchat's Chat 2.0 update. Have you downloaded it yet? What are your first impressions? 


Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments 
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Running 220v for MIG Welder

I had 6awg wire with 50 amp breaker running from my house to my detached garage--about a 85 foot run to the subpanel in the garage. It was set up as 220v. There is also a separate 110v 12awg.



When I moved into the house, the 220v was split at the subpanel to make two more 110 lines.



A number of years ago, I had some excavation done in my yard and the guy hit and broke the wire which was buried. I replaced it with 8 wire. So, from breaker box to where it exits the house is #6 (about 30 ft), then buried from the house to the garage is #8 (about 40 feet), then where it enters the garage to the subpanel is again #6 (about 15 feet).



So, that breaker should be changed to a 40amp, I guess. I never changed it because I knew I would never pull that many amps. The biggest thing I run is a table saw along with flourescent lights.



But now, I would like to run a MIG welder in the garage. I would like to use a 220v with as many amps as possible.



So I figure I would wire as follows:



1) Change the 50amp breaker in the main panel to a 40amp to account for the #8 wire.



2) In the garage, I would take the two lines that were 220v that I split into 110s and I would splice them (or come out of the subpanel with them with a higher awg) so that in addition to still being two 110s, they would also be a 220 again.



3) The 220 would go into another subpanel with a 30amp breaker.



4) From this new 30amp subpanel, I would run #10 to an outlet for the welder.



This way I would be able to use a 30amp 220v welder. I guess I could use a 40amp in the subpanel but I figure because of the distance I should step it down a little.



Any thoughts?

Carrier 48dr016530ma 1793f46092

Hey guys,



Long time lurker first time poster. Being sent to a Frankenstein call on a carrier weather maker. An apprentice has been to the call six times. He has " checked the heat exchanger, replaced the roll out switch and has up a vent kit on it". I haven't laid eyes on the unit yet but wanted to see if anyone has enouctered said problem. The toll out switch is a capillary tube that wraps around the burner.



Any advice or recommendation will be appreciated.



D7



Sent from my SM-N910W8 using Tapatalk

Miyerkules, Marso 30, 2016

Our Favorite Facebook Tool + 16 Amazing Pages That We Draw Inspiration From Every Day

The truth is, there's so much to do on social media that, as a social media manager, I have to choose my battles wisely when it comes to steering my time and deciding which creative strategies to pursue. 


Luckily, there are an unlimited amount of resources out there to help social media marketers like us to decide which strategies will provide the biggest payoff when it comes to Facebook marketing.


But, more often than not, those resources give a general overview of various social media strategies and high-level tactics, leaving us wondering where we can turn to for ideas for specific images, copy, hashtags, videos and content that is working right now for top brands. 


That's where my favorite Facebook tool comes in – A tool that is 100% free to use.


The Facebook “Pages to Watch” feature has completely changed the way I go about Facebook marketing on a daily basis. Many of you probably know about and use this tool regularly, but I'd love to provide a brief guide on where to find the Pages to Watch feature and how you can use it to improve your Facebook marketing. 


After that, we'll get into some good stuff and I'll share with you the 16 Facebook pages that we watch like a hawk and draw inspiration from every day.


Ready? Let's jump in!


Facebook Inspiration, facebook, social media marketing,



How to Find and Use Facebook's “Pages to Watch” Feature


For Facebook pages with more than 30 likes, Facebook offers a robust Insights tool that gives social media marketers the ability to analyze a ton of great data from their page. 


facebook page insights, facebook, insights, social media


From there, you'll be taken to your page's Insights dashboard where you'll find the tool of all tools – Pages to Watch – directly under the “5 Most Recent Posts” section.


facebook, pages to watch, facebook insights



Next, simply click “Add Pages” and begin adding pages by typing their brand name into the search box. Once you've added a brand page to your list, you'll be able to see the following stats:



  • Their total page likes (and the % +/- change from the previous week)

  • How many times they've posted to Facebook this week

  • Their total engagement count for the week


Pretty cool!


Where it gets even better is when you click on a specific brand's icon in your list. Facebook provides a detailed view of every one of their posts from the current week – ranking them from the “most engaging” to “least engaging.” This allows you to quickly check the top posts from every page you follow in a matter of seconds.


Netflix, pages to watch, facebook insights


So you're all set to go with the Pages to Watch feature, but which pages should you follow?


My first instinct was to follow all of the pages that I follow personally on Facebook, which was a perfectly fine route to go for me as a beginner. However, I quickly realized that a lot of the pages that I follow personally are not relevant to Buffer's audience.


Here are a few ideas to develop a relevant watch list: 



  • Top peers in your space

  • Brands that you admire in your space

  • Brands that have a strong social media presence in your space

  • Influencers in your space

  • Top brands from around the world (this one's for fun)


How I utilize Pages to Watch


I like to go in and quickly check the pages that we follow 3-4 times per week to make sure that I have my finger on what's trending in the industry. What I am looking for are posts and content that have major potential to be successful on Buffer's social media. The are 3 key factors that I consider when browsing pages: 



  1. Posts with high engagement (50+ likes, 15+ shares, and 10+ comments)

  2. Posts with low engagement, but contain beautiful images, awesome copy, or great content. I love these because it allows us to improve upon content that has potential to be engaging

  3. Specific trends across the board. In social media, things tend to pop up and fade quickly and so it's always fun to jump on trending topics that are relevant to Buffer


Another key factor that I take into account is a brand's overall engagement per post and if they're trending upward or downward. To so do, I quickly divide their total weekly engagement by the number of posts. If a brand with a similar audience size to Buffer is averaging a lot more likes per post, I'll try to dig in and study the images, content, and copy they are using to see how we may improve on our own.


I recommend that you follow around 12–16 pages so that you're not overloaded with content, but that you get a nice variety of brands and creative ideas to pull from.


If you're looking for a good place to start with pages to watch, here are 16 amazing pages that we draw inspiration from every day. In other words, they are crushing it on Facebook!   


16 Amazing Facebook Pages that Inspire Us



  1. Netflix U.S. 


Facebook, Facebook pages, Netflix


Why it Rocks: Netflix is a great example of a brand page that speaks in the language of their audience. They post high-quality images with captions that resonate well with their core users. Netflix understands the fine art of brevity and isn't afraid to “go there” from time to time. If you're looking for quippy, clever captions, then Netflix may just be your daily inspiration. 



  1. Shopify 


Facebook, Facebook pages, Shopify


Why it Rocks: Shopify has the art of video marketing on Facebook down to a science. They post a great mix of original video content that points to their blog along with fun, light-hearted videos that are meant to simply delight their audience. They're also a great example of a brand that is using the Facebook “Shop” feature on the top of their page – driving sales directly from social media. 



  1. Square


Facebook, Facebook pages, Square


Why it Rocks: Square is an awesome example of a brand page that proves you don't have to post several times per day to receive a huge amount of engagement on Facebook. They only post the “best of the best” of their content and it really pays off for them. Square also has a great sense of who their audience is – sharing photos and videos that are highly relevant, speaking to the finance-minded user. 



  1. The Next Web


Facebook pages, facebook insights, social media, The Next Web


Why it Rocks: The Next Web has really burst on the scene as huge player in the Facebook space – Covering everything in the world of “Internet Technology.” Not afraid to post multiple times a day, The Next Web makes a strong case for the power of putting your content out there as often as possible. What makes The Next Web notable is their ability to summarize major stories in just a few, catchy words. 



  1. WeWork


Facebook, Facebook pages, WeWork


Why it Rocks: WeWork is a fabulous example of a brand page that does a solid job of mixing up content types and posts. Scrolling through their Facebook page you'll find a variety of links, photos, and videos. It's also fascinating to see the how they are able to tell stories about the people in the WeWork community and around the world. 



  1. Creative Market


Facebook, Facebook pages, Creative Market


Why it Rocks: Creative Market does an incredible job of finding and producing the best “creative” content to share with their audience on a consistent basis. Looking at their top posts week after week, it's a mix of original and curated video content that is highly relevant and shareable. The shareability may be part of the reason why they've just passed the 215,000 fan mark. 



  1. Social Media Examiner


Facebook, Facebook pages, Social Media Examiner


Why it Rocks: Many of us know Social Media Examiner's blog as a leading resource in social media news and know-how, but their Facebook page is also a wonderful example of how to be successful with sharing top social media content from around the web. I like to think of it as similar to an RSS feed of popular and useful articles. SME also puts their cover photo to good use by promoting their major annual event – Social Media Marketing World.


8.  REI


Facebook, Facebook pages, REI


Why it Rocks: REI does a wonderful job of promoting beautiful fan content across all social media channels – With their Facebook and Instagram pages as the hubs. Their hashtag campaign, #OptOutside, has been used more than one million times on social media and connects people from across the world, people who love the outdoors. If you're looking for ideas for a user-generated content campaign, REI is a great place to start. 


9. Neil Patel


Facebook, Facebook pages, Neil Patel


Why it Rocks: Neil Patel does an amazing job of studying his audience and knowing exactly what they love on Facebook. He's not afraid to experiment either – Sharing everything from quote graphics and curated content to text and picture-only updates. If you're looking for actionable insights and ways to shake things up, then look no further than Neil Patel. 



  1. Brain Pickings


Facebook, Facebook pages, Brain Pickings


Why it Rocks: Brain Pickings' Facebook page is the poster child for super interesting content and perfectly branded updates. They've found a unique niche in the market that a massive audience has embraced with open arms. I love their About section as well: “A cross-disciplinary library of interestingness culling ideas that shed light on what it means to live a good life.”



  1. Livescribe


Facebook, Facebook pages, Livescribe


Why it Rocks: As social media customer support becomes more and more critical for companies, those who have already been experimenting with different ways to support their customers will be well-ahead of the curve. Livescribe's “Customer Service” tab is one of the first things you see when you arrive on their page. From there, customers can ask questions, share an idea, report a problem, or simply give praise.



  1. Spotify


Facebook, Facebook pages, Spotify


Why it Rocks: What I love about Spotify is that they're not afraid to speak in the language of their users. They'll often be found using words and phrases like “dope,” “epic,” “ridiculous,” “peep it,” etc. While this may not be a viable strategy for a lot of brands, it definitely works for Spotify. They also do a great job, like REI, of featuring and sharing their audience's stories on social media. 



  1. Robinhood


Facebook, Facebook pages, Robinhood App


Why it Rocks: Quirky, yet beautiful graphic design and insightful articles on investing, Robinhood App has exploded onto the Facebook scene in 2016. 19,000 Facebook fans and counting, Robinhood boasts an unusually high engagement rate for a brand – averaging several hundred likes, comments and shares per post. This is a great page to watch in the coming months as they continue to grow as a company and their Facebook strategy evolves. 


14. Gary Vaynerchuk


Facebook, Facebook pages, Gary Vaynerchuk


Why it Rocks: You may know Gary Vaynerchuk from his podcast and book “#AskGaryVee,” but did you know he has a rockin' Facebook page as well? Gary shares an engaging mix of business and personal content – Giving us all a look inside what it's like to live the life of an entrepreneur. I find it very inspirational because it demonstrates the power of authenticity and personality on social media. No frills, no fluff, just the real Gary Vee. 



  1. Lyft


Facebook, Facebook pages, Lyft


Why it Rocks: Lyft does a wonderful job of harnessing the power of word of mouth when it comes to Facebook marketing. Scattered throughout their feed are contests, big announcements, coupons, deals, partnership celebrations, user stories and more. They make it really easy for their audience to want to share their content. It's straight forward, well-designed, and often includes a relevant call-to-action.



  1. Duolingo


Facebook, Facebook pages, Duolingo


Why it Rocks: I love going to Duolingo's Facebook page for inspiration because of their high-quality content and simple graphic design. They are very much focused on quality over quantity – only sharing to Facebook a few times per week. Like other successful Facebook pages, they utilize catchy captions and design to encourage users to share their posts with their friends and family. 


Over to you


Which Facebook pages do you follow for creative inspiration or just simply LOVE? Please feel free to let me know in the comments below so that I can add them to our list!


The post Our Favorite Facebook Tool + 16 Amazing Pages That We Draw Inspiration From Every Day appeared first on Social.


Our Favorite Facebook Tool + 16 Amazing Pages That We Draw Inspiration From Every Day

The truth is, there's so much to do on social media that, as a social media manager, I have to choose my battles wisely when it comes to steering my time and deciding which creative strategies to pursue. 


Luckily, there are an unlimited amount of resources out there to help social media marketers like us to decide which strategies will provide the biggest payoff when it comes to Facebook marketing.


But, more often than not, those resources give a general overview of various social media strategies and high-level tactics, leaving us wondering where we can turn to for ideas for specific images, copy, hashtags, videos and content that is working right now for top brands. 


That's where my favorite Facebook tool comes in – A tool that is 100% free to use.


The Facebook “Pages to Watch” feature has completely changed the way I go about Facebook marketing on a daily basis. Many of you probably know about and use this tool regularly, but I'd love to provide a brief guide on where to find the Pages to Watch feature and how you can use it to improve your Facebook marketing. 


After that, we'll get into some good stuff and I'll share with you the 16 Facebook pages that we watch like a hawk and draw inspiration from every day.


Ready? Let's jump in!


Facebook Inspiration, facebook, social media marketing,



How to Find and Use Facebook's “Pages to Watch” Feature


For Facebook pages with more than 30 likes, Facebook offers a robust Insights tool that gives social media marketers the ability to analyze a ton of great data from their page. 


facebook page insights, facebook, insights, social media


From there, you'll be taken to your page's Insights dashboard where you'll find the tool of all tools – Pages to Watch – directly under the “5 Most Recent Posts” section.


facebook, pages to watch, facebook insights



Next, simply click “Add Pages” and begin adding pages by typing their brand name into the search box. Once you've added a brand page to your list, you'll be able to see the following stats:



  • Their total page likes (and the % +/- change from the previous week)

  • How many times they've posted to Facebook this week

  • Their total engagement count for the week


Pretty cool!


Where it gets even better is when you click on a specific brand's icon in your list. Facebook provides a detailed view of every one of their posts from the current week – ranking them from the “most engaging” to “least engaging.” This allows you to quickly check the top posts from every page you follow in a matter of seconds.


Netflix, pages to watch, facebook insights


So you're all set to go with the Pages to Watch feature, but which pages should you follow?


My first instinct was to follow all of the pages that I follow personally on Facebook, which was a perfectly fine route to go for me as a beginner. However, I quickly realized that a lot of the pages that I follow personally are not relevant to Buffer's audience.


Here are a few ideas to develop a relevant watch list: 



  • Top peers in your space

  • Brands that you admire in your space

  • Brands that have a strong social media presence in your space

  • Influencers in your space

  • Top brands from around the world (this one's for fun)


How I utilize Pages to Watch


I like to go in and quickly check the pages that we follow 3-4 times per week to make sure that I have my finger on what's trending in the industry. What I am looking for are posts and content that have major potential to be successful on Buffer's social media. The are 3 key factors that I consider when browsing pages: 



  1. Posts with high engagement (50+ likes, 15+ shares, and 10+ comments)

  2. Posts with low engagement, but contain beautiful images, awesome copy, or great content. I love these because it allows us to improve upon content that has potential to be engaging

  3. Specific trends across the board. In social media, things tend to pop up and fade quickly and so it's always fun to jump on trending topics that are relevant to Buffer


Another key factor that I take into account is a brand's overall engagement per post and if they're trending upward or downward. To so do, I quickly divide their total weekly engagement by the number of posts. If a brand with a similar audience size to Buffer is averaging a lot more likes per post, I'll try to dig in and study the images, content, and copy they are using to see how we may improve on our own.


I recommend that you follow around 12–16 pages so that you're not overloaded with content, but that you get a nice variety of brands and creative ideas to pull from.


If you're looking for a good place to start with pages to watch, here are 16 amazing pages that we draw inspiration from every day. In other words, they are crushing it on Facebook!   


16 Amazing Facebook Pages that Inspire Us



  1. Netflix U.S. 


Facebook, Facebook pages, Netflix


Why it Rocks: Netflix is a great example of a brand page that speaks in the language of their audience. They post high-quality images with captions that resonate well with their core users. Netflix understands the fine art of brevity and isn't afraid to “go there” from time to time. If you're looking for quippy, clever captions, then Netflix may just be your daily inspiration. 



  1. Shopify 


Facebook, Facebook pages, Shopify


Why it Rocks: Shopify has the art of video marketing on Facebook down to a science. They post a great mix of original video content that points to their blog along with fun, light-hearted videos that are meant to simply delight their audience. They're also a great example of a brand that is using the Facebook “Shop” feature on the top of their page – driving sales directly from social media. 



  1. Square


Facebook, Facebook pages, Square


Why it Rocks: Square is an awesome example of a brand page that proves you don't have to post several times per day to receive a huge amount of engagement on Facebook. They only post the “best of the best” of their content and it really pays off for them. Square also has a great sense of who their audience is – sharing photos and videos that are highly relevant, speaking to the finance-minded user. 



  1. The Next Web


Facebook pages, facebook insights, social media, The Next Web


Why it Rocks: The Next Web has really burst on the scene as huge player in the Facebook space – Covering everything in the world of “Internet Technology.” Not afraid to post multiple times a day, The Next Web makes a strong case for the power of putting your content out there as often as possible. What makes The Next Web notable is their ability to summarize major stories in just a few, catchy words. 



  1. WeWork


Facebook, Facebook pages, WeWork


Why it Rocks: WeWork is a fabulous example of a brand page that does a solid job of mixing up content types and posts. Scrolling through their Facebook page you'll find a variety of links, photos, and videos. It's also fascinating to see the how they are able to tell stories about the people in the WeWork community and around the world. 



  1. Creative Market


Facebook, Facebook pages, Creative Market


Why it Rocks: Creative Market does an incredible job of finding and producing the best “creative” content to share with their audience on a consistent basis. Looking at their top posts week after week, it's a mix of original and curated video content that is highly relevant and shareable. The shareability may be part of the reason why they've just passed the 215,000 fan mark. 



  1. Social Media Examiner


Facebook, Facebook pages, Social Media Examiner


Why it Rocks: Many of us know Social Media Examiner's blog as a leading resource in social media news and know-how, but their Facebook page is also a wonderful example of how to be successful with sharing top social media content from around the web. I like to think of it as similar to an RSS feed of popular and useful articles. SME also puts their cover photo to good use by promoting their major annual event – Social Media Marketing World.


8.  REI


Facebook, Facebook pages, REI


Why it Rocks: REI does a wonderful job of promoting beautiful fan content across all social media channels – With their Facebook and Instagram pages as the hubs. Their hashtag campaign, #OptOutside, has been used more than one million times on social media and connects people from across the world, people who love the outdoors. If you're looking for ideas for a user-generated content campaign, REI is a great place to start. 


9. Neil Patel


Facebook, Facebook pages, Neil Patel


Why it Rocks: Neil Patel does an amazing job of studying his audience and knowing exactly what they love on Facebook. He's not afraid to experiment either – Sharing everything from quote graphics and curated content to text and picture-only updates. If you're looking for actionable insights and ways to shake things up, then look no further than Neil Patel. 



  1. Brain Pickings


Facebook, Facebook pages, Brain Pickings


Why it Rocks: Brain Pickings' Facebook page is the poster child for super interesting content and perfectly branded updates. They've found a unique niche in the market that a massive audience has embraced with open arms. I love their About section as well: “A cross-disciplinary library of interestingness culling ideas that shed light on what it means to live a good life.”



  1. Livescribe


Facebook, Facebook pages, Livescribe


Why it Rocks: As social media customer support becomes more and more critical for companies, those who have already been experimenting with different ways to support their customers will be well-ahead of the curve. Livescribe's “Customer Service” tab is one of the first things you see when you arrive on their page. From there, customers can ask questions, share an idea, report a problem, or simply give praise.



  1. Spotify


Facebook, Facebook pages, Spotify


Why it Rocks: What I love about Spotify is that they're not afraid to speak in the language of their users. They'll often be found using words and phrases like “dope,” “epic,” “ridiculous,” “peep it,” etc. While this may not be a viable strategy for a lot of brands, it definitely works for Spotify. They also do a great job, like REI, of featuring and sharing their audience's stories on social media. 



  1. Robinhood


Facebook, Facebook pages, Robinhood App


Why it Rocks: Quirky, yet beautiful graphic design and insightful articles on investing, Robinhood App has exploded onto the Facebook scene in 2016. 19,000 Facebook fans and counting, Robinhood boasts an unusually high engagement rate for a brand – averaging several hundred likes, comments and shares per post. This is a great page to watch in the coming months as they continue to grow as a company and their Facebook strategy evolves. 


14. Gary Vaynerchuk


Facebook, Facebook pages, Gary Vaynerchuk


Why it Rocks: You may know Gary Vaynerchuk from his podcast and book “#AskGaryVee,” but did you know he has a rockin' Facebook page as well? Gary shares an engaging mix of business and personal content – Giving us all a look inside what it's like to live the life of an entrepreneur. I find it very inspirational because it demonstrates the power of authenticity and personality on social media. No frills, no fluff, just the real Gary Vee. 



  1. Lyft


Facebook, Facebook pages, Lyft


Why it Rocks: Lyft does a wonderful job of harnessing the power of word of mouth when it comes to Facebook marketing. Scattered throughout their feed are contests, big announcements, coupons, deals, partnership celebrations, user stories and more. They make it really easy for their audience to want to share their content. It's straight forward, well-designed, and often includes a relevant call-to-action.



  1. Duolingo


Facebook, Facebook pages, Duolingo


Why it Rocks: I love going to Duolingo's Facebook page for inspiration because of their high-quality content and simple graphic design. They are very much focused on quality over quantity – only sharing to Facebook a few times per week. Like other successful Facebook pages, they utilize catchy captions and design to encourage users to share their posts with their friends and family. 


Over to you


Which Facebook pages do you follow for creative inspiration or just simply LOVE? Please feel free to let me know in the comments below so that I can add them to our list!


The post Our Favorite Facebook Tool + 16 Amazing Pages That We Draw Inspiration From Every Day appeared first on Social.