Instagram Algorithm Hacks, LinkedIn Says Bye to Top Voice Badge, and Our Social Shizzle Sessions!

💎From Online Connections to Real-Life Friendships

We love talking about the power of LinkedIn and the amazing relationships you can build there. Well, here's a perfect example!

Our very own Jem recently caught up with Emma Devereux, and even joined the Maintech Recruitment team out for food! Emma and Jem have built a brilliant friendship over the years, and guess what? It all kicked off on LinkedIn! 

Still not convinced about the power of LinkedIn? Give it a try. You might just end up with some cracking new relationships you never thought possible. 

💡 Top Tip: Don't be shy about taking those online connections offline. Suggest a coffee meetup or a quick video call. It's amazing how a face-to-face chat can transform a LinkedIn connection into a genuine friendship.

💎Spotlight on: Charlotte Carter and Carter Bags

Time for a quick shoutout to Charlotte Carter and her brilliant business, Carter Bags! And no, this isn't a sponsored promotion - we just love celebrating great businesses and the awesome people behind them.

Our Jem is absolutely chuffed with her new Carter bag. With all the travelling she does for work; it's been a game-changer. 

 💎SocialJems Update: We're Growing!

We're excited to say that SocialJems is absolutely smashing it! 🎉

Things have been buzzing lately, with more and more clients choosing to work with us. In fact, we're getting so many requests for new services that we've got something exciting in the pipeline...

Drum roll, please... 🥁

We're planning a total revamp of our website! Keep your eyes peeled for that - it's going to be epic. We can't wait to show you all the new ways we can help your business shine on social media.

Remember, whether you're a long-time client or just stumbled across us, we're here to help you navigate the wild world of social media. So don't be shy - get in touch if you need a hand!

💎Saying Goodbye to Top Voice Badges

You might have already heard the news, but LinkedIn have announced that they’re retiring the "Top Voice" badges for contributors to Collaborative Articles. 

Say goodbye to those shiny "Top Voice" badges. 

From October 8th, 2024, LinkedIn will officially retire the gold Community Top Voice badge. If you've got one, it'll disappear within 60 days of when you earned it. 

But why, LinkedIn, why?

Now, you might be wondering why LinkedIn's decided to shake things up. Well, it turns out that not all that glitters is gold – or in this case, not all "Top Voices" are actually top experts.

LinkedIn's been getting an earful from the community. Turns out, it's not easy to keep those high-quality standards when you're handing out badges automatically. Some users have been raising eyebrows at who's getting called an "expert".

In LinkedIn's own words: "We've learned that it is challenging to maintain the highest quality standards for our Community Top Voice badges, as they are currently awarded automatically to contributors, and not manually awarded by our team."

Here's where it gets interesting. These Collaborative Articles? They're AI-generated prompts that LinkedIn uses as a starting point. Then, they invite specific users to share their expertise on the topic.

It's been a hit – there's been a 4x increase in weekly member contributions quarter-over-quarter as of March this year. But some sneaky users might have been using AI to generate their "expert" answers too. 

What does this mean for you?

If you've been contributing to Collaborative Articles just for that shiny badge, you might want to rethink your strategy. 

But don't let that stop you from sharing your genuine expertise! Remember, it's about adding value, not collecting virtual stickers.

So, keep sharing your knowledge, keep engaging with your network, and most importantly, keep it real. After all, true expertise shines through, badge or no badge!

What do you think about LinkedIn's decision? Will it change how you engage with Collaborative Articles?

💎Keeping Up with Instagram's Algorithm

What You Need to Know

Trying to keep up with the Instagram algorithm can feel overwhelming right? Well, it doesn’t have to be. Just like anything in life, social media is constantly changing and evolving. You find something that works and start to make progress, but then the goalposts move. And then they move again.

We work in social media marketing, we're used to this, but we understand how it can be frustrating to be out of the loop.

Which is why we want to provide some tips on how to utilise Instagram, keeping up with the algorithm, and growing your Instagram account. 

So, here are some tips to help you navigate Instagram's latest changes and make the platform work for you now, and in 2025. 

What's Changed?

• Original Content is Priority Instagram's algorithm favours fresh, original content over reposted or recycled material. This means it's more important than ever to create your own unique posts.
• Instagram SEO Matters Keywords in your bio, captions, and even alt text are now crucial for discoverability. Instagram's search function has become more sophisticated, allowing users to find posts, profiles, and products based on these keywords.
• Reels are Still Big Short-form video content, especially Reels, continues to be pushed heavily by Instagram. The platform's algorithm favours content that keeps users engaged, with views becoming one of the most important metrics.
• Engagement is Key Posts that receive comments, shares, or saves are often given higher priority than those that only receive likes. The algorithm sees these as signals of valuable content.

How to Make the Most of It

Now that we know what's changed, here's how you can adapt your strategy:

• Create Fresh Content Spend time regularly brainstorming new ideas. Show behind-the-scenes videos, launch new product teasers, or create Instagram-exclusive content that can't be found anywhere else.
• Optimise for Search Review your bio and recent posts to ensure they include relevant, searchable keywords. Use natural language and make sure to add keywords to alt text for images.
• Embrace Reels Post Reels regularly to stay in front of your followers. Use quick, eye-catching visuals that capture attention in the first few seconds to maximise views and engagement.
• Encourage Interaction Create opportunities for conversation by asking questions in your captions. Use features like polls, quizzes, and question stickers in Stories to interact with your audience in real time.
• Post at the Right Time Use tools like Later's Instagram Scheduler to track your custom best time to post and adjust your posting schedule accordingly. This simple optimisation can make a huge difference in your engagement and visibility.
• Stay Adaptable The Instagram algorithm is always evolving. Follow key figures in the Instagram community for the latest updates and monitor your engagement metrics closely after any significant changes to the platform.
• Focus on Views Create content that's designed to be watched all the way through. Whether it's a Reel or a Story, start with a hook that makes viewers want to stick around.

Always remember…

Keep it engaging, keep it authentic, and most importantly, have fun with it!

💎Team Update: Meet Our Newest SocialJems Star!

Remember a while back when we hinted about a new team member joining us? Well, the cat's out of the bag (or should we say cats?) - it's time to introduce Cath! 🐱

We're over the moon to have Cath on board as our new VA and admin extraordinaire. With SocialJems growing faster than a TikTok trend, we needed another set of hands to keep everything running smoothly.

Now, let's dish out some fun facts about Cath, shall we?

First up, she's a proper cat lady - we're talking 12 feline friends! But that's not all... Cath's also expecting a little human of her own! Talk about a full house! 🏠👶

We're thrilled to have Cath joining our SocialJems family. Her skills are going to be a massive help as we continue to grow and take on new exciting projects.

So, how about we show Cath some love? Drop a welcome message in the comments or give her a shout on our socials. Let's make her feel right at home in the SocialJems crew!

Welcome aboard, Cath! We can't wait to see all the amazing things you'll bring to the team. 🎊

💎Jem's Corner: Ups and Downs

Our Jem's been busy as ever. She's been out and about, catching up with people left, right and centre. And let's not forget The Social Games event - what a blast that was! 🎉

As usual, she's been absolutely smashing it with calls and content. Jem's energy is something else, isn't it?

But life's not all sunshine and rainbows, even for our superstar Jem. We've got some sad news to share. 😢

Bat Pig, aka Lenny, has unfortunately passed away. It's been devastating for Jem and the entire Bevan clan. Losing a furry family member is never easy, and Lenny was such a special little chap.

We're sending loads of love to Jem and her family during this tough time. ❤️

A massive thank you to everyone who's been thinking of Jem and sending her gifts. Your kindness and support mean the world to her and to all of us here at SocialJems.

💎What's New with Our Resident Morgenmuffel?

Our Sarah's been on quite the rollercoaster lately.

First up, the big news - Sarah's bought her first home! That's right, our girl's officially joined the property ladder. We're all over the moon for her. 

After months of refreshing the booking page like a woman possessed, Sarah's finally bagged herself a driving test slot. We're keeping mum on the exact date (wouldn't want to jinx it, would we?), but let's just say our fingers, toes, and everything else are firmly crossed. 

It hasn't all been celebrations, though. Sarah recently marked what would have been Joe's 39th birthday. A bittersweet moment, filled with memories and mixed emotions. 

While Sarah's been taking a breather from LinkedIn (and rightly so - mental health comes first!), don't think for a second she's been twiddling her thumbs. Our Morgenmuffel's been doing what she loves most – creating content. 

💎Twinnie Tales: Sarah's Latest Adventures

Time for a quick catch-up on our superstar Sarah, aka Twinnie! 

In true Sarah fashion, she's been working her socks off. No surprises there - our Twinnie's work ethic is legendary! But she's not just smashing her own tasks; Sarah's also taken Cath under her wing. Talk about a dynamic duo in the making! We can't wait to see what these two will accomplish together.

Sarah's treated herself to an at-home sauna! That's right, our girl's bringing the spa experience to her living room. And let me tell you, she's loving every steamy second of it. Of course, Sarah's been keeping us all in the loop with some cracking photos. We're not jealous at all (okay, maybe a little). 

💎The Social Shizzle Session!

Say hello to our Social Shizzle Sessions - the latest addition to our service lineup. 

We get it, not everyone needs constant hand-holding with their social media. Sometimes you just want a quick sanity check or a nudge in the right direction. That's exactly why we've created these one-hour power sessions. It's all about what YOU want to chat about.

So, what's the deal with these Social Shizzle Sessions? Well, they're pretty flexible, to be honest. We've been helping clients in all sorts of ways. Maybe you want us to give your current social media a once-over, pointing out what's hot and what's... well, not. Or perhaps you're stuck in a rut, desperate for fresh content ideas? We've got you covered.

Struggling to write posts that actually grab attention? We'll bring our top tips to the table. Feeling a bit lost and not sure where you're going wrong? Let's put our heads together and figure it out. You might just want to check you're on the right track before you dive in, or maybe you're totally new to this social media marketing malarkey and don't know your hashtags from your handles.

And hey, sometimes you just need someone to bounce ideas off. We're all ears!

Essentially, the Social Shizzle Session is your chance to pick our brains for a solid hour about anything social media related. It's like a power-up for your digital presence!

Now, here's the catch - we're only offering 5 of these sessions each month. They're going faster than hot cakes, so if you want to give your social media a swift kick up the backside, you'd better get in quick!

Don't miss out on your chance to turn your social media from drab to fab. Get in touch now and let's get your Social Shizzle Session booked in. 

💎Supercharge Your Team's LinkedIn Skills

Are your employees struggling to harness the full power of LinkedIn? 🤔

Let's face it, LinkedIn isn't just another social media platform - it's a goldmine for:

💎Promoting your business

💎Generating quality leads

💎Expanding your professional network

💎Building rock-solid brand trust

Did you know we don't just offer online training? That's right, we can bring our LinkedIn expertise right to your doorstep!

Imagine your team, gathered around, soaking up all our LinkedIn wisdom in person. No more dodgy internet connections or "sorry, I was on mute" moments. Just pure, undiluted LinkedIn mastery.

Now, we'd love nothing more than to meet every single one of you face-to-face. But let's be real - we're not superheroes (yet). We do need to factor in travel time.

So, if you're based in Yorkshire, you're in luck! 

Not in Yorkshire? Don't worry! We might still be able to make it work. Drop us a line and we'll see what we can do.

Ready to transform your team into LinkedIn legends? Get in touch today and let's chat about bringing our LinkedIn training to your turf!

Remember, in the world of business, it's not just about who you know - it's about who knows you. 

💎The Social Games: Networking That's Actually Fun!

No surprise here - The Social Games has been another big hit! 

Professionals from all over came together to network and have a blast. Because let's face it, networking doesn't have to happen in a stuffy meeting room - it can happen over a game of table tennis! 🏓

The Social Games continues to be a crowd-pleaser, so it's safe to say another event will be on the horizon. While we don't have a date locked in just yet, keep your eyes peeled for the next one. Trust us, you won't want to miss it!

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-social-games-tickets-853178047507

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