LinkedIn Reels, and the new changes coming to Instagram stories

We'll explore the latest buzz around Instagram Stories and how it's shaping content strategies. 

And, as always, we'll catch you up on all the exciting developments and behind-the-scenes happenings with our team. Let's get into it!

💎  LinkedIn Reels

LinkedIn has joined the short-form video trend with LinkedIn Reels. This feature is transforming how professionals share insights, showcase skills, and engage with their network. So, what makes LinkedIn Reels unique and how can you leverage them effectively?

What Are LinkedIn Reels?

LinkedIn Reels are short, vertical videos of up to 90 seconds. They offer a dynamic way to share professional content, from quick tips and behind-the-scenes glimpses to industry insights and company culture showcases.

Why Use LinkedIn Reels?

1. Increased Visibility: Reels often receive more exposure in the LinkedIn feed compared to standard posts.
2. Engagement Boost: Short-form video content typically garners higher engagement rates.
3. Storytelling Opportunity: Reels provide a platform to share your professional story in a more personal, engaging format.
4. Skill Showcase: Demonstrate your expertise or company capabilities in a concise, visual manner.

Creating Effective LinkedIn Reels

To make the most of this feature:

1. Focus on Value: Provide actionable insights, tips, or information relevant to your industry.
2. Be Authentic: Show the human side of your professional life or business. 
3. Use Captions: Many users watch without sound, so ensure your message comes across visually or through text overlays.
4. Optimise for Mobile: Remember that most viewers will be on mobile devices, so make text large and visuals clear.

Technical Tips

• Use high-quality video and audio equipment when possible
• Take advantage of LinkedIn's built-in editing tools
• Experiment with different transitions and effects
• Use relevant hashtags to increase discoverability

Measuring Success

LinkedIn provides analytics for Reels, including views, likes, comments, and shares. Pay attention to these metrics to understand what content resonates with your audience and refine your strategy accordingly.

LinkedIn Reels offers a fresh, engaging way to connect with your professional network. By creating valuable, authentic content tailored to the platform, you can enhance your professional brand, showcase your expertise, and expand your influence in your industry.

As with any new feature, the key is to experiment, analyse, and adapt. Don't be afraid to try new ideas and see what works best for your unique audience on LinkedIn.

And for a double win, these videos can be repurposed on your other channels such as TikTok. 

💎 Edit your scheduled posts

Posting when your audience is most active can significantly boost engagement. However, the moment you're crafting your perfect LinkedIn post might not align with the optimal publishing time. This is where LinkedIn's post scheduling feature comes in handy.

While third-party apps like Buffer offer scheduling capabilities, LinkedIn's built-in tool is often the most straightforward option. It allows you to schedule posts up to three months in advance. 

How to Edit Your Scheduled LinkedIn Posts

The platform has improved its functionality, and you can now edit your scheduled posts directly. This feature addresses a long-standing user request and makes managing your content much more convenient. Here's how to do it:

1. Navigate to your LinkedIn homepage
2. Click on 'Post' as if you're creating a new post
3. Look for and select the 'Drafts & scheduled posts' option
4. Find the scheduled post you want to modify
5. Click on the three dots (...) next to the post
6. Select 'Edit post' from the dropdown menu
7. Make your desired changes to the post content
8. Click 'Save' to confirm your edits

This new feature allows you to correct typos, update information, or refine your message without the need to delete and recreate your post. It's a significant improvement that gives you more control over your scheduled content right up until it's published.

Remember, while you can now edit the content of your scheduled posts, it's still a good practice to review your posts carefully before scheduling. This habit can save you time and ensure your content is always polished and professional.

💎 Instagram introduces story comments

Instagram stories are getting…chatty. 

When you're viewing a Story, you'll now see comments nestled snugly at the bottom of the frame. These little nuggets of interaction are visible to anyone who views the Story, turning what was once a passive viewing experience into a potential conversation.

With more of us sliding into DMs and posting Stories rather than filling up the main feed, Instagram's pulling out all the stops to keep the conversation flowing.

What's in it for you?

For creators and businesses, this could make a real difference. Imagine the engagement! Your followers can now react in real-time, sparking discussions and boosting your content's reach. It's like having a mini-comments section right there on your Story.

But don’t worry if you’re not feeling it. 

If you're not keen on having comments on your Stories, you can switch them.

Keep your eyes peeled for this new feature rolling out to your app. And when it does, why not give it a whirl? Who knows, you might just start the next viral conversation!

💎 5 years and still going strong!

So, what's been happening at SocialJems lately? Well, we've just hit a major milestone—our 5th business anniversary! 🎉 It's hard to believe how quickly time has flown by. We really should start marking the date on our calendars so we can have cake ready on time. But honestly, we're just so proud of how far we've come.

The team is growing, and we've had the pleasure of welcoming even more fantastic clients into the SocialJems family. Everyone here is loving life, thriving in their roles, and excited about what the future holds. We really couldn't ask for more… well, maybe a winning lottery ticket wouldn't hurt! 😄

Here's to the next five years and beyond!

And here is a throwback photo from the 1st year! 

NOW, time for some team updates…

💎  Jem!!!

Jem has been keeping busy lately (Not that that’s anything new!) With workshops, back-to-back phone calls, and a stream of new clients signing on, her schedule has been nothing short of hectic. Yet, amidst the whirlwind, she’s been intentional about finding time for herself.

Recently, Jem took a well-deserved weekend getaway with Charlie and Josh, heading to the picturesque landscapes of Wales. They spent their days exploring, taking long walks through the countryside, and soaking up the stunning views. Jem, with her love for history, was in her element visiting castles and ancient ruins, immersing herself in the rich heritage that Wales has to offer. It was the perfect retreat, allowing her to recharge and reconnect with what she loves most. Her dogs loved it too!

Back in Yorkshire, Jem has been busy on the social front too. She’s been meeting up with friends and engaging with other business owners in the local area, strengthening connections and building new relationships. It’s been an incredible blend of personal growth and professional networking, making these past few weeks both productive and fulfilling. Jem’s ability to juggle it all is truly inspiring!

💎 Sarah (Morgenmuffel) 

Sarah has been a bit quiet lately, but for a very good reason—she’s been busy turning her dream into a reality. We're thrilled to share that Sarah is now officially a homeowner! 🏡 Her favourite new line? "Let me just ask the landlord... Landlord says yes." It’s safe to say she’s loving every moment of this new chapter.

Of course, moving in wasn’t without its hiccups. In the midst of packing, Sarah made the classic mistake of packing away her coffee - only to realise it the next morning. There she was, rummaging through boxes in a pre-caffeine haze, which, as any true Morgenmuffel will know, is never a good idea! But with coffee finally in hand, all was well in the world again.

Beyond settling into her new home, Sarah has been helping out by dog sitting for family, enjoying the company of some furry friends. And of course, she’s been hard at work creating content for our clients. It’s been a busy, eventful time for Sarah, and we couldn’t be happier for her!

Now she has the fun part of working with boxes around her, but eventually those boxes will be unpacked!

💎 What about Sarah (Twinnie) 

Sarah's been up to some interesting things lately! She recently ordered a portable sauna online to keep up her sweating routine—talk about dedication! But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. She’s also got some amazing plans lined up for 2025, including preparing to take the psychometrician board exam and earning even more certifications. 

In addition to her personal goals, Sarah’s been taking on the no-rice challenge and is now on her third week. We’re so proud of our twinnie, even if we do have to keep reminding her to take some time off. Her response? “I love working here; I don’t want to take time off.” And while we love her enthusiasm, we all know how important it is to take breaks, no matter how much we enjoy our work.

But it’s not all work for Sarah. She’s also been spending quality time with her family, which is incredibly important to her. Balancing her professional ambitions with her love for family, Sarah’s showing us all how to keep our priorities in check. Here’s to Sarah, who’s always pushing herself- just don’t forget to take a breather along the way!

💎 Need some help? 

We’ve all been there. 👀

We’ve done something we know we shouldn’t have. And we all get that same guilty look too. 

Like telling your employee to take over your social media channels and to start promoting the business. But there’s a problem, they don’t know how to use social media for business.

Because it’s a little different from posting a selfie or a photo of your pet online, compared to creating a post that promotes your business the right way. 

You know you shouldn’t have given them the task without any training. They know it too. And now they’ve accidentally posted a video clip of them taking a dump in the toilet…for all your clients and potential clients to see…🙀

It’s not a good look. But we can help. 

Whether you’re looking for help to train your team on marketing the right way, or maybe you just want us to take over the content creation and publishing for you. 

Either way, we’re here to help.

No more guilty faces. 😀

Get in touch to find out how we can help you and your business.