PLATFORM POWER MOVES: LOCKABLE REELS, LINKEDIN VIDEO & EMAIL TIPS

From Instagram getting all secretive with their new features to LinkedIn banging on about video, plus the never-ending TikTok drama that's dragging on like a bad hangover. We'll also catch you up on what our lot's been up to. 

Ready? Let's crack on!👀

💎 INSTAGRAM GOES ALL SECRET SQUIRREL WITH LOCKABLE REELS

Instagram's finally launched their lockable Reels, so creators can now hide content behind a special code. 

After messing about with this feature on their Design profile last month, they've now properly rolled it out with The Weeknd being the first big name to use it. 

Instagram's official line? 

"The new hidden reels feature lets you unlock exclusive content with a password. Instagram is testing this new feature as a way to let creators build excitement and buzz around exclusive content, and to help people connect over shared interests and entertaining content in a new, IYKYK, way."

Not for us regular people yet, but when it does properly launch, you'll be able to:

💎 Give your superfans special access 

💎 Slip discount codes to previous customers (not the window shoppers) 

💎 Share region-specific updates without boring everyone else to tears 

💎 Post content that's not for your mum's eyes  

💎 LINKEDIN EMBRACES VIDEO IN A BIG WAY

LinkedIn shared some exciting news at their first-ever NewFronts presentation, focusing on the impressive growth of video on the platform and how brands can make the most of these trends.

Their stats are genuinely impressive:

💎 People are watching 36% more video posts compared to last year 

💎 Video content gets 1.4x more engagement than other post types 

💎 Their Video Ads are seeing 2x the average video completion rate

They're introducing several new options that could be game changers for businesses looking to boost their video presence:

1. First Impression Ads: Your video becomes the first thing your target audience sees in their feed - perfect for making an immediate impact with new campaigns.
2. Connected TV placement options: Expand your LinkedIn video content beyond the platform to placements via Paramount, Roku, and Samsung ads - reaching your audience wherever they're watching.
3. Brand Link: Position your video ads alongside quality publisher and creator content, giving them more context and relevance.
4. Enhanced Event Ads: More promotional options for LinkedIn events, making it easier to drive attendance and engagement.

These additions provide clever new ways to leverage video marketing on the platform. LinkedIn plans to roll out these features over the coming months, so it's worth keeping an eye out for how they might benefit your marketing strategy.

💎 TIKTOK: THE NEVERENDING STORY

The TikTok ownership saga is still going on. Seriously, will it ever end?

Quick catch-up: The Americans tried to force TikTok to sell to a US company back in January. Trump then swooped in after his inauguration and said, "hang on, let's give them till June."

Now the US and China seem to be playing nice again over trade, Chinese officials might finally let a TikTok deal happen. Word is it'll probably go to Oracle through some complicated partnership.

The Americans have some strict rules though:

💎 Foreign entities can only own 20% 

💎 They can't control the algorithms 

💎 Loads of data sharing restrictions 

Trump reckoned a deal would be sorted within a week back in March. That went well, didn't it? But it looks like they might have the basics worked out.

This would be a massive relief for TikTok creators who've been bricking it for a while.

💎 EXCLUSIVE EMAIL TIPS COMING YOUR WAY

We're getting bored of just posting on social media, so we're branching out with email tips you won't find anywhere else!

Not on our email list yet? Sort it out! We want these emails to actually be useful, so tell us what marketing stuff you're struggling with, and we'll cover it. We're generous like that.😏

Sign up on the website!

💎 THE SOCIAL GAMES: NETWORKING WITHOUT THE NONSENSE

The Social Games was back on Thursday, and it was AWESOME. None of that awkward standing around with a warm glass of cheap wine - just people actually enjoying networking for once.

Were you there? Let us know what you thought! If not, you missed out massively. Sorry not sorry.

💎 BUSINESS GEMS PODCAST: WHY YOU SHOULD SPONSOR

The Business Gems Podcast is where Jem Bevan and Zoe Starbuck drop actual useful business advice without the sugarcoating or corporate waffle, with special guests invited to share their knowledge.

Each episode is pulling in 400-500 viewers, with numbers climbing faster than your coffee consumption on a Monday morning. Business Gems delivers content that resonates with real business owners.

The podcast is looking for sponsors

Let's not beat around the bush - Jem and Zoe want to grow this thing bigger. They’re already creating content that people love, but with the right sponsors, they can:

🎙️ Reach even more business owners 
🎙️ Invest in upgraded equipment for even better production quality
🎙️ Expand to more platforms and formats
🎙️ Bring on exciting guests from across the business world

What you get as a sponsor

🎙️ Dedicated mentions at the start and end of episodes
🎙️ Your brand integrated into the content (in a way that doesn't make everyone cringe)
🎙️ Promotion across Jem's thriving social channels
🎙️ Association with content that actually helps people, not just entertains them
🎙️ The warm fuzzy feeling of supporting quality business education (OK, and the ROI too)

Ready To Get Involved?

If you're looking for a podcast that doesn't just talk the talk but actually delivers value to a growing audience of proper business decision-makers, you should chat with Jem.

She's pretty picky about who she works with (no aubergines or toxic bosses, remember?), so this is as much about finding the right fit as it is about the sponsorship itself.

Want to join the Business Gems family? Get in touch and discuss how this partnership can shine for both of you.

Check out the episodes on YouTube or on Jem's LinkedIn to see what you'd be sponsoring. Go on, have a look.

💎 TEAM UPDATES: WHAT WE'VE BEEN UP TO

💎 Starting with our loveable Jem! 

Jem's blown her savings on new flooring (you'd better be impressed next time you see it). It’s still an ongoing process, herringbone flooring is not a quick job but damn does it look good! Thanks Dylan! Jem is already loving it!

She's jetting off to Bucharest next month with Abi and Amy - a holiday she's absolutely buzzing about. What's great is she actually met these two through LinkedIn, and now they're close enough to go holidaying together! Just goes to show the genuine friendships you can build on a platform that's supposedly "just for business." LinkedIn networking done right, that.

In other exciting Jem news, her back's loads better since she sorted her posture out. 

She's also been absolutely killing it with new clients who already think we're their "safety blankets." That's exactly what we aim to be – we don't just do the work and disappear; we stick around to make sure you can handle your own socials without having a meltdown. Need that kind of support? You know where we are.

💎 SARAH (THE MORGENMUFFEL)

Sarah took her driving test. It didn't go to plan.

She failed with one major and one minor - the major being getting too close to a bush when pulling over to the left. Typical.

Now she's stuck in the painful wait for new test slots to become available. Anyone who's been through this knows it's absolute torture refreshing that booking page.

The dog she's been banging on about for months (approximately 67 times per day, if you've been counting) is still on hold until she passes. No license, no dog - those are the rules she's set herself.

Meanwhile, she's still trying to convince her mates it's time to jump in the sea with her. Because apparently freezing your bits off in British waters is her idea of a good time. So far, no takers.

Let's see if she has better luck with the driving examiner next time. At least the bush won't be getting quite so intimate with her car.😀

💎 SARAH (TWINNIE)

Sarah (Twinnie) has been spending quality time with family lately and enjoying the nature around her. Her sunset photos have made us all a bit jealous of her outdoor adventures.

Behind the scenes, she's our admin hero, quietly working in the background to make sure everything runs smoothly. 

Every morning, she's first in with her GIFs that somehow manage to brighten even the darkest Monday. It's these little touches that make working with her so fun.

We're incredibly lucky to have her on the team!

💎 CATH

We’re bringing back a throwback here. Throwback to Temple of Leah, before Cath became a full-time mum, she loved exploring places like this. This photo takes her back to such a lovely moment- carefree, sunny days out and about.

Now, life looks quite different. As a first-time mum, her and her partner haven't had the chance to go out much lately. Most days are spent at home, focusing on the little one, and she wouldn't have it any other way.

“Don't get me wrong, staying at home and being a full-time mum is the most underrated role. It's never tiring and never boring. It's a joy I'll always be grateful for.”

Once the baby turns one, she plans to have more little adventures again as a family, but right now she’s savouring every beautiful moment of this new chapter. 

💎 WEBSITE REFRESH 

We've completely redone our website and added loads of new services. Go have a look and tell us what you think! We can take criticism (mostly).😁

And if there's anything social media-related you're struggling with, give us a shout. We might even include it in our fancy new emails. Maybe. If we feel like it.

www.socialjems.co.uk

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