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Are you planning to explore UI tools but are unsure about which one would be the best to invest time in? Well, lucky for you we have taken a closer look at all the big players like Sketch, Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. In this article we offer insights about what makes each of these softwares worthwhile, and how to find the right program for you and your team. Click the link below to read the full article!

How many ads does Facebook reject? Are your ads performing worse than average? This insightful infographic by Social Media Today answers those questions and reveals other Facebook ad trends. Read on for more!

This insightful read by Business 2 Community talks about how digital marketing can help a brand construct its image. While large corporations have plenty of funds at their disposal to spend on marketing, it's not so easy for smaller businesses. This is where digital marketing comes into play. Using digital media has made brand building more accessible for all. For more information on how digital marketing is essential in boosting a brand's image, click on the article link. ... https://www.business2community.com//how-digital-marketing-

The latest Spark Social Report is out! This week, Facebook announces its new Watch Together feature for Messenger and YouTube is planning to launch its own version of Stories. Click the article below to keep reading more social media updates!

Visual content has become the best way to gain traction. Moving pictures garner more attention than still media. This article in Social Media Today breaks down a three-point formula that Twitter has come up with to explore video ad options to maximize campaign impact. Click on the article link to find out more.

Advertising on Facebook can be a great way of promoting and eventually establishing your brand. If you're new to the marketing space, we have picked just the right article for you to learn some quick and easy basics about Facebook Advertising, courtesy of Entrepreneur. Check out the article and if it interests you, book a consultation with us today to talk about your own digital marketing plan!

This Washington Post article throws light on how social media is a great platform to find inspiration when it comes home decor. Over the years, netizens have painted picturesque landscapes of their "reel" life claiming it to be their real life. With the changing times, social media platforms and their idealistic aesthetics have become mediums of inspiration for many. So, it stands to reason that home decor would thrive on social media. Read on!

This article by Business 2 Community highlights the difference between digital media and marketing and explains how these terms aren't interchangeable. With the world going online, there's a dire need for businesses to adapt to marketing in a digital world. Brands should incorporate techniques across a broad range of digital options. Click the link below to read more!

The latest Spark Social Report is out! This week, YouTube launched the NFL Network on its platform. Click the article below to keep reading more social media updates!

In this seven-minute video by The Drum, social media consultant Matt Navarra offers tips on optimal engagement for brands to keep in mind. From staying in tune with world events to expert social media accounts to follow, click the link below to watch the full video and gain more insight on the topic!

How have digital marketing best practices have shifted throughout the pandemic? One of our articles highlights how the COVID-19 crisis has accelerated digital growth and provoked certain changes within the marketing field, many of which will be long-lasting. For example, more brands are realizing the importance of empathetic messaging. Click the link below to read more!

Social Media Today provides some Twitter tips for brands, specifically when managing the Lists option on the platform. One benefit is that marketers can organize their Lists to keep up-to-date with direct competitors. This can be used as an easily accessible avenue to reference when strategizing content. Check out the article below for more information!

Many brands have been stepping up by partaking in corporate activism. This BusinessNewsDaily article references brands like Netflix and Patagonia, lauding them for their efforts in responding to social crises through their marketing content. The article also notes that "bandwagon activism" is something that companies should stay away from. Visit the link below to read more!

Another week means another round of social media updates! In our latest Spark Social Report, we look at how Apple's iOS update will impact Facebook's Audience Network, Pinterest's new product pin labels, and more. Click the article below to keep reading!

This Forbes article highlights how brands can optimize social media in ways that will save them time. For example, having a clear goal and knowing your purpose in the digital space will help to put forth effective content. For even more digital marketing insights, check out our blog here! www.sparkgrowth.com/blog/

The Fordham Ram discusses how social media activism can be done effectively. Looking at trends like the black square and #ChallengeAccepted, the article notes that meaningful activism needs to come from the motivation to contribute to real social change. Brands should be sure to do thorough research before putting out content that addresses social issues, but should also recognize that if done right, it can have a hugely positive effect.

This article by Search Engine Journal offers 10 tips on how brands can restore or build their social media reputation. These tips may be relevant to companies who have made missteps or who don't have a strong presence on social media. Businesses should keep in mind that its never too late to pivot to digital strategies.

Tito's Handmade Vodka has started a series of digital concerts to raise funds for Black-owned businesses, as well as healthcare and restaurant workers. Events like this showcase how brands can adapt to the new normal and utilize the online space effectively. This event supports communities in need, which reflects positively on the company as being in tune with the current global climate. Check out this Adweek article to learn more!

The latest Spark Social Report is out! This week, Pinterest added a Shop collection that showcases a number of Black-owned businesses. Read more for further social media updates!

CoFounder Magazine has provided seven tips for marketers to improve their social media channels. A point that stood out to us is that brands should use a multi-channel approach. Having a presence on multiple social platforms can help ensure that youre reaching your target audience and demographic on the right channels. Read the full article below!

These days, more companies are acknowledging major world events in their advertising. In this article, we analyzed four brands who pivoted their marketing strategies during the COVID-19 crisis and addressed the topic in their campaigns. From Nike to Ford Motor Company, these brands have successfully garnered brand awareness while still being sensitive to the situation. Click the link below to read the full article!

During July 2020, there was a 10.5% increase in social media usage. business.com notes that audiences are not only continuing to rely on social media for entertainment, but to find comfort and connection as well. During a time where so many people are struggling with the impact of COVID-19, brands should consider how to create content that aligns with these customer needs.

What exactly does it mean to repurpose content, and how can it help with your social media marketing goals? Read the article below to learn more about the topic, including tactics that brands can use to repurpose their content effectively!

Have you heard of mindset-driven marketing? This Customer Think article discusses how this type of marketing prioritizes the audiences mindset. This includes the questions, concerns, and thoughts they may have during the buying process. Brands who strategize their content based on these considerations may better understand how to connect authentically with their audience. Click the link below to read more!

In our latest Spark Social Report, we look at TikTok's first partnership with a music distributor, and how Instagram's new ad placement works. Read more of the latest social media news below!

What do you think are the top digital marketing trends of the year? This article by THE WEEK offers advice for brands looking to increase online engagement rates. One example is to use social media to send direct messages to followers; this can help make your brand more accessible to potential customers. For even more insight on optimizing social media for brand growth, check out our blog here: www.sparkgrowth.com/blog/

This article by Business Matters outlines four ways marketers can optimize their content on social platforms. Though its important to post consistently, marketers should also take time to review past social media posts when brainstorming new content. Studying past engagement rates can shed light on trends, what is and isn't working, and what resonates most with your audience.

In this Forbes article, 76% of Black Gen-Z social media users say that seeing regular depictions of racial violence on their feed is emotionally hurtful, and would like to see more content that focuses on Black happiness. Messaging around dismantling systemic racism is not just limited to outlining traumatic racial injustices. For example, VSCO launched a campaign called #BlackJoyMatters that helps celebrate Black lives, communities, and experiences. To learn more about this topic, click the link below!

This Entrepreneur article discusses three aspects of social media marketing that brands should not ignore. One interesting point is to consider "dark social media," which are the ways users can share a brand's content without the company's knowledge (such as emails, texts, and more). Though it can be difficult to track the impact of brand engagement at this level, the article highlights some methods that marketers can use to better mitigate this. Click the link below to read more!

The latest Spark Social Report is out! This week, Snapchat added voter registration tools on its platform in light of the upcoming U.S. election, and Facebook launched a funding program to help support Black creators. Click the link below to read more social media updates!

This article highlights five social media etiquette tips for brands to refer to in order to build a more positive and authentic brand presence. From engaging authentically with followers to choosing the right photo to represent your business, these simple yet effective steps can help transform your brands social media platforms.

With this years Pride events having gone virtual, there was even more scrutiny on businesses who expressed their support of the LGBTQIA+ community. Rainbow washing has historically been an issue that many corporations have fallen into, wherein solidarity is only expressed during Pride Month, but not followed up on outside of the event. As outlined in this article by The Drum, brands need to continue to highlight marginalized and intersectional voices, and tackle topics of social change related to queer communities. They can do this by being consistent, and putting forth meaningful, rather than performative, messaging.

Business 2 Community has mapped out three trends to help brands plan their marketing strategies as more places begin to loosen COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. One example is that businesses should continue to embrace digital options on a larger scale, such as turning to eCommerce or relying more heavily on social media marketing. Another example is to consider a more permanent reliance on the work from home structure, and how a healthy work/life balance can be achieved. Check out the article below to learn more! https://www.business2community.com//3-trends-for-mapping-y

In a recent video by Adweek, social media expert Matthew Kobach and Ad Week editor Ko Im discuss how traditional digital marketing strategies have changed during the coronavirus pandemic. Also discussed are the differences between short and long-term marketing strategies, tips on how social media can be used for brand growth, and more. To gain more insight on the topic, you can find the video in the article, linked below!

Could a paid subscription service be in the works for Twitter? Read this week's Spark Social Report for the latest social media news and updates!

The recent #ChallengeAccepted challenge on social media has been a divisive one, as outlined in this article by The New York Times. #ChallengeAccepted is an initiative started by Turkish women aiming to raise awareness about femicide. However, various users have noted that many who are partaking in the challenge are unaware of its sociopolitical origins, and are simply hopping on a trend. Brands should do thorough research before partaking in a social media trend or challenge. Similar to what happened with the black square challenge, it may come across performative if a brand doesn't know the full context beforehand.

Entrepreneur offers some useful tips for brands in this article, which busts seven common myths about social media marketing. From addressing negative feedback to being as transparent as possible, take a look at this list to learn about a better approach to social media. Check out the full article, linked below!