Engage is All the Rage: Navigating Facebook’s Future News Feed Changes

On January 11, 2018, Facebook founder – Mark Zuckerberg – announced a “major change” on his social media site. He conveyed that this change is intended to ensure that time spent on Facebook is time well-spent. To that end, the Facebook Newsfeed – a go-to resource for more than 2 billion monthly active users for the latest news, gossip, pick-me-up memes, hilarious videos and pictures of what your best friend had for dinner – will soon feature LESS content from businesses and news sources and MORE updates from friends, family members and groups. But worry not, business owners, CEOs and marketing managers – this is certainly not Facebook’s first algorithm change, nor will it be their last. Still, you may be wondering… what do these changes mean for your company?

Simply put… it’s means we’re all going to have to be MORE CREATIVE
(something we LOVE to do)!

That’s why it’s more important now than ever before to align yourself with a creative partner that can not only help you navigate the uncertain waters of Facebook’s latest evolution, but also to conceptualize and design content that’s intended to engage a more elusive audience. Social media marketing should always be intentional and strategic, rather than a fly by the seat of your pants approach – as one might employ in their own personal daily life. At Woodall Creative Group, we believe the key to continued social media success on Facebook will lie in the following:

The development of a more premeditated social media marketing strategy that involves engaging and interactive content. Facebook suggests that content that sparks conversations and meaningful interactions – such as live videos and events – will receive priority in the News Feed.
The adoption of the 80/20 rule to make your company a valued member of the Facebook community. 80% of your posts should reflect shareable content, uplifting posts, interesting facts and positive news, while only 20% of your posts will be dedicated to truly marketing your company or its products.
Convince people to “love” your company. They already “like” you – there’s no harm in asking them to opt to add your page to the “See First in the News Feed” in their setting preferences. This will help ensure that you don’t see a drop off in impressions.
Strike a more inviting tone and adopt a “soft sell” to a “hard sell” approach overall. Stop selling products and start marketing a lifestyle. Instead of wowing them with facts, give them a user-friendly experience they’ll remember – and hopefully even share with others.
Set aside a portion of your marketing budget to Facebook ads to gain a larger share of the audience for important marketing moments such as a product roll-out, limited time offer, special discounts and more.

Woodall Creative Group is keeping a proverbial finger on the pulse of these latest changes to the social media landscape. Through it all, we continue to be an excellent resource for businesses seeking to maneuver these changes and successfully reach their target. One thing is for certain, social media will continue to evolve in the coming months and years, but we have complete faith that online marketing will remain a strategic and cost-effective method for growing your brand’s recognition and reach. To learn more about Woodall Creative Group and the many ways we can help your company promote its unique brand – both in print and in the digital space – we invite you to visit us online at www.woodallc.wpengine.com