Stitch Social Media

23/08/2017

Now here's a clever way to keep those readers who would otherwise unsubscribe from your newsletter - simply give them more choice!

I just noticed this one from Madewell, who I think made the process very clear and simple. If you send lots of email newsletters and are losing subscribers, perhaps give this a try.

31/03/2017

It's time for your , our weekly round-up of the top social media stories this week. Here's what you need to know:

Facebook Stories (short, user-generated photo and video collections that disappear after 24 hours), roll out to all users: http://bit.ly/FBStoriesRollsOut

You're about to get a bit more space in your replies on Twitter, as it announces it will no longer count in replies as part of its 140 character limit: http://bit.ly/TwitterMentionsTweak

Did you see a rocket icon suddenly pop up in your Facebook app this week? Apparently it's part of their testing process for a new complementary feed, in response to user demand for more ways to discover content: http://bit.ly/FacebookRocketShip

You can now let your friends know exactly where you are (for an hour) with Messenger: http://bit.ly/MessengerLocation

Facebook may finally be about to embrace GIFs, as it tests the ability to add them to comments: http://bit.ly/FacebookGIFComments

31/03/2017

The weekend is approaching fast (hooray!), so it's time for - your window into what we've been up to, and into, over the past seven days.

Rachel
The London Craft Week programme was hot off the press this week. It's amazing how many incredible makers there are working in London, many of whom I know nothing about. I've been scrolling through trying to work out what to see and do; top contenders so far are the chance to make a scent with Ormonde Jayne or a Gin tutorial and tasting with Sipsmith.
http://bit.ly/LDNCraftWeek

Ellie
I was over the moon to be able to snap up the last ticket for one of only two performances of Jarvis Cocker and Chilly Gonzales' new album at the Barbican. Room 29 is a concept album, focusing on LA's legendary celeb hotel of choice, the Chateau Marmont. It was a fantastic blend of theatre, gig, and cinema and it made for a very classy evening indeed.
http://bit.ly/Room29Barbican

Kath
This week I've not been able to get Honey & Smoke restaurant in Great Portland Street out of my head. It's the newer, bigger sister to Honey & Co, and serves amazing middle Eastern food in a friendly, low key, and relaxed atmosphere. I went with some girlfriends a couple of weeks ago and can't wait to get back there again this weekend!
http://bit.ly/HoneyAndSmoke

Kerry
We've been loving "Goodnight stories for Rebel Girls", 100 inspiring bedtime stories for kids about 100 real women who have changed the world. http://bit.ly/FBRebelGirls

29/03/2017

Here at Stitch we are huge podcast fans; if you’re a regular reader of our feature, you’ll know that barely a month goes by without us waxing lyrical about our latest must-hear.

Whether they’re work-based, or otherwise, podcasts are a great way to grab yourself a little screen free time, to focus on listening to something without the need for visual stimulation. Plus they’re an ideal way to spend a commute (and way more worthwhile than the Metro…).

There are loads of social media podcasts out there, and they’re a fantastic way to take your skills to the next level. The best ones are packed with brilliant advice from marketing pros and fellow business owners.

But with so much choice, where do you start? Well below are our top 5, and if you find others you love, please add them in the comments below.

Happy listening/learning!

Social Media Pubcast with Jon Loomer
Jon’s a serious Facebook expert, and refreshingly honest and down to earth guy. His podcast features loads of practical Facebook tips, as well as ideas on blogging, entrepreneurship and SEO. Most episodes feature a chat with an expert over a virtual (or the occasional real) beer.
Average episode length 50 mins
www.jonloomer.com/pubcast

Online Marketing Made Easy with Amy Porterfield
Again, slightly more heavily focused on Facebook than other channels, but packed with loads of great practical advice on how to get the best from your online marketing efforts. Amy has a really breezy, approachable style (word of warning though, you may find her positivity a touch too much early in the morning…!) and the podcast features some great interviews too.
Average episode length 50 mins
www.amyporterfield.com

Social Media for Small Business with Cat Matson
If you’re looking for a break from podcasts from across the pond, try this one from top Aussie businesswomen Cat Matson and Suzi Dafnis. Pitched at just the right level for small business owners, there are regular social media news roundups, plus loads of great practical advice and how-to's on all of the big channels. We particularly like their interviews with small business owners sharing their experience of how social media has helped them to grow.
Average episode length 40 mins
http://apple.co/2niOcJP

Manly Pinterest Tips with Jeff Sieh
If you think Pinterest is all wedding dresses, baking and hair styling tips, think again! Manly Pinterest Tips is the only Pinterest podcast you need to get to grips with the network; featuring interviews with ‘power pinners’, and chock full of actionable tips on how to get your content to the right audience.
Average episode length 50 mins
http://manlypinteresttips.com/podcast

Social Media Examiner Show
If you’re after something a little more bite-sized, and very practical, try this short and snappy option. Each episode features a quick tip for you to take away and apply, or the low-down on a recent social media update. Sadly they haven't made one since August last year (perhaps focusing on the Social Media Marketing podcast instead - also good) but there are still 150 delightfully snackable, and still highly relevant, episodes to catch up on.
Average episode length 10 mins
http://bit.ly/SMExaminerPodcast

28/03/2017

There are now 2.8 billion people on social media worldwide.

That's one hell of a potential audience for your content.

But with the myriad of social networks out there, how do you know which ones to focus on for your business?

This handy infographic from Tracx is a good place to start: it breaks down the current state of social media demographics, establishing who is using each network and for what.

Struggling to keep up the constantly changing world of social media? Go here for the latest social media demographics and usage characteristics.

27/03/2017

A spot of for you, courtesy of the very wise Paulo Coelho.

24/03/2017

So many updates, so little time! Fear not, here's your , all you need to know from the world of social media this week:

Twitter could soon be introducing a paid subscription service offering advanced features for businesses: http://bit.ly/TwitterPaidSubscription

Instagram is working on a feature that will enable users to make bookings with businesses via the app: http://bit.ly/InstagramBookings

You can now express your emotions, and hassle unresponsive friends, on Facebook Messenger as reactions and @ mentions roll out: http://bit.ly/MessengerReactions

Instagram's 'shoppable' tags are now open to more US business. Surely only a matter of time before they cross the pond...? http://bit.ly/InstagramExpandsShoppingTags

Facebook rolls out its third-party fact-checking tool, alerting users to 'disputed content', aka fake news: http://bit.ly/FacebookDisputedTag

Instagram will now blur potentially offensive or disturbing content, and is adding two step authentication for logins: http://bit.ly/InstagramBlurScreen

23/03/2017

It's time for StitchLoves - our attempt to prove there's more to us than just social media, and hopefully to provide you with some inspiration for the forthcoming weekend.

Here's what we've been enjoying in the real world this week, ranging from culture to cauliflower (yes, we're an odd bunch!).

Sanam
I've just stumbled on The Other Fifty Percent podcast, which features inspirational stories from women professionals working in the field of film and tech. It's definitely making the school run more interesting!
http://bit.ly/Other50Percent

Rachel
This week, I'm making good on my pledge to see more of the UK and planning a trip to Hull. Why Hull? I hear you ask. Because Hull is the UK City of Culture 2017 and the city has put together 365 days of art, music and culture making it a great destination this year.
http://bit.ly/TriptoHull

Kerry
I loved the America after the Fall: Painting in the 1930s exhibition at the RA this week. Particularly the iconic, and beautiful "American Gothic" by Grant Wood.
http://bit.ly/AmericaAfterTheFall

Gilly
This week, we have guests coming and I’m taking the lazy option and trying a home-cooked meal delivered fresh and ready for the oven by a new local family run business called The Independence Market. Their goal is to help busy mums (and dads) by providing a delicious, nutritious home cooked meal, you can even order it on the same day, no need to sign up for repeat orders, and no pressure of a subscription.
http://bit.ly/IndependenceMarket

Ellie
I've been catching up with the current series of Inside Number 9 on BBC2. Brilliantly written by Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, the duo behind The League of Gentlemen, each episode takes place behind a door marked 9. It's darkly comic and deeply twisted, and for my money one of the most exciting things on TV at the moment.
http://bit.ly/InsideNumber9

Kath
This week I have to share my love for Pizza East's roasted cauliflower with harissa, topped with pomegranate: the most surprisingly delicious dish, and one which we now eat several times a week - including the kids. I'm now on the look out for more cauliflower-based dishes, and that's a sentiment that I would never have believed possible when I was a child!
http://bit.ly/YummyCauliflower

The art of 1930s America tells the story of a nation in flux. Artists responded to rapid social change and economic anxiety with some of the 20th century’s most powerful art - brought together now in this once…

22/03/2017

Everyone knows that visuals are a must these days. Big blocks of text are a total turn off, whereas images can get a blog post up to 94% more views.

But does your website rely too heavily on stock images?

The problem with stock photography is that it tends to be generic and even cheesy. It doesn't tell potential consumers anything about who you are, or provide any kind of hook to draw them in.

It used to be challenging to find alternatives to stock photography, but these days there are loads of options. Here are 12, mainly free, alternatives to stock imagery that will inject some more personality into your site, from the clever people at Tint.

Tired of using stock photography? Here are 12 alternatives you can use to enhance your content.

21/03/2017

Organic reach - that is the number of eyes you get on your content without paying for them - has been declining across all platforms for some time.

Why is this? Two big factors:
1) the sheer volume of content produced and number of businesses on social media have made news feeds ever more crammed and getting space in them increasingly competitive

2) the algorithms behind the feeds try to prioritise the content they think will interest them, so they won't see everything, even if they're a fan of your page

Fewer eyes on your posts means fewer clicks, comments, and shares. Not only does this result in fewer conversions, leads, and customers, it also means less engagement on your posts, which in turn affects the algorithm.

Until last year, posts on Instagram were displayed in a linear fashion. But since the (inevitable) introduction of an algorithm, businesses have had to up their game to try to get it to push their content to the top of people's feeds.

So, is it all doom and gloom? Not according to Hootsuite. They've put together a great little piece on how the Instagram algorithm works, and the 7 steps you can take to master it. Well worth a read.

We’re here to give you the low-down on the Instagram algorithm—what fuels it and how to master it when it comes to social media marketing for your business.

20/03/2017

Wise words indeed. Perfect if you need a gentle push this morning...

17/03/2017

Things move fast in the world of social media. If you're struggling to keep up with the latest news and updates, you'll love our .

Here are this week's top stories:

Facebook is facing a backlash from some of its chat app users, as WhatsApp and Messenger continue to clone Snapchat features: http://bit.ly/FBCloningBacklash

New Facebook 'Town Hall' feature connects users with government officials: http://bit.ly/FacebookTownHall

Twitter goes after Facebook and YouTube, tweaking its programming interface so that publishers can push video into the network whenever they like: http://bit.ly/TwitterLiveStreams

You can now make yourself (even) more attractive to employers as LinkedIn adds new editing tools and filters for profile pictures: http://bit.ly/LinkedInPic

And finally, McDonalds was not 'loving' losing control of its Twitter account, which saw hackers send a tweet labeling Trump a 'disgusting excuse of a president' and mocking his 'tiny hands': http://bit.ly/McDonaldsHacked

Some users are pushing back against new features Facebook copied from Snapchat.