Online Octopus

Online Octopus We'll show you the right direction to the Island of High Quality Customers

Why link posts get less reaches than other types? Simply saying Facebook has its favourite post types that get promote...
18/03/2021

Why link posts get less reaches than other types?

Simply saying Facebook has its favourite post types that get promoted better than the others.

It basically looks like this:
Links < Text < Image < Video < Live.

Remember though, it’s not always 100% rule.

If the link redirects you to the post on some blog where many users go and spend a significant amount of time it means that they really read it and ot's valuable.

In that case even links can get higher reaches than any boring live. It’s how and why people react that is more important than certain type of post in the end.

Of course there is a way to make your link post get much more engagement and higher reach. You just need to somehow make it interesting for users so they will click on the link.

Instead of just posting the link itself, try to also write something to encourage people to react.

For example: „Look at the paragraph no. 4, do you agree with this statement? Comment below what you think!".

Also make sure that the page you want to link is loading fast and if there are no annoying pop ups there. Such things make users exit page very quickly and Facebook reads their activity as worthless and cuts your reaches.

Another important thing is the length of an article. You need to know your users. Some of them might just never read anything longer than couple of sentences even if it is super valuable and interesting.

And last but not least - don't worry if your link post gains less reaches than a video or a picture. You should always have in mind that not only the number is important but also the type of people who read and appreciate our content.

What I mean is that some people like to watch videos, others like clicking the links. Even if you reach much less with your link post, those people who react are probably very unique and will give you high reaches, so it’s worth to communicate your message to such people as well.

To your success!

... And certainly doesn’t like to be treated like one! What is it then? How should we use it to get the results we want?...
12/01/2021

... And certainly doesn’t like to be treated like one!

What is it then?

How should we use it to get the results we want?

It’s a SOCIAL platform.
It most importantly cares about meaningful, honest reactions, positive experiences and engaging communication between brands and users.

Yeah, we know. It’s just a theory, but how does one achieve it?

Well, let’s start with things to avoid.

After doing hundreds of audits (mainly for dive schools and shops) We can tell there is one biggest mistake: Announcements

Don’t get us wrong.

There is nothing bad about posting a quick announcement from time to time. It's fine to tell people that you have the last spot on the boat for tomorrow’s dive tour or couple of last suits in your shop with a special price.

Although, the most important thing here is „from time to time”.

Literally every other dive center uses this kind of post too often and what’s even more surprising they do not see much of the effects.

Why?

Simply because Facebook doesn't like such posts and make them reach less people.

Users don't like not engaging content either and are not interested in reacting to it. It’s just another noise in this blaring world.

You will not be heard no matter how loud you scream.

Think about how can you announce your last spot for tour, new promotion in shop or whatever you want in more interesting way.

Do it in a way that is engaging and makes users actually give a damn about your post.

You probably now wonder how, so let us give you one quick example:

Let’s say there is one spot left for rescue diver course.

Instead of waiting for the last day to announce it as a last minute deal and putting your hopes in it, you can post an article about why the diver should take such course.

Later on you can post a video showing one skill from this course along with the explanation.

Don’t think it’s giving stuff for free and some people won’t come because they watched the free video. Such people would never take part in it anyway.

Consider such post as a value sharing opportunity for potential buyers. From my very own experience those videos can have the only one effect - sales boost.

As the last thing you can post a photo of a happy customer who recently finished this course with you.

Ask him to write a short review so you can put it in the post with that picture. It’s much more convincing for interested people than the last minute offer.

Forget about simple sales or announcement posts and create something that comes with an actual value.

Something that your customers don't scroll down, but stop and react.

Let us know in comments if you have any success with such announcement posts and how often do you use it.

What do you like to do the most while scrolling Facebook?Do you watch videos? Read articles? Preview pictures? Or maybe ...
27/10/2020

What do you like to do the most while scrolling Facebook?

Do you watch videos? Read articles? Preview pictures? Or maybe you take part in lives?

It doesn't really matter, because each and every user likes different type of content.

If you want your posts to reach as many people as possible, you should mix the content you share on your Fanpage.

Even if your video from the last reef dive is Hollywood quality I would probably skip it while scrolling, because I don’t really watch videos on Facebook.

But other users do and they might be your customers.

So despite you may see lower reaches under some types of content that you're posting, you shouldn’t stop posting it.

Maybe do it less often but do not quit.

Quitting will mean that you may never reach those users who acutally like videos because they might not be interested in your photos or articles however great those would be.

Normally, when it comes to the content that reaches the highest number of people it goes like this: Lives > Videos > Pictures > Text > Links.

Although as I said before it might be different for each page and niche since everybody is different.

It’s your job as a business owner to know what do your customers like.

How can you check it?

There are two ways and both of them are fairly good.

If your audience is close to you and is engaged you can create a simple poll and ask people what do they want to see on your page.

Second option is to click on your posts history and check what type of content gathered higher number of engagement and reach combined.

Don't care about post that has high reach when its engagement rating is embarrassingly low.

Also! The most important part is that you need to enjoy what you are producing for your fans.

If they like videos the most but your camera records in bad quality and your video montage skills are bad and make you annoyed every time you have to do it, you should think about hiring someone to do it for you.

It may costs you something but it will surely bring you back paying customers.

Whatever you decide to communicate to your audience always remember to mix diverse types of content.

You can even post the same thing but in different types.

One time show some photos from that dive, another time show a video, next ask your customer to say something nice about that dive and record a live or write an article about what you have done underwater and share a link to your blog/webpage.

It may sound like a lot of work, but again, it brings paying customers.

To your success!

Would you like to get an access to free, weekly knowledge about Social Media? We guess that yes :) So go on quickly and ...
12/10/2020

Would you like to get an access to free, weekly knowledge about Social Media?

We guess that yes :)

So go on quickly and add yourself to this group -->. https://www.facebook.com/groups/onlineoctopus

Please answer all the questions and you will be accepted in no time!

To your success!

All you need to know about hashtags.Before we start let’s explain what hashtag is. Introduced by the number sign, or has...
27/07/2020

All you need to know about hashtags.

Before we start let’s explain what hashtag is.
Introduced by the number sign, or hash symbol, #, it’s a type of metadata tag used on social networks. It’s simply keyword assigned to a piece of information on the internet.

Why should you use them?
It’s even simpler then hashtag itself - It helps you promote yourself and ranks you higher in search engines.

Although!
It’s crucial to use them correctly if you want to GROW
There are tones of useless informations and misconceptions about hashtags, so why would you trust us?

All of our knowledge about hashtags comes from real life experience running dive center’s Social Media profiles
Hashtags work way better on Instagram then Facebook

Yeah. I was surprised too, but actually very few people use hashtags to search stuff on Facebook while a lot of them does it everyday on Instagram. That’s where you should focus on hashtags.

Do they cut your reaches if you use them on Facebook?
Well, it’s hard to say - but for sure they does not help and in longer run probably will affect reaches in rather bad
way.
Don’t use the same hashtags over and over again.

If you do so you will be reaching the same people all the time. There will be very small chance of getting new fans and grow. You need to change couple of hashtags from time to time and put something completely new.
See what’s trending right now.

Before you post something check what are your ideal customers crazy about on that moment in Social Media. Try to relate your content to that so you can hashtag it.
Own a hashtag

Create your very own hashtag (or more if you want and need, but we strongly suggest to start with just one) and use it with your every post - that one do not need to be changed.
Hashtags must be related to what’s in the photo/movie or what’s in description

If you use hashtags that are not related to what you posted sooner or later somebody will report this and you will be flagged as spammer. That will cause HUGE cut of reaches.
Remember that every profile is unique and sometimes what works for one may not work for other, but when it comes to hashtags those five rules always worked for us.

If you liked that please answer those questions in comments:

What are your experiences with hashtags?
Did you face any problems when hashtagging?

DIFFERENT CHANNEL = DIFFERENT CONTENTAnother common mistake made in Social Media management is copy pasting the same con...
23/06/2020

DIFFERENT CHANNEL = DIFFERENT CONTENT

Another common mistake made in Social Media management is copy pasting the same content for every social channel your brand run.

Why is that so bad?

There is a reason why there is more than just one social platform, and despite appearances it's very simple. Each channel has its own style and recipients.

Users have different expectations from different channels so they won't be willing to look everywhere at the same things.

There is no such kind of content to fit in on each channel, and even if you could magically find one, people will get bored very quickly because there will be no need for them to look at both (or more) of your channels.

For example - if you have some long article in mind, post it on Facebook. People will surely appreciate your knowledge and valuable content. But on the other hand, if you just made an ass-kicking photo underwater - don't hesitate to brag a bit about it on Instagram.

We are aware that sometimes it can mean more work to do, but first of all - it's worth it, and secondly - it doesn't necessarily have to be something completely different. Sometimes it's manner and way of showing things that's important.

The other way is if you run more than one social channel, you can post things a little bit less often. Also, you can use different channels to "advertise" things from the other of your platforms.

For example, if you have some nice and long video to put on Youtube, you can make a shorter version of it and post it on your FB page and tell people it will be available in full length on Youtube on the next day.

While changing the kind of your content, you should remember about your brand communication strategy. This is the only thing that should stay the same everywhere. ;)

Growth in Social Media. Recently under that post in our group Free Facebook Tips for Scuba Industry by Online Octopus we...
29/05/2020

Growth in Social Media.

Recently under that post in our group Free Facebook Tips for Scuba Industry by Online Octopus we had a discussion about growth in social media.

We decided to write more about this topic because understanding growth can be misleading, and requires some social media marketing (SMM) knowledge.

Generally growth is understood as getting more and more fans, followers, subscribers etc. Many people assume that doing so will bring them more business and even more profit.
In reality it works that way only if audience will be as valuable and engaged as it is big.

So how does one find such audience?

Well, one of the worst things that you can do (and unfortunately many businesses nowadays do that, because they have no idea about SMM) is just to buy fans from some company.

Why is it the worst thing? Because even if you will get real users they will be totally random people, not interested in anyway in what you do.

If you are lucky they maybe will like something from time to time and your total engagement will be decreasing slowly before you notice.

In the worst case scenario, which also is more likely to happen, those users will not give a single damn about your posts and your reaches will drop quickly.

Sooner or later those users will get annoyed about your content because as I said - they are random people, and then they will start to unlike you page or profile.

If you are really unlucky there may come random bad reviews, troll comments and one day your page will be blocked (we personally know Dive Centers that had such situation)

To build bigger but also valuable and engaged audience you must know your user. You need to know what he or she likes to watch and do in social media. You have to engage them and get them to love you for who you are and for what you do.

That process is slow, sometimes hard, and can be a bit boring. But there is a way to fasten and easier things up. And it’s called Facebook Advertising.

Is it that easy? Well, as everything - it depends. Paid advertising on Facebook is a lot more than just hitting „boost” button.

We already shared a post here @ about why that technique does not work. For an Ad to work as it should you are supposed to use a special tool called Ads Manager.

Ads Manager can look easy to use on a first glimpse but if you want to get high result you should know special tricks and hacks.

What are those tricks and hacks? Well first and in our humble opinion one of the most important things is that you should have solid and well planned marketing strategy.

It’s very common mistake - and it’s not only in SMM, but in marketing generally - lack of the strategical plan of your marketing and communication with a customer.

If your marketing actions are chaotic and you don’t really know why you do what you do then don’t expect to sell anything. Advertising is a bit like „war”. The strategy is much more important than your resources, size and strength.

Another important hack is that you should focus much more on choosing your Advertising Objective than targeting audience.

It is because FB algorithm is so clever that it helps you to find your users even if you make some mistakes in targeting, but first thing you need to know before targeting is what you want your user to do when he will see an Ad.

Right Ads Objective can save you a lot of $ and optimize your Ad so it will bring even 5-10 times more than you invested. Having good strategy and planned communication will help you a lot with choosing the correct Ads Objective for your audience.

So how can you develop a strategy? Start with very simple questions. Ask yourself WHY do you dive? WHY did you become scuba educator? What is your mission as dive center?

Comment answers to those questions and we will help you with the next step to develop your marketing strategy. And when that happens we can talk about consulting in Ads Manager 📷

To your success!

Communication during crisis 🗣 Many think that marketing funds and efforts during crisis can be lowered or totally cut of...
20/05/2020

Communication during crisis 🗣

Many think that marketing funds and efforts during crisis can be lowered or totally cut off since "nobody will buy anyway".

Well, if you think so, you couldn't be more wrong!
Marketing and especially Social Media Communication are one of the most important fields to invest during crisis!

Why? Because companies that are loud and on the mouth during the hard times will become the companies that SELL LIKE CRAZY during the good times.

Our dive center Szkoła Nurkowania Ośmiornica is the best example.

In March when lockdown started we didn't decrease Facebook Ad spent. We kept in on the same level and we even doubled our efforts in organic posting.

What happened by the end of April when diving became possible again?

We had our biggest sale in 2020.
We closed client for Technical Sidemount Course + sold him needed equipment. Needles to say -> 2K EUR in profit

How to achieve the same results for your dive center?
Show people that YOU ARE DOING GOOD during these not-so-good times.

Show them that YOU CARE ABOUT SAFETY when so many people break restrictions.

Give them some FREE KNOWLEDGE so when they will be bored they will have some scuba education to do.

Try not to moan or beg for sales. BE HAPPY because diving is all about feeling great and having fun and that's what YOUR AUDIENCE want to see.

Here is our idea for Real Time Marketing during lockdown - feel free to redo it for your own dive center.

Adres

Gdansk
80-298

Telefon

+48724132850

Strona Internetowa

Ostrzeżenia

Bądź na bieżąco i daj nam wysłać e-mail, gdy Online Octopus umieści wiadomości i promocje. Twój adres e-mail nie zostanie wykorzystany do żadnego innego celu i możesz zrezygnować z subskrypcji w dowolnym momencie.

Skontaktuj Się Z Firmę

Wyślij wiadomość do Online Octopus:

Skróty

Udostępnij

Kategoria

Feeling lost in Social Media Ocean?

All those likes, shares, comments, fan pages and ads give you headache?

Well... We are here to help! Social Media can be mysterious place, like ocean itself, but it won't be if you know how to dive in.

We have been in the same place where you are right now. Lost, afraid and unsure but we knew what Facebook is capable of!

7 years ago, when we started our dive center, we were joining the market which were already divided by 3 big dive centers which were there for over 10 years before us.