Read the digital room, kthxbai
And other interesting links
I’m back from Nashville, all moved into my new place, and mostly unpacked. At least, my rental bins are emptied. I had a great time in Nashville for qualifiers. It was wonderful to see my coffee friends and I did a fashion photo thread on Twitter. Once I’m a little more settled in, I’ll be able to take on some new consulting clients & photo gigs. The consult banner is back at the bottom of this issue and you can schedule consult times starting in February.
Happy year of the rat! It’s coming up this weekend. 🐀
Read the digital room, kthxbai
“Read the room” is a common phrase when talking about analyzing an audience while you’re the speaker. In case you’re unfamiliar with the phrase, you take into account nonverbal and verbal cues from the people you’re around and adjust your words accordingly. A good example of this would be that if you’re at a posh dinner party, avoiding sharing intimate details about your life (unless, of course, that’s the topic- and that’s where you’d “read the room” to adjust your words).
The digital world, despite its easier access to people around the world, is still the same. I think people forget about etiquette and niceties when they approach a stranger online. In person, you’d never walk up to someone you’ve never met and ask, “Hey, so, can I pick your brain about this article you once wrote?” Something – anything – would be before that ask. An introduction of yourself, what you’re hoping to gain from the conversation, even compensation.
Having a screen in front of you doesn’t excuse you from behaving like an ungrateful asker. This topic has been in the back of my head for a while now because I try very hard to communicate where I’m at for work. Doing basic research, whether via pinned tweets, IG highlights, or scrolling just the last few posts, would tell you exactly where I’m at.
“What does a coffee marketer do?” is a question I’ve been asked by someone I’ve never talked to and it’s directly answered on my homepage. It leaves a sour taste in my mouth when someone devalues my time so much that they would not take two seconds to click through to my website to understand me a little more before just asking. At the time of this question, I had no energy to do a full explanation and it was very clear in my profile that I wasn’t able to handle extra tasks.
Read the [digital] room. Apply this when you’re researching potential influencers, press contacts, and sending out promotional content during hot political moments. Perhaps someone is going through a tough time or recently moved (hi, both are me). Or someone switched jobs or is taking a break from employment. Doing basic research is respectful to any potential connection and it shows you value them.
Quick text updates & links on what's new on the networks
Twitter confirmed that it will not be adding an edit button anytime soon. It’s working on a way to define an organic audience for tweets and limit replies.
Instagram added three new Boomerang modes & ability to trim them. It removed the IGTV button. It’s testing a new maps sticker for stories, managing DMs on desktop, and tipping & reputation scores. The network’s VP of product talked about how the hidden likes have been working out.
Facebook added a new page management history in tools.
Helpful links on how to improve your digital marketing
How to Use Short Videos to Turn Prospects Into Customers
Learn how to create short, cost-effective videos to help convince people to purchase your product or service.
www.socialmediaexaminer.com • Share
Snapchat vs. TikTok: What Marketers Need to Know
Snapchat? TikTok? Both are prominent apps used by Gen Z, but which is used more? We asked consumers to tell us which they were logging into most often.
How to Write Persuasive Instagram Ads, Captions, and Bios
Find techniques for writing compelling Instagram ads, captions, and bios that deliver results.
www.socialmediaexaminer.com • Share
Anything I've enjoyed reading recently
Coffee shops in gentrifying neighborhoods: Why design matters
In LA, choosing where to buy coffee is about more than what that soy latte tastes like. “I’ll go to a spot where the coffee may not be that good, but the vibe is right. … I’ll just continue going back there because I’m comfortable here,”…
[long, emotional, but very good read] Envy over her success led her husband, also a writer, to become violent. She fights every day for her safety — and to avoid being relegated to obscurity like so many writers who are mothers.
The people trying to save scents from extinction
The smells of ordinary life, from traditional pubs to old books, are part of our culture and heritage – and many of them are in danger of being lost.
An update from my container garden!
Started from a cutting that my friend shipped to me from Portland. It's a prayer plant (name unknown) and its backside is a lovely deep purple.
What'd you think?
Feedback, questions, or fist bumps 👊 – send them my way by hitting the reply button. Also happy with the 👍 at the end. Or find me on the social networks @thejennchen.
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By Jenn Chen
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