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In this month’s social media roundup:

• Instagram's new gift card stickers

• "The New Facebook"

• LinkedIn poll posts

• Pinterest's new dates and notes features

• Twitter's month of Tweet ideas for brands

…and more!

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New gift card and food order stickers for IG Stories

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The COVID-19 pandemic has caused businesses in all sectors to adjust, including the big social media companies. One of the most interesting features that have resulted from the crisis so far are Instagram’s new stickers for Stories geared toward helping small businesses. This includes a gift card and a food order sticker for applicable businesses, as well as a Support Small Business sticker that provides broader reach through the corresponding Story on IG.

Interested in using the gift card feature? You will need to go through an approved partner.

A bunch of other interesting Instagram features have been rolled out in recent weeks, too:

• Donation stickers are available to all users in Stories. Businesses can set up donation stickers, too, but the campaign must be initiated by an individual on Facebook first.

• Donations are also now available via Instagram Live.

These resources are also now available:

• Instagram COVID-19 Resource Hub for Businesses

• How to Use Instagram Stories to Foster Authentic Connections

• How to Use Instagram Direct to Answer Questions and Provide Reassurance

• How Businesses Can Use IGTV During COVID-19

• Instagram for Business COVID-19 Playbook: PDF Guide

"The New Facebook" is rolling out now

Another major Facebook update is rolling out right now!

Introduced at the F8 Conference in 2019, the interface update is called “The New Facebook.” The design places way more emphasis on group and private interactions, which makes sense since Zuckerberg and Co. have said for a few years that they want to improve the way they accommodate these user preferences.

Some things that stand out:

• Bigger emphasis on Groups and Events

• News Feed is less dominant (but still seems to play a major role)

• Cleaner, brighter overall design that comes with a Dark mode option, too

Want to get the new Facebook now?

According to pocket-lint.com, you can update your mobile app now, as well as navigating to the top-right menu on desktop and looking for the “Switch to New Facebook” option. If you don’t see the option yet, it will likely appear soon!

What will people think?

TBD… Facebook updates have always been met with mixed reactions, including some loud negative comments online (of course). However, this design has many strategic benefits that could help Facebook in the long run. Time will tell!

What does it mean for brands?

As we’ve said for a while now, brands need to have a strategy for private and semi-private interactions on Facebook. If you haven’t before, now is the time to take a serious look at brand-managed Facebook Groups (or joining and participating in Groups as your Page).

Poll posts are coming to LinkedIn

LinkedIn wants you to ask for your networks’ opinions!

The new polls feature is very similar to Twitter’s polling options:

Curious what people think? LinkedIn Polls can help: https://t.co/IHQJoM8p3r pic.twitter.com/6MVjtD5sTG

— LinkedIn (@LinkedIn) May 12, 2020

Here’s what you need to know:

• Question can have up to 4 answer options

• Duration is between 24 hours to 2 weeks.

• A post is included with the poll and accepts hashtags

• Poll can be shared directly to connections, in Groups, and across the LinkedIn network

This feature is rolling out over the next several weeks on mobile and desktop.

Dates and notes features coming to Pinterest Boards

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Pinterest has some cool new features rolling out around the theme of “better planning,” including:

• Notes – Jot down details like a to-do list, ingredients needed for recipes, or anything you need.

• Dates – Track a project’s timeline, then archive the board once finished.

• Suggested sub-boards – Pinterest will suggest sections to better organize cluttered board.

• Suggested templates –After creating a new board, Pinterest will ask what it’s for and suggest some popular pins to get you started.

These features are rolling out now on desktop and mobile.

A month of Tweet ideas for brands

The Twitter team just launched a useful “Month of Tweets” infographic, along with an interactive PDF, so you can plan a month of strong engagement. Try it out!

More Links to Check Out

• Pray #WithMe: Connect online with your faith community (YouTube blog)

• The Influencer Economy Hurtles Toward Its First Recession (WIRED)

• Check out a new Snaptchat AR lens based on Damien Hirst spin art paintings (Snap blog)

• Introducing Messenger Rooms and More Ways to Connect When You're Apart (FB)

• Shopify merchants can now quickly turn their catalogs into shoppable Pins (Search Engine Land)

• Trending searches on Pinterest for April 2020 | Pinterest Business (Pinterest Business blog)

• Check Out Facebook’s Virtual Graduation Hub for the Class of 2020 (FB)

• How Snapchatters are adjusting to a “new normal” (Snapchat Business blog)

• LinkedIn announces Video Intro and AI-powered interview feedback to help job seekers and hirers (LinkedIn News)

• The 5 Company Responses to Coronavirus That Resonated the Most on LinkedIn (LinkedIn Business Blog)

• Pinterest launches partnership with Shopify (Pinterest Newsroom)

• Download (form required) the social media index report (Sprout Social)

Looking for More Social Media Help?

The expert team at Dooley Social Studio helps brands get attention by being thoughtful about how they give it. Our goal is to make every social interaction with your company a remarkable one. Get in touch to find out how a partnership with Dooley Social Studio can grow your brand.

Catch up on last month's social media updates (April 2020) →

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