When planning an epic event, you want everyone to know about it to ensure an excellent turnout. Aside from getting people through the door, you want them keen and excited. You're probably buried deep in figuring out how to create a buzz and build interest. Although you may have the whole kit, including social media,

email marketing

, and webinars, you must do something different from the usual to help your event stand out. Below are four creative ways to make your next event the talk of the town.

1. Create Anticipation

Creating anticipation around your event will lead to a powerful force called

FOMO

the Fear of Missing Out. You've probably felt it at some point. It's like when you think you might be missing out on something super awesome and are eager to jump in. You can use this trick to amp up the excitement for your event. Show people why they absolutely can't miss it. Start by sharing high-quality pictures and engaging videos from your past events with captions like "You've got to be there!" To turn up the FOMO factor even more, you can give them a little taste of what's coming up, like a sneak peek of the event or quick chats with your awesome speakers. Share some juicy highlights so people can see how exciting and insightful the event will be. That is how you get them buzzing.

2. Score Big Savings with Early Bird Registration

Everybody's getting savvy these days and always looking for the best deal. Let people know they are in for significant savings when they sign up for your event early. Offer a special discount code for every early signee and spread the word everywhere - in your videos, on social media, through email, you name it. However, this deal should not last forever. Make it a limited-time offer. This way, people will be motivated to get their tickets knowing they've missed their chance once the expiration date arrives or you run out of tickets,

3. Join Forces with Other Brands and Sponsors

Sometimes, joining forces with others is the best way to get the word out about your event. First, consider having event sponsors who are excited to help spread the word about your event. But that's not all; collaborate with influencers and cool companies for brand collaboration and partnerships. They'll give your event a shout-out to their own audience, and that's a win-win.

The people you partner with will largely depend on your industry or line of business. For instance, if you run a travel agency and decide to host a tourism event in

Vermilion

, engaging organizations like Discover West Tourism to assist you with your event promotion will prove helpful. They can help boost your reach and amplify your upcoming event. It's all about reaching people who may not have heard about your event yet.

4. Create a Unique Brand for Your Event

Giving your event its distinct brand is a nifty trick to make it stand out. You can take a page from Hubspot's book with their INBOUND event. INBOUND, for instance, is more than just a gathering for their customers. It's a place for any marketing, sales, or service pro looking to up their game. The key here is to

separate your event brand

from your company brand. That means a new website, fresh colors, and a different messaging style. It's all about drawing people who might know your company but are all in for your event.

Let's face it: the Internet has drastically changed the way that we shop for everything from sneakers to carry out.

In fact, most people now start their searches online. And oftentimes, this includes scouring through reviews that others have publicly posted.

No billboard, online ad, or marketing strategy has as much credibility as the word-of-mouth of someone who has purchased a product or service.

For brands, customers posting positive reviews are real-life celebrities and influencers with the power to make - or break - their businesses. They offer authentic insight that no marketing campaign could even come close to.

At the end of the day, however, asking customers to spread the word is one thing. leveraging them is a different ball game altogether.

Here's everything you need to know about how to successfully cull reviews and use them to improve your brand presence, as well as what to do when the unthinkable happens and someone leaves you a less-than-stellar review.

How to Collect More Customer Reviews

Jay Baer notes, "It's good business to ask your customers to provide reviews, as long as it isn't too aggressive or a quid-pro-quo."

That means finding ways to encourage people to post reviews voluntarily.

Here are a few strategic ways to start culling more reviews for your business:

Provide outstanding customer service, as well as a superb product or service. This in and of itself gives people a good reason to post a positive review.

Don't be afraid to ask people for their feedback. If you provide them with a forum where they feel valued and that their voices will be heard, you will be amazed at how helpful many people will be.

Offer incentives on future purchases. Try things like a chance to win a prize or exclusive access to a can't miss offer. Just keep in mind that whatever you do should motivate customers without going against the review platform's guidelines.

Make it easy for people to leave feedback. Streamline the testimonial-sharing process with a user-friendly feedback form on your website. You might also consider sending a follow-up email with a link to a review platform. Think of a way that enables customers to share their thoughts effortlessly.

Encourage people to leave reviews in multiple places. Think beyond Google reviews because people also check places like Yelp, Facebook, and Instagram too. Educate people about the options and provide them with routes to reach them (through emails and platform links).

OF NOTE: Keep in mind that review sites aren't designed to be one-size-fits all. For example, sites like Yelp won't be very helpful for an e-commerce seller. It's important to identify which platforms make sense for your unique business.

How to Use Your Newfound Reviews to Maximize Your Digital Footprint Online

Collecting customer reviews is only one step in the reputation management process, however. The real results come when potential new customers actually see these reviews.

Here are some of the most popular ways to ensure that your business's reviews are visible at the right place and the right time:

Display customer reviews prominently on your website. Try banners, pop ups, sliders and widgets. You may even want to consider creating a dedicated section to showcase them.

Create social media posts and videos that feature glowing reviews and post them frequently to maximize your reach across platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Create paid targeted social media ads from your reviews, and then showcase them to people who are already interested in what your business has to offer.

If you publish newsletters or push out email promos, also consider featuring a testimonial or 2 there as well.

How to Deal with Negative Reviews

Unfortunately you can't please everyone, and you are likely going to get some bad reviews here and there.

First and foremost, when this happens, do NOT panic!

Businesses that have all 5-star reviews aren't seen as genuine or authentic, since it's impossible ...

Let's face it: the Internet has drastically changed the way that we shop for everything from sneakers to carry out.

In fact, most people now start their searches online. And oftentimes, this includes scouring through reviews that others have publicly posted.

No billboard, online ad, or marketing strategy has as much credibility as the word-of-mouth of someone who has purchased a product or service.

For brands, customers posting positive reviews are real-life celebrities and influencers with the power to make - or break - their businesses. They offer authentic insight that no marketing campaign could even come close to.

At the end of the day, however, asking customers to spread the word is one thing. leveraging them is a different ball game altogether.

Here's everything you need to know about how to successfully cull reviews and use them to improve your brand presence, as well as what to do when the unthinkable happens and someone leaves you a less-than-stellar review.

How to Collect More Customer Reviews

Jay Baer notes, "It's good business to ask your customers to provide reviews, as long as it isn't too aggressive or a quid-pro-quo."

That means finding ways to encourage people to post reviews voluntarily.

Here are a few strategic ways to start culling more reviews for your business:

Provide outstanding customer service, as well as a superb product or service. This in and of itself gives people a good reason to post a positive review.

Don't be afraid to ask people for their feedback. If you provide them with a forum where they feel valued and that their voices will be heard, you will be amazed at how helpful many people will be.

Offer incentives on future purchases. Try things like a chance to win a prize or exclusive access to a can't miss offer. Just keep in mind that whatever you do should motivate customers without going against the review platform's guidelines.

Make it easy for people to leave feedback. Streamline the testimonial-sharing process with a user-friendly feedback form on your website. You might also consider sending a follow-up email with a link to a review platform. Think of a way that enables customers to share their thoughts effortlessly.

Encourage people to leave reviews in multiple places. Think beyond Google reviews because people also check places like Yelp, Facebook, and Instagram too. Educate people about the options and provide them with routes to reach them (through emails and platform links).

OF NOTE: Keep in mind that review sites aren't designed to be one-size-fits all. For example, sites like Yelp won't be very helpful for an e-commerce seller. It's important to identify which platforms make sense for your unique business.

How to Use Your Newfound Reviews to Maximize Your Digital Footprint Online

Collecting customer reviews is only one step in the reputation management process, however. The real results come when potential new customers actually see these reviews.

Here are some of the most popular ways to ensure that your business's reviews are visible at the right place and the right time:

Display customer reviews prominently on your website. Try banners, pop ups, sliders and widgets. You may even want to consider creating a dedicated section to showcase them.

Create social media posts and videos that feature glowing reviews and post them frequently to maximize your reach across platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

Create paid targeted social media ads from your reviews, and then showcase them to people who are already interested in what your business has to offer.

If you publish newsletters or push out email promos, also consider featuring a testimonial or 2 there as well.

How to Deal with Negative Reviews

Unfortunately you can't please everyone, and you are likely going to get some bad reviews here and there.

First and foremost, when this happens, do NOT panic!

Businesses that have all 5-star reviews aren't seen as genuine or authentic, since it's impossible ...

Over the years, influencer collaborations have become a game-changer for both large and small brands. and the numbers certainly don't lie.

In fact, in 2022 alone, the global influencer marketing market was valued at a whopping $16.4 billion, more than double its value in 2019.

Choosing the Right Influencer: It's All About Relevance & Authority

When it comes to influencer collaborations, it's not about the follower count: it's about finding the perfect fit.

Here's the secret sauce: relevance and authority.

Relevance: Look for influencers who align with your brand's values, target audience, and overall impact. For instance, think of the magical partnership between Chrissy Teigen and the beauty brand BECCA, or how lifestyle blogger Kate La Vie nailed it when promoting Naked Juice. When there's a natural connection, your brand message resonates more effectively.

Authority: The number of followers an influencer has can impact your campaign's success. While celebrity influencers might be out of reach for some, don't underestimate the power of micro-influencers. Take Tom's of Maine, for example. They leveraged micro-influencers and saw a jaw-dropping 600% increase in consumer engagement. Big or small, authority matters.

To identify the right influencers, you can manually follow industry leaders on social media or rely on handy tools like BuzzStream, BuzzSumo, Hunter, Pitchbox, and Influencity. These tools do the heavy lifting, providing a list of relevant and authoritative influencers.

Getting Noticed: Start with Authentic Engagement

Sending a random email requesting collaboration might not be the best approach. Influencers receive countless requests, and yours might get lost in the noise.

To stand out, start with authentic engagement:

Follow them on social media

Engage with their posts by liking, sharing, or leaving thoughtful comments

Be consistent but avoid overdoing it

As Lee Odden suggests, do your research and find common ground in terms of shared goals. Authentic engagement will make influencers notice you, setting the stage for meaningful relationships, even if it's a paid collaboration.

Reaching Out Creatively: Crafting Your Message

Once you've caught their attention, it's time to reach out creatively. Avoid generic direct messages or emails. Trust me, influencers receive plenty of those daily.

Here are some tips for effective outreach:

Make your first encounter as organic as possible

Craft an impactful headline to grab their attention

Clearly mention the deal, whether it's products or monetary compensation

Highlight shared values and motivations

Personalize your message; automated tools lack the human touch

Diverse Forms of Collaboration: Think Beyond the Basics

Influencer marketing is more than just social media posts and videos. Explore diverse forms of collaboration:

Guest posts with brand mentions on their websites

Interviews and webinars to create engaging content

Modular approaches with multiple influencers

Building Long-Term Relationships: Nurture, Nurture, Nurture

Influencer partnerships are like any other relationships. they need nurturing. Don't take a set-and-forget approach. Stay engaged, share their content, and show appreciation. Your goal is to keep the door open for future opportunities.

Authenticity Is the Key

Influencer partnerships thrive on shared values and mutual benefits. When choosing influencers, focus on relevance and authority, but also ensure they genuinely care about your brand. That's the secret sauce for long-lasting, successful collaborations.

Remember, influencer marketing is more than a numbers game. It's about building real connections that benefit both parties.

So go ahead, find your perfect influencer match, and watch your brand shine!

Over the years, influencer collaborations have become a game-changer for both large and small brands. and the numbers certainly don't lie.

In fact, in 2022 alone, the global influencer marketing market was valued at a whopping $16.4 billion, more than double its value in 2019.

Choosing the Right Influencer: It's All About Relevance & Authority

When it comes to influencer collaborations, it's not about the follower count: it's about finding the perfect fit.

Here's the secret sauce: relevance and authority.

Relevance: Look for influencers who align with your brand's values, target audience, and overall impact. For instance, think of the magical partnership between Chrissy Teigen and the beauty brand BECCA, or how lifestyle blogger Kate La Vie nailed it when promoting Naked Juice. When there's a natural connection, your brand message resonates more effectively.

Authority: The number of followers an influencer has can impact your campaign's success. While celebrity influencers might be out of reach for some, don't underestimate the power of micro-influencers. Take Tom's of Maine, for example. They leveraged micro-influencers and saw a jaw-dropping 600% increase in consumer engagement. Big or small, authority matters.

To identify the right influencers, you can manually follow industry leaders on social media or rely on handy tools like BuzzStream, BuzzSumo, Hunter, Pitchbox, and Influencity. These tools do the heavy lifting, providing a list of relevant and authoritative influencers.

Getting Noticed: Start with Authentic Engagement

Sending a random email requesting collaboration might not be the best approach. Influencers receive countless requests, and yours might get lost in the noise.

To stand out, start with authentic engagement:

Follow them on social media

Engage with their posts by liking, sharing, or leaving thoughtful comments

Be consistent but avoid overdoing it

As Lee Odden suggests, do your research and find common ground in terms of shared goals. Authentic engagement will make influencers notice you, setting the stage for meaningful relationships, even if it's a paid collaboration.

Reaching Out Creatively: Crafting Your Message

Once you've caught their attention, it's time to reach out creatively. Avoid generic direct messages or emails. Trust me, influencers receive plenty of those daily.

Here are some tips for effective outreach:

Make your first encounter as organic as possible

Craft an impactful headline to grab their attention

Clearly mention the deal, whether it's products or monetary compensation

Highlight shared values and motivations

Personalize your message; automated tools lack the human touch

Diverse Forms of Collaboration: Think Beyond the Basics

Influencer marketing is more than just social media posts and videos. Explore diverse forms of collaboration:

Guest posts with brand mentions on their websites

Interviews and webinars to create engaging content

Modular approaches with multiple influencers

Building Long-Term Relationships: Nurture, Nurture, Nurture

Influencer partnerships are like any other relationships. they need nurturing. Don't take a set-and-forget approach. Stay engaged, share their content, and show appreciation. Your goal is to keep the door open for future opportunities.

Authenticity Is the Key

Influencer partnerships thrive on shared values and mutual benefits. When choosing influencers, focus on relevance and authority, but also ensure they genuinely care about your brand. That's the secret sauce for long-lasting, successful collaborations.

Remember, influencer marketing is more than a numbers game. It's about building real connections that benefit both parties.

So go ahead, find your perfect influencer match, and watch your brand shine!

Let's talk about a secret that your favorite creators and brands swear by - content repurposing.

You see, creating fresh content every single day is neither practical nor necessary, even for those with deep pockets and a sizable team.

Instead, the real magic lies in repurposing content, taking one piece and giving it new life in various forms across different platforms.

Why Should You Care About Content Repurposing?

Before we dive into how to do it, let's address the "why." There are several compelling reasons why content repurposing is a game-changer:

Maximize Your Investment - Content creation consumes precious resources - time, money, and effort. With content repurposing, you can extract maximum value from every piece of content. Imagine creating a blog post and then turning it into YouTube Shorts, IG Reels, and TikTok Scripts. It's like getting more bang for your buck.

Breathe Life into Underperformers - We've all been there - investing in a project that falls short of expectations. Content repurposing offers a second chance. You can tweak and repost content without breaking the bank on something entirely new. Plus, experimenting with different formats on various platforms often yields surprising results.

Expand Your Reach - Repurposing content exposes your work to new audiences. People who missed your content when it first came out, whether that was three months or a year ago, get a chance to discover and engage with it. This boosts your online presence and activity.

Now, let's clarify a few things.

What Content Repurposing Is Not - Content repurposing isn't just about shifting content from one platform to another

What Content Repurposing Actually Is - Content repurposing is about adapting it to suit the medium and audience preferences

So, now then the question becomes: how does content repurposing differ from cross-marketing or republishing?

Repurposing vs. Cross-Marketing vs. Republishing

Repurposing involves reshaping existing content while considering the platform and audience. It's about understanding what works best on each platform and tailoring your content accordingly. For instance, you can transform a YouTube video into bite-sized clips for YouTube Shorts.

On the other hand, cross-marketing is simply posting the same content across different platforms. It's about sharing content as-is on different channels.

Republishing, well, that's just reposting without any changes. The key distinction is that repurposing requires some degree of "transformation."

How to Repurpose Content: A Guide with Examples

Now, let's get practical. There are countless ways to repurpose content, depending on its form and media.

Here are some common examples:

Converting Blog Posts - Turn your blog posts into YouTube and Podcast scripts. Take your written content and bring it to life in audio or video form.

Transforming Blog Posts into Slideshows - Consider creating slideshows based on your blog posts. This can be a powerful way to visualize your content and engage your audience.

Crafting Infographics - For data-heavy articles, blogs, or ebooks, craft infographics. They present complex information in a visually appealing and easily digestible format.

Sharing Quotes on Social Media - Extract quotes from your blog posts - whether they're your own words or from thought leaders mentioned in your content. Share them as tweets, LinkedIn posts, or eye-catching Instagram images.

A Real-Life Example

Let's look at AdEspresso by Hootsuite. They took one of their top-performing blog posts and turned it into a Slideshare presentation.

The result?

The Slideshare presentation brought in a whopping 3900 visits in just the first ten days.

Infographics: Making Data Digestible

Ever come across a long-form article packed with data and statistics that made your head spin?

If so, you're not alone!

Research shows that people are 65% more likely to remember information when it's presented in a visual format. That's where infographics come in as our trusty sideki...

Let's talk about a secret that your favorite creators and brands swear by - content repurposing.

You see, creating fresh content every single day is neither practical nor necessary, even for those with deep pockets and a sizable team.

Instead, the real magic lies in repurposing content, taking one piece and giving it new life in various forms across different platforms.

Why Should You Care About Content Repurposing?

Before we dive into how to do it, let's address the "why." There are several compelling reasons why content repurposing is a game-changer:

Maximize Your Investment - Content creation consumes precious resources - time, money, and effort. With content repurposing, you can extract maximum value from every piece of content. Imagine creating a blog post and then turning it into YouTube Shorts, IG Reels, and TikTok Scripts. It's like getting more bang for your buck.

Breathe Life into Underperformers - We've all been there - investing in a project that falls short of expectations. Content repurposing offers a second chance. You can tweak and repost content without breaking the bank on something entirely new. Plus, experimenting with different formats on various platforms often yields surprising results.

Expand Your Reach - Repurposing content exposes your work to new audiences. People who missed your content when it first came out, whether that was three months or a year ago, get a chance to discover and engage with it. This boosts your online presence and activity.

Now, let's clarify a few things.

What Content Repurposing Is Not - Content repurposing isn't just about shifting content from one platform to another

What Content Repurposing Actually Is - Content repurposing is about adapting it to suit the medium and audience preferences

So, now then the question becomes: how does content repurposing differ from cross-marketing or republishing?

Repurposing vs. Cross-Marketing vs. Republishing

Repurposing involves reshaping existing content while considering the platform and audience. It's about understanding what works best on each platform and tailoring your content accordingly. For instance, you can transform a YouTube video into bite-sized clips for YouTube Shorts.

On the other hand, cross-marketing is simply posting the same content across different platforms. It's about sharing content as-is on different channels.

Republishing, well, that's just reposting without any changes. The key distinction is that repurposing requires some degree of "transformation."

How to Repurpose Content: A Guide with Examples

Now, let's get practical. There are countless ways to repurpose content, depending on its form and media.

Here are some common examples:

Converting Blog Posts - Turn your blog posts into YouTube and Podcast scripts. Take your written content and bring it to life in audio or video form.

Transforming Blog Posts into Slideshows - Consider creating slideshows based on your blog posts. This can be a powerful way to visualize your content and engage your audience.

Crafting Infographics - For data-heavy articles, blogs, or ebooks, craft infographics. They present complex information in a visually appealing and easily digestible format.

Sharing Quotes on Social Media - Extract quotes from your blog posts - whether they're your own words or from thought leaders mentioned in your content. Share them as tweets, LinkedIn posts, or eye-catching Instagram images.

A Real-Life Example

Let's look at AdEspresso by Hootsuite. They took one of their top-performing blog posts and turned it into a Slideshare presentation.

The result?

The Slideshare presentation brought in a whopping 3900 visits in just the first ten days.

Infographics: Making Data Digestible

Ever come across a long-form article packed with data and statistics that made your head spin?

If so, you're not alone!

Research shows that people are 65% more likely to remember information when it's presented in a visual format. That's where infographics come in as our trusty sideki...

Are you keeping up with the latest buzz around artificial intelligence (AI)?

It's literally everywhere you turn, from news headlines to casual conversations. so much so that it's hard to escape the AI chatter.

What's even more astounding is how quickly it's become part of our everyday lives.

Remember when AI seemed like science fiction, something reserved for tech moguls like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg? It felt out of reach for the average person like you and me. But boy, have things changed, and they've changed fast. Today, AI is right here, right now, and it's accessible to all of us.

So, let's talk about how we can make the most of this incredible technology.

Demystifying AI

First things first, let's break down AI. It's not as complicated as it may seem.

AI-generated content is born from something called a "large language model." Basically, it's a system that can process and generate human language. This system relies on a neural network architecture known as a "transformer" to analyze and comprehend text data.

In its more advanced form, AI can create human-like writing that's pretty convincing. But you've probably encountered a simpler version of AI without even realizing it - think about predictive text on your smartphone. Yeah, it can be a bit of a nuisance at times, but it's there to help you type faster and more efficiently.

Now, here's a cool fact: AI has gotten so good that someone actually used an AI platform called Midjourney to create an award-winning work of art!

In recent years, AI has been making significant contributions across various fields, from healthcare and education to environmental sustainability.

AI in Action

Let's get even more practical.

AI isn't just a buzzword; it's making real changes in the world.

"Smart" technologies powered by AI are helping reduce carbon emissions and providing support to people with disabilities. And you've definitely seen AI in action with self-driving cars, voice-to-text speech recognition software, and market trend forecasting.

The ChatGPT Revolution

Fast forward to November 2022 when ChatGPT took the AI world by storm. Its open-source technology became accessible to everyone, and best of all, it was free. It was like opening Pandora's box, but instead of all evils, we got a taste of AI's immense potential.

But like any great innovation, it came with its challenges. People started noticing quirks in ChatGPT's content generation, and AI detection software emerged to tell human-generated content from AI's handiwork.

Google's Take on AI-Generated Content

Now, let's talk Google. You'd think Google would slam the door on AI-generated content, right? Well, here's the twist - it doesn't. Google isn't thrilled with the idea of AI being used to churn out tons of content solely for the sake of better search engine rankings (a.k.a. "black hat" techniques).

But here's the thing: Google doesn't judge content solely by its source. It sticks to its core criteria, including factors like user experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness. In Google's world, experience and expertise go hand in hand. The more experience you have, the more expertise you can bring to your content.

To keep Google happy, your content should be relevant, accurate, and rock-solid when it comes to fact-checking. That's what gives your content that stamp of authority Google loves.

And finally, whether you're representing yourself or your brand, your content should embody these three elements, leading to the last requirement - trustworthiness.

But here's the kicker: AI sometimes drops the ball on these elements. It's even been caught fabricating facts. So, don't blindly trust what AI generates. Fact-checking, proofreading, and editing should be non-negotiable steps when you're creating AI-generated content.

Maximizing AI-Generated Content

Okay, let's roll up our sleeves and dive into how to make the most of AI-generated content, whether you're the content creator or the collaborator. Here are s...

Are you keeping up with the latest buzz around artificial intelligence (AI)?

It's literally everywhere you turn, from news headlines to casual conversations. so much so that it's hard to escape the AI chatter.

What's even more astounding is how quickly it's become part of our everyday lives.

Remember when AI seemed like science fiction, something reserved for tech moguls like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg? It felt out of reach for the average person like you and me. But boy, have things changed, and they've changed fast. Today, AI is right here, right now, and it's accessible to all of us.

So, let's talk about how we can make the most of this incredible technology.

Demystifying AI

First things first, let's break down AI. It's not as complicated as it may seem.

AI-generated content is born from something called a "large language model." Basically, it's a system that can process and generate human language. This system relies on a neural network architecture known as a "transformer" to analyze and comprehend text data.

In its more advanced form, AI can create human-like writing that's pretty convincing. But you've probably encountered a simpler version of AI without even realizing it - think about predictive text on your smartphone. Yeah, it can be a bit of a nuisance at times, but it's there to help you type faster and more efficiently.

Now, here's a cool fact: AI has gotten so good that someone actually used an AI platform called Midjourney to create an award-winning work of art!

In recent years, AI has been making significant contributions across various fields, from healthcare and education to environmental sustainability.

AI in Action

Let's get even more practical.

AI isn't just a buzzword; it's making real changes in the world.

"Smart" technologies powered by AI are helping reduce carbon emissions and providing support to people with disabilities. And you've definitely seen AI in action with self-driving cars, voice-to-text speech recognition software, and market trend forecasting.

The ChatGPT Revolution

Fast forward to November 2022 when ChatGPT took the AI world by storm. Its open-source technology became accessible to everyone, and best of all, it was free. It was like opening Pandora's box, but instead of all evils, we got a taste of AI's immense potential.

But like any great innovation, it came with its challenges. People started noticing quirks in ChatGPT's content generation, and AI detection software emerged to tell human-generated content from AI's handiwork.

Google's Take on AI-Generated Content

Now, let's talk Google. You'd think Google would slam the door on AI-generated content, right? Well, here's the twist - it doesn't. Google isn't thrilled with the idea of AI being used to churn out tons of content solely for the sake of better search engine rankings (a.k.a. "black hat" techniques).

But here's the thing: Google doesn't judge content solely by its source. It sticks to its core criteria, including factors like user experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness. In Google's world, experience and expertise go hand in hand. The more experience you have, the more expertise you can bring to your content.

To keep Google happy, your content should be relevant, accurate, and rock-solid when it comes to fact-checking. That's what gives your content that stamp of authority Google loves.

And finally, whether you're representing yourself or your brand, your content should embody these three elements, leading to the last requirement - trustworthiness.

And finally, whether you're representing yourself or your brand, your content should embody these three elements, leading to the last requirement - trustworthiness.

But here's the kicker: AI sometimes drops the ball on these elements. It's even been caught fabricating facts. So, don't blindly trust what AI generates. Fact-checking, proofreading, and editing should be non-negotiable steps when you're creating AI-generated content.

Maximizing AI-Generated C...

Unless you were living under a rock mid-to-late summer of this year, you probably know that Meta unveiled Threads to facilitate more seamless communication and text sharing.

It's essentially like Twitter, sans the Elon Musk circus going on in the background.

In fact, on the surface, it certainly has a Twitter-like feel, but it gets some brownie points for a better user experience featuring ease of use and privacy for your more private conversations.

Threads reportedly witnessed a staggering 30 million downloads within only 16 hours of its launch on July 5. The number of Threads users as of now is well past the 120 million mark.

According to Neil Patel, "People thought it was impressive how ChatGPT crossed 1 million users in five days. but Threads by Instagram blew everyone out of the water, and even Facebook didn't expect it to do this well early on."

After its initial meteoric rise, however, Threads witnessed a massive drop of 70% in July and 79% in August 2023. Average time spent on the app has also plummeted to 2.9 minutes a day (as of August 2023).

Many hail it as a fantastic alternative to Twitter, which has recently been in the news for all the wrong reasons, including multiple technical outages, revenue losses, and mass layoffs.

As someone who uses social media regularly, you might be wondering why you need to download another communication app, when you're already using WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, and perhaps even Twitter.

And that's truly a valid point since everyone has limited time and bandwidth to navigate multiple platforms on the regular.. Not to mention, even the most avid social media users need to have some boundaries in place.

So, before hitting the download button, it just might be worth taking a few minutes to learn more about the in's and out's of the platform, to make sure it's truly worthy of your time.

Meta Threats: Instagram's Best Friend

Since Instagram users must use their Instagram credentials to create a Threads account, both of these apps co-exist in the same complex social media ecosystem.

A verified Instagram user is automatically verified on Threads during account creation. Threads users can then seamlessly import their Instagram followers. The catch here is that users cannot delete their Threads account without deleting their Instagram account.

It's either both. or nothing!

While Threads and Instagram are heavily tied together, Threads is more like Twitter. It facilitates real-time conversations with users sharing their thoughts, photos, and videos. Users can keep them private within a select group of users from Instagram's close friends list.

Privacy is the main selling point of Threads, which was designed to serve as a dedicated space for trusted conversations.

Threads Features: What to Expect

While Threads is still a new kid on the block, it offers some impressive features that set it apart as a communication app:

Quick follow to follow accounts in your feed by tapping the plus icon in the corner without navigating to their profiles

Mute specific profiles by tapping the three-dot menu on posts for such Threads accounts

Hide words and phrases from appearing in your feed by tapping Hidden words in the Privacy menu

Use Reply controls to control who can engage with your posts

Tap the Share button to share Threads to your Instagram Story or grid

Send text messages privately to close friends directly within the app

Generate automatic context-based status updates to share your current status without manually inputting it

Customize your notification preferences to avoid unnecessary distractions

Use easy shortcuts for a quick photo and video sharing

These features make Meta Threads a great choice for privacy-conscious users. For businesses, it offers the benefits of real-time updates, community-building, and public conversations.

Threads also emphasizes simplicity and ease of use for a high-value user experience and meaningful connections within a trusted group.

The First Step: Getting Started...