The Strong Coffee Drip

It’s the update episode where we provide updates on some of our most popular topics from previous episodes! New information on the testing of TikTok Notes in Canada, the ongoing TikTok ban in the US, Google's potential acquisition of HubSpot, LinkedIn's testing of vertical videos, and the release of YouTube Playables.

Brian and Iain discuss the latest happenings with OpenAI, including the release of ChatGPT 4.0 and the departure of key team members. They also discuss Google's AI Overviews in search results and the potential for a TweetDeck-like interface for Threads. We also touch on marketing pitfalls, such as unrealistic expectations and not setting clear goals.

Sound Bites

Takeaways

☕️ The Agenda:

02:20 Iain’s Cool Connection to Golf

04:40 Everything is Happening at OpenAI

12:05 What is P(doom)?

13:55 Do We Care? - Treads Testing Pinned Columns

18:25 Do We Care? - Google Introduces AI Overviews

26:20 Common Marketing Pitfalls and Strategies to Avoid Them

Summary

This week, we discuss various topics, including Google's pausing of low-activity keywords, Instagram's discontinuation of the Flipside feature, and the use of programmatic advertising. We also share some lesser-known tools and strategies, such as YouTube's Community Tab and Google My Maps, and the importance of not forgetting the marketing basics and focusing on problem-solving rather than getting caught up in the latest tools and trends.

Sound Bites

"Google is notifying advertisers that they're going to be pausing low activity keywords."

"Instagram is moving on from a feature that many people didn't even know existed."

"Programmatic advertising is sort of a buzzword to describe advertising that is directed and controlled by machine learning or algorithms to try and find the right audiences."

Takeaways

Google is pausing low-activity keywords, which may impact advertisers who find value in keeping them for various reasons.

Instagram has discontinued the Flipside feature, which allowed users to post content for specific groups of people. This feature was relatively unknown and had limited use.

Programmatic advertising uses machine learning and algorithms to find and target specific audiences. It offers customized targeting and access to third-party publishers, making it a powerful tool for reaching niche audiences.

YouTube's Community Tab allows creators to engage with their audience by posting images, polls, quizzes, and more. It can be a valuable tool for increasing audience engagement and feedback.

Google My Maps is a tool that allows users to create customized maps with pins and markers. It can be useful for planning trips, marking locations, and creating printable maps.

It's important to remember the marketing basics and not get too caught up in the latest tools and trends. Start with identifying the problem you're trying to solve and then find the best tools to address that problem.

☕️ The Agenda:

06:06 Google Pauses Low Activity Keywords

09:20 Instagram Discontinues Flipside Feature

15:55 What is Programmatic Advertising?

23:23 Engage Your Audience with YouTube's Community Tab

25:45 Plan Your Trips with Google My Maps

29:00 Don't Forget the Marketing Basics

Summary

In this episode of Strong Coffee Drip, we discuss the possibility of TikTok being banned in the US, the importance of diversifying your marketing mix, and share our favourite marketing tools. We also touch on the challenges of relying on social media platforms and the benefits of owning your own online real estate. In this conversation, we discuss various topics including monster trucks, the use of Fiverr for voice acting, project management software, audience intelligence tools, and the impact of AI on content creation. We also recommend accounts to follow on social media and highlight the importance of a discerning eye when consuming content.

Sound Bites

"President Joe Biden has signed legislation that gives ByteDance two options, sell TikTok to an approved buyer or have it banned in the United States."

"Maintaining a diversified marketing presence is important to avoid being solely reliant on one platform or channel."

"Owning some of that real estate as opposed to simply leasing it or renting it."

"If you're looking to promote a monster truck event, a smash-up derby, motorcycle, like a motocross event, you know, you need something like, you'll buy the whole seat, but you'll only need the edge."

"Teamwork is project management software. It's such a useful tool for keeping track of tasks, logging time, and ensuring accurate billing."

Takeaways

There is uncertainty surrounding the potential ban of TikTok in the US, with legal roadblocks and loopholes likely to delay or prevent the ban from happening.

Diversifying your marketing mix is crucial to avoid relying too heavily on one platform or channel, as changes in technology or regulations can impact your reach and visibility.

Owning your own online real estate, such as a website, provides more control and flexibility compared to leasing or renting space on social media platforms.

Having backups of your content and data is essential to protect against platform changes, hacks, or other unforeseen events.

Fiverr is a recommended tool for finding qualified freelancers to handle specific tasks or projects at reasonable rates.

Utilize project management software like Teamwork to keep track of tasks, log time, and ensure accurate billing.

Explore audience intelligence tools like Spark Toro to gain insights into target audiences and inform marketing strategies.

Be cautious of AI-generated content and develop a discerning eye to differentiate between real and fake content.

Follow accounts on social media that provide valuable and entertaining content, such as Dan Ariely, Matt Bailey, Peter Diamandis, and Santoros Pizzeria.

☕️ The Agenda:

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up

03:11 Updates on the TikTok Ban

09:27 The Importance of Diversifying Marketing Efforts

19:03 Our Favourite Marketing Tools

29:41 Our Favourite Social Media Follows

Summary

This week we discuss Elon Musk's tweet about bringing back Vine, Google's potential acquisition of HubSpot, and the launch of TikTok Notes. We also reminisce about defunct social media platforms like Google Wave, Google Buzz, and Google Plus. Brian provides an early review of TikTok Notes, highlighting its similarities to TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest. We also discuss the importance of the TikTok algorithm and its potential impact on TikTok Notes' success.

Sound Bites

"Elon casually dropped a poll on X asking if he should bring back the once popular Vine app."

"A number of online outlets have reported that Google is considering buying HubSpot."

"TikTok Notes is now being tested in Australia and Canada."

Takeaways

Elon Musk's tweet about bringing back Vine generated a lot of interest, but it remains to be seen if the app would be successful in today's market dominated by TikTok.

Google's potential acquisition of HubSpot could provide valuable customer data and an opportunity to enter the CRM and marketing automation business.

TikTok Notes, a new photo-sharing app from TikTok, is similar to Instagram and Pinterest. Its success may depend on the integration of the TikTok algorithm.

The hosts reminisce about defunct social media platforms like Google Wave, Google Buzz, and Google Plus, highlighting the challenges of entering the social media space.

☕️ The Agenda:

00:00 We’re Rolling as a Duo Today!

01:35 This or That? Elon Talks Vine vs. Could Google Buy HubSpot?

10:14 An Early Review of The TikTok Notes App

21:05 Remembering OG TweetDeck and Google’s Failed Social Media Attempts

Summary

Brian, Duncan and Iain from Strong Coffee Marketing discuss Google's new feature that allows users to integrate their social media profiles into their business profile listing. Next, they discuss LinkedIn's thought leader ads, which allow businesses to promote content from any user on the app. They also explore LinkedIn's testing of in-feed games to boost engagement on the platform. Finally, they delve into a study that reveals a shift in search engine preferences among younger demographics, with Instagram and TikTok becoming popular search platforms. The conversation explores the rise of social media as a search engine, particularly among younger demographics. Instagram and TikTok are discussed as platforms that provide real-time and unique content, making them valuable sources for travel research and discovery. The impact of this trend on marketing and business is also examined, with a focus on the importance of being present on multiple social media platforms. The conversation then shifts to the discussion of specific tools, including Canva for graphic design, Make for automation, and OpenAI's Sora for text-to-video creation. The potential of AI tools to revolutionize industries and the ethical implications of deepfake technology are also touched upon.

Takeaways

Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are increasingly being used as search engines, particularly among younger demographics.

Businesses and marketers need to adapt to the changing landscape of search and focus on being present on multiple social media platforms.

Tools like Canva, Make, and OpenAI's Sora offer powerful capabilities for graphic design, automation, and text-to-video creation, respectively.

The rapid advancement of AI tools raises ethical concerns and challenges the notion of reality.

☕️ The Agenda:

00:00 Introduction and Easter Candy

03:07 Google's Social Media Integration in Business Profile Listings

06:19 Facebook Brings Back the Poke!

07:56 LinkedIn's Thought Leader Ads

09:42 LinkedIn's Gamification

17:13 The Rise of Social Media as a Search Engine

31:13 The Power of Canva

33:22 The Automation Tool: Make

37:03 OpenAI's Sora: Text to Video Tool

38:34 The Future of AI and Reality

Summary

Brian, Duncan and Iain from Strong Coffee Marketing discuss a potential TikTok ban, Air Canada’s chatbot problem, TikTok prioritizing horizontal content, social media and website analytics, marketing skills you can pick up in your spare time, and we say goodbye to SirShanksAlot.

Takeaways

☕️ The Agenda:

01:40 Big Headlines: Reddit IPO

03:44 Big Headlines: TikTok Ban

05:41 This or That: Air Canada Chatbot vs. TikTok Horizontal Videos

07:34 Discussion: Air Canada Chatbot

13:30 Discussion: TikTok Horizontal Videos

19:32 YouTube Analytics and Google Analytics

20:26 LinkedIn Analytics for Ads

22:14 Using Data to Understand User Behavior

23:47 Google Search Console and Organic Keywords

25:08 Using Analytics with a Purpose

26:08 Linking Google Search Console to Analytics

28:29 Skills for New Marketing Grads

30:25 Sales Skills for Marketers

32:39 Harnessing AI and Automation

36:28 Explaining Marketing Concepts Simply

37:10 The Importance of Practical Skills

38:07 The Journey of SirShanksalot.com

Summary

Brian, Duncan and Trevor from Strong Coffee Marketing discuss TikTok's battle with Universal Music Group, TikTok's experiment with long-form content, Facebook's 20th birthday, favourite ads of all time, and digital advertising channels beyond Facebook and Google. We also make predictions for the Super Bowl (and a surprise post-game proposal!?)

Takeaways

TikTok's dispute with Universal Music Group highlights the challenges of licensing negotiations and the impact on artists' financial compensation.

TikTok's expansion into long-form content signals its ambition to become a primary entertainment destination.

Facebook's 20th birthday is a milestone for the platform that has transformed the digital landscape and communication.

Favourite ads of all time evoke strong emotions and create lasting impressions.

When choosing digital advertising channels, consider the target audience, goals, and each platform's role in the overall advertising strategy.

☕️ The Agenda:

01:46 In the News - What’s the More Interesting Story? Universal Music Group Pulls Their Music from TikTok or TikTok Experimenting With 30 Minute Videos

16:53 Happy Birthday! Facebook Turns 20!

22:49 YouTube Previews Super Bowl Commercials on AdBlitz

24:25 Our Favourite Ads of All Time

30:32 Advertising Platforms Beyond Facebook and Google

32:18 Understanding Your Advertising Goals Before Picking a Platform

35:49 Super Bowl Predictions

37:33 Conclusion and Farewell

Brian, Duncan and Iain from Strong Coffee Marketing discuss various marketing, technology, and business topics. We talk about the two marketing stories in the news and the importance of picking the right ambassador for marketing campaigns. We also dive into the end of websites built through Google Business Profiles and discuss alternative website platforms. Finally, we hit the mailbag to answer questions about the stability of AI tools and the confusion around scheduling posts on Facebook.

Takeaways

Picking the right ambassador for marketing campaigns is crucial for success.

Influencer marketing on TikTok can significantly impact sales and brand awareness.

Google My Business websites are ending, but Google already has a solution

The use of AI tools may be limited due to high demand, and troubleshooting errors may require refreshing the page or logging in again

The ability to run large-language AI tools offline is now an option

Third-party tools can help those looking to schedule Facebook posts beyond the 29-day limit

☕️ The Agenda:

00:49 News From the Strong Coffee World

01:51 In the News - What’s The More Interesting Marketing Story? Snoop vs. Stanley 

09:12 The Power of Influencer Marketing on TikTok

11:30 The Trend-based Nature of TikTok and the Need for Organic Content

12:37 Google Moving on from Websites Made Through Business Profiles

13:32 Discussion on the Transition Away From Google My Business Websites

20:58 Throttling Back the Use of AI Tools

26:12 Running an AI Tool Locally on Your Computer

30:41 How to Schedule Facebook Posts Beyond 29 Days

30:26 Conclusion and Farewell