Get in touch
Start a project

Sailing Through Socials: New Social Media Features – Sep 2021

It seems like every time we wrap our heads around one new social media feature, ten new features emerge! Keeping up with trends and new features can certainly be challenging for businesses that want to stay relevant – especially when it comes to trying to master each one.

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed and not sure where to look to find the latest trends, Sailing Through Socials has you covered! Read on for all the latest trends you should know.

Facebook Reels

Facebooks retaliation to Tik Tok – Instagram Reels – are headed to Facebook. An Instagram feature that promotes organic engagement was introduced almost a year ago in response to the growing use of Tik Tok. Although Facebook Reels are still going through a testing process, it looks like it’ll hit our news feeds under a Reels tab soon. It’s also giving Instagram creators in the U.S. the option to have their Instagram Reels shown as recommended content on Facebook.

While nothing’s set in stone, Facebook Reels are expected to be like Instagram Reels in terms of features, however, some aspects of Instagram Reels – such as remixes – won’t be available on Facebook Reels right away.

Pinterest influencer features

In May, Pinterest unveiled its new feature that allows creators and brands new opportunities – Idea Pins. Ideas Pins are shoppable and allow influencers to earn money via affiliate links and brand partnerships by tagging products in their pins. Users can then click through and purchase the product – much like they can on Facebook and Instagram shop.

Since its inauguration, Idea Pins have seen a 7x daily creation increase and a 10x impression increase, proving successful. Not only can products be tagged in these pins, but they’ll also help brands with content creation.

According to Pinterest, these features include:

  • Creating a step-by-step guide, project, or recipe
  • Uploading multiple short videos with additional descriptive text or text overlay
  • Customisation of the colours and fonts in your pin
  • Improving targeting your audience with topic tagging
  • Curating a collection of products
  • Telling a story in a brand-new way

Pinterest is a great way to increase organic reach and can often be overlooked by businesses when it comes to setting up social platforms.

Instagram shop ads

For those businesses with an Instagram shop set up, you may begin to see ads popping up. Instagram shop ads are being introduced, with the option for single image or image carousel ads to be used. Testing is taking place across brands in the beauty, pet products, travel, and home décor space.

For the time being, Instagram Shop ads will only appear on mobile devices and be shown to users based on their usage frequency and how many people are shopping at any given time. Instagram Shop ads give brands the ability to promote their products on the Shopfront page, allowing users who click on them to be taken to the details page where they can find out more.

Instagram story link

For accounts on Instagram that had over 10,000 followers, a ‘swipe up’ link in Instagram Stories was introduced, making it easier for users to head to the link mentioned in the story. Instagram is making a slight change to this function, replacing the swipe up function with a link ‘sticker’ option instead. Instagram has made this change to provide added benefits including:

  • A streamlined stories creation experience
  • Added creative control
  • Further engagement

The change came into effect at the end of August, so its success is still to be determined.

Instagram audio tab

Instagram has made it easier than ever to search for audio within the search function. This makes it easier for users to tap into trends based on audio and search for IGTV videos and Reels that have used the sound. The audio can then be saved to your library for use later.

If it sounds familiar, that’s probably because it is. The audio tab was created to replicate the ‘sounds’ feature in Tik Tok as Instagram continues to push users to use the Reels feature. Besides searching for the audio, users can tap on the audio in a Reel to find other videos that have used the same audio.

Instagram discovery tool

This super cool feature has recently been introduced in Australia. In the top right-hand corner of the search bar, users have the option to click on a little map button that brings up popular tagged locations around them. This feature makes it easier for users to find small businesses in their area. The map is broken into categories such as restaurants, cafes, sights and bars, as well as having a search feature that allows users to search for what they’d like to find.

Map Search will bring up information on businesses in the area including public tagged posts of the place hours of operation, address, price information, Instagram profile and more. This new tool will allow for greater exposure of businesses in local areas.

Instagram auto captions

While captions have been available for IGTV and Instagram Stories for a while now, automatically generated captions haven’t been available for video posts in your feed. Instagram has been hinting at dropping auto-captions for Instagram videos to improve accessibility. Instagram estimates that 40% of Instagram users watch content like stories without sound. On Facebook, the numbers are even higher. This means if you omit video captions, you could be leaving a lot of followers out of the loop.

These auto-captions are also an attempt to:

  • Improve accessibility
  • Increase engagement
  • Clarify your message
  • Save time 

LinkedIn video meetings

Zoom meetings seem to have taken over our lives in lockdown – both for work and personal use. Professional platform LinkedIn has released video meetings on their platform, allowing users to jump onto video chats – much like Facebook Messenger calls. The ability to join a video chat within LinkedIn will be helpful for sales and business development professionals specifically and even for users looking to catch up with old colleagues. For colleagues who use LinkedIn to connect, the ability to jump onto a video call when needed is very handy. 

LinkedIn stories 

Speaking of stories, they haven’t been as popular over on LinkedIn. At the end of September, LinkedIn will be culling its story feature, saying, “users want their stories-like content to live on beyond the 24-hour window, and be available on their profile” and “users want more creative tools to make engaging videos across the platform.”

The platform will look at incorporating these two elements in its next video project which will be designed to replace the stories concept. Although the story format didn’t take off on LinkedIn, it’s still a success on other platforms like Instagram, so keep those stories coming.

With so many new social media features hitting our devices, getting your head around the latest trends can often feel challenging. No matter what platform you’re using, Sailing Through Socials will keep you up to date with the latest trends as they emerge and how you can use them for your business.

Want to chat with our social media team? Get in touch today.

Ready to build, nurture or evolve your brand?

Get in touch
Contents

I’ve always been fascinated by symbolism 🌀

By how a single mark, image, word or gesture can represent something far bigger than itself. Across cultures and civilisations, we’ve used symbols to communicate identity, beliefs, stories, belonging and ideas that sometimes go far beyond what words can explain.

And somewhere along the way, I realised that’s also how I’d started to see brands.

A logo can become a symbol of what a business stands for. A colour can carry years of recognition. A phrase can represent an entire belief. A story can become shorthand for where a business came from and why it exists. Iconography can represent services, philosophies, products or ideas.

What we see on the surface carries meaning because of everything sitting behind it.

Over nearly two decades of working in branding, I also began noticing the same themes appearing again and again in the businesses people really remembered.

Their past, beliefs, future, people, identity, expression, impact and longevity.

Eventually, I gave each of those ideas a symbolic form.

They became Oraco’s Eight Brand Marks, and today they give us a way to look at a business from eight different perspectives and uncover the stories, ideas and meaning that make it distinctly its own.

The strongest brands aren’t built by adding meaning that was never there. More often, the clues already exist.

You just need to know where to look.

Explore the Eight Brand Marks via the link in bio.

28 3
Open post by oracoagency with ID 17981505972081585
I’ve always been fascinated by symbolism 🌀 By how a single mark, image, word or gesture can represent something far bigger than itself. Across cultures and civilisations, we’ve used symbols to communicate identity, beliefs, stories, belonging and ideas that sometimes go far beyond what words can explain. And somewhere along the way, I realised that’s also how I’d started to see brands. A logo can become a symbol of what a business stands for. A colour can carry years of recognition. A phrase can represent an entire belief. A story can become shorthand for where a business came from and why it exists. Iconography can represent services, philosophies, products or ideas. What we see on the surface carries meaning because of everything sitting behind it. Over nearly two decades of working in branding, I also began noticing the same themes appearing again and again in the businesses people really remembered. Their past, beliefs, future, people, identity, expression, impact and longevity. Eventually, I gave each of those ideas a symbolic form. They became Oraco’s Eight Brand Marks, and today they give us a way to look at a business from eight different perspectives and uncover the stories, ideas and meaning that make it distinctly its own. The strongest brands aren’t built by adding meaning that was never there. More often, the clues already exist. You just need to know where to look. Explore the Eight Brand Marks via the link in bio.

One of the hardest things about running a business is knowing what actually deserves your attention.

When you`re inside it every day, everything can feel important. The website needs updating, content needs creating, marketing isn`t quite working, the messaging feels off. Someone suggests a new platform, another campaign or a complete change in direction. But more activity isn`t always the answer.

A big part of Jessica`s work, both through Oraco and the business owners she mentors, is helping people step back far enough to see what`s really going on.

– What are you actually trying to achieve?
– Who are you trying to reach?
– What`s already working?
– Where is the real disconnect?
– And what can probably wait?

Sometimes the most valuable strategy isn`t adding another thing to the list. It`s creating enough clarity to know what matters now, what comes next and what doesn`t need your attention at all.

If you`re looking for strategic advice, a fresh perspective and someone to keep you accountable to actually doing the things you said you were going to do, Jessica offers one-on-one business strategy and mentoring sessions. Shoot us a DM to find out more.

47 14
Open post by oracoagency with ID 17986629341863106
One of the hardest things about running a business is knowing what actually deserves your attention. When you're inside it every day, everything can feel important. The website needs updating, content needs creating, marketing isn't quite working, the messaging feels off. Someone suggests a new platform, another campaign or a complete change in direction. But more activity isn't always the answer. A big part of Jessica's work, both through Oraco and the business owners she mentors, is helping people step back far enough to see what's really going on. – What are you actually trying to achieve? – Who are you trying to reach? – What's already working? – Where is the real disconnect? – And what can probably wait? Sometimes the most valuable strategy isn't adding another thing to the list. It's creating enough clarity to know what matters now, what comes next and what doesn't need your attention at all. If you're looking for strategic advice, a fresh perspective and someone to keep you accountable to actually doing the things you said you were going to do, Jessica offers one-on-one business strategy and mentoring sessions. Shoot us a DM to find out more.

Last week, we lost someone very special.

Sean was a former Principal of Mannix College, a longstanding client of Oraco`s, and someone I was lucky to get to know over many years.

I first met Sean in 2012 through my work with Mannix, and I remember instantly clicking with him. He was incredibly kind, funny, super organised and genuinely caring. He made working together easy, but he was also someone who took the time to get to know you beyond the work itself.

Every year, without fail, Sean would send me a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year message, always accompanied by a quirky little Bitmoji of himself. Even after he finished as Principal and we were no longer working together regularly, those messages continued. It`s such a small thing, but I think it says a lot about the kind of person he was.

I`ve worked with Mannix since 2009, a relationship that now spans close to two decades, and Sean sits right in the middle of so many of those memories. He was there through an important chapter in my career and Oraco`s growth, trusting us with Mannix for many years, and still making the effort to stay in touch long after our working relationship changed.

Looking back, it means a lot that such a longstanding professional relationship also brought someone like Sean into my life.

As the Mannix community gathers today to celebrate Sean`s life, I`ll be joining the service from home and thinking of his family, friends and everyone at Mannix. I had hoped to be there in person, but I`m glad I`ll still be able to join everyone in remembering him.

Thank you, Sean, for your kindness, your humour and for always finding a way to put a smile on people`s faces. You made a difference to so many people, myself included, and I`m very grateful our paths crossed.

Leanne x

Photo courtesy of Mannix College.

19 1
Open post by oracoagency with ID 18016270139941947
Last week, we lost someone very special. Sean was a former Principal of Mannix College, a longstanding client of Oraco's, and someone I was lucky to get to know over many years. I first met Sean in 2012 through my work with Mannix, and I remember instantly clicking with him. He was incredibly kind, funny, super organised and genuinely caring. He made working together easy, but he was also someone who took the time to get to know you beyond the work itself. Every year, without fail, Sean would send me a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year message, always accompanied by a quirky little Bitmoji of himself. Even after he finished as Principal and we were no longer working together regularly, those messages continued. It's such a small thing, but I think it says a lot about the kind of person he was. I've worked with Mannix since 2009, a relationship that now spans close to two decades, and Sean sits right in the middle of so many of those memories. He was there through an important chapter in my career and Oraco's growth, trusting us with Mannix for many years, and still making the effort to stay in touch long after our working relationship changed. Looking back, it means a lot that such a longstanding professional relationship also brought someone like Sean into my life. As the Mannix community gathers today to celebrate Sean's life, I'll be joining the service from home and thinking of his family, friends and everyone at Mannix. I had hoped to be there in person, but I'm glad I'll still be able to join everyone in remembering him. Thank you, Sean, for your kindness, your humour and for always finding a way to put a smile on people's faces. You made a difference to so many people, myself included, and I'm very grateful our paths crossed. Leanne x Photo courtesy of Mannix College.

One year of @twobayslaundry 🤎

A year ago, Two Bays Laundry opened its doors with a brand we’d had the pleasure of helping Liz and Kirill bring to life from the very beginning.

From strategy through to the visual identity, we wanted to create a brand that felt fresh, organic and full of personality, but most importantly, one that felt like it belonged here on the Mornington Peninsula.

That sense of place became part of the identity itself. The curves within the logo draw on the movement of water and our coastline, while the stylised ‘B’ represents the two bays that gave the business its name, Western Port and Port Phillip. The coastal palette, natural textures and broader identity carried that story through the space (shout out to @saint.design.interiors), signage, uniforms, vehicles and everything in between.

It’s always pretty special seeing a brand move from ideas on a page into a real business, but even more so watching it become part of the local community.

A huge congratulations to Liz, Kirill and the whole Two Bays Laundry team on your first birthday. It’s been such a pleasure working alongside you from those early ideas through to launch and everything that has followed.

Happy first birthday! Here’s to everything still to come 🥂

52 8
Open post by oracoagency with ID 17879865243686265
One year of @twobayslaundry 🤎 A year ago, Two Bays Laundry opened its doors with a brand we’d had the pleasure of helping Liz and Kirill bring to life from the very beginning. From strategy through to the visual identity, we wanted to create a brand that felt fresh, organic and full of personality, but most importantly, one that felt like it belonged here on the Mornington Peninsula. That sense of place became part of the identity itself. The curves within the logo draw on the movement of water and our coastline, while the stylised ‘B’ represents the two bays that gave the business its name, Western Port and Port Phillip. The coastal palette, natural textures and broader identity carried that story through the space (shout out to @saint.design.interiors), signage, uniforms, vehicles and everything in between. It’s always pretty special seeing a brand move from ideas on a page into a real business, but even more so watching it become part of the local community. A huge congratulations to Liz, Kirill and the whole Two Bays Laundry team on your first birthday. It’s been such a pleasure working alongside you from those early ideas through to launch and everything that has followed. Happy first birthday! Here’s to everything still to come 🥂

We don’t believe the best brand stories are invented.

They’re found in the reasons a business began, the decisions made along the way and the people behind it. The things they care about, do differently, and perhaps don’t even realise are interesting anymore.

Often, you’re too close to your own business to see what someone else might find remarkable.

That’s why we ask questions, listen and look a little closer.

The story is already there. You just have to know where to look.

10 0
Open post by oracoagency with ID 18135355420630978
We don’t believe the best brand stories are invented. They’re found in the reasons a business began, the decisions made along the way and the people behind it. The things they care about, do differently, and perhaps don’t even realise are interesting anymore. Often, you’re too close to your own business to see what someone else might find remarkable. That’s why we ask questions, listen and look a little closer. The story is already there. You just have to know where to look.

At the heart of @joannaphotography.au’s new identity is a refined wordmark designed to balance timeless elegance with a sense of movement and connection.

A sophisticated serif typeface was chosen for its enduring quality, warmth and understated premium feel. The letterforms evoke a sense of craftsmanship and longevity, reflecting the brand’s focus on creating imagery that grows in meaning over time.


Connection between the A and N introduces a sense of movement and continuity, symbolising the relationships, stories and moments that unfold throughout life.

This is why we start with your story. It’s often where the most distinctive part of a brand identity is hiding.

•

Filed by: Oraco Agency
Reference: PF-4165
Photo source: @joannaphotography.au
Filed under: #ProjectFile #BrandStrategist #Branding #BrandDesign #LogoDesign

34 1
Open post by oracoagency with ID 18120044761813156
At the heart of @joannaphotography.au’s new identity is a refined wordmark designed to balance timeless elegance with a sense of movement and connection. A sophisticated serif typeface was chosen for its enduring quality, warmth and understated premium feel. The letterforms evoke a sense of craftsmanship and longevity, reflecting the brand’s focus on creating imagery that grows in meaning over time. Connection between the A and N introduces a sense of movement and continuity, symbolising the relationships, stories and moments that unfold throughout life. This is why we start with your story. It’s often where the most distinctive part of a brand identity is hiding. • Filed by: Oraco Agency Reference: PF-4165 Photo source: @joannaphotography.au Filed under: #ProjectFile #BrandStrategist #Branding #BrandDesign #LogoDesign

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Picture of Ellie Travica

Ellie Travica

Content Writer

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Start a project
Branding Agency

Join the Oraco Passage

Build, nurture and evolve your brand with our actionable tips and insights delivered straight to your inbox.