Virtual Reality at RNC, Best Tourism Websites, Pokemon Go Fever

Virtual reality to be used to promote tourism at RNC

Credit: Oculus/Tech Insider

Credit: Oculus/Tech Insider

TourismOhio plans on utilizing virtual reality headsets at this month’s Republican National Convention in Cleveland. A large bus filled with virtual reality headsets will be parked outside the Quicken Loans Arena where the RNC is being held. In that bus people will be able to ride Cedar Point’s rides and tour the Columbus Zoo – without ever leaving the bus.

TourismOhio research shows not many RNC visitors will extend their stay or explore much outside of the Cleveland area, so the virtual reality headsets are being used to entice them back by showing what Ohio can offer. Read more

New Facebook Business Page Layout, Snapchat Memories

Facebook testing out new Business Page layout?

If some reports are to believed Facebook is experimenting with a new Business Page layout.

The changes will impact desktop and mobile views differently, but boil down to some small – but interesting alterations.

Facebook Business Page

Credit: ShortStack

Desktop:

  1. Smaller profile pictures that are half the size of the current photos permitted
  2. Cover photos remain the same size
  3. Page tab links will be aligned left and moved underneath profile and cover images
  4. Like, Message and Share buttons will be moved under the cover photo to the right
  5. “View Page As” feature to give page managers the ability to see how visitors see things on the page
  6. Call-to-Action buttons are a bright blue and right underneath page tabs

Mobile

  • Credit: ShortStack

    Credit: ShortStack

    Call-toAction button is much larger and stretches across the entire screen

  • New sections for pages for “Shopping” and “Services” underneath  the Like, Message and Share buttons
  • Easier navigation through tabs giving each a corresponding tab – similar to photos and videos

There’s no word yet if Facebook is absolutely planning on adopting this new layout or when they may make a decision.

Read more

Twitter Unveils Dashboard, Facebook Debuts Slideshow

Twitter Dashboard

DashboardA new app from Twitter – called Dashboard – could change the way social media managers use the platform and be a Hootsuite killer. The new app, unveiled this week is a free tool designed to let community managers easily engage with audiences, schedule content and even get ideas for content.

Dashboard appears to be a hybrid between the Facebook Pages app and Hootsuite. While Twitter’s recent changes appear to signal a new direction for the company time will tell if Dashboard catches on. Read more

Facebook Notify Button, Video Comments!

Facebook Notify Button Clues in Friends Instead of Tagging Them

Facebook Notify Button

Credit: SocialTimes

A new Facebook Notify button could potentially replace the numerous tagged comments people leave when they want a friend to see a post. The Facebook Notify button is being tested out with a limited audience right now, but would basically be a button above the comments that would let users click and enter the name of a friend they think might find the content interesting. That person would then receive a notification about the content.

Facebook told SocialTimes it wanted a more discreet way of letting people alert others to good content, so stay tuned.

Comment with Videos!

Comment with VideoFacebook comments are getting an upgrade with news that users will be able to upload a video to leave as a comment on posts. Leaving a video comment is essentially done the same way you might leave a photo comment. Just click on the camera icon next to the comment field where you type to comment and select to upload a video. Give it a try and see if you can leave a video comment! If you can’t, it will probably become available to your account shortly.

The move seems natural given the recent news Snapchat had overtaken Facebook in daily views and with the rise in internet video consumption and predictions.

Pay through Facebook Pages Coming soon?

Facebook users may soon be able to pay directly through a Facebook page to purchase an item from a business. TechCrunch is reporting that Facebook is testing the feature out in Southeast Asia right now and allowing users to buy an item listed on a Facebook page without ever leaving the social network. While details are scarce right now, it could be big news if the company decides to pursue this route.

Snapchat Overtakes, Pinterest Saves and Iconosquare Changes

Snapchat Daily Users Surpass Twitter

Snapchat If you’re still thinking Snapchat is just a fad you may need to think again. The social network has more than 150 million daily active users – larger than the 136 million Twitter reportedly has. Since its creation in 2011 the Snapchat’s user growth has exploded with it being of particular interest to younger people.

One of the reasons cited for its popularity is the way Snapchat makes communication via short messages and texts more fun by allowing people to send annotated selfies and fun and silly edited photos and videos. Read more

Instagram Analytics and New Twitter Changes

Instagram Analytics Coming to Business Pages

Instagram AnalyticsNews recently came out about new Instagram brand pages that businesses would soon be able to use to better market themselves and their brands. Now, it appears the Facebook-owned platform will take a page from its  parent company and provide business pages with useful Instagram analytics.

Some of the useful information reportedly being provided includes:

  • Follower demographics including location and gender and age
  • Most active time during the day of followers
  • Post and engagement data

Read more

#PureMichiganEDU Tour a Success

Social Media Workshops Draw Hundreds

logopmeduTwoSix Digital recently completed a first of its kind workshop series for members of the tourism and hospitality industries in the State of Michigan. The team visited and presented a series of full-day workshops in Marquette, Traverse City, Alpena, Grand Rapids and Detroit. The TwoSix Digital team traveled over 1,800 miles throughout the state in less than a month. The events brought together hundreds of tourism and hospitality professionals from across the state for an entire day’s worth of learning the best practices in digital marketing.

Dave Serino speaking in Marquette

Dave Serino speaking in Marquette

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Instagram Logo Redesign and Twitter Video Views

Instagram logo redesign

Instagram LogoIf there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years it’s that people go a bit crazy when a social network changes something – anything – about the way something looks or how it functions. That certainly proved to be the case when a new Instagram logo was unveiled along with a slightly redesigned look to the platform. Instagram’s sister apps (Boomerang, Layout and Hyperlapse) received similar redesigns to their logos.

Essentially, the logo changed from the vintage camera to a newer more colorful gradient design with the look inside the platform being black and white and “puts more focus on photos and videos without changing how you navigate the app”. Read more

Instagram Brand Pages

First look at Instagram brand pages

Companies and brands may soon have the ability to update their profiles to create Instagram brand pages similar to those already on Facebook. These new brand pages appear to only be available and visible to select users right now but offer some interesting new features that could be of great use to businesses and marketers.

Right now, Instagram’s algorithm has no way of determining a brand page versus a personal page. When a business or brand creates one of these pages they will have the option to categorize their page to let users know what kind of business they are.

Looking at the image to the right you’ll also see a “Contact” button prominently featured. Once this is clicked the option to get directions or email the business pops up. Interestingly, Instagram is giving users the options to email the business instead of using the native messaging feature (at least at this stage of development). There also seems to be a sort of cover photo that will appear above a page’s collection of pictures. Read more

Summer Travel Interest, Snapchat Video Views Rise

Summer Travel Opportunities Increase for Domestic Locations

While the threat of terrorism and disease are serious matters, fears over these two concerns may lead to an increase in domestic summer travel this year. According to the ADI Travel Survey 2016, interest in domestic summer travel and traveling within one’s own region rose 8% over the previous year.Domestic Travel

Lower gas prices are also being cited as helping to increase the interest in domestic summer travel, though survey respondents did say they planned on spending less on their trips this year. Still, this increased interest could lead to a better summer for U.S. DMO’s. Read more