Meta Initiates Testing for Threads Posts on Mastodon and ActivityPub-Supporting Services

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, recently announced that Threads, Meta’s social networking platform, is undergoing testing to make Threads posts accessible on Mastodon and other platforms supporting the ActivityPub protocol. Embracing interoperability with the decentralized social media landscape known as the “fediverse,” which includes Mastodon and Pixelfed, aligns with Meta’s commitment to providing users with diverse interaction options and broadening content reach. The move toward decentralization has been a strategic goal for Threads, reflecting Meta’s acknowledgment that embracing interoperability is essential for staying relevant to a new generation of creators. By integrating with the ActivityPub protocol, Threads aims to contribute to the open social web and foster a more inclusive digital environment. This interoperability test represents a significant step for Threads, signaling Meta’s dedication to exploring decentralized social networking. While the current test may not fully federate the entire social network, it underscores Meta’s commitment to ActivityPub and the broader open social web. The testing phase will likely reveal more details about the integration and how it enhances user experiences across different platforms. In July, Instagram head Adam Mosseri emphasized the importance of decentralization for Threads, stating that interoperability could make Meta a more appealing platform for creators. Meta had previously introduced features like account verification through Mastodon, demonstrating goodwill toward the fediverse. The ongoing test may offer only a partial view of a federated social network, with limited features such as viewing Threads posts on Mastodon. The complete scope of ActivityPub integration and potential cross-posting functionalities between Mastodon and Threads remains to be seen. As Meta progresses with the testing phase, users may gain insights into how Threads will contribute to the evolving landscape of decentralized social media. Note: The current test focuses on displaying Threads posts on Mastodon and ActivityPub-supporting services. Source: Tool Battles

Instagram Unveils Video Notes Feature for Expressive Status Updates

Instagram is evolving its user experience with the addition of a new feature that allows users to share video notes through its Notes feature. Previously limited to text and emoji messages of up to 60 characters, Notes now supports brief video statuses, each lasting just two seconds. Intriguingly, these videos can only be captured via the front-facing camera, with no option to share pre-recorded videos. As part of this expansion, Notes also gains support for photos, audio messages, stickers, and GIFs. Users can send replies to Notes, appearing as direct messages (DMs), resembling reactions to Instagram Stories. Introduced almost a year ago, Notes’ statuses are visible for 24 hours and are accessible only to mutual followers or individuals on the user’s “Close Friends” list. Despite the previous limited impact of Notes, Instagram’s latest updates aim to make the feature more engaging and appealing to users. Video notes serve as a novel way to share brief, expressive moments, contributing to the platform’s dynamic nature. While Notes has been positioned as a potential alternative to X, formerly known as Twitter, Meta’s launch of Threads and Instagram Stories has led to Notes remaining in a somewhat experimental stage. The platform’s future developments may determine whether Notes gains widespread adoption or undergoes further refinement. Source: Tool Battles Note: Availability of the Notes feature may vary, and users can check for its presence in their Inbox to create and view Notes.

Brand deals for Influencers : A Breakdown for Small to Mid size Influencers

In the age of social media, influencers have become a vital part of a brand’s marketing strategy. With the rise of Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, influencer marketing has become an essential way for brands to connect with their target audience. However, for small influencers, finding and securing brand deals can be challenging. In this post, we’ll break down how to find and secure brand deals for small influencers based on their follower count. Under 1000 Followers For creators just starting out, it can be difficult to secure brand deals as they don’t have a significant following. However, there are still a few ways to find brand deals. Be Active on Social Media To increase your chances of getting noticed by brands, you need to be active on social media. Post frequently, engage with your followers, and use relevant hashtags. You can also reach out to other small influencers and collaborate with them on projects. By building a community of like-minded creators, you can increase your visibility and reach. Utilize Hashtags and Geo-Tags Hashtags and geo-tags are crucial for increasing your visibility on social media. Use relevant hashtags to make your posts more discoverable, and geo-tags to target a specific audience. By using these tools, you can increase your chances of getting noticed by brands. Reach Out to Small Brands Small brands are always on the lookout for new and upcoming influencers to work with. Reach out to small brands in your niche and pitch yourself as an influencer who can help them reach their target audience. You can also offer to create content for them in exchange for free products or a small fee. Some other tips for small influencers just starting out with under 1000 followers are: Create Quality Content: One of the most important things to focus on as a small influencer is creating quality content. Brands want to work with influencers who have a unique style and can produce high-quality content. Experiment with different types of content and find what works best for your niche. By consistently producing great content, you’ll increase your chances of getting noticed by brands. Engage with Your Followers: Engaging with your followers is essential for growing your audience and attracting brand deals. Respond to comments and messages, and take the time to build relationships with your followers. By showing your audience that you care about them, you’ll build a loyal following that brands will want to tap into. Network with Other Influencers: Networking with other influencers can also help you land brand deals. Attend influencer events and connect with others in your niche. By building relationships with other influencers, you can collaborate on projects and increase your visibility. You can also cross-promote each other’s content to reach a wider audience. Take Advantage of Influencer Marketplaces: There are also influencer marketplaces that can help you find brand deals as a small influencer. Platforms like Sponsora and others allow you to create a profile and connect with brands looking for influencers. These platforms are great for getting started and can help you build relationships with brands. Sponsora is one of the only few that accept creators of all sizes. Get started for free! In terms of earning potential, small influencers may not make as much as larger influencers, but they can still earn money through brand deals. Some brands may be willing to work with smaller influencers for a lower fee or in exchange for free products. As you grow your following and increase your visibility, you can start to command higher rates. 1k-5k Followers Once you’ve built a following of 1k-5k followers, you can start to secure brand deals. Here are a few ways to do so: Create a Media Kit A media kit is a great way to showcase your work and attract potential brand partners. It should include your bio, social media handles, statistics on your reach and engagement, and examples of your work. A media kit can make it easier for brands to evaluate your content and decide whether you’re a good fit for their brand. Use Influencer Marketing Platforms Influencer marketing platforms like Sponsora can connect you with brands looking for influencers in your niche. Our platform provide a marketplace where brands and influencers can find each other, negotiate rates, and collaborate on campaigns. Attend Industry Events Attending industry events, such as conferences and trade shows, can help you network with brands and other influencers. These events provide a great opportunity to learn more about the industry and to meet potential brand partners. 10k-100k Followers For influencers with 10k-100k followers, brand deals become more common. Here are a few ways to secure brand deals at this stage: Build Relationships with Brands As you gain more followers, it’s essential to start building relationships with brands. Reach out to brands you love and create content for them in exchange for a fee or free products. By building relationships with brands, you can secure long-term partnerships and increase your earning potential. Pitch Yourself to Brands If you’re interested in working with a specific brand, pitch yourself to them. Send them an email or DM, and showcase your work and why you’d be a good fit for their brand. Make sure to personalize your pitch and show the brand that you’re genuinely interested in working with them. Work with an Agency Working with an agency can help you secure more significant brand deals and simplify the negotiation process. An agency can help you create a media kit, negotiate rates, and manage campaigns. However, keep in mind that agencies often take a significant cut of revenue from your brand deals, and the deals they bring you may not align with your values. 10k-100k followers: Once you’ve reached the 10k-100k follower range, you can start to attract more significant brand deals. This is because you have a solid following that trusts you and your content. At this point, you may also have established yourself as an expert in your niche, which makes you more