Three18 Marketing Solutions

Category: Social Media

  • Meta launches Edits app, a competitor to CapCut

    Meta is turning up the heat in the short-form video space with its newly launched Edits app — a lightweight, mobile-first video editing platform tailor-made for creators, entrepreneurs, and business owners who want to streamline content creation. If you’re a small business owner looking to enhance your brand’s visual presence without spending hours in front of a computer, this app may be exactly what you need.

    What is Edits?

    The Edits app is Meta’s latest standalone product that empowers users to create, trim, and remix short-form videos directly from their phone. Unlike traditional editors, Edits is tightly integrated with Instagram and Facebook, making publishing seamless for Reels and Stories.

    It’s designed with speed and simplicity in mind, perfect for entrepreneurs managing their own social media or small teams that need to create content quickly. Think of it as your on-the-go video assistant that helps bring your brand to life through polished, platform-ready videos.

    How Edits Helps Business Owners

    Whether you’re a boutique owner, real estate agent, personal trainer, or café manager, Edits can streamline your content creation workflow in the following ways:

    1. Effortless Editing

    Cut, trim, and splice together clips with intuitive drag-and-drop features. No video editing background required.

    2. Smart Templates

    Leverage pre-built templates optimized for Instagram Reels. These templates use trending formats and transitions, giving your content a chance to go viral without trying to follow every trend yourself.

    3. Auto-Captions & Text Styles

    Add automated captions to boost accessibility and engagement. Choose from various branded font styles that align with your visual identity.

    4. Music and Voiceovers

    Access licensed music from Meta’s library or easily record a voiceover directly in-app — a big win for brands looking to personalize their message.

    5. Content Repurposing

    Quickly remix older clips into new formats, helping you get more usage out of previous videos, photos, and user-generated content.

    6. Instagram Integration

    Because it’s a Meta product, Edits is natively connected to Instagram and Facebook. No need to export and reformat—your polished video is just a few taps away from publishing.

    Edits vs. CapCut: What’s the Difference?

    Meta’s Edits app enters a space largely dominated by TikTok’s partner app, CapCut, but the two serve slightly different user needs. Here’s a side-by-side comparison tailored for business owners:

    FeatureEdits (Meta)CapCut
    Platform IntegrationNative integration with Instagram & FacebookNative TikTok integration
    Ease of UseUltra-simplified for beginnersMore advanced, more tools
    TemplatesFocused on Instagram trendsHeavily focused on TikTok styles
    Audio ToolsVoiceover + Meta music libraryOffers team collaboration features in the CapCut web version
    AI ToolsSmart trimming, auto-captionsAdvanced AI features like background removal, script suggestions
    Audience TargetBusiness owners & creators on Meta platformsTikTok creators & content-savvy users
    Collaboration FeaturesNot yetOffers team collaboration features in CapCut web version

    When to Choose Edits vs. CapCut

    • Choose Edits if you’re focused on Instagram/Facebook and need a simple, fast, business-friendly editor.
    • Choose CapCut if you’re producing content for TikTok and want deeper control over effects and transitions.

    Meta’s Edits app could be a game-changer for business owners who want to maintain a consistent video presence without hiring a content team. It strikes a sweet balance between functionality and user-friendliness, making it easier than ever to turn your ideas into engaging content that drives views, saves, and sales.

    If you’re trying to do more with less — and stand out in a busy feed — Edits is worth the download.

  • Here’s why your business (or at least you) should be on Threads

    Threads, Meta’s rapidly evolving platform, continues to gain traction in the social media landscape, offering features that make it a promising space for businesses and marketers. Here’s why businesses should take notice:

    The Growth of Threads

    Threads initially leveraged its integration with Instagram, allowing users to seamlessly transition between platforms. This move gave Threads a significant user base from the start, reaching over 200 million monthly active users, although still behind X (formerly Twitter). Its ties to Instagram helped position it as a familiar and accessible platform for Instagram’s massive audience.

    Custom Feeds and Competition

    The introduction of custom feeds has further enhanced user control over their content experience. These features have helped Threads compete with other rising platforms like Bluesky by offering users the ability to curate feeds based on interests or preferences. This customization aligns well with the current trend of personalized digital experiences.

    Features Businesses Will Appreciate

    1. Insights for Data-Driven Decisions
      Threads now offers an analytics feature that provides businesses with insights into audience demographics, follower growth, and engagement rates. This data empowers businesses to refine their strategies based on actionable metrics.
    2. Post Scheduling and Drafts
      Businesses can plan content efficiently with Threads’ post-scheduling feature, which supports setting up multiple posts in advance. The ability to store up to 100 drafts allows for streamlined campaign planning.
    3. Content Moderation
      Threads offers tools to hide certain keywords or filter out political content, helping businesses create a more brand-safe environment for engagement.
    4. Community Building
      With its cleaner, more focused design compared to X, Threads fosters meaningful interactions. Businesses can connect directly with audiences, building relationships in a less cluttered digital space.

    Upcoming Features and Opportunities

    Meta is reportedly planning to introduce advertisements to Threads as early as January 2025. This move is part of Meta’s strategy to monetize the platform and could open new opportunities for businesses to reach their target audiences through in-app advertising.

    While Threads is currently ad-free, this move signals a major opportunity for businesses. Here’s why:

    • Early Mover Advantage
      Businesses that establish a presence now will be better positioned to leverage ads when they launch, enjoying greater visibility before competition intensifies.
    • Cross-Platform Advertising
      With Threads tied to Meta, Meta’s ad ecosystem is likely to integrate seamlessly across platforms. Brands will be able to target users based on Threads-specific behavior while utilizing Instagram’s robust audience data for precision targeting.
    • Cost-Effective Experimentation
      Ads on new platforms often start with competitive pricing to attract advertisers. This creates an opportunity for smaller businesses to test strategies and gain insights at a lower cost.

    Meta’s prediction of $8 billion in annual revenue from Threads by 2025 is a clear indication of the platform’s potential as a key player in social media advertising​.

    Why Join Now?

    Threads offers an uncluttered, ad-free experience that allows businesses to stand out while the platform is still in its growth phase. Early adoption means less competition for attention and the opportunity to establish a strong presence before the space becomes saturated.

    With a focus on analytics, scheduling, and user-centric features, Threads is proving to be a valuable addition to any business’s marketing toolkit. By getting on board now, businesses can capitalize on its unique advantages and position themselves as leaders in this emerging digital space.

  • TikTok Ban to impact small businesses and creators

    In a seismic shift for the social media landscape, the TikTok ban has been set into motion, leaving small businesses and creators scrambling to adapt to the new reality. The recent passage of the bill, announced today, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing debate surrounding the platform’s influence and security concerns. As the ban looms, stakeholders are left to ponder the ramifications and plot a course forward in this uncertain territory.

    The TikTok Ban Bill: What We Know

    The bill, which passed today, represents a culmination of efforts to address national security concerns associated with TikTok, a popular short-form video platform owned by Chinese company ByteDance. Citing worries over data privacy and the potential for foreign influence, lawmakers have pushed for stringent measures to curb the app’s reach within the United States.

    The specifics of the bill outline a phased approach to the TikTok ban, with provisions aimed at restricting access to the app for American users and implementing measures to sever ties between TikTok and its parent company. Additionally, the bill allocates resources for cybersecurity initiatives and reinforces regulations surrounding data handling practices for social media platforms.

    Impact on Small Business Owners and Creators

    For small businesses and creators who have built their brands and livelihoods on TikTok, the impending ban poses a myriad of challenges. With millions of users and a highly engaged audience, TikTok has emerged as a vital marketing channel for businesses of all sizes, offering unparalleled reach and engagement potential.

    The ban threatens to upend established marketing strategies and disrupt revenue streams for small businesses that rely on TikTok to promote their products and services. Moreover, creators who have cultivated large followings on the platform face the prospect of losing their audience and grappling with the loss of a platform that has become synonymous with their brand identity.

    U.S. TikTok Ban

    Navigating the Post-Ban Landscape

    As the TikTok ban goes into effect, small business owners and creators must pivot swiftly to mitigate the impact and explore alternative avenues for reaching their target audience. This may involve diversifying social media strategies, leveraging alternative platforms, or investing in owned media channels such as websites and email lists.

    Additionally, the ban presents an opportunity for emerging social media platforms to capitalize on the vacuum left by TikTok’s absence. Competitors such as Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts are poised to attract disgruntled TikTok users and offer a familiar yet alternative platform for content creation and consumption. The time has come to start encouraging your TikTok followers to consider following you on these alternative platforms.

    The Future of Social Media

    Beyond the immediate fallout of the TikTok ban, the episode underscores broader tensions surrounding data privacy, national security, and the role of social media in modern society. As governments grapple with these complex issues, the landscape of social media is likely to undergo significant transformation, with implications for businesses, creators, and users alike.

    Looking ahead, stakeholders must remain vigilant and adaptable in the face of evolving regulatory landscapes and shifting consumer preferences. While the TikTok ban represents a significant setback for some, it also serves as a reminder of the inherent volatility of the digital ecosystem and imperative resilience in the face of change.

    If you’re ready to invest in an owned marketing channel for your business, give us a call at (318) 519-6230.

  • What They’re Not Telling You About Snap Maps

    As we’re sure you’ve probably seen or read about on the internet at this point, Snapchat recently released a new update that also included a new feature: Snap Maps. The new feature allows you to find your friends, explore the world, and plan an outing or trip on a map featuring caricatures of yourself and friends called Bitmoji. The internet and media have been quick to critique Snapchat, touting the new feature as “dangerous” and “worrying.” While ensuring your privacy is protected is an important responsibility, some of the reports have just been flat out wrong. We’re here to set the record straight and let you decide for yourself.

    1. The feature is opt-in.

    Opt-in means no one is automatically sharing their location with the app. The feature is accessed by pinching to zoom out. Upon accessing the feature for the first time Snapchat will prompt you asking if you would like to share your location. You have the option of not sharing your location at all or sharing your location in order to view the map of your friends.

    2. You can ‘ghost’ yourself.

    ‘Ghosting’ yourself essentially means keeping your location private. It allows the app to use your location in order to provide you with the location of other friends, but does not share your location with anyone. You do not appear on the map. ‘Ghost mode’ once toggled on remains on until switched back off.

    3. You can choose which friends see your location.

    If you want to take advantage of the new feature while maintaining some of your privacy you can also choose to share your location with only specific friends. This allows you to take advantage of the feature to see which of your friends are nearby or view snaps from popular locations and events around the world, while not sharing your location with your entire friend’s list.

    4. Your location is only shared with your friends.

    While Facebook posts can often by seen by strangers (public posts) or friends of friends (tagged posts), Snap Maps only allows your friends to see your location, if you have opted-in. Many media stories have falsely reported that Snap Maps is viewable by everyone. This is misleading; while it is viewable to every one of your friends the feature is not viewable publicly.

    5. The feature showcases hot spots around town and throughout the world.

    The feature curates snaps that have been posted to the ‘our story’ feature to reveal popular events and locations. Is Journey in town for a concert? A heat map will appear above the venue, giving you a glimpse of what’s happening. Scroll across the world to the Eiffel Tower and take a look at history through the eyes of others. This is one of the coolest aspects of the new feature! It allows you to discover events that are happening near you, find nearby friends who might be interested, and plan an adventure.

    What are you thoughts on the new Snap Map feature? We’d love to hear your feedback. Have you opted into the feature?

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