And as of July 2025, Facebook is still the most widely used social platform on the planet.

But the Facebook of today isn’t the one you remember from years ago. What started as a place for casual scrolling is now a full-fledged business tool where you can sell products, capture high-value leads, and even automate customer service and inventory tracking.

Meta has effectively turned Facebook into three platforms in one:

• Revenue generator
• Audience intelligence hub
• Efficiency engine

And here’s the kicker: It’s not just big spenders who are winning. The most successful brands are using Facebook’s business tools to spot opportunities their competitors miss.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to make Facebook work harder for your business — through revenue growth, audience retention, and smarter operations.

Revenue Growth: Turning Facebook into a Sales Channel

To get real sales results from Facebook, focus on the features that connect you with buyers and keep them engaged. These tools make it easier to attract attention, build interest, and guide them toward purchase.

Facebook Shop

Think of Facebook Shop as your storefront within the Meta ecosystem. Integrated with platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce, it lets you showcase products, manage inventory, build curated collections, and tag products in posts or ads so they’re easy to find.

The big shift in 2025? Meta is retiring native checkout on Facebook and Instagram. Now, shoppers will browse and discover products on-platform but head over to your website to complete the purchase, giving you more control over transactions and customer experience.

In-Stream Ads

If you’re producing long-form video or going Live, in-stream ads can turn those views into revenue. They can run before, during, or after your content — giving you ways to monetize without breaking the flow for your audience. You still control when ads appear, and earnings are based on views and watch time.

Pro tip: Longer videos with smart ad placement give you more than one chance to earn from the same viewer. Every extra touchpoint increases your overall monetization potential.

Facebook Marketplace

With over a billion monthly users, Marketplace is one of the biggest social commerce platforms out there — and in some categories, it sees more buying activity than Amazon or eBay. Businesses can list products for free with local pickup or pay just 5 percent (as little as $0.40–$0.80) for shipped orders. Built-in buyer profiles and seller ratings add instant social proof.

Meta is also testing an eBay integration in select markets, letting Facebook users browse eBay listings directly in Marketplace (checkout still happens on eBay). And if you have a Facebook Shop, your approved products can show up there, too, giving them even more visibility.

The real advantage? Marketplace taps into the trust and massive reach of Facebook’s social network. You can share listings in groups, promote them with ads, and connect them to your business page, creating more ways for shoppers to find and buy from you.

Facebook Content Monetization Program

Meta has rolled in-stream ads, Reels ads, and performance bonuses into a single content monetization program. That means you can earn from multiple formats — short Reels, longer videos, and more — without juggling separate systems. Facebook automatically optimizes ad placement, while you control the monetization settings.

On average, business pages can earn around $4–$10 per 1,000 Reels views, though actual earnings vary based on engagement, content quality, where your viewers are located, and even seasonal ad demand. The unified dashboard makes it easier to track revenue across all your content in one place.

Fan Subscriptions

Fan Subscriptions let you earn recurring revenue by giving paying subscribers access to exclusive perks — think early access, premium content, or members-only community features. You set the monthly price, and after fees, the rest is yours.

Unlike ad revenue, which can swing up and down with views and engagement, subscriptions create steady, predictable income. That kind of consistency makes it easier to plan content investments and forecast your revenue month to month.

Facebook Live

Live video remains one of Facebook’s strongest tools for building real-time connections with your audience. Although Facebook ended its built-in live shopping features in 2022, you can still use livestreams for product demos, Q&As, launches, and brand storytelling. During your broadcast, direct viewers to your website or Facebook Shop, create urgency around limited offers, and later repurpose the recording to keep the content working for you.

Livestreams tend to outperform prerecorded content. They get about 10 percent more engagement, and viewers stick around for an average of 25.4 minutes per session, which is roughly eight times longer than on-demand videos.

Facebook Video Platforms

Facebook’s video ecosystem gives you multiple ways to share content, from quick tips and customer spotlights to behind-the-scenes and thought leadership clips. Use Facebook Watch for longer-form content, Reels for short, attention-grabbing videos, and Stories for timely updates. Regular posts can keep the conversation going between bigger releases.

The best part? You can create a video once and share it across formats. Cross-post Reels from Instagram to Facebook, reuse content in Stories, and keep your brand showing up at multiple touchpoints in your audience’s day.

Audience Growth and Retention: Turning Followers into Loyal Customers

Driving revenue on Facebook goes beyond the first sale; it’s about building an audience that stays engaged and keeps coming back. Meta offers a full suite of tools to help you attract the right people, understand what works, and keep your brand top of mind.

Meta Business Suite (MBS)

Meta Business Suite is your command center for Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. From a single dashboard, you can create, schedule, and publish across Facebook and Instagram, manage ads, track performance, and handle customer engagement.

All your messages and comments come into one inbox, making it easier to respond quickly and keep your brand voice consistent. For bigger teams, role-based permissions and cross-platform dashboards keep things organized while allowing for local customization.

Core capabilities include:

• Content management: Schedule posts and stories, create Reels from photos, and edit scheduled content.
• Customer engagement: Get a unified inbox for messages and comments, mention and tag monitoring, and automated responses.
• Campaign optimization: Build ads, save drafts, run A/B tests, and manage leads with CRM tools.
• Analytics and insights: Track performance across platforms, analyze audience behavior, and get content recommendations.
• Team collaboration: MBS supports role-based access, approval workflows, and bulk content planning tools to help teams work efficiently and stay aligned.

Events Manager and Advanced Attribution

Events Manager is Meta’s all-in-one tracking solution, built to tackle today’s privacy-first measurement challenges. It combines browser-based tracking (Meta Pixel) and server-side tracking (Conversions API or CAPI) so you get a more complete view of user behavior and campaign performance. With CAPI pulling data directly from your server, you still get accurate insights even if users block cookies, opt out of iOS tracking, or when browser events don’t fire.

But Events Manager doesn’t stop at basic conversion tracking. It plugs into Meta’s advanced measurement tools — like brand lift, conversion lift, and incremental attribution. That last one is a game changer: It helps you fine-tune campaigns with real lift data (the measurable impact directly attributable to your ads), so you can build ROI reports that connect the dots across organic, paid, and offline channels.

AI-Powered Ad Creation and Optimization

Meta’s AI tools can take a single brief and turn it into multiple ad variations, boosting click-through rates by an average of 6.7 percent. These variations can help you see which messages click with different audience segments, so you can convert first-time visitors into repeat buyers. Meta plans to roll out fully automated campaigns by 2026, from creative to targeting using only your product details and budget.

Operational Efficiency and ROI: Getting More from Every Ad Dollar

Driving revenue is only half the game — the rest is using your team’s time, budget, and resources wisely. Meta’s latest tools aren’t just for running ads; they also help you handle customer conversations, track campaigns, and keep operations running smoothly.

With the right setup, you can respond faster, target better, and see exactly where your ad spend drives results, all without adding headcount or inflating costs.

Workflow Efficiency via MBS

Beyond content scheduling and analytics, MBS streamlines the daily grind of managing multiple Meta platforms. A shared asset library keeps branding consistent across campaigns, while AI-assisted replies and tagging tools cut response times. That speed matters. When customers get quick, helpful responses, they’re more likely to stick around, leave positive reviews, and recommend your brand.

AI-Driven Campaign Productivity

Tools like Advantage+ automate ad delivery, creative selection, and audience targeting in real time. Your campaigns adjust on the fly based on what’s working, so you’re not stuck making manual tweaks that slow momentum. Retail advertisers using Advantage+ often cut their cost per action by around 12 percent, and many see a noticeable lift in ROAS compared with traditional setups.

Attribution and Performance Measurement

Meta’s measurement tools give you multiple ways to see exactly where your budget works hardest:

• Native reporting tools: Real-time dashboards make it easy to spot trends, pivot quickly, and keep campaigns on track.
• Marketing mix modeling (MMM): Meta’s open-source Robyn tool shows each channel’s impact, so you can focus spend where it drives the most value.
• Incrementality testing: Lift studies and controlled experiments reveal the true effect of your ads. This helps you separate tangible impact from background noise.

Your Next Steps

Facebook has evolved into a full-scale platform that can help you grow revenue, strengthen audience relationships, and run marketing operations from one place. By using the right mix of tools, you can unlock opportunities and outpace your competitors.

Ready to optimize your business’s social media strategy? Talk with an expert content strategist at ClearVoice today and start unlocking your brand’s full potential on Facebook.

The post Marketing Leader’s Guide to Facebook Content Monetization appeared first on ClearVoice.

1. Meta Business Suite Will Help You Become a More Effective Marketer

If you’re a professional advertiser on the platform, this one should come as a no-brainer. The Meta Business Suite is a complex platform, but it has all you need to be an effective marketer.

Here’s some of what you can do with it:

• Post across platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger
• Create ads
• Track insights and trends
• Access tools like Commerce Manager and Ads Manager
• Manage your inbox

Don’t get overwhelmed by the depth of the platform. Consider taking free courses through Meta Blueprint to learn how to leverage and maximize everything available through the Meta Business Suite.

2. Create More Impactful Advantage+ Campaigns

People are consuming more video content, and there’s social media data to prove it. Meta’s internal data notes a 25 percent increase in daily watch times for Reels and videos across its apps. Reshares for Reels also reached a whopping 3.5 billion daily.

With this considered, Meta is bringing the power of video to its Advantage+ campaigns. These updates include:

• Advantage+ creative optimizations. This will automatically optimize your video ads for viewing on Reels on Facebook or Instagram mobile apps with a 9:16 ratio. It will also use multiple ad variations and personalize your ads based on what gets the best response.
• Videos in Advantage+ catalog ads. Instead of personalized product recommendations with only static images, you’ll now have the option to use branded videos or customer demonstration videos in your Advantage+ catalog ads.
• Advantage+ creative with Advantage+ catalog campaigns. You’ll be able to include a “hero” image at the center of your catalog ad. Meta’s AI will then dynamically display the best products from your catalog.

3. Drive More Sales Through Improved Shop Ads

Shop ads simplify the digital customer journey, allowing people to easily buy something after seeing an ad for it on Facebook or Instagram. Meta has expanded access to its integrations with Magento and Salesforce Commerce Cloud, so more advertisers can take advantage of Shop ads and drive increased sales.

4. Use Recurring Messenger Notifications to Get Repeat Customers

Just because your ad has ended (and you got the sale) doesn’t mean you want to lose that customer.

That’s why Meta released a recurring notification feature that lets you send personalized, automated Messenger notifications to alert customers of promotions, new product releases, sales, and major business updates.

Keep in mind that customers can opt out of recurring messages, but if they don’t, it can be a great way to improve your advertising ROI.

5. Get Enhanced Ad Insights to Inform Your Facebook Advertising Efforts

Facebook’s advertising analytics has drastically improved with Meta’s introduction of new attribution models and analytics integrations.

You have the option to choose an attribution setting to optimize for and report on conversions that wouldn’t have happened without the ad being shown (also known as incremental conversions). This allows you to assess the true impact of your ad and find ways to make improvements.

The buyer journey isn’t always linear, which means that buyers may see and interact with your ads across different platforms. Meta is now making it easier to track this cross-publisher performance and optimize your strategy accordingly. You’ll be able to connect your third-party analytics tools directly into the Meta ads system to get a holistic view of your advertising mix.

6. Adapt Your Targeting to Remove Detailed Targeting Exclusions

Previously, Meta advertisers had the option to restrict who saw their ads. With the latest updates to Meta’s advertising policies, you can no longer use detailed targeting exclusions in new ad sets.

The platform is still offering alternative ways to exclude a certain audience from your targeting, like audience exclusions. However, if you primarily used detailed targeting exclusions, you’ll need to adjust your 2025 Facebook advertising according to this new update.

Meta believes that this change will improve campaign performance. A recent test showed a 22.6 percent lower cost per conversion when an advertiser didn’t use detailed targeting exclusions compared with when they did use it.

7. Get More Out of Your Influencer Collaborations with Partnership Ad Improvements

According to Meta, 53 percent of survey respondents are likely to buy something that a creator is promoting on Reels. That explains why the latest Facebook advertising updates, such as improvements to Partnership Ads, focus on features that promote and enhance creator collaborations.

Now you can spotlight one partner in the ad’s header instead of showing both the advertiser and the partner. That means the ad will appear under the influencer’s username, letting you lean into their unique personal identity. You’ll be able to create ads that feel more human and more personal, which will resonate with the audience and contribute to better ad performance.

8. Find and Scale Creator-Led Content Seamlessly

Meta recently launched AI-enabled creator content recommendations for Instagram and will soon expand access to Facebook. This feature provides you with personalized suggestions for organic branded content that will perform best as an ad, taking the guesswork out of your content scaling efforts.

Use this as an A/B testing tool to find the most impactful creator-led content to use in your Partnership Ads.

9. Enhance Your Video Assets with Video Expansion on Facebook Reels

Facebook Reels ads are about to get better, with Meta offering AI video tools to effortlessly enhance your video assets. Video Expansion is one of the latest Facebook advertising updates that will help you unlock the true potential of your video assets.

This tool adjusts your video ad creative by using AI to generate unseen pixels in each video frame. It expands the aspect ratio and creates a more immersive experience for users engaging with your Facebook Reels ads.

10. Improve Your Video Ad Visibility with Reels Trending Ads (testing)

Meta is currently testing Reels trending ads, which will display your short-form video ad alongside popular Reels across Meta platforms. This means your ad will deliver seamlessly against organic creator-generated content without interrupting the viewing experience for users.

This is a great way to increase visibility and engage your audiences — and ultimately improve your ad performance. For this type of ad to work, consider using content that feels organic and fits naturally with the adjacent creator-generated Reels.

11. Drive Real-Time Engagement with Facebook Live Partnership Ads (testing)

In another bid to facilitate more seamless partnerships between brands and creators, Meta is also testing Facebook Live Partnership Ads. This allows advertisers to boost live videos in collaboration with creators. The boosted video will display to users as a Partnership Ad, helping you make the most of creator-generated content.

Leveraging live video content in your Facebook advertising will encourage real-time engagement. Plus, it adds a layer of authenticity and trust since the content comes from creators. This could help you improve lead generation on Facebook and attract high-quality leads.

Even with all these tools to power your Meta advertising campaigns, you still need impactful ad copy to engage your target audience. With a vetted network of freelance content experts, ClearVoice offers managed content solutions to take your Facebook ads to the next level.

Connect with a content specialist today to get started.

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The most recent social media updates you’ll want to know

Facebook App updates:

Facebook Reels makes its debut globally. Everyone is familiar with Instagram Reels, but now Facebook is adding the feature to its platform. Although similar to Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels has 30-second audio clips and allows creators and users to feature engaging content natively.

Facebook adds new features and capabilities for Facebook Group admins. If you’re building an online community through Facebook Groups, you now have more admin features to help foster a safe environment. Those features include muting or suspending group members or auto declining posts from repetitive offenders that attempt to abuse community guidelines.

Twitter updates:

Twitter launched a Tor service for more secure and private tweeting. Amid the issues of Russian censorship, the platform released a privacy-preserving Tor service to mitigate internet blocks. The Tor network has also been added to Twitter’s supported browsers page.

Twitter is experimenting with a shopping feature. Shopping from Twitter is becoming a thing with Twitter Shops. The feature will allow merchants to create collections of products, and the products will show on their profiles for purchase. Unlike Instagram, all shops will drive to the merchant’s website instead of completing the purchase direction on the platform.

Instagram updates:

Instagram adds credits to ensure Black Creators receive proper attribution for their content. After many complaints from Black Creators, Instagram introduced a new tag to ensure Black content creators receive credit for their trends that are often misplaced.

Instagram removes Boomerang apps from App stores. If you’re one to use the Boomerang app that’s separate from the Instagram App, you may have noticed its disappearance. It’s no accident. Instagram quietly pulled the apps, especially since many of these apps are now feature options directly within the app.

TikTok update:

TikTok launched SoundOn, making it a music distributor. The ByteDance-owned app recently launched its own music distribution platform that is available in the U.K., U.S., Brazil, and Indonesia. Music artists can now upload music directly to TikTok and RESSO.

Snapchat updates:

Snapchat adds advertising to its Stories and shares the money with its creators. Snapchat users will begin noticing ads within the Stories experience during a beta test that is curating another revenue generator for content creators. Since it’s still in the testing phase, the platform’s monitoring the user experience and response to the shift.

Android users can now share YouTube music to Snapchat Stories. Although the feature has been available for iOS users since last year, Android users now can share YouTube music directly to their Snapchat Stories.

LinkedIn update:

LinkedIn users can now display career breaks on their profiles. Previously, the platform’s chronological requirements made it difficult to address career pauses adequately, but you can now do this easily. The feature can be used as needed, and professionals can showcase learnings instead of job skillsets.

Pinterest update:

Pinterest announced its latest cohorts in Pinterest Elevates, honoring women-run businesses. In honor of Women’s History Month, Pinterest unveiled the latest cohorts of their accelerator program, Pinterest Elevates. Participants represent marginalized communities, offering both monetary and strategic support that can be used to leverage platform growth.

YouTube update:

YouTube is incentivizing podcasters to film shows on the platform. If you’re a podcaster, you may have an opportunity to join a bid on YouTube that can pay you upward of $300,000 to fund filmed episodes of your podcasts. There isn’t much around the process yet, but we’ll keep you posted on any updates here in our social media industry report.

Reddit update:

Reddit revamps its navigation tab. Reddit’s Discovery tab recently had a massive overhaul, directly addressing user feedback. The Discovery Tab is now located on the right of the home button, and users can now search over 100K+ communities on the platform with more ease.

Are you looking for industry updates for freelance professionals? Check out some practical tips and insights that will help your business thrive. 

The post Social Media News and Updates — Facebook Adds Reels, TikTok Launches SoundOn, and More appeared first on ClearVoice.

Recent social media updates you’ll want to know

Facebook app update:

Meta provides a glimpse of Metaverse to advertisers. I’m sure you’ve heard of the Metaverse and the potential impact it may have on how we experience augmented reality. Although it’s not open to the public yet, Meta shared its vision for how they plan to show up in the Metaverse, and many compare it to Snapchat.

Twitter update:

Pins are now available for Twitter direct messaging. We’re all aware of pinned tweets, but now Twitter users can pin up to six conversations with direct messages. This feature can assist with tweets that need follow-up or quick access.

Instagram updates:

Likes have made their way to Instagram Stories. Followers now can like Stories, along with all normal reactions. Instagram users will soon see the heart button within Stories for likes. Should someone like your Story, you will receive the notification within your general notification “heart.” Don’t see this feature yet? Don’t worry! It’s still new, so be sure to keep your app updates current.

Instagram shares tips on platform safety on #SaferInternet Day. If you’re noticing a fluctuation in spam messages or comments, consider them an indicator to take your platform and account security seriously. Recently, Instagram shared practical tips to help users stay safe and protect their accounts, including two-factor authentication, support requests, and more.

TikTok update:

Longer videos may become a thing for TikTok. In a recent article, TikTok executives addressed its users’ short attention spans while mentioning the consideration of expanding video time on the platform.

Snapchat updates:

Changing your username on Snapchat is now a thing. For years, Snapchat users were unable to update their usernames once they created their accounts – until now. Platform users can now update their usernames beginning Feb. 23, 2022. The new feature will be available to both iOS and Android users.

Snap users can now share real-time locations with their friends. The platform recently shared a buddy system-like feature, allowing friends to share their real-time location for a period of time. The feature was available in other countries and now makes its way to the U.S. for its debut.

LinkedIn updates:

LinkedIn profiles can now integrate with Microsoft Teams. If you’re on Microsoft Teams, you’re now able to connect and share your LinkedIn profile directly within Team’s interface. If you’re joining meetings, this can be a great way to showcase your profile and gain new professional connections.

Linkedin announced $500K in grants for Black entrepreneurs. LinkedIn recently announced its pledge to provide $500,000 in grants to Black entrepreneurs on the platform within its Black History Month initiatives. The program is designed to acknowledge and encourage professional alternatives for Black freelancers and business owners. Grants for minority-owned businesses provide opportunity and advancement. Additionally, LinkedIn planned its first Black Entrepreneurs Summit on Feb. 22, 2022.

Pinterest update:

Pinterest introduces AR to the online shopping experience. For those who love to pin home décor, your online experience is getting a major upgrade soon. Pinterest is rolling out an AR experience for home décor shopping in hopes of allowing pinners to virtually “try it” before they make the official purchase.

YouTube update:

YouTube shared its plans for 2022 with content creators. YouTube’s Chief Product Officer, Neal Mohan, shared the platform’s direction for the year, along with upcoming releases like “super chats” and memberships. If you’re a content creator, now may be the time to level up on your YouTube presence.

Reddit update:

Reddit announced that its audio product, Reddit Talk, now has a desktop version. Reddit’s audio experience, Reddit Talk, is now accessible on a desktop. Users can listen to talks, create talks, and more. Although the company is excited about the expansion, they’re making moderation a priority early to ensure users remain safe using the feature.

Are you looking for steady freelance work with top-notch brands? Check out our freelance job section. We’re always looking to add new writers.

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However, what happens if there’s a lack of representation in the writings created?

As of December 2021, 79% of content writers are white, while approximately 7% are Hispanic or Latino, and 5.9% identify as Black or African American. Although African Americans show up consistently as the top consumers of media consumption, there is a massive disparity of representation regarding the creators of the content.

Although we have a lot of work to do in challenging and shifting this narrative within the writing industry, Black Writers are pushing to move diverse voices forward.

Here are 10 Black writers that you should be on your radar and follow immediately.

1. Elayne Fluker, Host of The Support is Sexy Podcast, Author, and Speaker

Elayne Fluker is pioneering the release of the “doing it all syndrome” that many women, especially Black women, have for doing all the things and being everything to everyone except themselves. Her content reminds us all that it’s okay to ask for help, and HELP is not a bad word (contrary to societal’s distaste for the term.) If you’re interested in hearing her speak, you can find her on LinkedIn Lives with her lovely guests on thought-provoking topics.

2. Ashley Simpo, Freelance writer, editor, and columnist for Dating w/ Kids for Kindred

Ashley Simpo was mentioned on our Black Creators paving the way for change article, but she’s totally worth mentioning again. Her writing and content creates space for her audience to accept the beautiful facets of life. In her recent article with Insider, she shared her experience with single parenting during the pandemic and how the pandemic gifted her with the knowledge of a diagnosis. Ultimately, it helped her shift her approach to relationships and herself.

3. Amanda Gorman, Writer, and Poet

Undoubtedly known for her poetry reading at President Biden’s inauguration, her words can pierce the core of unconscious biases or blatant racial blind spots while soothing the craving we all have for unity and togetherness. She can remind you that every voice matters, and there’s art in everything, even makeup (according to her recent article with Allure).

4. Leonard “Charlamagne Tha God,” Radio Host and Author

Leonard, better known as Charlamagne Tha God, is a co-host of the widely popular Radio Show The Breakfast Club. Although highly influential, he can be controversial. Years ago, Leonard was known for his brut and raw honesty (that often angered many guests and backfired). Now, he’s a mental health advocate with a specific focus to help the Black community and Black men discover the value of therapy. He is a must-follow. To stay current on all things culturally relevant and for a great perspective on matters that matter to the Black community.

Did you notice that we have a few Black men noted in the article so far? Remember the stats shared earlier? That percentage is much lower when considering race and gender. 

5. Faith Briggs, Writer, Film Director, Podcast Host, and & Environmental Justice Advocate

Faith Briggs is a name you should keep on your radar. Her writings and films cultivate a space for equity and representation for diverse and marginalized communities, and her integration of our environment unveils the deeply rooted injustice that’s intertwined in all parts of American infrastructure. She is the co-host of The Trail Ahead Podcast, along with Addie Thompson, which leans into the uncomfortable yet needed conversations at the intersection of environment, race, history, and culture. Additionally, Faith has produced highly acclaimed films, including This Land, a story about land access told through a journey of inclusion and empowerment.

6. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Writer, Author, and Speaker

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a phenomenal Nigerian writer that you may not realize you know through popular singer Beyonce. Do you remember the monologue about feminism in Beyonce’s song, Flawless? Well, that’s a clip from Chimamanda’s Ted Talk, We Should All Be Feminist. Her writings are honest and raw, challenging societal norms while embracing gender equality.

7. Trey Anthony, Canadian Playwright and Author of Black Girl In Love (With Herself)

Trey Anthony is a British-born Canadian playwright and the author of Black Girl In Love (With Herself). She’s most known for her award-winning play, ‘da Kink in My Hair, grossed millions and broke box office records across Canada, the United States, and England after it premiered in 2001. It was named one of the top ten plays in Canadian theatrical history and received 4 NAACP Theatre awards, including Best Playwright. Trey’s content will bring you laughter and honesty at the same time throughout your day.

8. Mia Brabham, Staff Writer for Shondaland, Author & Podcast Host

Mia Brabham is a must-follow if you’re inspired by someone who finds joy and the good in all things while encouraging others to do the same! She’s a contributor for various top-tier publications, and she’s a staff writer for Shonda Rhimes, and Shondaland. Additionally, she’s the podcast co-host for Two in the Morning and the author of Note to Self. Mia will give good vibes to your timeline and sprinkle little reminders of self-love along the way.

9. Luvvie Ajayi Jones, 2x NYTimes Bestselling Author, Speaker & Podcast Host

If you’re not following Luvvie, I will be tremendously surprised. Surely, you’ve heard of her New York Times Bestseller, I’m Judging You: The Do-Better Manual, or her TedTalk, Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable. Luvvie will challenge your thinking and push you to be greater simultaneously no matter your answer. She recently had an in-depth podcast conversation with another fellow NYT Bestselling Author, Glennon Doyle, about the relationship between Black and White women—addressing the wounds we’ve ignored for years and opening the door for honest dialogue toward healing. The podcast episode sparked a viral conversation that was heartbreaking and enlightening. To heal something, you must confront it. Luvvie is your confronter. Follower her.

10. GG Renee, Writer & Author

GG Renee is a proud advocate for self-love and internal reflection, and she’s the author of The Year of Self Reflection Journal. She helps writers, regardless of their level of expertise, tap into their gift and power of genuine storytelling. Through her platforms, GG provides writing challenges, workshops, and more. She is also the writer behind the Instagram handle, All the Many Layers.

Hopefully, this list takes you down a lovely rabbit hole of discovering more of the fantastic Black Writers that pioneer change, challenge societal norms, and inspire change. Remember that the act of true change begins within, and to change, we must be willing to confront the truth.

Let’s all become truth seekers, together for the change we say we desire.

The post Black History Month Pt. 3 – 10 Inspirational Black Writers You Should Follow appeared first on ClearVoice.

There’s the overarching strategy and its interception with the larger goal, the actionable steps to bringing the campaign to life, the messaging, creative visuals, audience sentiment, and the data that represents if the campaign was successful or not.

But what about inclusion?

Many marketers go through a mental checklist while gut-checking the content to ensure it’s conscious of all and not one or two segmented groups. Creating inclusive content for social media takes a village of accountability and a transparent position of a willingness to learn.

As part of our series on Black History Month, we are looking at ways marketers and business owners can ensure an inclusive experience for everyone through their words, website design, visuals, and more.

If you missed part one, learn about 12 amazing Black creators who are changing the world through their work.

5 ways to create inclusive social media content

1. Be mindful of diversity in your creative design

The vast majority of brands openly commit themselves to inclusive marketing and diverse perspectives. We’re all aware that if one was asked about the importance of diversity in business, there would be an overwhelming agreement around the significance of seeing diversity and inclusive content online.

However, how can a brand do this with inclusive social media content without appearing to be a bandwagon brand or executed in poor taste?

For example, stock imagery with diverse groups can possibly appear slightly off or inauthentic to your audience. A few moments of internal team reflection can catch the blandness of the image or “fake” feeling that some stock imagery exudes.

Honesty and transparency are crucial

Now, after brands have been outed on social media for standing for diversity yet having no POC or gender equality on their executive board, it’s crucial that you approach your creative designs with intentionality without forcing a reality that doesn’t belong to your brand. Honesty and transparency are essential.

Also, if this reality doesn’t exist within your brand, now is the time to ask yourself why. Consider if it’s your recruitment practices or a gap within your industry. However, to say that there are no diversity opportunities would be an ill-informed excuse. Dig deeper into your brand values and infuse that into how your brand shows up on social media.

Remember that your visuals matter beyond racial representation from a more tactical perspective. The visually impaired community is affected when marketers do not consider color contrast in creative imagery. So, when creating your designs, create a color contrast that makes it easier for people to see and consume.

2. Turn on auto-captions for video with sound

Inclusive social media content goes beyond race or ethnicity. When considering inclusive content online, marketers should be mindful and intentional for disabled communities like the visually impaired or D/deaf. Platforms like Meta, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and others provide many features to their users that offer accessibility to those with disabilities.

One of these features includes auto-captions for your content with sounds. The feature can be turned on by post or within your settings for all of your content for many platforms. You can decide on an open or closed caption: open captions become a part of your video content and cannot be removed by your audience, while closed captions allow users to decide on the caption settings.

Additionally, you can also include alt-text to your post images. By adding descriptions to your creative designs, this small yet impactful adjustment in your social media process could help everyone enjoy your content and have a pleasant experience on social media.

3. Consider your online sentiment to maintain content diversity

As marketers, we know the complexities of social media management and the two sides that spearhead the most significant impact: execution and strategy.

On the strategic side, marketers incorporate socially relevant holidays into their content or infuse the brand into culturally relevant conversations.

Through implementation, you focus on nurturing a community of authentic engagement within your online communities with thought-provoking, thoughtful discussions, conversing with the people that leave comments, and inviting your audience into a space that can guide your content approach.

Ensure your social media followers feel seen and heard

Most social media content speaks at the audience while neglecting conversation starters. Although a bit unorthodox, inviting your audience into your content planning process opens the door for in-depth relationships with your advocates on social media.

This approach creates an environment where they feel heard and seen by actively listening to what matters most.

A great way to begin creating inclusive social media content is to use your hashtags proactively. Once you post your content, click them to see what other conversations exist within that hashtag and engage with people off of your profile. This is also a great way to naturally increase your visibility organically while seeking worthwhile dialogue to positively impact your brand.

4. Use polls, surveys, and comments to talk to your audience.

To further enhance your engagement, create polls and surveys that spark answers to help guide your brand conversations online. As you receive answers that may surprise you, don’t be afraid to engage back and encourage your audience to dig deeper.

Brands and social media managers undervalue the actual management of online communities, but it can be the most powerful part because it is direct feedback from your audience, completely unfiltered or tainted with marketing jargon.

Those who take the time to respond to your content represent a percentage of your audience that may have had similar sentiments, yet they didn’t take the time to reply. Don’t take this lightly.

Furthermore, if your brand connects with multi-generations, consider this a way to determine how to best engage with each generation and how they desire to experience your brand on the different platforms.

Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter all allow for polls and surveys, so use these features to cultivate a community and learn how you can acknowledge the differences in your audience’s consumption preferences to help create more inclusive social media content.

5. Keep your core values at the forefront of everything you do.

Many brands and social media users want to see a positive move toward diversity, inclusion, and equity in marketing. Creating accessible content is becoming a more common practice, although that not all brands get it right the first time.

This means that there must be a deeper level of intentionality to ensure that marketers are constantly giving themselves a gut check to leave unconscious biases at the brainstorming process (and not on the posts that go out for the entire world to provide you with that reminder).

It is extremely rare that social media users review old posts beyond your nine grid (for Instagram) or older than a feasible scroll or two of the thumb.

Because of this, make reintroduction posts a common occurrence for your brand. Welcome your new followers to your space. Remind them of your core values and the online community that you’re cultivating, and let them know there is an open space for dialogue should they feel that there are ways you can improve on representing those values.

This approach to inclusive social media content can do wonders for you in cultivating engagement and encouraging open communication on your platforms.

Need a little help creating inclusive social media content? Get ready-to-publish social media content and video scripts that are free from biases and inclusive to all so you can focus on other areas of your business. Talk to a content specialist to learn more.

The post Black History Month Pt 2: 5 Ways to Incorporate Conscious Inclusion Into Your Social Media appeared first on ClearVoice.

It’s challenging your unconscious bias and being willing to push back on them. It’s also about being aware of the movers and shakers that lead the conversations of change.

Black creators are often overlooked and undervalued in representation. Yet, they make up a massive amount of the influence on Instagram Reels and the infamous TikTok dance challenges.

Shifting a systemically broken system is the war, but there are mini battles that lead to victory. Within content marketing, it’s essential to know the change agents that vocalize their stand on inspiring change, and we’ve compiled some of the best to help inspire and evoke action within your marketing efforts.

12 Black creators who spark change

Amber Whittington, founder of Amber’s Closet

Amber Whittington is a California-born YouTuber, actress, basketball player, activist, and the Founder of Amber’s Closet. She is well known as one of the leading voices fighting for equality for the LGBTQ+ community.

She began gaining massive attention after her 2012 YouTube Video, “Ask Amber.”

You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and her website.

Alex Wolf, host of “The Alex Wolf Podcast”

Notably earning a spot on Fast Company’s 100 Most Creative In Business, Alex Wolf is a tech-philosopher who creates meaningful content that inspires people to be fascinated about tech, innovation, economics, and human nature.

Adweek also noted her as one of the Top 20 Influencers Who Radiate Creativity & Get Everyone Talking and sold her company in 2018 to focus on speaking and consulting. Her podcast, “The Alex Wolf Podcast,” will have you listening for hours, leaving fans anxiously anticipating the next season.

L.A. Lucas, LightWarrior Entertainment

Born and raised in Bronx, New York, L.A. Lucas is a trailblazing film director and the CEO of LightWarrior Entertainment. Her work includes works from motion pictures, television shows, documentaries, music videos, commercials, reality shows, and more.

Her content on Instagram will inspire your creative flow while pushing the greatness within.

Koya Webb, yoga instructor and host of “Get Loved Up” podcast

Mental health matters and it’s a necessary topic of conversation.

Koya Webb is a self-love advocate who dedicates her content to creating a space filled with love and intention toward being whole and healthy physically, emotionally, and spiritually (in whatever way that looks like for you).

If you’re looking for a space to unwind and center throughout your day, her Instagram Lives or IGTV content will provide you with the tools to make self-care a part of your day.

Wole Lagunju, artist

Are you craving design inspiration that challenges the perception of being cultural idioms? Wole Langunji is one of the Black creators you should definitely know — and follow.

He is a notable Nigerian artist known around the world that creates art through cultural references mined from the eras of colonization and decolonization of the African continent, critiques the racial and social structures of the 19th century while evoking commentaries on power, femininity, and womanhood.

His art will leave you speechless as you seek (or discover) the meaning behind the beauty of his artwork. His Instagram is great, and you can check out his website for more.

Lanaya Irvin, CEO of Coqual

Diversity, inclusion, and equity are top priorities for many organizations, but where do they get data to back up their initiatives? Coqual is one of the great resources available to learn the realities of why the work of DEI is needed and necessary for all industries.

In addition to Lanaya’s role as CEO of Coqual, she is an influential thought leader and speaks on race, LGBTQ inclusion, gender equality, and inclusive leadership. Follow her on Instagram and check out her interview with Bloomberg.

Ijeoma Oluo, New York Times best-selling author

Ijeoma Oluo is the New York Times best-selling author of “So You Want To Talk About Race” and “MEDIOCRE.” She is best known for her revelatory examination of race in America and the racial injustice imposed on Black and Brown people in the United States.

Her content will constantly remind you to be a better human being to other human beings. Check out her Linktree for her latest features and writings.

Micheal Forde, author

Next up in our list of Black creators is Brooklyn, New York native Michael H. Forde. He is the author of “Success Begins From Where You Are!” Through his writing and content on social media, he’s committed to helping others live a positive, fulfilled life on their terms.

On his Instagram, he shares inspirational messages, memes, and videos that can keep you focused on creating your definition of happiness, one day at a time.

Latoya Shauntay Snell, Host of “The Running Fat Chef” podcast

If you’re comfortable to direct, assertive conversations, Latoya’s content will inspire while confronting biases and systemic issues that Black creators and fitness influencers face daily. Her honest, transparent dialog is one of a kind, and her humor is the icing on the cake. She is a must-follow!

Ashley Simpo, columnist for Dating w/ Kids for Kindred

Ashley is the author of “A Kids Book About Divorce.” She is mainly known on social media, especially Instagram and Twitter as Black Ashley. Her writings are the collision of truth and love, inspired by her real-life experiences and random thoughts that she shares with her audience.

Her tweets often go viral, and she’s the first to remind people to appropriately credit Black creators of their words and work when sharing on social media (as we all should).

Franchesca Ramsey, author and former writer for The Nightly Show

Franchesca (also known as Chescaleigh) is the author of “Well, That Escalated Quickly.” She speaks boldly about the realities of what allyship looks like (versus what it isn’t) and confronts racism head-on through her web series and interviews.

On Instagram, you can see more of her creative side with home décor projects, fashion, and her cute pup, Flex.

Marie Beecham, racial equality advocate

Marie Beecham is a connector for honest conversations and unity on social media and beyond. She’s known for her in-depth diversity, inclusion, and equity workshops and her support to individuals and teams in crafting difficult dialogues through digital mediums.

On Instagram, she shares thoughtful, intentional messages that inspire her audience to go deeper into their efforts of togetherness.

Turn inspiration into action

If this list of Black creators has inspired you, ClearVoice writer and content strategist Natalie Dunbar breaks down practical tips on incorporating diversity, inclusion, and equity into content in her article.

Committing to creating the change we desire must go beyond the words we type as writers or the messaging we put forth in campaigns as marketers.

It’s an act of reaching out, communicating the hard (yet honest things), and confronting ourselves first before placing subconscious bias on others.

We hope this list becomes the beginning of your journey to getting to know these phenomenal Black creators (and others). May we strive to make Black History Month more than a month, but an acknowledgment of Black pioneers paving the way for change and unity regardless of the monthly holiday observance.

Need help creating inclusive content that features diverse voices? Talk to a content specialist about getting inclusive, accessible content developed for your brand today. From ready-to-publish blog posts to social media content, we can handle all your needs.

The post Black History Month Pt 1: Black Innovators Who Inspire Change appeared first on ClearVoice.

Here are your monthly updates from the world of social media.

Facebook update:

Facebook announces its privacy center. Facebook is unveiling its Privacy Center for all users within the upcoming months. Within the Privacy Center, users can check and manage their activity logs, direct access to their information, and manage their ad preferences.

Twitter update:

Twitter continues to expand feature access for reporting misleading tweets. With misinformation at an all-time high on social media platforms, Twitter expands its test feature, allowing users to flag misleading content on its social media platform to Brazil, Spain, and the Philippines.

Instagram update:

Instagram releases its 2022 Trend Report. From wellness and fitness to gaming, the 2022 Trend Report outlines core statistics of Gen Z consumption behavior along with prominent influencers within each noted category. The report is downloadable, so be sure to grab your downloadable copy.

TikTok update:

TikTok integrates Stories within the app’s ‘For You’ feed. The stories feature made its way to TikTok, and users will begin to experience the new video format in their “For You” Feed. If you don’t see the feature yet, don’t worry! It’s not released to all users, but it will be soon.

Snapchat update:

New features are added to the latest Snapchat update for Android and iOS users. It’s time to update your Snap app! With your app update, you may notice new notification features, including improved calling, chat reply, and more.

LinkedIn update:

Linkedin adds live audio and enhances the live broadcasting experience. If you’re enjoying the live broadcasting on LinkedIn, they’re releasing LinkedIn Video Event to enhance the virtual event experience. Additionally, LinkedIn is kicking off its platform audio experience with content creators, and they’re planning to expand access to this feature beginning in the spring.

Pinterest updates:

Pinterest shares the behavior of its users that identify as male. It’s no secret that the demographics for Pinterest skew heavily female. However, according to Pinterest in their recent study, approximately 27% of U.S. males use the app as well for purchasing decisions. If you’re targeting men 25 to 54 years old, this report will assist you in creating your Pinterest content smarter.

Pinterest includes profiles in its search engine. To continue its effort in supporting the creators on the platform, Pinterest recently added a profiles tab to its main search engine. The algorithm will filter content to users by names and the content, so be sure to use your SEO for the platform (and use it strategically).

YouTube update:

Baby Shark becomes YouTube’s most-watched video. Now surpassing 10 billion views, Baby Shark takes the title of the most-watched video on Youtube. According to YouTube, the video was uploaded in June 2016 by Pinkfong, a South Korean education company, and recorded by singer Hope Segoine.

Reddit update:

Reddit’s co-founder predicts play-to-earn crypto games will be the majority of gaming within five years. Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian recently shared his views on the gaming industry and predicted its transformation to blockchain and 90% play-to-earn with crypto.

If you need inspiration for timely, engaging content, don’t forget to check out our Socially Relevant Holidays calendar article! Bookmark the article for future reference and happy content planning!

The post Social Media News and Updates — Is Play-to-Earn the Future of Gaming? appeared first on ClearVoice.