Episode Ten - Oli Hills - The Power of Facebook Groups

Oli Hills is the Managing Director of Updates Media, disrupting traditional local news allowing brands to speak to local audiences through engaging and creative content. Also, COO at Zento, the point of sweat data analytics for global sports brands. He is a speaker and thought leader for disruptive business models.

First, Oli reveals his big news – they are merging with a company in Bristol called Best of Bristol. It’s lonely running a business on your own, so Oli is excited to have a friend on his journey.

Oli says that we are all a bit lazy when it comes to digital marketing. Social media today is complicated. We can get information to people in seconds; however, everyone is doing it. Plus, social media channels are changing drastically.

For example, Facebook says that they want videos that are three-minutes in length. If a video is three-minutes, the algorithm will give it a boost. Now, Facebook is running advertisements in one-minute videos. Unfortunately, users want a video that is five or ten seconds. When someone opens Facebook, they simply aren’t prepared to watch a three-minute video.

TikTok has blown up during lockdown. It has gone back to absolute basics. So, Facebook launched Instagram Reels. Now they are asking for ten seconds reels when they previously wanted three-minute videos. Oli says that content creators can’t keep up with the ever-changing rules of social media. Also, not many people have the skillset to approach content for a specific platform.

Oli says that the next phase of social media will be a private chat-based conversation. However, companies get excited when new platforms launch. Then, Facebook will try to replicate it. Each platform needs to accept that there will be competitors and then stay in their lane. Oli feels sorry for social media managers because they just have to navigate what is best for each platform.

Later, Oli says that groups are working in the digital marketing world. You can join a group based on your niche interest; it’s incredibly powerful. More importantly, you can join or start a conversation – that isn’t available with a Facebook page. It’s unbelievably powerful when you hone in on your niche. Stay tuned as we talk about the importance of community when it comes to your groups.

- “Groups is where you can have personalised and deep-meaning conversations.”

- “Don’t forget about the good work that you have done.”

- “Be creative with the basics.”

- “The engagement you get from a good group is hugely powerful.”

In This Episode:

 [ 1:30 ] About Updates Media

 [ 3:30 ] Big news from Oli!

 [ 7:10 ] What isn’t working in the world of digital marketing

 [ 13:00 ] The next phase of social media

 [ 17:40 ] Advice for social media managers

 [ 21:20 ] Stop creating so many graphics

 [ 24:50 ] What is working in the world of digital marketing

 [ 34:55 ] How to use groups correctly

Links Mentioned: 

 Updates Media: https://updatesmedia.com/

 Oli’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/olishills

 Oli’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olihills/

 Email Oli: [email protected]