TikTok isn't just dancing. Instagram isn't just models. Facebook isn't just a record of poor decisions made in your college years (I see you, Millennials).
YouTube is the second largest search engine behind Google, which owns it. From the notes a recent Google meeting, we also know that TikTok and Instagram are following closely behind.
These are the informal learning tools that real people are using in their real lives. As learning and development professionals, we would be short-sighted to ignore popular media consumption and socializing trends in the digital space.
There is a lot we can learn from social media and social networks about how to quickly distribute learning, make content digestible, and create community.
Let's take a look at six strategies you can steal (although, I assure you, there are more).
#1 - Live-streaming
Live-streaming is essentially broadcasting made accessible to the layperson. Paired with social features like commenting, reactions, tagging, and sharing, it is a powerful tool for quickly distributing everything from formal lessons and tutorials to think-alouds and watch-me-as-I-work sessions.
Potential Use Cases
Executive company-wide communication
Product launches for sales enablement
Recording processes
#2 - Carousels
Carousels are series of images that you can scroll through. Instagram's algorithm favored carousels for quite some time. Engagement rates for carousels are still higher than singular images.
While your preteen cousin may use carousels to photo dump her latest selfie series, carousels are used powerfully by content marketers who want to educate their audience while providing meaningful calls to action.
Potential Use Cases
Super microlearning
FAQs
Best-Of Lists
Quotes from Experts
Storytelling
#3 - Microvideo
60 seconds or less. That's what microvideo is all about. It's a great solution for hyperfocused communication. Eye catching and easy to digest, Instagram has gone all-in on microvideos with their popular Reels feature, which directly competes for TikTok's microvideo marketshare. YouTube has also entered the microvideo game with YouTube Shorts.
Potential Use Cases
Hyperfocused explainers
Quick tutorials
Client testimonials for spirit boosting
Day in the life to help departments understand one another's work
#4 - Scheduled posting
Your strongest relationships are built through consistency, so it should come as no surprise that engagement goes up when people come to expect regularly shared content.
Potential Use Cases
Weekly discussion topics
Q&A sessions with experts
Celebrating successes
Monthly challenges
Daily project status updates
#5 - Quick Access Categorization (Hashtag systems)
There is so much content out there in social media land. Now, think of your organization's file system. Can you always find what you need? Is there a magic search button that surfaces categorized content, rather than what's in folders? Well, even if it doesn't (yet), you can tap into quick access categorization strategies, like hashtags. You've seen them everywhere from LinkedIn to Twitter to Facebook to TikTok to YouTube and just about every major platform in between.
Potential Use Cases
Project details and updates
Team communications
Topic-driven discussion
Longitudinal study of trends within your organization
#6 - Push notifications
Love to hate them. Nothing gets my attention more quickly (at least in my work life) than those little notification pop ups that tell me I have a new email or calendar invite or message waiting. Sometimes, it's overwhelming-- it's true. But sometimes, it's gives me the reminder right when I need it. Push notifications can make sure important things don't get lost in the noise.
Potential Use Cases
Training reminders
Encouraging people to share feedback
Highlighting exciting new content added
With Your Instructional Designer's social learning network setup service, you can capitalize on the best social media has to offer for workplace learning. It's cost-effective, scalable, and engaging.
Want to learn more? Contact us.
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