Why You Should Think Before Buying Facebook Video Ads

If you haven't heard yet, Facebook is testing a new source for advertising: Facebook video. These videos will be on auto-play, which means that they will immediately start playing when you see them. If the user is interested in the video, they can click it for full screen and audio. 

Facebook's idea of auto-play ads isn't the WORST idea ever; however, it is guaranteed that brands that have NO reason to be buying these advertisements will, of course, be buying them in bulk. 

But first, let's go to some good reasons Facebook points out for buying video ads:
1. You want to be where people are. 
2. You want to reach all of the people who matter to you.
3. You want to be in the most engaging digital real estate, which is Facebook's new feed.

These are good points, but not specific to video, or even to buying advertising. Simply putting out good content from your Facebook page and having a dedicated and interactive fan base will help you achieve these goals. 

Facebook's Video Ad pitch also goes into the changing landscape of media in general:
1. Families are no longer watching T.V. together.
2. TV and YouTube do not have the same ability to target users by demographic, behavioristic, and psychographic information that Facebook has.
3. Digital and mobile trends are skyrocketing

What businesses forget is that no one wants to be forced to watch a video. For consumers, deciding to watch a video is a huge commitment. People love watching videos; they don't love videos being pushed in their face. Unless your video wholeheartedly represents a cultural niche that your target market can relate to, they are going to scroll past your ad without a second glance.

Let's say that you absolutely capture your audience perfectly. At the very least, Facebook video ads are going to give your brand awareness. They are not going to increase your online conversions or your advertising ROI. Which brings me to my final point:

Facebook video ads aren't going to work for every business, particular small businesses. While video ads are great for awareness, your business isn't going to see much (if any) return on its investment. These ads are great for a movie trailer and animal videos (videos that people would watch anyways) or a humorous video or meme, if your company can pull it off right.

Finally, before you drive right into Facebook ads, think about this: what is a video ad going to do for your video that simply posting the video it is NOT going to do? All the investment does is increase your reach. Before you invest in a greater reach, think about investing in better content, and the impressions for your video will come naturally without having to pay for the audience. 

9 Mandatory Rules for Job Applications

I'm not a resume writing specialist, and I prefer marketing to human resources, but I have been looking at some resumes lately (specifically for internship hires) and there are some things that I just CAN NOT believe exist on some people's resumes. I am writing this post in hopes to reach some of those people and help them on their job search (or help them realize why they are not getting any call backs). I know these may sound simple, but you might be astonished at how many people constantly make these mistakes. Remember that you need to market yourself to get the job that you want.

1. Don't make up words.

This is never going to count in your favor. It doesn't even make sense. 

2. Don't spell words wrong.

Read over your resume before you send it in. If you're not good with grammar, find someone who is to help. Even if you are applying for an accounting jobs, misspelled words are always a turn off. Even if the hiring manager does look past it, you will always have an unconscious negative stigma when that manager thinks about you as someone to move into a leadership position. 

3. If you're going to list your High School job, make it sound better.

Life guards, waitresses, valet, whatever it was, that experience is great - but listing your roles and responsibilities does not cut it for these types of jobs. Simply writing "waited tables" does not show any real skills, while it could instead highlight customer service and work ethic. Please please please never writing "making sandwiches" as a legitimate responsibility. 

4. Write something applicable to the company you are applying to.

It can be anything; just let that hiring manager that you know exactly what type of job and company you are applying to, and how you will fit into the company culture. Don't underestimate the necessity of a cover letter, or even short paragraph description on why you are applying to this specific job.

5. Explain your location.

If you are applying to a job in another state, or especially another country, explain your time frame for moving to the job and how you plan on interviewing for the job. This will stop lazy HR managers from simply throwing out your resume or having to email you about how you plan to come in for an interview.

6. Apply to the correct position.

Applying to a company for a position you think they may need but do not have a job position for, that is one thing. But using your resume with all finance experience to apply to project management job is simply not a good idea.

7. Format your resume if applying online.

No hiring manager is going to spend more than two seconds on an online resume that looks like !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////--------(#(*$$&#^#^^#W^EW%E%E%%E%E%E%E%E%E
Mike Job Searcher
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////)))((((((((((((((____++++++
It's not going to happen. 

8. Do not, at any point, degrade yourself.

Don't make up for imaginary deficiencies in your resume or cover letter before you even get to the interview. Only state your strengths, and wait for the questions about weaknesses, if the company even asks. Don't EVER offer to "get coffee" or "pick up laundry"!! 

9. Don't underestimate your skills in the application process.

Just because you don't have experience in one or two of the required skills or responsibilities isn't a deal breaker for a position. Apply anyways. Just be sure to emphasize your willingness to learn new tasks and talk about skills not on the job description that you can bring to the table.