Happy Monday,

Here are the results from our last poll:

How confident are you in your digital marketing skills?

🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜ 😶 So-so: I can usually generate results, but it varies (47%)
🟨🟨🟨⬜⬜ 😎 Very confident: I can scale a brand from scratch (41%)
🟥🟥⬜⬜⬜ 😵‍💫 Not confident: I let other people take care of marketing (11%)

And here are your top 3 trends for the week!

🔥 Trend #1

YouTube Shorts Can Now Drive Traffic Directly to Longer-Form Content

YouTube recently announced a new feature that will allow creators to link their Shorts videos to their longer-form content.

This is a big deal for creators, as it will give them a way to drive more traffic to their longer videos and ultimately increase their views and revenue.

Here's how it works:

When a creator uploads a new Shorts video, they will now have the option to add a link to a longer-form video in the description. When a viewer clicks on the link, they will be taken to the longer video on the creator's channel.

This is a great way for creators to promote their longer videos and give viewers a taste of what they can expect.

It's also a way for creators to keep viewers engaged on their channel. If a viewer enjoys a Shorts video, they're more likely to click on the link to the longer video and watch that as well.

This new feature is just one of the ways that YouTube is trying to make it easier for creators to succeed on the platform. It's a clear sign that YouTube is committed to supporting creators and helping them grow their channels.

Here are some of the benefits of linking Shorts and long-form videos:

• Increased engagement: Viewers who are interested in a Shorts video are more likely to click on a link to the longer version, which can lead to increased watch time and engagement.

• More views and subscribers: By linking Shorts and long-form videos, creators can drive more traffic to their channel and ultimately attract more subscribers.

• Improved monetization: YouTube recently announced that it will start running ads on Shorts, so linking to long-form videos can help creators generate more revenue.

• Better content strategy: By integrating Shorts and long-form videos, creators can create a more holistic content strategy that appeals to a wider range of viewers.

Overall, the new feature of linking Shorts and long-form videos is a great way for creators to grow their channels and reach more viewers.

Dive Deeper: Our YouTube experts can help you expand your presence, boost reach to gain new customers, and deliver conversions at the lowest cost possible—get started by requesting a free plan here.

🔥 Trend #2

Amazon's Sponsored Products Revolutionizing Discovery and Shopping

In a groundbreaking move, Amazon Sponsored Product ads will now appear on Pinterest, Buzzfeed, and more.

This new expansion aims to revolutionize how customers discover and shop for products, making it a breeze to transition from inspiration to purchase in just a couple of clicks.

Picture this:

You're scrolling through your favorite app or website, and boom, there's a Sponsored Product ad tailored perfectly to your interests.

With Amazon's powerful machine learning algorithms at play, these ads pop up when you're likely to be intrigued by a product.

The best part?

Advertisers don't need to lift a finger – their products will automatically appear on these platforms.

Colleen Aubrey, Senior VP at Amazon Ads, said, "Sponsored Products has always been about helping customers discover products they may love."

And now, this ethos extends beyond Amazon's store to various corners of the web. Digital advertising strategy is evolving, and Amazon's Sponsored Products are at the forefront.

Brands can now seamlessly connect with potential customers across multiple platforms, providing highly relevant ads that drive business impact.

The future of shopping is here, as Amazon blurs the lines between inspiration and action, transforming clicks into purchases in a flash.

Dive Deeper: Pinterest, BuzzFeed, and more apps and websites will start to show Amazon Sponsored Product ads, making it easier to discover and buy relevant products

🔥 Trend #3

Instagram's Bold Experiment with Multi-Advertiser Ads

Instagram is upping its ad game by piloting a fresh ad layout that's sure to catch your eye – Multi-Advertiser ads that pack four sponsored posts into a single screen.

This latest approach aims to group related sponsored content from different brands and present it to users who've shown interest in similar products or services.

Worried about ad overload?

Don't fret. Advertisers have the power to opt out of this feature via settings. While this move could potentially keep CPMs (Cost Per Mille) low, there's a fine line between engagement and annoyance.

Katharine Mckee, a digital commerce consultant, pointed out the strategy of bundling seemingly identical ads to create a skippable "bomb" of content.

By grouping less captivating ads together, Instagram may make it easier for users to skip over them without interrupting their flow.

The risk?

As Barry Hott, Growth Marketing Consultant and Advisor, suggests, this approach might lose its shine after a few months as users catch on and instinctively skip the ads.

So, while this new layout might bring initial success, its long-term effectiveness remains to be seen.

The good news?

There is a secret growth playbook that’s working for our clients right now, regardless of these latest changes.

Like Chad Halvorson, the Founder & CEO of When I Work, reports: “Since engaging with Single Grain our revenue has increased more than 300%”

And now you can use our same growth playbook too.

Get your free detailed guide here.

To your growth!
The Leveling Up Team