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24 Fingers

Just when you think you’ve got to grips with the latest video-sharing technology on the web, they go all Etch-a-Sketch on us and give everything a good shake, this month’s being the launch of Instagram Remix. The social media platforms have been falling over themselves to copy each others’ services, from Linkedin finally realising video is A Good Thing, to TikTok’s nifty Duet feature. It’s the latter that prompted Instagram to give its Reels tool, which is barely out of short trousers, an overhaul leading to – drum roll please – the Remix video editing feature. 

It gives Instagram users the chance to create and post their reaction to a Reel, and while it might have a lot of comedic value, it’s also got great potential for business. 

Picture the scene: a small or medium-sized company posts its reaction to content from a bigger company, which then goes viral, bringing customers to their door and putting their brand on everyone’s lips. Talk about lights, camera, action… 

You can Remix any Reel, as long as the original poster has enabled access. The great thing is, the feature can be turned on and off, either by using the Privacy Settings, which would affect all Reels, or after you share each individual video.

To Remix a Reel, choose the video you want to react to and tap the three dots. “Remix This Reel” should appear if the original Instagram poster has enabled the feature. 

Record or upload your new Reel, which should appear on the right side of the screen. Now’s the time to merrily edit and get creative, adding stickers, a voiceover or change the soundtrack. When you’re happy with your content, write a caption and choose your video settings, then share – easy peasy. 

We reckon Remix Reels could give TikTok’s Duets a run for its money, but we’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, it’s time for our close-up… 

We’re 24 fingers, a digital marketing agency and a proud member of the 42 Club, Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, Excel Business Networking Group, the Trusted Business Community, the Organisation for Responsible Businesses and the Rotary Club of Brentwood à Becket. We help companies who are all fingers and thumbs with their social media grow their business and brand. Book your free strategy call here.

You can view the original blog and other 24 Fingers blogs here

Lovewell Blake

I don’t know how many of us thought that we’d still be adhering to so many restrictions after all this time, but here we are, over a year on and the pandemic is still having a big impact on all of us.

There is hopefully light at the end of the tunnel, with vaccines being rolled out and Mr Johnson’s ‘roadmap’ potentially seeing a better summer ahead. Twelve months on though, how have the markets, and our investments, held up?

An article on this very website in March of last year, commented that despite screaming headlines about big falls in the global stock markets, it was important not to panic. Instead, investors should keep a long-term view.

The initial falls were big. As investors started to realise the economic cost of the pandemic, equities were sold off at record levels. The FTSE 100 index suffered its steepest fall since 1987’s ‘Black Monday’, whilst a volatile S&P 500 index in the US saw record daily falls, and rises, all in the same month.

What about if you had panicked and sold investments in those indices? Well, just look at what you’d have missed out on, this graph shows the markets just before the biggest falls, up until now:

Source – Financial Express Analytics (includes dividend reinvestment)

If you’d have sold out at the low point in March, you’d have lost out on the subsequent recovery, and crystallised a big loss. Those who kept patience have either made back their money, or in the case of the S&P 500, made a decent profit. In hindsight of course, March 2020 also provided an excellent buying opportunity for those who were savvy.

Although the spectacular recovery of equities has eclipsed them in recent times, the rise of government bonds and precious metals in the early days of the pandemic, showed the importance of diversification across different asset-classes. This helped cushion stock market falls in diversified portfolios.

There is no doubt that the major fiscal stimulus packages introduced particularly by US and UK governments, have had a big influence on stemming the fallout. In addition, there are some companies which have benefited massively from the pandemic, with tech stocks seeing the benefits of an acceleration in home working for instance. This particularly helped the tech-heavy US stock market, which somewhat outperformed the possibly Brexit-weary UK index.

Of course, none of us can predict what will happen next, but here in the UK at least there seems to be some hope on the horizon. Although the Bank of England think that GDP will contract by 4% in the first quarter of the year, it expects the economy to rebound swiftly from the second quarter onwards, once enough people have been vaccinated to allow Covid restrictions to be lifted. Indeed, it has said that providing all goes to plan, and consumer spending returns to normal, GDP could be back to pre-Covid levels at the end of the year. It cautions, of course, that there is much uncertainty still.

Whatever happens, market volatility is normal, and having a sound, well-diversified, investment strategy could help you to ride this out, paving the way for longer term gains.

This has certainly been illustrated over the last twelve months.

You can view this original Lovewell Blake article and others here

If you have any specific questions or would like to speak to a member of the Lovewell Blake team, get in touch via email info@lovewell-blake.co.uk

A passionate advocate for combining beauty and wellness with the environment and sustainable living.

Juni is the creation of make-up artist & ex-model Madeleine White.

Described as one of ‘The Brands Redefining The Clean Beauty Movement’ by British Vogue, Juni was born from a relentless desire to create make-up and skincare products which are kind to you and the planet, without compromise.

Madeleine discusses the journey to creating a successful, sustainable beauty brand and business.

Why and how did you set up your business?

I’ve always suffered with extremely sensitive skin. While working as a makeup artist on a film set a few years ago I was having a particularly bad flare up to all the products that we were using, simply from being in the same room and having the cosmetics on my hands. It was experiences like these, along with knowing that many of my clients, friends and family also struggle with sensitivities, that pushed me to create Juni. Working as a make-up artist and model I relied on my kit to perform well, and so it was incredibly important to me that any products I designed were not only gentle enough and good for my skin, but also high-performing and the best quality.

 I already had a strong vision in my mind of what I wanted to create, but I didn’t know where to start. My first port of call was to NWES. I was assigned a lovely mentor who fully supported me, helped to create an in-depth business plan and secure a government start-up loan. 

 What makes your business unique?

 Juni has many USPs, but it’s our uncompromising approach that really makes us unique. We’ve gone the extra mile to research, design and develop beautiful and innovative 100% plastic-free packaging – something that is extremely difficult and time consuming. All of our products are 100% vegan and prioritise sustainably-sourced, organic ingredients, with no microplastics in the formula, and they out-perform what’s available from premium makeup brands.

The cosmetics industry is dominated by giant international companies, so we’re really up against the big players. To succeed and standout you have to be different, and Juni provides that. We pride ourselves on customer care and we are small enough to have a close relationship with our loyal customers.

 What are your business goals for the future?

 I have so many ideas for new products! We will keep to lip care and colour for the time being and build the brand on this area of my expertise. We sell mostly through our own e-commerce website, but as lockdown is easing we are getting more interest from stockists, marketplaces and the high street. Lipstick sales are bouncing back and our latest product – a special Rejuvenating Lip Treatment – is already selling well.

I’ve been asked to speak at a couple of events now, so I like to think I have something to say in the sustainability and indie cosmetics brand arena. Juni really is a pioneering brand, and we’re committed to continuing this ethos in everything we do moving forward.