Mediaboss Marketing

Twitter has added a new way to spark more engagement within Communities, with the ability for Community admins to now pin tweets at the top of a Community tab.

As you can see in this example, Twitter Community mods will now have a new Pin to Community Timeline option on any Community tweet, which will then keep that tweet at the top of the Community feed, essentially serving as a conversation prompt or notice.

As explained by Twitter:

Some Tweets deserve the spotlight, which is why mods and admins can now pin their Community Tweets on web. This feature was highly requested and were excited to see how you use it. Coming soon the ability for mods and admins to pin their Community Tweets on iOS and Android!

The option could help to spark more focused engagement within your Twitter communities though whether Twitters more enclosed Communities option actually fits on the service at all is another question.

This far, Communities dont seem to be taking off, with most communities seeing limited engagement. Part of the reason for that is likely the variance in approach Twitter has always been about the public square, enabling everyone to have their say on the latest topics and tweets. Communities goes the opposite direction, in limiting that discussion, which, as weve seen on Facebook, can have some benefits. But does it work on Twitter, where most users are looking to share their thoughts with all of their followers?

To be clear, there definitely is room for such, with some users already creating alternate Twitter handles for different topics - so if youre into, say, UFC and you work in digital marketing, you can then have a separate feed and audience for your topical tweets in each, so you dont end up spamming each community with stuff that they dont care about.

Communities provides a means to address this though Twitter does have other, more practical solutions that seem to better align with Twitters ultimate use case, as opposed to seeking to change user behaviors, and limit their conversation reach.

This option, called Facets, which Twitter shared a preview of last July, would enable users to tweet about different topics from the one profile, with their followers then able to select which elements and tweets that they care about, or dont.

The added complexity here is that you would need to categorize each tweet as you post it, and that extra friction in the process may be why Twitter has chosen not to push ahead with the project as yet. But the concept does seem more aligned with Twitters actual use case than Communities, which sections off parts of tweet discussion from general view.

Do Twitter users really want to limit their tweet reach for the sake of more intimate discussions, especially when theyve already built a following, in most cases, based on their key topic areas?

Only Twitter itself knows for sure and for what its worth, Twitters Communities team has told me that they are happy with the progress that theyre making with the option. But it hasnt shared any official usage stats as yet, or numbers on Community membership and engagement.

As such, right now, it comes down to your perspective, and the value that youre driving from your Twitter Communities. Pinned tweets could help to spark a little more interaction in this respect, and for those that are enjoying the option, it could be a valuable addition while for branded communities, it could also be another way to boost awareness of new products and initiatives within these more exclusive chats.

Well have to wait and see whether Communities survives the Elon Musk transition, and whether it remains a valuable element of the broader tweet experience.

Read more here:
Twitter Adds New Option to Pin Tweets Within Communities - Social Media Today

Jay Thompson is a former brokerage owner who spent over six years working for Zillow Group. Hes also the co-founder of AgentLoop. He selectively retired in August 2018, but cant seem to leave the real estate industry behind. His Inman column is published every Wednesday.

REX, the discount brokerage that shuns the MLS while filing lawsuits left and right, has allegedly closed down brokerage operations.

Maybe. Or maybe not? The company is uncharacteristically quiet, though in some ways, it makes sense not to fire out a press release about your imminent demise. So much for transparency.

While the executives may be tucked away silently in a room with a view, the agents and support staff are actively looking for jobs according to several sources.

REX has often made headlines, though not so much for things brokerages tend to covet sales volume, transaction sides, and agent count.

Instead, REX has gained attention for suing the National Association of Realtors, Zillow, and the state of Oregon. They may be involved in other lawsuits as well. To be honest, its hard to keep up with what seems to be the most active legal department in the real estate space. The number of lawsuits, countersuits, and appeals REX legal is wrapped up in is mind-boggling.

Toss in some click-bait fame for calling out the real estate cartel and blaming Zillow for hiding listings, and youve got a brokerage that many agents love to hate. I mean, there were actually agents defending Zillow over some of REXs claims!

REXs business model seems to comprise not putting listings into the MLS, and avoiding paying buyer agent co-broke fees, while riding the disruption train in the name of changing the way people buy and sell homes.

Other than former agents and staff looking for work, the only hard evidence REX has shuttered brokerage operations is the fact their corporate brokers license in Texas is in an inactive state. (Licenses in Arizona, Colorado and Nevada are still showing as active in those states real estate licensing databases.)

You cant broker real estate without an active license. The fact that REX is carrying zero listings also provides strong evidence its brokerage arm has ceased operation. Other than this empty listings page, there is absolutely no reference on their website that theyve ceased helping consumers buy and sell real estate.

This pegs the irony meter given REXs proclamations that theyre all-in for the consumer. When do you plan on letting those consumers know you cant help them?

In an interesting twist, just a few weeks ago, Insured technology financing pioneer PIUS announced the securing of $10 million in funding for REX, with an accordion feature that provides REX an option for an additional $35 million. After the news that REXs brokerage operations might be spinning into oblivion surfaced, Inman reported that Joe Agiato, PIUSs CEO, told Inman, PIUS performs an in-depth assessment of a companys technology and IP portfolio, and based on this, PIUS insures the value of the loan to provide greater amounts of capital at lower rates.Agiato said REX is still operating, albeit on a smaller scale. PIUS remains confident in REXs technology, which is the basis of our financial relationship.

Reading between the lines here, it sounds like this funding round is based on REXs tech stack, and not its actual brokerage operations. A good thing because all signs are pointing to those brokerage operations no longer being in service.

Assuming REX really has shuttered its brokerage operations (and it would appear it has), the impact of that on the industry is negligible to non-existent. Another brokerage failed. So what? Not to sound callous, but it happens all the time. This isnt a simple industry, and profit margins tend to be razor-thin. Success is never a guarantee.

Although Im not at all a fan of litigating your way to growth and profitability and lets face it, litigation seems to be a top priority with REX I dont like seeing any business fail. People need jobs, and the industry needs competition and new business models.

But in the grand scheme of things, one less brokerage in the mix wont have any significant effect on the industry. The REX agents, many of whom Im sure are stellar performers, can hang their license with another brokerage literally in minutes.The only thing REX has fessed up to during this news cycle is that their antitrust legal pursuit of NAR and Zillow will continue. Theyve hired high-profile attorney David Boies to continue carrying that torch. I have no idea what Boies charges, but I bet hes not cheap, nor is he doing this pro bono.

Only time will tell what, if any, impact these legal gyrations may have.

Should REX be shifting from direct brokerage operations to providing some sort of tech solution for brokerages (or consumers) then maybe that matters? Or maybe not.

It all depends on what that technology provides and what problem it addresses. Given that all anyone seems to know about REX is gleaned from copious legal filings, we cant say what their tech stack may offer.

Im sure someday well be hearing more from and about REX. If history is any indication, that will be limited to some lawsuit, countersuit or appeal. Who really knows, or cares, what else may lie ahead for them.

Less than an hour after I submitted this column to the Inman editors, more news broke about REX. And it wasnt another lawsuit!See Inmans take at REX pivots to single-family rental market as its Hail Mary, and Real Trends breaking story, REX survives as facilitator for corporate landlords. Looks like REX has adjusted its focus to institutional buyers in the single-family rental market.REX co-founder and COO Lynley Sides, and REX General Counsel Michael Toth are laying the fault of their brokerage failure directly on Zillow, taking #BlameZillow to whole new levels.

NAR must be to blame as well given they are co-defendants in REXs lawsuit. I guess when in doubt, point fingers at anyone except whos looking back at you in the mirror. Pivoting to helping institutional/corporate buyers of rental properties certainly wont endear any agents to REX. I suspect those steering the REXs ship through the storm couldnt care less what agents think of this move. Theres still nothing about the collapse of the brokerage business or this new direction mentioned on REXs consumer-facing website. Thinking they must have issued a press release about this business model and customer base shift, I clicked on its sites press page, and got a 404 Page Not Found error.

Ditto for the blog page. You can, however, still buy plenty of REX branded swag. Maybe the employee with the password to edit the website got laid off? Maybe REX thinks presenting a false front to consumers is OK. Maybe theyre just tired. Surely at some point, REX will let the consumer know they cant help them anymore. Only time will tell. Will this pivot to help corporate landlords impact the real estate industry? Hardly. Institutional investors have been around since Day 1. Theyll still be around whether REX is successful with this new model or whether it meets the same fate as its brokerage operations.

Jay Thompson is a real estate veteran and co-founder of AgentLoop living in the Texas Coastal Bend. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. He holds an active Arizona brokers license with eXp Realty. Called the hardest working retiree ever, as the founder of Jay.Life, he writes, speaks and consults on all things real estate.

The rest is here:
Not with a bang but a whimper: Why REX shuttering doesnt really matter - Inman

Eden PR have been appointed to lead the PR strategy and delivery for the first and only all outstanding/excellent schools group in the UK.

The Nottingham based agency has been selected as the agency of choice by Forfar Education to lead on the PR activity programmes for its expanding network of independent preparatory schools following a detailed proposal, pitch and chemistry meeting.

Founded in 2016, Forfar Education, which has a strong family ethos at its heart, currently owns and manages several of the UKs leading prep schools. These include Cameron Vale in Chelsea, Horris Hill in Newbury, The Gleddings in Halifax, Brackenfield School in Harrogate, Park School in Bournemouth and Argyle House School in Sunderland. The groups aim is to create inspiring schools that teach self-belief, deliver academic excellence and produce pupils who are confident, kind, resilient, happy and equipped to navigate and succeed in whatever the future may bring.

Director and Head of New Business at Eden PR, Emily Winsor-Russell, said: Were delighted to announce that weve been appointed by the leadership team at Forfar to deliver a headline-making, thought-leader creating PR approach for its network of excellent schools.

As many of the Eden team are parents themselves, with personal backgrounds linked closely to the teaching profession, our understanding of the important themes, opportunities and challenges for the school sector is intrinsic were naturally inclined to identify and develop impactful and brand-elevating media relations for Forfar. Getting to know the school leaders has been a real pleasure and were thoroughly enjoying working alongside such passionate and inspiring educators.

In the past year, we have expanded our extensive media relations services alongside an established digital and social marketing offer. Working with some of the most well-known names in sectors across the UK from logistics to property, recruitment and insurance to funeral care, alongside event and exhibition support, we have continued to grow the team and range of services since 2000, delivering exceptional results for clients requiring creative, eye-catching and headline-grabbing media relations and communications strategies.

Marketing Director at Forfar Education Claire Grundy said: The Eden team stood out to us from our very first contact with them as being immersed in and extremely knowledgeable about the topics that matter to our schools. They demonstrated a clear, innovative and engaging vision for where we should take our media communications strategy and have immediately hit the ground running with excellent press content across the group. Were looking forward to expanding our footprint across the UK and showcasing the fantastic news stories from our schools in partnership with Eden.

Situated in the heart of Nottinghams historic Lace Market, we are a team of public relations experts with a wealth of knowledge and exceptional track record across B2B and B2C portfolios. The team combines a mix of communications professionals from a tapestry of backgrounds, from journalism marketingto stakeholder comms andsocial media. Contact us now to discuss your PR needs or to chat about howour services can help boost the reputation and build awareness of your business, brand or campaign.

Read more here:
Eden PR top of the class for outstanding schools group - East Midlands Business Link

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Summer is heeeeeeere! Oh wait, you're an adult and have kids.Now you have to figure out what to do with them before you are driven to the edge of madness. What a drag!

Don't panic. We've got some great summer activity ideas for you andWhoa, you have a libertarian kid?That's even worse!

Try these libertarian themed summer activities:

1) Go to the beach: If you bring a shovel and a metal detector you can minefor bitcoin. Is that how it works? We're still not sure.

2) Start a podcast: Oh, your libertarian child already has a podcast, doesn't he? Never mind.

3) Grow a garden: Yes, for Christmas trees. Definitely nothing else.

4) Set up a lemonade stand: Make sure it doesn't take fiat currency. Precious metals are acceptable.

5) Go to the Grand Canyon: Tell everyone their view is subsidized by taxes on working-class Americans.

6) Buy a 3D Printer: For lightsaber replicas, figurines, and ghost guns.

7) Tour Europe: Just be careful not to form any foreign alliances.

8) Light summer reading: Sowell, Hayek, and Tuttle Twinswill get you started.

9) Repair the road you paved yourself: Try to avoid using public roads when you go buy the material.

10) Panning for gold: Then you can take all the gold you find and invest it in gold!

11) Storm the Federal Reserve: Just use the plan from Die Hard With a Vengeance. It worked almost perfectly!

12) Tell people to get off your land: A wholesome way to bond with your child.

NOT SATIRE: You know what wed really like to do this summer?

Fill a public school library with Tuttle Twins books, so when a LibsOfTikTok teacher shows up ready to indoctrinate her students, she unfortunately finds a library full of books that teach kids about the ideas of liberty, free speech, free markets, individual responsibility, and American history.

Will you help us send Tuttle Twins books to a public school? It costs roughly $10 to distribute one book to a school. Can you help?

Click here to help us distribute more copies of the Tuttle Twins books to schools across the country, with your tax-deductible gift of $10, $50, $100, $500, or even more.

Thank you,Connor BoyackAuthor, Tuttle Twins

Read more from the original source:
Summer Activities To Enjoy With Your Libertarian Kid - The Babylon Bee

Anyone who has children understands that one of their best qualities is their limitless trustworthiness. Children will believe any fantastically false lie you tell them until critical thinking abilities (occasionally) develop later in life, such as that a minor deity is so happy to obtain their filthy baby teeth that they leave printed American cash with the Treasury Secretarys name on it for it. Its the most ridiculous thing in the world, but I, and most likely you, have believed it for years.

Unfortunately, some people might take advantage of childrens cuteness for nefarious ends. Theres an entire genre of legendary quotes attributed to leaders of authoritarian organizations that say something along the lines of Give me the child for seven years, and Ill give you the man, implying that those formative early years may establish beliefs that last a lifetime. Similar statements are attributed to Jesuit leaders, Lenin, and others, but the concept is apparent enough regardless of the source.

But the Church and the State arent the only ones who see the usefulness in indoctrinating naive children. I recently discovered this when an unscrupulous editor of a popular leftist magazine, lets call it Present Developments, mailed me a large box of libertarian childrens literature known as the Tuttle Twins series, a series of illustrated stories and workbooks designed to teach children about the wonders of the free market. (Advertisements for it may have appeared on Facebook.) I can confirm that the unique Tuttle Twins combination pack is as horrible as you think it is after reading all 11 books in it.

Each Tuttle Twins book is based on the teachings of a notable libertarian intellectual, such as Friedrich von Hayek, Ayn Rand, or Ludwig von Mises, and includes a tribute to the figure as well as a brief biography of their work. Connor Boyack is a Utah resident, a Brigham Young University graduate, and the president/founder of Libertas Institute, a free-market think tank, which is impressive given that there are only approximately 900 of them in the United States. In that position, he argues, he has modified a considerable number of laws in favor of personal freedom and free markets, presumably when he isnt penning odious Ayn Rand propaganda for helpless children.

The Tuttle Twins Learn About the Law, the first book in the series, is based on Frederic Bastiats writings. As a teacher, I can tell you that assigning the twins to ask a wise person to teach them about something really important is an excellent instructional method. They visit their next-door neighbor Fred, who brings them to his personal library, which features an oddly lovingly depicted bookshelf with a number of recognized libertarian titles, ranging from Murray Rothbard to Ron Pauls End the Fed to, bizarrely, Jeremy Scahills Dirty Wars.

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More adventures lead the twins to the circus, where they work as guest clowns and become involved in the search for the star attraction, a strongman named Atlas, who has resigned (shrugged). The strongmans wages had been cut by the despotic ringmaster, who believes the circus can continue without him. Soon, the kids learn that being a clown was actually pretty easy, while Atlas toils away in the gym, and indeed, the entire circus enlists his help to erect tents, hang tightropes, and feed the animalsapparently, this is not a carnival without carnies.

The slacker clowns hate Atlass celebrity and benefits at work and spout nasty egalitarian lines like We all make this circus work together and Were all just as important, which are, of course, typical Marxist bullshit. These clowns must recognize that some skills are more valued than others, the children eventually learn. Atlas possesses a unique skill set that is difficult to duplicate, which makes him more valuable. The Russian organist remembers history, claiming that the clowns alluring calls for equality destroyed by Russia, which was formerly a peaceful, problem-free society.

Finally, the children persuade Atlas to return to the circus, and he saves everyone when the pillar supporting the Big Top begins to collapse, owing to the fact that it was improperly constructed without the superman on whom everything appears to rely. Everyone Learns Their Lesson after the ringmaster returns Atlas.

Read More: Dan Schneider Controversy: A Brief Explanation of Dan Schneider Controversy

Finally, choose-your-own-adventure novels are available. These books are comparable to the ones you might have read as a kid, but theyre written for teenagers, with fewer drawings, and plainly aimed at the YA market. Because of the Gummint and its Unintended Consequences, the novels arent choose your own adventure like most commercial books, but rather choose your own consequence.

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The kids in The Tuttle Twins and the Case of the Broken Window are in a high-stakes, end-of-season baseball game, probably in the Clich League, with a tying run on base. However, Emilys outstanding performance shatters a priceless window in the local church, forcing us to make a decision: Run or Come Clean. Come Clean, socialists.

The church is insured, but when Father McGillivray points us that the policy has a $5000 deductible, and our rates will go up, Boyack unwittingly reminds us of capitalisms nonsense. Wed rather not file a claim. You could argue that if something is too expensive to use, whats the sense of having an insurance market at all, but that isnt the Tuttle Way. The kids family offers to pay the deductible and have them work it off by having them intern for their Uncle Ben, who does this YouTube news broadcast thats quite popular, which is quite the pickup line.

More:
Tuttle Twins Controversy: The Case of The Terrible Libertarian Propaganda and The Tuttle Twins and Much More! - pelhamplus.com