WELCOME
It’s a full-blown fall frenzy in the social media world, but the platforms persist nonetheless. Meta is building global connections one Reel at a time, LinkedIn says video is brand credibility, and new data reveals the sweet spot for posting on X. And, since it’s the season of giving thanks, we’re spotlighting how a little gratitude and appreciation can go a long way, both in office and out.
Let’s get into it.
Small Gestures, Big Thanks
It’s November. You’re still figuring out who’s hosting Thanksgiving, your thermostat is changing careers, and 92% of your coworkers just swear they’ve mastered turkey prep.
Sure, it’s a little chaotic, but it’s also cozy, and it’s the perfect time to revisit the fine art of appreciation. Thankfully, expressing it can be dished out in small, meaningful ways, and it doesn’t have to come with a 25-pound bird or a Pinterest-certified grand gesture. Turns out, a little effort really does go a long way.
Here are five low-lift, high-impact ways to show your appreciation this month:
1. The handwritten note still works
Yes, pens still exist. A short thank-you on actual paper can feel like a million bucks. Slide one on a colleague’s desk or pop it in the mail (bonus points if your handwriting is legible).
2. Teams and Slack isn’t just for @reminders
Surprise someone with a message that doesn’t involve an action item. Bust out a random celebratory GIF to acknowledge all of their hard work.
3. Host an appreciation break
Schedule a 15-minute team meeting to give informal shoutouts. Keep it short. Keep it fun. No spreadsheets. Just people appreciating people. If you’re virtual, pets walking into the frame are strongly encouraged.
4. Share a quick win
Forward the good news. A milestone, a compliment, a “hey this made me think of you” moment to a family member, friend, colleague, or even a client or partner organization. It’s the fine art of saying “I see you.”
5. Create a thank-you chain
Start an appreciation thread at work. Acknowledge big lifts, behind-the-scenes getter donners, or just someone who brought donuts to the office that day. Appreciation is contagious, and so are good vibes.
Small effort. Big impact. More donuts (???).
Appreciation doesn’t need a formal calendar invite or even a big gesture.
So, this November, write the note. Send the “I see you.” Hide the store-bought pie in a fancier pie dish if you must. Just don’t forget – appreciation is the one dish that always goes with everything.
Enjoy it while it’s hot.
A Bigger Table, One Reel at a Time
Ever notice how it only takes a 15-second video to feel connected to someone you’ve never met, and in some cases, think to yourself, “That’s so me.” It’s wild how something short and simple can make you feel seen by a complete stranger.
Well, that spirit of shared and relatable experience just got an upgrade thanks to Meta.
Reels can now be translated, making that moment of connection possible for more people worldwide. Welcome to the age where content no longer travels alone and brings people with it.
A creator in Bogota shares a laugh that lands in Boston. A mom in Mumbai shares a moment at the dinner table that makes someone in Minneapolis feel like they’re back at home. What used to feel distant now feels personal.
Thanks to Meta for making the table bigger – one Reel, one connection, one relatable experience at a time.
Trust: The Biggest Driver in Brand Growth
Trust isn’t just a value, but a growth driver. Brands leading with video and influencer marketing are setting the pace. LinkedIn’s recent study shows that credibility across the marketing journey fuels authenticity and engagement. Video makes brands 2.2 times more trusted, bringing emotion and human connection through short-form social video, brand storytelling, and testimonials. These same characteristics are driving influencer marketing success, underscored by authenticity and niche reach. Ready to turn trust into performance? Partner with our award-winning video and digital teams to build strategies that deliver more than metrics, and instead, make an impact.
ICYMI: LinkedIn Changes Naming Conventions
Quick heads up to anyone managing LinkedIn ad set ups, you may have noticed a shift in LinkedIn Campaign Manager element names to be more aligned with industry lingo. SocialMediaToday breaks it down here. The big change: “Campaign Group” is now “Campaign” and “Campaign” is now “Ad Set”. Enjoy the new lingo!
X’s October Tune-Up: Creator Rewards, Synced Drafts, and Profile Data
A trio of updates are rolling out from X – creator incentives, synced drafts, and richer account info – as part of its ongoing push to keep creators (and advertisers) invested in the platform.
- Creator payouts expand: Only about 20% of X users ever post; X is rewarding those few but mighty with more opportunities to earn payouts. Info is still slim, but this could spark a new wave of micro-influencers on the app.
- Synced drafts: Users can start composing on mobile and finish on desktop, a long-awaited improvement that helps campaign teams and comms staff working on the go.
- Enhanced account info: Expanded metadata now shows profile transparency and affiliations, offering more context around who’s behind a message.
*Bonus highlight – if you recall X’s penalizing link-posters, check out this update! The link may live on.
When to Hit “Post”: Best-times insights sharpen posting windows for X
According to data published in October by Sprout Social, X engagement continues to follow weekday business-hours patterns more than “evening leisure” windows.
- Best days: Tuesdays through Thursdays.
- Best times: broadly mid-morning to late afternoon (10 a.m.–5 p.m. global time).
- Weekends show significantly lower engagement (Saturday peak narrows ~11 a.m.–2 p.m.; Sunday 2–6 p.m.).
- For public-sector and non-profits: best times mirror mid-week business hours.
The data suggests X is not behaving like a “late-night scroll” platform (e.g., TikTok, Instagram) but remains embedded in the daytime real-time news cycle.
GET CHATTING
If gratitude were a currency, what would you spend it on first?
Strategic Elements is a full-service public affairs, marketing, and media consulting firm based in Iowa. Our team of political operatives, marketing experts, and media strategists helps businesses, organizations, and causes shape public opinion, influence policy, and drive meaningful change.
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