Chris, co-founder of Illinois Local Attends Meta Boost Gather 2022 in Washington D.C.

Several months ago, I became a part of the Meta Leaders Network as the co-founder of Illinois Local. The Leaders Network is a community within Meta that helps small to medium business leaders amplify their successes. Last week I was chosen by Meta to attend their Gather 2022 event in Washington DC.

Gather 2022 brought 500 small business owners from all 50 states to Washington DC. We talked to our politicians, networked with fellow attendees, and learned about new Meta products. Most importantly for Illinois Local members, we learned how best to use Meta products to help grow our businesses and improve our communities.

We had the opportunity to get hands-on creating reels with tips and ideas from Meta employees to make engaging videos using simple techniques. We also had a chance to test out the latest Meta products and listen to the people who created them.

Here are my top eight takeaways on what we can do as small business owners to improve our Facebook and Instagram (and the Metaverse).

What is your story? People want to know about you and your business.

Be creative. Capture your audience's attention with a photo or video. If you are selling a product, take the time to light and style it. It doesn't have to be perfect but aim for better.

Tell your 15-second story with a beginning, middle, and an end in reels.

Use diversity in your advertising and posts. Your audience is more likely to remember it. Align your business to celebrate and advocate diversity and inclusion.

You don't need special effects. Just be authentic. People are interested in anything from the mundane to the thrilling. What do you do behind the scenes?

Meta is working to simplify as much as it can. Use the new tools as they go live. I suspect your reach and advertising will go further.

Be wary of what 'experts' tell you to have to do. Especially if they keep referring to the algorithm as though it were a person. Never once did a Meta employee use the word. Instead, they always say do what works for your page.

Currently, users watch 80% of reels with sound. Take advantage of that with music or voiceovers.