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Announcements

C
Written by Customer Success
Updated this week

Announcements Feature Guide for Brand Managers

Welcome to your comprehensive guide for using the Announcements feature in LoudCrowd! This powerful communication tool helps you connect with your creators and drive program engagement through targeted, timely messages.

What are Announcements?

Announcements are direct messages that appear prominently in your creators' hub, allowing you to share important updates, promotions, policy changes, and calls-to-action with your ambassador community. Think of announcements as your digital bulletin board – a centralized place where creators can always find the latest information about your programs.

Unlike individual messages or emails that can get lost or overlooked, announcements remain visible in the creator hub until they expire or are removed, ensuring your important communications reach their intended audience.

Why are Announcements Important?

Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful creator programs. The Announcements feature helps you:

🎯 Increase Message Visibility

  • Messages appear prominently in the creator hub where ambassadors regularly check for updates

  • Pinned announcements stay at the top, ensuring critical information isn't missed

  • Reduces the need for repetitive individual outreach

📊 Drive Program Engagement

  • Include action buttons that direct creators to specific tasks or content

  • Promote new products, campaigns, or challenges to boost participation

  • Share time-sensitive opportunities to create urgency

🤝 Build Stronger Relationships

  • Keep creators informed about program changes and updates

  • Celebrate community achievements and milestones

  • Provide clear guidance on policies and expectations

⏰ Save Time and Resources

  • Communicate with hundreds or thousands of creators simultaneously

  • Reduce support tickets by proactively addressing common questions

  • Update information in real-time without sending multiple emails

What Announcements Look Like for Creators

Where Announcements Appear

Creators see announcements immediately upon logging into their Creator Hub. The announcements section is prominently displayed on their dashboard, making it impossible to miss important updates.

Visual Presentation

  • Card-Based Layout: Each announcement appears as an attractive card with a gradient background

  • Program Identification: Clear badges show which program each announcement belongs to

  • Hierarchical Display: Pinned announcements appear first, followed by regular announcements in chronological order

  • Mobile-Optimized: Responsive design ensures announcements look great on all devices

Interactive Elements

  • Action Buttons: Optional call-to-action buttons stand out with contrasting colors

  • External Links: Links open in new tabs to keep creators in the hub

  • Publication Dates: Creators can see when each announcement was posted

Common Use Cases for Announcements

📢 Product Launches & Campaigns

"New Summer Collection Now Live! 🌞"

  • Announce new product drops with direct links to the collection

  • Share exclusive creator discount codes

  • Highlight best-selling items to promote

🎁 Promotional Opportunities

"Double Commission Weekend - This Friday through Sunday!"

  • Alert creators to limited-time commission increases

  • Promote special events or flash sales

  • Share exclusive creator-only promotions

📋 Policy Updates & Guidelines

"Updated Content Guidelines - Please Review"

  • Communicate changes to program terms

  • Clarify content requirements or restrictions

  • Share FTC disclosure reminders

🏆 Challenges & Contests

"June Content Challenge - Win a $500 Bonus!"

  • Launch creator challenges with clear instructions

  • Share contest rules and deadlines

  • Provide links to submission forms

📈 Performance Updates

"Q2 Program Highlights - Celebrating Your Success!"

  • Share program-wide achievements

  • Recognize top performers

  • Provide performance tips and best practices

🔧 Platform Updates

"New Creator Hub Features Available"

  • Announce new tools or features

  • Share tutorial links for platform changes

  • Provide technical updates or maintenance notices

💡 Educational Content

"Content Creation Tips: Boost Your Engagement"

  • Share best practices and tips

  • Link to training resources

  • Provide seasonal content ideas

How to Set Up Announcements in the LoudCrowd Brand App

Step 1: Navigate to Announcements

  1. Log into your LoudCrowd Brand App

  2. Click on the Messages tab in the main navigation

  3. Select Announcements from the submenu

Step 2: Create a New Announcement

  1. Click the "+ New Announcement" button

  2. You'll see a modal window with the announcement creation form

Step 3: Fill in Announcement Details

Title (Required, Max 40 characters)

  • Keep it concise and attention-grabbing

  • Use action words when appropriate

  • Consider using emojis for visual appeal (sparingly)

Good examples:

  • "Flash Sale: 30% Commission Boost! ⚡"

  • "New Product Line Available"

  • "Important: Updated Guidelines"

Message (Required, Max 500 characters)

  • Be clear and direct

  • Include the most important information first

  • Break up text for easy scanning

  • End with a clear call-to-action

Example structure:

What's happening + When it's happening Why it matters to creators What action to take

Link (Optional)

  • Button Text (Max 40 characters): Make it action-oriented

    • "Shop Now"

    • "View Guidelines"

    • "Join Challenge"

    • "Learn More"

  • URL: Ensure the link is correct and functional

    • Must include full URL (https://...)

    • Test the link before publishing

    • Consider using tracked links for analytics

Step 4: Select Target Programs

  1. Choose which creator programs should see this announcement

  2. Select multiple programs if the message applies to several groups

  3. Only programs you have access to will be available

Step 5: Configure Announcement Settings

Pinning Announcements

  • Toggle "Pin this announcement" to keep it at the top

  • Use for critical or time-sensitive information

  • Remember: Multiple pinned announcements display newest first

Setting Expiration

  1. Click "Set expiration date"

  2. Choose the date and time when the announcement should disappear

  3. Consider your campaign timeline when setting expiration

  4. Leave blank for announcements without a specific end date

Step 6: Preview and Publish

  1. Review all information for accuracy

  2. Check that links work correctly

  3. Verify the correct programs are selected

  4. Click "Create Announcement" to go live immediately

Managing Multiple Announcements

Viewing All Announcements

  • The announcements list shows all active and expired announcements

  • Use filters to view by program or status

  • Sort by creation date, expiration, or pinned status

Editing Existing Announcements

  1. Click the edit icon (pencil) next to any active announcement

  2. Make necessary changes

  3. Save to update immediately

  4. Note: Expired announcements cannot be edited

Organizing with Pins

  • Pin your most important announcement

  • Unpin older announcements when they're less relevant

  • Remember creators see pinned announcements first

Removing Announcements

  1. Click the delete icon (trash can)

  2. Confirm deletion

  3. Deleted announcements are permanently removed

  4. Consider using expiration instead for record-keeping

Tying Announcements to Different Programs

Multi-Program Strategy

  • Create program-specific announcements for targeted messaging

  • Use consistent branding across programs while customizing content

  • Consider program maturity when crafting messages

Best Practices for Multi-Program Brands

  1. Segment Appropriately

    • New ambassadors might need onboarding announcements

    • Veteran creators benefit from advanced opportunities

    • VIP tiers deserve exclusive announcements

  2. Maintain Consistency

    • Use similar formatting across programs

    • Keep brand voice consistent

    • Coordinate announcement timing across programs

  3. Avoid Overlap

    • Don't duplicate announcements if creators are in multiple programs

    • Use multi-program selection for universal messages

    • Create program-specific versions when content differs

Best Practices & Tips

✍️ Writing Effective Announcements

  • Front-load important information: Put key details in the first sentence

  • Use clear language: Avoid jargon or complex terms

  • Include specific dates: "Starting June 1st" vs "Coming soon"

  • Make actions clear: Tell creators exactly what to do next

📅 Timing Your Announcements

  • Post during active hours: When creators typically check the hub

  • Give adequate notice: At least 1 week for major changes

  • Avoid information overload: Limit to 2-3 active announcements

  • Consider time zones: Post when most creators are likely online

🎨 Visual & Formatting Tips

  • Use emojis sparingly: 1-2 per announcement maximum

  • Break up text: Use line breaks for readability

  • Capitalize strategically: For emphasis, not entire messages

  • Test on mobile: Ensure announcements look good on small screens

📊 Measuring Success

  • Track link clicks: Use UTM parameters for detailed analytics

  • Monitor support tickets: Look for reduction in common questions

  • Observe creator behavior: Check if desired actions increase

  • Gather feedback: Ask creators about announcement effectiveness

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many announcements can I have active at once?

A: There's no hard limit, but we recommend keeping 2-3 active announcements to avoid overwhelming creators. Focus on quality over quantity.

Q: Can creators respond to announcements?

A: Currently, announcements are one-way communications. For interactive discussions, use the messaging feature or community forums.

Q: How long should I keep an announcement active?

A: It depends on the content. Time-sensitive promotions might last a week, while policy updates could remain indefinitely. Use expiration dates to automatically remove outdated content.

Q: Can I schedule announcements in advance?

A: Announcements go live immediately upon creation. For planned communications, create a content calendar and post announcements manually at the desired time.

Q: What happens to expired announcements?

A: Expired announcements disappear from the creator hub but remain in your brand app for reference. You cannot edit expired announcements, but you can delete them or create new ones with updated information.

Q: Can I include images or videos in announcements?

A: Currently, announcements support text and links only. For rich media content, link to a landing page or blog post with images and videos.

Q: How do I know if creators are seeing my announcements?

A: While individual read receipts aren't available, you can track engagement through link clicks and observe if the desired creator actions increase after posting.

Q: Can I target announcements to specific creators within a program?

A: Announcements target entire programs. For individual creator communications, use the direct messaging feature.

Q: What's the difference between pinned and regular announcements?

A: Pinned announcements always appear at the top of the creator's announcement feed, ensuring maximum visibility. Regular announcements appear below in chronological order.

Q: Can I duplicate an announcement for another program?

A: Currently, you need to create new announcements for different programs. When creating similar announcements, copy the content and adjust as needed for each program.

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