In-Demand Marketing Skills, Q1 Reports, and Growth Ideas From YouTube, Spotify, LinkedIn, and Airbnb

Weekly Curated Content from GrowthHackers Community in your inbox!͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ [View in browser]( Hey, GrowthHackers!  This week's newsletter is all about growth! We're dissecting Q1 reports from industry leaders, analyzing new experiments at LinkedIn, Airbnb, and more.  Stay ahead of the curve: dive into Instagram algorithm updates, explore new TikTok ad placements, and discover the most in-demand marketing skills.  Plus, don't miss insightful discussions from our community, must-read growth articles, and top podcast picks.  Get ready to level up your growth game! ­  GIANT GROWTH UPDATES Global Growth, Local Hurdles: Pinterest's 2x Revenue Growth Rate  Pinterest's user base reached a record 518 million monthly actives, according to [their Q1 report](. This 12% surge is impressive, but most new users come from lower-revenue international markets. While overall revenue growth has accelerated to  23% YoY, Pinterest faces a critical question: how can they effectively monetize their new global audience and reignite growth in their original, and more profitable markets? [Read on and learn the bets taking Pinterest forward.](  Amazon Surprises Analysts with Strong Quarter  [Amazon's Q1 2024 growth]( defied expectations, driven by a powerful trifecta: cloud computing, subscriptions, and advertising. Their cloud giant, AWS, continued its impressive trajectory with a 17% surge in sales, fueled partly by innovative AI features. Subscription services flourished as well, with the introduction of a grocery subscription and expanded Prime Video offerings. Finally, the advertising sector saw a significant boost thanks to the launch of an ad-supported tier for Prime Video. [Read more about the powerhouse of innovations behind Amazon's success.](  ­ The Experimentation Front  YouTube Tests AI Assistant Director. YouTube is [testing an AI tool that suggests video ideas to crators]( based on trending topics and viewer preferences. While some worry it might lead to repetitive content, others see it as a way to tap into audience desires. Could this be a creator's muse or a recipe for uninspired videos? Only time will tell, but the test is rolling out to select English channels now.  Spotify's Experiment Swipes Right on Video. Spotify is experimenting with [surfacing short video clips ("Clips") directly within playlists](. These 30-second artist-made snippets aim to boost user engagement by fostering deeper connections with artists.  LinkedIn Goes Playful: [Testing In-Stream Games for Engagement](. After a March trial run, LinkedIn's rolling out in-stream puzzle games like "Queens" and "Crossclimb" across its platform. This experiment aims to see if a lighter touch, with quick mental challenges, can increase user engagement. By offering bite-sized brain teasers with social elements like leaderboards, LinkedIn hopes to keep users glued to their network. But will these games be a strategic engagement boost or a productivity pitstop? Only time will tell if LinkedIn's gamified approach pays off.  Summer with Airbnb: Iconic Stays and Streamlined Group Trips. Their latest update brings two exciting features to the table:  "Icons," a new category offering extraordinary themed stays like nights in dream destinations, and a suite of tools to streamline group travel planning. But what's the real strategy behind these features? How will they measure success? [Read on as we dissect Airbnb's summer update]( and extracting valuable lessons for businesses of all stripes. ­ AI Highlights  Will Robots Read Your Next Audiobook? Audible is making waves with its [introduction of AI-powered narration](. By offering AI-narrated audiobooks alongside traditionally produced titles, Audible is letting the market decide the future.  The question remains: will convenience win out over tradition? Only time, and listener response, will tell.  Stack Overflow Teams Up With OpenAI. [This collaboration]( aims to leverage Stack Overflow's data to enhance OpenAI's models for tackling coding problems, while Stack Overflow gains access to OpenAI's expertise in integrating these features smoothly within the platform. ­ The Acquisition Front  Instagram Shakeup: Algorithm Update Champions Original Creators. [The platform now prioritizes original posts](, giving you the chance to boost reach and engagement for your brand. Reposting aggregator content will be penalized, while features like labeling original creators ensure they get the credit they deserve. This shift towards high-quality, original content is your chance to shine. Time to revamp your Instagram strategy and focus on what truly resonates with your audience!​​  TikTok Premium Ad Placements Get More Partners and Options. The platform is [expanding its "Pulse" ad format](, offering access to even more premium content creators and publishers for ad placement. This means your brand can appear alongside trending videos from the likes of Paramount Global and the NHL, boosting ad relevance and purchase intent. Plus, with new features like Pulse Custom Lineups and Premiere Tentpole Moments, you can target specific audiences and cultural events for maximum reach and engagement.  TikTok Sues U.S. Government. TikTok is [challenging a new U.S. ruling requiring its sale]( to an American company, arguing it's unconstitutional and a de facto ban. The court case could push back the deadline for divesting considerably, or even overturn it. One thing is certain: the legal wrangling could buy marketers time to adjust their strategies. ­ What Are the Most In-Demand Skills for Marketers?  The marketing landscape is a whirlwind of change, demanding both creativity and agility. Wondering what skills are hottest in the marketing arsenal for 2024? Buckle up! LinkedIn released data revealing the keys to dominating the marketing game on their [2024 Global Marketing Jobs Outlook Report](. The data unveils a surprising trend: adaptability reigns supreme. Marketers need to be chameleons, constantly learning and evolving to conquer the ever-shifting marketing landscape. But fear not, creative minds! While technical prowess is rising – with strong analytical skills and data analysis in demand – timeless strengths like social media marketing and SEO remain crucial. This mix underscores the need for well-rounded marketers who can leverage both analytics and core marketing expertise. Here's the real kicker: there's an untapped opportunity with AI tools. Only just over 2 out of 3 B2B marketing leaders are currently using AI applications in their marketing activities, according to LinkedIn's research. This suggests a significant opportunity for marketers who can leverage both AI and their human creativity. So, dust off your learning tools and embrace your inner marketing chameleon – with 83% OF CMOs poised for hiring growth, it's time to adapt, hone your skills, and thrive in the ever-evolving marketing jungle!  Let's Discuss!  Head over to our community forum and dive deeper into these topics with fellow growth hackers. Share your experiences, ask questions, and get inspired by the collective knowledge of our community!  [GO TO COMMUNITY  ➡️]( ­  COMMUNITY FORUM 🗨️ "Growth Marketing vs. Performance Roles: In your daily grind, what are the biggest distinctions you see between growth marketing and performance marketing roles? What are the overlaps and key differences in scope/skills?" [Reply](  🗨️"How can I recover from traffic decrease? I write about programming, WordPress and JavaScript, with lots of code tutorials and how-to's. I also keep the code up-to-date, as in, I get back every year or so and update the code or add more context or examples. I keep my website in tip-top shape regarding technical SEO, even over-optimizing sometimes. I do not AI to create posts. What could be the cause?! I did not make any drastic changes, looking back over several years. Nothing I can pinpoint." [Reply](  🗨️ Got a question for community members?[Post a Question](  ­  COMMUNITY POSTS  From Data to Insight: How to Layer Quant, Qual & Heatmaps for Stronger Test Hypotheses [Hint: Use Triangulation] As Craig Sullivan, CEO of Optimize or Die and a pioneering voice in experimentation, explains:  "Each research method is NOT complete. If you take a photo of a plant or animal, you see only one side of it. Using more than one research method gives you perspective, so you get a 3D rendering of the problem from multiple sides. This way, a problem that looked flat and featureless when you used one method now begins to solidify and take shape as you inspect it from different angles, using different methods. It’s like shining a light on a problem from different directions to get perspective."  In this post, we’ve gathered wisdom from some of the sharpest minds in optimization — Andra Baragan, Ellie Hughes, Simon Girardin, and Deborah O’Malley – on how they use triangulation to generate winning test ideas consistently. [READ MORE]( Understanding B2B Lead Generation Pricing Outsourcing  B2B lead generation can be a success or it can be a disaster. That’s why it’s essential to understand lead generation pricing as well as its costs and pricing models associated with these services. [LEARN MORE]( ­  TEAM PICKS 🤓 To Read: Feeling stuck and unsure if your current strategy is the right fit? Lenny Rachinsky's just dropped a list ["The art of the pivot: The definitive list of successful pivots"]( .This insightful list dives deep into over 30 successful company pivots, offering a treasure trove of knowledge for navigating strategic shifts.  🎧 To Listen: [This episode of The Peel]( podcast with Peter Novac is a must-listen for startup enthusiasts and product-focused minds. He sits down with Mike Mignano, the co-founder of Anchor, the podcasting platform that achieved a whopping 9-figure acquisition by Spotify.  The interview is a goldmine of insights, taking you on the rollercoaster ride of Anchor's journey to product-market fit.  So, grab your headphones and dive into the story behind Anchor's meteoric rise!  💭 To Get Inspired: 🤝 Share the Love: Got a hidden gem that's transforming your growth game? Share the love! Drop your top recommendations at GrowthHackers Community to help a fellow community member level up. 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