• YouTube’s new option will let you link Shorts to longer videos to drive more traffic.
• Michaels is refreshing its brand identity.
• Here is the updated X brand toolkit, if you want to roll the dice on replacing your bird icons.
• Google is testing “Search Generative Experience while browsing.”

Monday: TikTok’s holistic “brandformance” strategy leverages creativity, entertainment, and targeted advertising in one campaign to generate growth.

Tuesday: YouTuber Aprilynn Alter shared her insights after 7 days of studying MrBeast’s success—and cracking his infallible formula—on YouTube. Here’s his secret.

Wednesday: YouTube has introduced new creator tools to help you harness the energy of a platform with over 2B logged-in monthly users—and to keep up with TikTok and Reels.

Thursday: The three major players in the short-form video game each have different strengths, as your anecdotal data might confirm. Check outTikTok vs. Reels vs. Shorts by the numbers.

Dawn asked, “What password management tool do you recommend?”

Morganne asked, “Who else thinks cold contacts have gotten out of hand?”

Bobbie asked, “What are some of your favorite ways to do a giveaway on Facebook?”

Hannah asked, “How does your team process contacts gathered after an event from business cards, giveaways, and personal contacts? “

Ingredients

• 3 strawberries quartered
• 2 basil leaves chiffonade or torn
• 1 tbsp honey to taste
• 1/2 lime juiced
• 2 ounces vodka or gin
• 1 splash club soda optional

Steps

1. Add the strawberries, basil, honey and lime juice to the bottom of a glass or shaker. Muddle the ingredients until combined.
2. Add muddled mixture to a cocktail shaker along with vodka and ice. Shake until cold.
3. Pour into glass and top off the glass with club soda. Serve garnished with a fresh strawberry and basil leaf.

Recipe by Modern Glam

Answer: August 18 is NOT National Buffet Day.

But it is National Couples Day, National Bad Poetry Day, and National Fajita Day. Write your partner a crappy poem, then go get some fajitas.