Snapchat’s Context Cards Simplify Our Lives a Little More
We rely on our phones for so much these days. Texting, calling, taking pics, using as a flashlight to find your phone before realizing it’s in your hand. And with all of those things come apps.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get app overload. In fact, I’m so particular about streamlining how many apps I have that I try to limit the amount I use to only what will fit on my homescreen.
That’s what appealed to me about Snapchat’s new Context Cards. They’re like a Maps, Yelp, Uber/Lift, and of course, Snapchat all in one. Take a look at the cards in action:
TripAdvisor and OpenTable are more offerings too. Of course, you still need to Continue reading “Snapchat’s Context Cards Simplify Our Lives a Little More”
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How to Be “Social” in Real Life and Online At Every Event
Sometimes I find that the hardest part of using social media channels is finding a way to be social in real life and incorporate social media without being “that friend” who snaps everything. I’ve come up with some tips to help you be able to do both without embarrassing yourself.
1. Check in before you walk in — if you already know you’re going to go somewhere, and you’re a person who checks in on Facebook, do it before you walk inside. You don’t want to sit down and have to spend your first few seconds not talking to the friend you’re there to meet with. Think of a witty caption on the drive there, park, turn your car off, and check in.
2. Take pictures for yourself, not for the gram — sure, we all know what performs well on Instagram, but another important aspect of posting is being genuine. If you’re snapping a pic of a wall of tequila at Pink Taco because everyone else is doing it, that’s going to be obvious and uninspired. But if you’re snapping a pic because tequila is the nectar of the gods, then that enthusiasm will shine through. Take pictures that are gram-worthy, but take them for yourself.
3. Double up on Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook stories — life is already hard, don’t make it harder. While you should strive to be authentic and unique across all of your platforms, if you have a busy day ahead of you, double up on your stories. Take one video, save it without filters or graphics, then upload it to each platform, decorating as you see fit. Try to start with a Snapchat video, because they timestamp uploads and you don’t want to give up your game.
4. Don’t worry about being “that” person — I know, I said the whole point of this was to NOT be “that” person, but hear me out. We all tease that person in the group that’s always taking pictures and videos but this is not a new type of person. Since people have been able to carry around cameras, there’s always been “that” person, and we secretly love them for it. As a kid, I’d haaaate how many pictures my grandpa took of everything. “Say cheese!” But now, as an adult, I love that I have pictures of us playing board games or standing next to a sunflower we grew together. Historically, we love to see old images of what cities and people used to look like. Heck, it’s even fun to see what life was like at the beginning of the Facebook era.
So, if you happen to be “that” person, own it, and strategize. Someday, someone will thank you for making them pose at the end of a hike or for a Broadway play opening.
Natalie Saar 