The Snapchat Update Users Are Begging For!

If we can count on any social media platform to have fun, unpredictable updates, it’s the unannounced Snapchat app updates. Snapchat has surprised us with tons of exciting features we weren’t expecting- from Snacphat Lenses to Snapcash. But sometimes less is more. Here are the Snapchat updates we really need and really want, as plain as they may be!

We’re starting with the Snapchat update we need the most…

 

1) Groups on Snapchat

Instead of going through our Snapchat friends list or just selecting from top friends we always Snap, it would be great to have pre-selected groups. Think, sending snaps to your 17 cousins in one tap of the group- Cousins. Or sending your coworkers a quick video from work in a coworker groups. Or sending “family friendly” Snapchats to parents on social media. Snapchat Groups would be an organized method to engage with more people!

 

2) Moving Graphics on Filters

Sometimes we want to show people it’s 12 degrees outside without the temperature right in the middle of the screen. Or sometimes the “Times Square” Geo-filter is blocking too much of Times Square. Being able to resize and relocate Snapchat filters would improve photos for everyone!

3) Bringing Back Best Friends

Best Friends was a way to tell which friends were snap chatting eachother the most. In one of the major updates, Snapchat replaced the feature. But then, and now, we want it back! It’s a fun way to see who your friends are flirting or talking with the most. It’s a little bit of insight most apps choose not to disclose. It made Snapchat unique and our gossip more juicy!

 

4) Search Celebrities

More and more celebrities are joining Snapchat. DJ Khaled has reinvented his brand with Snapchat. Kyle Jenner gives continuous Keeping Up With The Kardashians footage through her story. Even the Queen of Social Media, Kim Kardashian, hints that she may be joining in 2016.

How cool would you say that Snapchat is compared to the past? | InsideGov

Snapchat is not just a social media fad. It’s surprised and delight fans with constant Snapchat updates. Nevertheless, while Snapchat has proved that they can come up with inventive updates, they’re overlooking the simple features users want. In our next post, we will review the best and worst Snapchat updates. Join our conversation! What Snapchat updates do you feel are missing?

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Shoppers Against Black Friday Unite on Twitter

With Black Friday approaching, both businesses and consumers prepare for bargains. While some shoppers create lists of which products to buy and stores to visit, other Americans with anti Black Friday sentiment plan their boycott behavior. In fact, consumers respond against Black Friday promotions by boycotting companies that participate in the shopping holiday (think Walmart, Best Buy, Target). However, the in-store boycott is magnified through social media conversation. By utilizing social media, consumers create a movement against Black Friday brands.

 

Because of the percentage of people who disagree with Black Friday promotions, many consumers have prepared social media campaigns, especially on Twitter. They call, or rather tweet, for a nationwide day of boycott. The grassroots group demonstrates their solidarity against the holiday’s affects on family time. After all, not only are shoppers spend their holiday time at the mall, but also store employees forced to leave Thanksgiving festivities early.

Black Friday shopping begins at 6 p.m on THURSDAY! If you shop at or past that time you’re participating in black friday #BoycottBlackFriday

— Truth Skywalker (@TooSleptOn) November 23, 2015

Twitter fans against Black Friday love using the #boycottblackfriday hashtag. Apart from that, there’s also movement to comment against promotions on Facebook and Instagram. By commenting on photos, consumers against Black Friday can communicate with the ones “liking” the deals to show disapproval. Additionally, they can demonstrate their disgust with the brands participating in Black Friday. Due to social boycotts and social media fury, brands will quickly redirect their attention away from Black Friday to look forward to other holidays.

People against Black Friday should not underestimate the power of social media. People can be heard and brands are listening (although they may be ignoring you for now). If you really want brand attention, it’s best to RT and share the brands that openly reject Black Friday traditions. Commenting and joining on hashtags is a great way to show your support to those people who are aiming to fight against Black Friday in order to restore Thanksgiving ideals. Will you join this social media movement?

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Social Media Brand Fail: Shell Instagram

Everyone may be on social media, but that doesn’t mean every brand should. Royal Dutch Shell, commonly referred to as Shell, shares Instagram photos that align with the companies mission of “manufacturing and supplying oil products and services that satisfy the needs of our customers.” And somehow the brand thought it was a good idea to create an Instagram. When controversial businesses create social media accounts, they create more venues for consumer outrage, as seen with McDonald’s Instagram. However, while McDonald’s retains their happy (meal) image, Shell prefers a professional, business tone. And so, consumers bring business-related hate.

 

Social media offers businesses a way to relate to customers. This can be anything from creating funny posts to addressing customer service inquiries. Therefore, apparel and food brands have a plethora of content opportunities. But these initiatives hardly apply to oil companies. Plus, people don’t even want to look at the product considering its association with detrimental environmental hazards. Shell’s branding opts for a customer, employee and environmental emphasis. And consumers have responded in different ways.

 

Brand Haters

 

Consumers attack Shell for their preventable oil spill in Nigeria in this photo. Commenters not only talk to the brand, but also eachother. This type of dialogue is prominently displayed on the account, considering the low following and engagement numbers. While some comments on the Shell’s Instagram discuss innovation, there will always be the brand haters reminding Shell that not everything has been cleaned up.

 

Hashtag Activism

Some Shell haters have responded collectively using #shellno. On Twitter, many #shellno tweets target President Barack Obama to take action against Arctic drilling and Shell. On Instagram, people use the hasthtag to show their distrust and despise for the company. When searching the hashtag on Instagram, there are more than 8K tags. Considering the brand only has 17K followers, this is a lot of #shellno Instagram fail content.

 

 

Greenwashing

Consumers have also blamed the company for greenwashing. Greenwashing refers to a company’s efforts to appear more environmentally friendly than they are in their business practice. Because Shell is fundamentally an oil company, not to mention one with plenty of spills and protests, it’s hard to overlook its history. While some consumers know the term, other allude to it when stating that Shell can’t let a few programs makeup for its other failings.

 

Do you have another example of a brand Instagram fail to join the company of McDonald’s and Netflix. Share in the comments section and it may appear in our next post!

 

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Social Media Brand Fail: Netflix

Netflix is all over social media. Whether talking about their latest “Netflix binge” or talking specifically about a favorite Netflix show, fans create a lot of buzz about the online streaming service. While many companies would love to capitalize on brand ambassadors promoting their services, Netflix misses the chance to engage with customers on Facebook. However, where the Netflix brand lags, some individual Netflix shows shine. But should a brand fall behind its micro-brands, especially on the largest social network in the world?

 

Netflix’s social media strategy exclusively pushes promoted content. In other words, rather than engaging with current events or acting as a thought leader, Netflix uses social media to advertise.

These promotional posts include trailers, quotes and visuals. While loyal fans will generate engagement, the posts lack imagination. After all, it’s just recycling existing content from TV shows for social media. Therefore, it’s not as exciting and engagement-worthy as original content. Furthermore, the Netflix Facebook page is rarely updated. Since the new year, there’s only been five posts on the page. The lack of updated, original content only gives Netflix an average of 1,120 Facebook likes per post— when 15.7 million users following the page.

 

On the other hand, Orange is the New Black shares animated videos, graphic designs and other engaging posts with unique content exclusive to social media. And these updates continue well past new season’s release. In comparison to the Netflix Facebook page, the Orange is the New Black’s five most recent Facebook posts have earned an average of 5,455 likes with 4.7 likes. This page demonstrates that putting time and energy and social media will transfer to a higher engagement rate.

 

What’s even stranger about Netflix’s social media strategy is that Netflix invests much more in Twitter than Facebook— for no apparent reason. After all, Netflix only has 1.49 million Twitter followers. The Netflix Twitter has multiple posts per day and features a variety of shows. While the Twitter account also self-promotes too much, it’s the case that something is always better than nothing. At least Netflix should cross-post, or put their social media team member on Facebook to see if it’s a better platform in terms of outreach and engagement.

 

Furthermore, it’s not like Twitter is prioritized for every Netflix brand. While Orange is the New Black serves as an example of a stronger Netflix micro-brand, House of Cards demonstrates another poor social media performance. The Twitter account simply tweets lines from the show (not even with quotation marks or images). Over all, Netflix’s social media strategy lacks clarity, and ultimately hurts its Facebook presence.

 

#FriendshipGoals #OITNB http://pic.twitter.com/9IP5Pe4r5G

— Orange Is the New… (@OITNB) August 15, 2015

Netflix social media strategy needs proper evaluation, scheduling and content. To prioritize Twitter over Facebook, with a difference of 14.2 followers, seems negligent. It’s not as if the two platforms greatly differ in what they can offer brands since both have text, photo, comment and share capabilities. As Netflix continues to expand into new business opportunities, like offering more shows and streaming in different countries, it’s best to improve the social media strategy now rather than later. As a Fortune 500 company, it’s time Netflix owns it’s social media presence and invests in creative and current content. Are you surprised that Netflix has such a poor Facebook strategy? What are your thoughts?

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Pinterest Pressure: Keeping Up with the Joneses

Someone said that social media is depressing. When you think about that statement, you might realize that there could be some truth in it. The claim that Pinterest can cause peer pressure is not an unfounded one, since research has shown that social media such as Pinterest can amplify peer pressure.

When you think about it carefully, it is about who has a finer taste of fashion, who has a larger house, or kitchen. Who is driving a sportier car or is hanging out with who and those images are displayed there for the world. Thus, it becomes difficult to resist the urge to keep up with the Joneses on Social Media such as Pinterest.

There are those who argue that there is nothing wrong with that because it encourages positive competitions, while there are those who think that the peer pressure is unnecessary and depressing. Whether or not this bothers you depends on how much time you spend interacting with your peers on Pinterest.

However, one thing that is obvious is that we seem to be straying away from the true spirit of social networking. Instead of using social media to stay in touch and connect, many people are using it as a platform to show off their cars, houses, holiday destinations, kitchens, adorable lawns, fashion and so on.

To make matters worse, many people seem to fall for all that and the result is a proliferation of display of personal styles and grandeur in the name of keeping up with the Joneses.

If you find that you are compelled to post a photograph that will generate the most likes and comments as your friends’, then you could be in danger of falling in that category of people who just want to keep up with the Joneses. In other words, you are helping to crush your self-worth and confidence into pieces.

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