WHAT THE RISE OF SOCIAL MEDIA APP VERO SAYS ABOUT INSTAGRAM
NOTE: This blog post is part 16 of my INSTAGRAM SERIES - content all about helping YOU manage your way around instagram. In the INSTAGRAM SERIES I've touched on subjects such as why am I losing followers on instagram , how instagram is trying to get rid of (food) bloggers and thoughts on the instagram shadow ban. Just click here to find all the other parts in the series. Now on with today's post!
It's been nearly two weeks since the internet went crazy over the 'new' social media app, VERO. I posted about it on instagram and invited people to share their thoughts and views about the social media app there too. You can see what everyone had to say by clicking here; it's an interesting read, so if you're keen to get a good sense of how people feel about the app I invite you to give it a quick once over ;).
Since VERO exploded A LOT has been written about it. To be honest, I don't want to add to the noise and just regurgitate what's already been said. Hence if you want to know what social media app VERO is, who the CEO is and why VERO attracted so much attention, I invite you to read this article, this piece as well as this one. Instead I'd like to take a closer look at what the hype around VERO taught me about instagram, our relation with instagram and about, well me...
WHAT DOES THE RISE OF VERO SAY ABOUT INSTAGRAM!
INSTAGRAM CANNOT TAKE ITS TOP POSITION FOR GRANTED
If you ask any person (especially creatives, foodies, fashion fans and travel junkies) between the ages of 25-45 what their favourite social media app is, I'd bet my bottom dollar the answer is instagram. That's because as it stands instagram is TOP DOG!
But VERO's rise (albeit short-lived) will have given instagram a much needed kick in the a**. VERO's ascent made it crystal clear that instagram cannot and I am sure WILL not take it's top position for granted. Consequently, instagram needs to continue to make the user experience their top priority and seeing that lots of money is at stake I am confident they will. It's the only way it can continue to bat off new emerging competition.
INSTAGRAM WILL CONTINUE TO EVOLVE
That begs the question HOW instagram is going to keep their users happy and ensure they come back again and again, regardless of what new social media app hits the headlines. Of course I don't know what instagram has got in store exactly, but I am pretty sure it will NOT include a return to chronological feeds. Instead, my guess is that it will focus on improving stories, LIVE options, the video experience and direct message functionalities as well as continue to look closely at new trends which it will probably build into the platform one way or another. Exciting times for sure and I'm eager to keep an eye on what instagram does next.
WHAT DOES THE RISE OF VERO SAY ABOUT THE INSTAGRAM COMMUNITY!
WE HATE ALGORITHMS AND ARE LOOKING FOR AN ALTERNATIVE
Let's be honest, as it stands VERO ain't all that, yet MILLIONS of us flocked to the app and registered. Why? Because it promised an algorithm free experience! That was its main bait and we fell for it!
It seems like everywhere I go, food bloggers are complaining about instagram's (and facebook's) algorithm and blaming it for their lack of growth, engagement, sponsorship opportunities etc. It makes me wonder whether I should do a whole series solely on algorithms because I feel they are somewhat misunderstood. Sure instagram's algorithms can be really annoying, but they are ultimately designed to make your experience on the app better! Plus, interestingly enough YOU control them! Anyway, it's a whole other topic, but it will be the hook that every other 'new' platform will use to lure us over, so please beware.
WE ARE SO ADDICTED TO INSTAGRAM
Will my feisty 8 year old son become an instagram user in 10 years time? I don't know. Other platforms may be way more attractive for his age group by that time BUT I am confident that instagram will continue to play a key role in the lives of people who are currently 25 - 45 years old for a very long time to come regardless of what new platform arises. I mean here we are moaning about instagram's algorithms, but somehow STILL finding outselves logging into instagram regularly, praying for growth, likes and followers. We were given the opportunity to jump ship and make VERO our go to, but we didn't! That's because instagram is part of our culture and its use so deeply ingrained into our lives that the thought of not checking in gives us heart palpitations. It's rather frightening if you think about it, but shows how clever the people behind instagram really are. They've got us hooked and there's no sign that our love of instagram is going to be going away any time soon. I find this fascinating...
WHAT THE RISE OF VERO TAUGHT ME ABOUT MYSELF!
I CAN'T BE ON EVERY SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM (AND STAY SANE)
I feel I should be everywhere; I mean social media is my 'thing', but the reality is that as a solopreneur I'd be spreading myself too thinly if I try to be on every single social media app. Instead I have come to realise that I need to focus on a handful of platforms that I enjoy and am 'good at'.
My instagram gallery is definitely my homebase, but I've loved developing my instagram stories (which I view as something separate from my instagram gallery), my blog, my mailing list, my pinterest, and recently my LIVE food bloggers masterclass series. I think that list is long enough, wouldn't you agree? (Though I'll let you in on a little secret; I've got my eye on one more platform, which I'd love to develop in a few month's time. Can you guess which one it is? More about that some other day ;)).
Each of these social media platforms require a different approach and somewhat different content; I mean I REFUSE to just upload the same image and caption on VERO as I do on my instagram gallery. It doesn't make sense! Instead it's about creating content with the needs of the users of that particular platform in mind. Yup, pretty time consuming stuff!
I had a little case of FOMO two weeks ago, but have come to realise that I don't need to be part of every shiny new app that hits the app store. I'm not closing the door to new opportunities and haven't deleted my VERO app yet either (I'm Kimberly Espinel there in case you're wondering), but as it stands, I'm actually quite happy with where I'm at and would rather spend more time with the man and boy in my life and with YOU than on VERO ;).
What are your thoughts about VERO and instagram? Did you set up a VERO account? How have you found it? Let's continue the discussion below. Can't wait to hear from you.
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Thanks for reading everyone. See you all next week!