Teaching An Old Dog New (Snapchat) Tricks
At first I didn’t get it. I didn’t really get it the 2nd, 3rd or 4th times either. So, I quit. “Why spend time on a social media platform where everything vanishes?” I said to myself. This was my impression of — and frustration with — Snapchat, a mobile messaging system that allows you to send “snaps,” short snippets of video and pictures that you customize.
I opened an account almost three years ago, checked it out, and then relegated it to the pile of unused apps on page four of my iPhone. But just because I didn’t use it, didn’t mean I wasn’t on it. My daughter Hattie took a video of the two of us that changed our voices and made our faces look like reindeer. My son Jack secretly takes pictures of me and sends them to his friends. Apparently I’m funny, especially when I stick my tongue out at him, and the app changes me into a cartoon dog. Then it hit me….maybe that’s why it’s so popular. Perhaps that’s the point — you don’t save most of the “stuff” and that is the key to its success. We all have too much “stuff” out there already. Lord knows I have enough embarrassing material on Facebook.
We’ve used Snapchat with several clients trying to reach a younger audience, and we’ve had success. (Snapchat is now used by 29% of all Americans who use social media) So this week, I did what any self-respecting 50-year-old man would do: I asked my son to teach me how to use it.
The only problem is I only have a dozen friends there. Anyone want to “snap” me? You can add me in a “snap” — pun intended — here.
Here are a few snapshots of the week at Madison+Main:
Monday, November 13 – Rainy Days & Mondays Always Get Me Down
On Monday I got up extra early and headed to the beach. No, it’s not what you think. I had to work. Virginia Beach is kinda sad looking in the rain, but I was there to speak to the Virginia Association of Free & Charitable Clinics. Everyone was nice, and they even clapped when I was done, which made the three-hour ride home more bearable.
Tuesday, November 14 – Goodbye Ruby Tuesday
On Tuesday, Graphic Designer Erin Rebmann put the finishing touches on our holiday party invites, social media graphics, and email. This year, we invite you to “Eat, Drink & Be Tacky” at Madison+Main‘s Holiday Party, set for Thursday, December 8. Drop by, but RSVP first and be sure to wear a tacky sweater, tacky socks, a tacky hat, or something even tackier. This is a theme party, after all.
Wednesday, November 15 – 3 A.M.
Our friends, Bruce Evans and Dan DeJaeger from BEDD Head Media/Marketplace Events were in town Wednesday morning, after taking early morning flights from Minneapolis. Marketplace Events produces the Virginia Home Show and the Richmond Home + Garden Show and they were in town to hear pitches from many of our media partners, including Radio One, Comcast Spotlight, Summit Media, WTVR CBS6, WRIC ABC8, CW Richmond, Richmond Times-Dispatch, and iHeart Media.The conference room is FULL of cookies, drinks, cakes, station schwag, and lots of mini liquor bottles. Our media folks know us all too well.
Sr. Graphic Designer Kaity Carr was on site for a photo shoot with the Warren Whitney team Wednesday. Isn’t that a great pic of Greg Herceg and Stephanie Ford?
Thursday, November 16 – Thursday’s Child
Kara Forbis was in town Thursday for client meetings and she graciously allowed me to come along for lunch. We joined Kevin Martin and Mary Ann Shepherd from Yard Works, and ate Pho, which I learned is pronounced Pha. When ordering Chicken Pho Ga, it is important to speak very slowly or else you may offend people.
The Calendar!
New Kent Winery Farmer’s Market & Open Mic Afternoon
November 19
Our pals at New Kent Winery are having another Farmer’s Market event on Nov. 19 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Join the Dombroski family for a relaxing afternoon sipping their tasty wines while supporting local farmers and small businesses! An Open Mic Afternoon will follow the farmer’s market, beginning at 1 p.m. Check it out!
Friday, November 17 – Freaky Friday
Know a good, smart, hard-working college kid who would like to intern at your favorite marketing agency? Today is the last day to apply for our spring internships.
Tomorrow, Kaitlin and Meredith are going to Norfolk for the Grand Illuminations Parade, where our client Maola Milk will man a booth on the parade route, and attend the VIP Cider Party with goodies for kids and adults.
“Technology is better when it brings people together.”
– Matt Mullenweg,
Founder of WordPress