Account Switching Now Available on Instagram

Great news for Instagram users.  Starting this week Instagram users can easily switch between multiple accounts on Instagram.  You can add up to 5 accounts and quickly switch back and forth without having to log out and login again.

instagram-account-switching

According to Instagram, you can:

You can add multiple Instagram accounts to switch between them without having to log out and log back in. To add multiple Instagram accounts:

Go to your profile and tap or in the top right
Scroll down and tap Add Account
Enter the username and password of the account you’d like to add
To switch between accounts you’ve added:

Go to your profile
Tap your username at the top of the screen
Tap the account you’d like to switch to

Happy Instagraming!

5 Tips For Using Periscope

Do you Periscope?  Today we’re sharing 5 tips for using Periscope.   Periscope app lets you share the things you love and stream video to the world LIVE via mobile phone.  In a world where there is a new app launching almost every day it can sometimes be hard to determine whether you should install the app or not.  However, we definitely recommend it.

The coolest feature about the LIVE streaming with Periscope is that it lets you broadcast the content via YOUR eyes, share it immediately and replay it immediately.  You can also use it share exclusive events with your friends, readers and new followers.  You can also use it to connect globally.   It is a great tool for influencers, PR professionals and entrepreneurs.

When the app initially launched you could share the exact location from the global map and pinpoint where live video was being streamed.  For security reasons, Periscope disabled the feature recently and doesn’t allow users to zero in on the exact location.

blogger society periscope

According to Periscope it is the closest thing since teleportation.  Why not launch YOUR blogs Live TV channel with Periscope?  We just did!

Here are 5 Tips For Using Periscope:

1. How Do I install it?

To install app download Periscope at the Apple Store for your iPhone or Google Play for Android Phones.  You need a mobile phone and the app which you can download and installed easily.  You connect to Periscope using your Twitter account.  I recommend you keep the same name as your Twitter account.  If you have multiple Twitter accounts consider connecting all the accounts at the same time.  You can log in to your various accounts by logging off and logging on using your preferred account.

 

2. How Do I Stream Live Broadcasts?  Can I Make It Private?

periscope-broadcast

At the bottom of your screen you have several icons.  The Live broadcast icon looks like a small square and lets you broadcast stream live.  If you want to broadcast privately to specific people, press the lock icon before going live and choose who you want to invite to your broadcast.

3. How Do I Notify My Followers and Get New Followers?

Connecting With Other Users With Periscope

To get more followers attend broadcasts, share live broadcasts with your Twitter following and create content that is exclusive and visually appealing.  Visually appealing content get more hearts.   The more hearts you get, the higher they flutter on the screen and the higher you are listed on the “Most Loved” list.

When you go live the application will instantly notify your Periscope followers who can join your broadcast, comment and send you hearts in real time during your broadcast.   You can also choose to share your Periscope broadcasts on Twitter by tapping the bird icon before you start broadcasting. When you go live, you’ll tweet a link so that your Twitter followers can watch on the web.

Continue to grow your following by  attending Periscope broadcasts, giving hearts and sending a flutter of hearts when you really like the content.  After the broadcast followup with attendees you want to connect and grow your following.  Let the broadcaster know you like what you are seeing by tapping the screen and sending hearts.

To increase your following click on the people icon periodically and follow the users you want to connect with.  The list is populated based on the users you follow on Twitter.

 

4. How Do I Connect To Other Live Events?

Periscope Map

When you tap on the “Global” section you can view the broadcasts that are currently running.  The Global section is a little globe at the bottom of the screen.  You can also list the broadcasts as a map or a list for a description of the event and host.

5. Can I Save My Video To Make It Available To Other Viewers?

After the broadcast is over you can make your video available to viewers for up to 24 hours using the REPLAY feature or delete it any time you want.  Replays are instantly available.  Don’t forget to let your friends and family know so they can spread the word.

 

Question:  Are you on Periscope?  Let us know and we’ll follow you!

Featured Influencer – Melanie Mendez – Qué Means What

Many influencers understand that finding your voice online involves identifying themselves at the core of who they are, and how that connects to their niche. Fifth generation “Texicana” (as defined on her blog: Mexican decent born in Texas, never lived in Mexico) and seasoned blogger Melanie Mendez from Qué Means What candidly discusses her blog’s transformation from the early days of her creative development into the multifaceted online business she continues to curate now.

Que Means WhatBingo!

“At first I didn’t know what I was going to blog about”, Melanie explained. Early progress cloaked her inner voice as she struggled to bring it to light. It was during this process when she recalled a defining moment from her childhood. Revealing that, “it was one of the most embarrassing moments” in her life as miscommunication led her to believe that an after schoolteacher was giving her a hard time for not providing the proper translation for the Spanish word Qué (which literally means what). Keeping the humiliating experience to herself, as an adult she later realized that the moment spoke about how she saw herself and about her insecurities. Recognizing that she was not alone in this process Melanie was able to breathe life into her blog Qué Means What by narrowing her niche around education, entertainment, and family life. “We should celebrate who we are. I’m free to be myself.”

Embracing Imperfections of Work Life Balance

Busy moms and work-at-home moms who home school their children can immediately relate to the need for prioritization. Melanie noted that homeschooling may not be a good fit for everyone, but it has helped her to insure that her children receive a well-rounded education. “It really takes a village…” With “tremendous support and understanding” from her husband and the assistance from her mother as well as her mother-in-law Melanie is able to create office hours and attend many of the events that add value to her blog and business.

Often time bloggers are expected to work for free (and many do before establishing themselves online) causing them to burnout quickly. Her desire to give it all up and quit every now and then was subdued by her persistence to keep pushing forward, “I always knew that I was going to get paid”. Sleepless nights and an untidy home are sacrifices that she makes to fulfill her daily goals. At the end of the day she knows that those things cannot compare to “being present in the moment” with her family. Melanie will point out to her children that attending exhibit opening nights at museums and other privileged engagements are a direct result from her blog business. This helps them understand the difference between office hours at home and family time.

Social Involvement

Participation on Twitter led her to the nonprofit organization LATISM who provides a forum that promotes and advances the social, civic and economic status of the Latino community. Similarly to other multigenerational descendants of Mexico she felt disconnected, “when people are talking Latino they are not talking about me”. Attending a LATISM conference afforded her a type of rebirth boosting her voice.

Her involvement with LATISM inspired her to do her part towards helping to empower others in defining themselves without peer pressure to form into a specific mold.

Beyond The Comfort Zone

Sheltered among the vast countryside of Texas Melanie had never experienced camping nor the pleasure of exploring the high mountain peaks of a national park. The American Latino Expedition enticed her to face her fear of the unknown with an opportunity to visit The Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. A striking sharp contrast from home she was in awe from the experience. Blogging helps her to push herself to try new things she otherwise would pass on.

Targeted Future

Currently Melanie is in pursuit of helping Latino youth learn about who they are, developing skills in tech/coding, and their history. She knows that a healthy identity has a direct correlation with the day-to-day life of an individual, which eventually influences their career choices. Melanie also plans on working more in depth on science, art, and tech through speaking engagements including South by Southwest where she will focus on Latinos in STEM education. Her audience will also soon be able to learn more about STEM education on her blog.

 

Mom Bloggers By The Numbers [Infographic]

Did you know that there are about 4 million Mom Bloggers in the United States? Mom Bloggers are very powerful and influential voices. Mom Bloggers are also very picky about the brands they support and blog about. A study conducted for Child’s Play Communications by The NPD Group Inc. found that 79 percent of U.S. mothers with children under age 18 are active in social media.

According to an May 2012 Infographic developed by H&R Block there are approximately there are 500 blogs that have considerable power and reach and 4,500 bloggers take blogging seriously enough to travel to a conference.

According to the Infographic the top cities for mom bloggers are Washington, DC, Nashville, Austin, San Francisco/San Jose and Seattle.

At the end of the day women drive conversation, cultural change and are the leading consumers.

What does this mean for your businesses? If you partner with your local blogging community they will help you amplify the message about your business & brand. One thing about Mom Bloggers is that we are very loyal to profucts and brands we like. If we love your product we will tweet, facebook, instragram and help spread the love.

Do you agree with the report on the Infographic? Are there any top missing cities missing from the list? Take a look at the infographic and decide for yourself:

Mom_Bloggers_Infographic

 

Source: H&R Block