SOCIAL
Is it time to disconnect to boost your productivity?
People connected to social media network. — © Digital Journal
There’s an irony that’s soon apparent as you read this article, for it opens up questions about the amount of time you – we – society – are spending online and whether this is the most productive use of time.
The general consensus is that too many people are flittering around online well past the point of productivity.
For example, U.K. adult Internet users spend almost four hours online a day, with three of those spent on smartphones. Young adults continue to spend the most amount time online, with 18-24 year-olds spending an average of 5 hours 6 minutes online each day.
The fact that so many people are connected 24/7 has also changed the way the population at large work and live.
For those who stay offline, Internet experts from Diggity Marketing have provided Digital Journal with some ways to tackle the problem. These ideas are:
Schedule tech-free time
It is perfectly acceptable not to be online. One of the worst aspects of self-doubt occurs when we tell ourselves is that being online more equates to more productivity. The best thing to do is schedule moments without technology every day. Turn off your devices and spend some time reading a book or playing board games with your friends and family.
Use time tracking apps
If you can look at how much time you spend each day doing certain things, you are probably less likely to waste a bunch of time on the Internet.
The easiest way to do this is by using an extension like RescueTime, ManicTime, TimeDoctor or TimeCamp.
Use apps to block familiar time-wasting sites
You are more likely to consume than create when you are using a digital device. Invariably it is tempting to visit sites like Facebook, Reddit, Quora, and many others.
For those with less self-control, there are different apps that you can use to block them for a predetermined period of time. Examples are:
- Self Control
- Cold Turkey
- Focus
- FocalFilter
Set up an offline device
Consider setting up one of your devices to be WiFi-free. You do not have to stop using technology to disconnect from the Internet. You may find this setup to be particularly helpful if you need to spend your time focused on a task, such as reading, writing, or drawing.
Disable unnecessary notifications
Put your phone in Do Not Disturb mode when you’re working and don’t keep social media apps and sites open during the day. As an alternative, check them at specific times instead.
Accept that not every message or email can be answered
It’s impossible to live a healthy life at the same time as answering each and every message or email. Dedicate an hour to answering your work emails and another half an hour later to answer all of those backed-up messages from your friends and family.
Never ‘Just Browse’
Many people have tendencies to ‘just browse’ and watch that endless string of videos and images on Instagram and TikTok. Their algorithms are designed to keep you engaged at all times. In fact, they need just a couple of hours to ‘figure you out’ and drive you deep into rabbit holes of content that are hard to escape.
Go outside without a phone
It can be refreshing to remind yourself that the outside world still exists. Realizing that each random passer-by is living a life as vivid and complex as your own can do wonders for your mental health.
As an example, too much social media use can lead to decreased, disrupted, and delayed sleep, which, in turn, is associated with depression, memory loss, and poor academic performance
SOCIAL
Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?
In a recent announcement, Snapchat revealed a groundbreaking update that challenges its traditional design ethos. The platform is experimenting with an option that allows users to defy the 24-hour auto-delete rule, a feature synonymous with Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging model.
The proposed change aims to introduce a “Never delete” option in messaging retention settings, aligning Snapchat more closely with conventional messaging apps. While this move may blur Snapchat’s distinctive selling point, Snap appears convinced of its necessity.
According to Snap, the decision stems from user feedback and a commitment to innovation based on user needs. The company aims to provide greater flexibility and control over conversations, catering to the preferences of its community.
Currently undergoing trials in select markets, the new feature empowers users to adjust retention settings on a conversation-by-conversation basis. Flexibility remains paramount, with participants able to modify settings within chats and receive in-chat notifications to ensure transparency.
Snapchat underscores that the default auto-delete feature will persist, reinforcing its design philosophy centered on ephemerality. However, with the app gaining traction as a primary messaging platform, the option offers users a means to preserve longer chat histories.
The update marks a pivotal moment for Snapchat, renowned for its disappearing message premise, especially popular among younger demographics. Retaining this focus has been pivotal to Snapchat’s identity, but the shift suggests a broader strategy aimed at diversifying its user base.
This strategy may appeal particularly to older demographics, potentially extending Snapchat’s relevance as users age. By emulating features of conventional messaging platforms, Snapchat seeks to enhance its appeal and broaden its reach.
Yet, the introduction of message retention poses questions about Snapchat’s uniqueness. While addressing user demands, the risk of diluting Snapchat’s distinctiveness looms large.
As Snapchat ventures into uncharted territory, the outcome of this experiment remains uncertain. Will message retention propel Snapchat to new heights, or will it compromise the platform’s uniqueness?
Only time will tell.
SOCIAL
Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach
While it is tempting to try to appeal to a broad audience, the founder of alcohol-free coaching service Just the Tonic, Sandra Parker, believes the best thing you can do for your business is focus on your niche. Here’s how she did just that.
When running a business, reaching out to as many clients as possible can be tempting. But it also risks making your marketing “too generic,” warns Sandra Parker, the founder of Just The Tonic Coaching.
“From the very start of my business, I knew exactly who I could help and who I couldn’t,” Parker told My Biggest Lessons.
Parker struggled with alcohol dependence as a young professional. Today, her business targets high-achieving individuals who face challenges similar to those she had early in her career.
“I understand their frustrations, I understand their fears, and I understand their coping mechanisms and the stories they’re telling themselves,” Parker said. “Because of that, I’m able to market very effectively, to speak in a language that they understand, and am able to reach them.”Â
“I believe that it’s really important that you know exactly who your customer or your client is, and you target them, and you resist the temptation to make your marketing too generic to try and reach everyone,” she explained.
“If you speak specifically to your target clients, you will reach them, and I believe that’s the way that you’re going to be more successful.
Watch the video for more of Sandra Parker’s biggest lessons.
SOCIAL
Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement
Instagram’s testing out some new options to help spice up your live-streams in the app, with some live broadcasters now able to select a game that they can play with viewers in-stream.
As you can see in these example screens, posted by Ahmed Ghanem, some creators now have the option to play either “This or That”, a question and answer prompt that you can share with your viewers, or “Trivia”, to generate more engagement within your IG live-streams.
That could be a simple way to spark more conversation and interaction, which could then lead into further engagement opportunities from your live audience.
Meta’s been exploring more ways to make live-streaming a bigger consideration for IG creators, with a view to live-streams potentially catching on with more users.
That includes the gradual expansion of its “Stars” live-stream donation program, giving more creators in more regions a means to accept donations from live-stream viewers, while back in December, Instagram also added some new options to make it easier to go live using third-party tools via desktop PCs.
Live streaming has been a major shift in China, where shopping live-streams, in particular, have led to massive opportunities for streaming platforms. They haven’t caught on in the same way in Western regions, but as TikTok and YouTube look to push live-stream adoption, there is still a chance that they will become a much bigger element in future.
Which is why IG is also trying to stay in touch, and add more ways for its creators to engage via streams. Live-stream games is another element within this, which could make this a better community-building, and potentially sales-driving option.
We’ve asked Instagram for more information on this test, and we’ll update this post if/when we hear back.
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