By now you’ve probably made up your mind on whether to use Snapchat or Instagram Stories – or both – to share behind-the-scenes of your #bloggerlife. Maybe the higher engagement on Instagram Stories is enough to make you #teamInstagram despite their copycat move or maybe your loyalties lie with platform known fondly for its dog and flower filters. Either way, last Tuesday’s #FashionUnfold discussion on Twitter made it clear that live streaming really is necessary for keeping your blog relevant. It can actually help you build an audience that would become loyal blog readers. And while the written word will always live on (last we checked, you can’t search live streams in Google), live streaming is the next step towards taking your blog and influence to another level. The big question is, which platform will dominate the fashion world, most specifically, during fashion month this September? Of course you can choose to broadcast on both platforms but that requires a lot of multitasking and not enough living in the moment, which we’re all guilty of already.
Snapchat
During #FashionUnfold, we all agreed that Snapchat was the more fun of the two trendy platforms. There’s less pressure to showcase a perfect, curated life as there is on Instagram, therefore making it more raw and personal. AND there’s cute filters. Even if you’ve fully committed to using Stories, I doubt you’ll be able resist the chic NYFW geofilters on Snapchat come fashion week. That is, unless Instagram develops their own filters. Aside from all of that, I think the biggest downside to using Snapchat is that it drains your battery, which is obviously a big deal if you’re the type (like me) who insists on documenting every part of a fashion show. I keep a mophie on hand at all times, but of course even that gets drained eventually, too.
@nikiclelandhura@stylecontext IG may have missed the mark on stories. Too much like #snapchat#FashionUnfold
— TheGlamourGladiator (@EternalWomenInc) August 16, 2016
Instagram is already without a doubt the go-to platform for consuming fashion. From keeping up and interacting with bloggers and models to sharing your #OOTD, Instagram has evolved to become a microblog (hence, instabloggers) and is akin to a business card or portfolio. And if you’re like many other bloggers, chances are you have more of a following on Instagram than Snapchat. It’s no wonder then that Instagram Stories have at least twice the viewership of Snapchat. For some bloggers that’s enough to focus their brand strategy on Instagram and save Snapchat for friends and family. Instagram also has the advantage of a built-in audience, so if someone stumbles upon your page they can watch your stories regardless of whether they’re following you (which has its pros and cons). Unlike Snapchat, though, there are no fun filters and the platform isn’t as user-friendly.
@curious_button @FashionUnfold @stylecontext #fashionunfold I love IG stories it’s true more people watch than like images ??
— NatalieBlagsFashion (@FashionBlag) August 16, 2016
Which platform will you be primarily using to document or watch fashion month? If you’re still trying to decide whether to live stream your life in addition to blogging, here’s your answer:
I think in order to be “successful” you need a balance of both . #FashionUnfold https://t.co/unKq8W9eir
— lana (@princesslondn) August 16, 2016
P.S.: follow me on Instagram and/or Snapchat at @stylecontext!
