Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better: Hopping on the BeReal Trend!
Have you ever had a friend that was a little too competitive, and every time you got recognition for an accomplishment, they tried to outshine you? Well, that’s what Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat are doing to BeReal.
BeReal is a social media app that aims for a more real environment by notifying users to post a picture of themselves once a day at a random time set by the app. There is a time limit after the notification goes off so you can’t BeFake! BeReal has been a refreshing change of pace from the typical touched-up and often staged photos we see on social media - a nostalgic reminder of how it was in the beginning. After seeing the BeReal trend take off, other big players have decided to join the fun.
Instagram has developed a feature called “Candid Stories” in which users can add a picture to their story at a random time during the day. Instagram is also developing a feature for group chats called “Roll Call” where members would have to post a video or photo of themselves in the chat within 5 minutes of being called. Sound familiar?
TikTok developed a feature called “TikTok Now” with the same premise: you get a push notification that says it's “time to now”, and you have a time limit to post a photo or video of you and your friends.
Snapchat has done something a little less shameless and simply added a dual camera feature to their app. This allows them to recreate some of functionality and appeal of BeReal, without blatantly copying their idea.
So, what does other companies copying BeReal mean? It’s a confirmation of what most people already knew; social media is all about trends. While these platforms are developing on the same idea, it’s really a smart move in the end. Business owners should keep an eye on social media trends and try to capitalize on things they think are relevant to their business. Many trends can be adapted to different industries! Brands like Chipotle and e.l.f. Cosmetics have joined the platform in an attempt to give customers a glimpse behind the scenes. Showing you’re up-to-date with trends can potentially increase engagement and make your brand more relevant.
At SparkShoppe, our team of social media experts are always scouting digital trends so that our clients can be at the forefront of digital relevance. If you want to learn more about what we can offer, schedule a free consultation with our team today!
