BeReal:
Not-Your-Ex
BeReal’s mission is to “create an alternative to addictive social networks…”
“BeReal is your chance to show your friends who you really are,” per the company.
THE MISSION:
Increase Downloads
Increase Engagement
For this pitch, I examined why I am not a BeReal user.
Most of my interest left me with the question, but why?
· But why do I want to see unedited photos?
· But why do I want to be pressured to share mundane parts of my day?
· Why do we allow ourselves to be bullied by timestamps and shameful streak-losing for lack of posting?
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Missing the timeslot in which to post and then being labeled as a late poster; subsequently notifying linked users of one’s tardiness.
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Too many and too aggressive notifications/reminders to post or that others have posted.
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Expanding too large outside of comfortable social circles and feeling more self-conscious posting the suggested BeReal content.
A focus group of 25 resulted these key takeaways.
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BeReal will now offer two opportunities to post a day. This change will eliminate the ability to post later; sharing is limited to two minutes at the provided (2) times of the day.
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BeReal will no longer notify when friends have posted. Notifications will be limited to reports for the user’s posting time only.
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BeReal and its users must embrace that content is only as good as the tools in the hands of the participants. Other photo-sharing platforms can filter and edit; BeReal’s mission is to sift through these misrepresentations of life.
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As a secondary approach, BeReal will introduce another new update: geo-tracking photo stringing. By submitting photos to the “Global” population, users agree to be added to threading specific areas together. For instance, geo-caching BeReal at the tip-off of UNC Men’s Basketball versus Duke Men’s basketball will generate a 360º view in-BeReal-time of events. Users can choose this update on each BeReal sharing opportunity and maintain privacy for residential areas.
I responded with 4 solutions.
Through bold typeface and color,
BeReal sends love letters of accountability.
Toting the ever-present hazard sign, these story posters acknowledge user complaints and offer our solutions.
