8 Snapchat Hacks You Need To Use With The New Update

Yesterday, Snapchat released a new update that further pushes itself to be the main communication app that you need. While the new update has tons of new features that make the app even more exciting to use, there are some hacks that you might not even be aware of that were available way before the update was introduced. 

To give you a quick 101 on what are some other ways that you can make your snaps even better, check out the tips below.

1. Change the colors of your font + drawings.

You can customize the colors you’re using when typing or drawing with the rainbow palette. When drawing, touch and hold on the rainbow palette and move it across the screen to find other colors to use. 

The same goes for text: just tap on the text you’ve written after you’ve made it bigger by touching the Text icon, and hold on the rainbow palette and move around the screen to find the color you want to use. 

Rule of thumb: white is always at the top left corner, and black is at the bottom.

2. Video chat

Not only can you text your friends on Snapchat, but if you and your friend have the chat opened a blue pulsating icon will show up on the screen. If you hold it, your front facing camera will show up, and if your friend wants to video chat too, they will eventually show up on the screen as well. 

3. Make your own color filter

Snapchat has a few color filters that make your photo look better, but if you’re looking to add a more vibrant or dreamy feel to your snap, tap the sticker icon at the top right, and choose from any emoji that is close to the color that you want your snap to have.

Choose which emoji you want and make the emoji as big as you can making sure you focus a corner on the frame and zoom in as much as you can. Zoom in all the way and place the translucent part on your snap and ta-da!

4. Have multiple filters on your snap

If you want to add more to your filters than just having a location filter, you can. First, swipe to filter that changes the color of your snap. Hold on it and swipe to show the time or temperature. If you want to show it, hold on to the time or temperature while swiping to the left to put a location filter. The only downside is that if you want to take off one filter, you’re going to have to start all over and take off all the filters. 

5. Add multiple lines of text to your snap

On your notes app on your phone, have an empty note saved with a couple of empty lines that you can always copy and paste on to your snap. Copy about three lines onto your snap, and type away. You can always go more than three lines, but don’t put your followers through the pain of reading an essay in 10 seconds.

6. Zoom in on the details of your snap

If you have a knack for illustrating on your snaps and think of yourself as more as a Picasso type, using the zoom feature on your IOS phone is useful. Under Settings, go to General, and under Accessibility, turn on the Zoom feature under Vision. This will apply a magnifying class to your phone while you navigate it, but just turn it on for when you need to use it for Snapchat. This will help you with illustrating more detail to your snaps, making them a wonderful piece of art.

7. Make your own filter for your event

Holidays or big sponsored events aren't the only ones that can have a Snapchat filter. Make your event have its own Snapchat filter, starting at just $5. Just make your own filter design, submit it to Snapchat, add your own geofence, time that you want your filter live, and wait for Snapchat to give you the green light. To find out more information about creating your own Snapchat filter, click here. 

8. Show the date on your snap and change from Fahrenheit to Celsius

You don’t have to be stuck on just showing the time on you snaps. If you tap the time when you’re choosing a filter, it will turn into a date, and if you tap the temperature filter, you can change it from Fahrenheit to Celsius.

Now if you’re still new to Snapchat’s newest updates from yesterday, you can now video call your friends (rather than waiting for them to show up on the same chat), send reaction GIFs of yourself, and use their new collection of stickers in their chat similar to Facebook Messenger. You can see the whole rundown here on Snapchat’s blog.

And if you haven't followed us on Snapchat, make sure you start following us now @CreateCultivate!

Priscilla Castro is Create & Cultivate's Director of Social Media and Community in Los Angeles. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she got her degree in Journalism from Cal State Long Beach, and pursued a career in marketing. She has worked with FILTER Magazine, LA Canvas, and was previously Editorial Director at BeautyCon. Follow her @kodeofkondukt. 

How to Navigate the New Instagram

When Facebook behemoth acquired Instagram for a cool $300 mil, it was inevitable that sometime in the near future, the social media giants would swap the chronological feed for a business-savvy algorithm. That day has come.

It's tomorrow.* 

It was first announced via blog post from IG founder Kevin Systrom. The majority of the web reacted just as expected. It was a lot of, Who Does IG Think They Are? Who Is Instagram To Say What's Important To Me? Give Me Chronological Or Give Me Death! What Do We Want? Chronology! When Do We Want It? Right Now! (get it?)

"What Do We Want? Chronology! When Do We Want It? Right Now! (get it?)"

Tweet this. 

It's kind of funny, no? That given the rate at which technology changes and advances, we take serious offense to any change within the tech. However, now that we've had a week to calm down, un-bunch our initial hunch, we've assessed the Instagram fiasco of 2016 and have some pointers. 

1. DON'T ENCOURAGE FOLLOWERS TO TURN ON PUSH NOTIFICATIONS

It's tempting, but disastrous. Imagine if you turned on Push Notifications for everyone you follow-- that would mean that anytime someone posted anything, you'd get a text. That's crazy. Before long those followers are going to unfollow you out of sheer annoyance. Instead a better approach...

"Everyone wants you to turn on push notifications. Don't panic. And don't do that."

Tweet this. 

2. START COMMENTING AND LIKING

Instagram is supposed to be a community. One of the biggest voiced complaints about the new model is that IG is making a top-down decision about what your community will look like. What the switch requires is real engagement from brands and users to stay "Top 30." (You had to earn your top 5 spot on MySpace, didn't you?) Comment, like, engage, heart it out-- you have followers because they are interested in your unique perspective. So bring it to the rest of the IG community. If you're simply posting for likes but not sharing the love, think about it: Do you deserve to be in someone's top 30 percent?

THINK ABOUT IT: DO YOU DESERVE TO BE IN SOMEONE'S TOP 30 PERCENT?

3. UP YOUR CONTENT GAME

If what you want is to grow your followers, you need to be continuously evolving and getting better as a brand. You're supposed to grow within your work-- the same is now true to grow and retrain your followers. 

Before you post, ask yourself: Do I love this? Would I heart this? Does this ADD to someone's day? Will it bring about new ideas? Spark imaginations? Are you making useful contributions? Sharing important information? Inspire? It's not just the photo either. Your caption is not an afterthought. Refine your words. Do better.

Or prepare to be IG vanquished forever. 

*Instagram released a statement today via Twitter, "We're listening and we assure you, nothing is changing with your feed right now. We promise to let you know when the changes roll out broadly."

Photo credit: Tory Williams. 

Arianna Schioldager is Create & Cultivate's editorial director. You can find her on IG @ariannawrotethis and more about her at www.ariannawrotethis.com

Instagram Just Pissed Off the Entire Internet

Update 6/3/16: After months of delaying the update that has caused a social media uproar and has been petitioned against to keep the popular social media platform chronological, Instagram's new algorithm is now live to all users starting today. 

FILTER THIS. 

The eighth most popular app in America is piloting a non-chronological feed. In a move that already has a Change.org petition to stop its rollout, Instagram announced the biggest change in its history since adding the video feature in 2013. 

Of the change IG's CEO, Kevin Systrom wrote, “You may be surprised to learn that people miss on average 70 percent of their feeds. This means you often don’t see the posts you might care about the most.”

And then, the Internet exploded. (Sorry, Yeezy, we'll get back to talking about Kim K. mañana.) 

“To improve your experience,” he continued, “your feed will soon be ordered to show the moments we believe you will care about the most.”

Therein lies the problem: “We believe.”  (Also, newsflash: live band videos are actually the worst, please don't put that at the top of my feed.) 

Facebook implemented this strategy first with News Feed, a feature that was introduced seven years ago. The backlash was palpable then as well, until everyone simmered down-- and started spending more time on Instagram, where their feed was still an of-the-moment, choose-your-own-adventure tale. In an over-saturated tech world, where consumers know they are constantly being marketing to, IG still felt authentic. (Plus or minus a Valencia filter or two.) It was curated, not by a team with a computer program crunching out an algorithm, but by you. It was yours.

In an over-saturated tech world, where consumers know they are constantly being marketing to, IG still felt authentic.

Tweet this. 

At our recent pop-up at SXSW there was a lot of talk about putting the “humanity” back into the machine. It’s a reason why Facebook Live is a platform that people are betting on.

What IG is doing, is the opposite. Chronological works because it feels real, even if it is filtered. There is a sense of ownership in what you’re seeing. We don’t need another app optimizing the order in which we see things. Real life isn’t like that. Let us explore for ourselves.

Putting personal aside however, you might be wondering what this means for your business? Just like Facebook, the likelihood of a pay to play option for brands to spend the dollars to land at the top of your feed, is high. Valuation based on engagement is still hard to quantify, and money needs to be made. (Figure that out yet Snapchat?)  

How the algorithm will effect how brands interact with followers is clearly yet to be seen, but we can be certain that companies will have to evolve their social strategy to keep up with changing platforms.  Brands will need to engage their followers more in order to stay at the top of their feeds, and possibly, work harder for their attention. In a way, this could do for brands what people feel so strongly against: a matching brand-to-consumer algorithm means that company will have to engage on a human level. If nothing else, it certainly keeps social strategy directors on their toes. 

In a New York Times interview announcing the change Systrom stated: “What this is about is making sure that the 30 percent you see is the best 30 percent possible.”

Which sounds pretty, but some days you don’t want to see the best. Some days you want the worst 10 percent. You want to see the sh*t photo of your friend’s breakfast and feel better about your life.

Some days you want to see the sh*t photo of your friend's breakfast and feel better about your life.

 

Tweet this. 

Arianna Schioldager is Create & Cultivate's editorial director. You can find her on IG @ariannawrotethis and more about her at www.ariannawrotethis.com

Best Practices: How to Engage Users with Facebook Live

IN 2015 FACEBOOK VIDEO AND FACEBOOK LIVE WERE ONLY AVAILABLE TO CELEBRITIES. 

But the Facebook floodgates have been opened to the masses, and the kings of social in Silicon Valley have noticed that the content that performs the best is interactive. 

Facebook Live enables users to share experiences and opinions in real time, from broadcasting events to friends and family, to connecting a brand to people around the world. Consumers are engaged by events happening in real time, and Facebook has seen that on average people will watch a video more than three times longer if it's live, compared to when it is not. Which might be the best reason to start using the platform.

On average people will watch a video more than three times longer if it's live.

Tweet this.

THE BASICS: HOW TO GET STARTED 

To start using Facebook Live, simply click "What's on your mind?" on the top of your News Feed. Select the Live Video icon. 

BEST PRACTICES: DO IT RIGHT, DO IT RIGHT NOW. 

1. Announce ahead of time when you'll be using Facebook Live: Build anticipation and excitement by letting people know when to tune in. 

2. Encourage followers to subscribe so that they get notifications the next time you go live. 

3. Don't go live without a point. There should be a rhyme, reason, and strategy behind your Live. Whether you're answering questions, showcasing how to use a new product, or giving a 360 fashion sneak peek, your audience should understand what the broadcast will be about. An engaging and compelling description is a useful tool for this. 

4. Shoutout to people in real time with their real names. The more involved you make people feel, the stronger the sense of community you build, and the more likely people are to stick around. 

5. Don't go live without a strong connection. People tend to think that using Facebook Live is perfect when they're on-the-go, but a "Broadcast Paused" message can be fatal to the success of your convo.

6. The longer the broadcast the more people you're likely to reach. People will tune in and drop off, but give an audience the opportunity to discover you. Facebook recommends going live for a least five minutes . 

7. Be as creative as you can. If you're CEO of a company, host "Office Hours" where entrepreneurs can ask you questions. If you're a lawyer with a great law practice, host "Beyond the Bar," where law students can ask you about life after law school. If you're a fashion brand, take fans on a tour of your factory and show them your best practices. Maybe you're responding to backlash your brand has experienced. There are so many ways to use Facebook Live and connect it to your other social programs. So start throwing ideas at the wall. 

WHY IS THIS GOOD FOR YOU BRAND?

Fractured attention spans have made capturing and engaging an online audience incredibly difficult. But Facebook Live is real time feedback. You'll see the number of live viewers, the names of people tuning in, and you can respond to real-time stream of comments. It's as close as you'll come to your audience, and they'll appreciate the effort. 

It's putting the humanity back into an online and fabricated "personal" experience. Though you will most likely use strategy, it's showing that there are people behind the machine. There's a reason people tune in longer to real time video-- they want life, personality, and off-the-cuff truth that doesn't come with curated content. 

Why Business Cards Still Matter & 3 Go-to Sites

Just because your entire business lives online does not mean you can’t make an impression in real life.  Business cards provide an inexpensive, customized way for you to leave your mark with a new networking connection, collaborator, or client.

And since most business cards are available online, there is really no excuse not to have cute business cards—you can create a bespoke, on-brand card in less than 15minutes and for around $20.  Check out these sites to get started. 

You can create a bespoke, on-brand card in less than 15 minutes and for around $20. 

Tweet this. 

VISTAPRINT

Arguably the most inexpensive, basic business cards on the market, Vistaprint offers an affordable, professional way to get the word out about your brand.  You can browse their designs or upload your own logo, and the interface is very simple.  Standard cards start at just under $10.

MOO

A favorite of creatives, Moo has a clean, easy-to-use website and on-trend fonts, colors and designs. You can choose from a huge collection of the brand’s pre-designed business cards, many of which are specifically tailored to the arts, fashion, beauty and media industries.  The company also has a large collection of specialty cards, like spot gloss, raised spot gloss and gold foil.  Doubled-sided business cards start at $9.99. 

ZAZZLE

Basic business cards at Zazzle start at $21.95, so it’s a little pricier than Vistaprint or Moo. However, Zazzle offers a money back guarantee, so if you don’t like what you create, you can send the cards back for a full refund. The company offers over 50,000 custom templates, or you can design your own.

What is your go-to for business cards?  Share with us in the comments!

An original version of this article appeared on Ipsy. 

The Create & Cultivate App Is Here!

If you’re following us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook, we now have a new way for you to stay in tune with all things Create & Cultivate right on your phone! We’re so excited to announce the launch of our brand new Create & Cultivate app, thanks to our friends at DWNLD! 

DWNLD has hooked us up with an app that brings all of our content, conference updates, and a look back all of our past events right at your fingertips. If you need all the details for our January 30th conference, our entire lineup, schedule, and sponsors are right there, making it easily accessible for when you’re at the conference. Not only that, the app is perfect for you to bookmark our blog content that’s most useful to you, so that way you don’t have to go back to our website and search for it through our archives. Easy peasy!

Make sure to download the C+C app on the App Store to be up to date with all things C+C.  If you love our app, enter below to win your own custom app from DWNLD! Also, make sure to learn from DWNLD's Head of Business Development Noah Wunsch on $$$: Monetizing across different channels and strategically growing your following at Create & Cultivate Dallas this month! 

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GIVEAWAY.

Enter to win a custom app from DWNLD by filling out the form below!
Giveaway ends 1/22/16, 11:59PM PST. 

Create & Connect: Going Elsewhere with Drea Sobieski

Drea Sobieski was born with an insatiable wanderlust. If she has a vision in her mind, she doesn't let it linger. She builds a plan to make her vision come true, and before you know it, she's on her way to a beautiful coast abroad, producing an editorial photoshoot for elsewhere studio, her production studio and editorial platform centered around experience and travel.

However, between ideating and making ideas become a visually stunning reality, there are countless emails, meetings, and strategic partnerships that make elsewhere a viable business. It’s not all fun and travel-- though there is certainly plenty of that. To find out Drea’s process, and how she flawlessly executes mixing business and travel, we chatted with her for our final Create & Connect with our friends at Logitech.

+You've recently rebranded The Cult Collective into launching a new project, titled 'Elsewhere'. How are you managing that transition?

CULT was my first business and forever baby, but just like any relationship, it's important to evolve - and growth is exciting! My motive in starting CULT was to create a destination for dreamers and creatives, seeking the best in art, expression and experience.  That same ethos transcends through elsewhere - a production studio and editorial platform centered around experience and travel. Along with my creative partner, Grant Legan, we aim to build a destination that inspires people to value experience and book travel. I hope that CULT readers will evolve with us and join us elsewhere.

+To be the most productive, do you prefer an office setting, home setting, or when you’re traveling?

For some reason I focus better when I'm in transit or somewhere new. Maybe it's the forced solidarity or the feeling of being disconnected, but I think more clear at 35,000 feet than anywhere else. I must have been a bird in another life.

+How do tools like Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard keep you focused and on track while managing multiple projects?

The best tools are ones that can move with me, wherever I am or whatever I'm working on, and those that allow me to switch between my phone and computer gracefully, like this keyboard!

+What is your number one hack for multitasking?

Making lists helps me visually prioritize. I am also super strict about keeping my cal invites up to date. Time is any entrepreneur's most valuable resource.  (:

+What's next for elsewhere?

We have some exciting destinations planned for 2016, and are working on compiling a print journal, which we are both super excited about!

5 Apps That Will Make You Look Like an All-Star This Year

Move over, paper resume. This year, we’re taking our portfolios digital with these apps that are perfect for displaying your work right at your fingertips.

Are you a creative who needs a chic way to show off your designs? Are you a frequent networker who’d rather have your resume at the touch of a button? These apps let you carry around your tools at all times, so you’re always ready to show off your work, whenever you might need to.

1. Behance Display

For any designer or artist, Behance Display is a convenient way to showcase your portfolio wherever you go. All you have to do is set up your portfolio on Behance.netand then download the app so you can access it at all times. You can choose exactly how you want to style your portfolio on your phone, so the next time you’re out networking, you can use this and avoid showing someone your work in your Photo Library.

2. Worklets

Worklets’ easy-to-use interface allows you to create PDF brochures in a matter of minutes. With the app, you’re able to choose your own photos and text in order to design a professional brochure that can show off any type of work experience. It’s also easily shareable, so you can send your projects off to a new colleague right away—so much better than a boring text simply explaining what you do.

3. Squarespace Portfolio

One great way to showcase your work in a mobile-friendly way is to set up a website on a platform like Squarespace. Though it costs money to join, it’s customizable, user-friendly and you don’t need any coding experience to make something that looks great. And if you do happen to have a Squarespace account, you can then take advantage of its companion apps, like Squarespace Portfolio. This app allows you to sync the galleries from your account into a sleek presentation that you can bring anywhere, even if you don’t have an internet connection.

4. Dripbook

All you need is an account on Dripbook.com to bring your creative portfolio straight to your iPad or iPhone. This app will automatically sync with your online portfolios so you can present your work even when you don’t have access to a computer. Primarily used by creative professionals, Dripbook allows you to set up a visual representation of your work right on your phone.

5. Levo Resume

We had to throw in a little #LevoLove and mention this app that allows you to create a beautiful resume on the fly. Just plug in whatever information you want (education, skills, work history, etc.) and the app will automatically generate a resume with everything you need, including a place for a picture and contact info. Now you’ll never have to be without your resume, and you can quickly tweak it, as needed.

An original version of this article appeared on Levo. 

Create & Connect: Aiming For Success with Michelle Madsen

One look at Michelle Madsen’s Instagram, and you’re immediately drawn into the cool hues and minimalist aesthetic that she’s built for the past 3 years. This is how she’s built her blog, Michelle Take Aim, to look like - cool, calm, and collected, a total reflection of how she is in person. But with her blogging full time, working photo shoots, meetings on top of meetings, and even slotting in time for a trip to Canada, it’s amazing to think that someone who works so hard for their own brand, as well as others, is just so relax. So naturally, we had to get into her mind to see how she deals with the busy trap while still keeping her cool.

“I think one of the biggest things about blogging that makes it hard to juggle is bouncing around from creating content, being active on social channels, meetings, events, travel, editing, writing, etc.. It’s a lot of juggling, all while making life seem pretty seamless and fun! I do blog full-time now and it definitely keeps me on my toes, as crazy as that may seem.”

-Michelle Madsen

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You're a full time blogger and owner LOVE NAIL TREE - how to do you balance the two while also doing digital marketing for clients?

Every day is different - whether I’m working on photoshoots and emails, or out from meetings to events, I try to plan ahead and prioritize what’s most important for the day. I’m a big list-maker. I have a ‘master list’ and a daily list… sometimes it’s a little ridiculous. The biggest thing that keeps me bouncing around with blogging is that it’s a few jobs in one. It can be a little overwhelming to jump from creative to social to running the behind-the-scenes side of the business like emails and deadlines.

"I’m a big list-maker. I have a ‘master list’ and a daily list… sometimes it’s a little ridiculous."

Tweet this.

The Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard is the perfect tool to switch from one device to another with the touch of a button, which makes multitasking so easy. What are your best hacks for multitasking?

I just recently starting dividing my month into days where I focus on different parts of my business. For example, I spend a full week brainstorming and shooting content, the next week will be a lot of writing and editing and then I have more free time in my day-to-day to focus on the business end. It’s been a huge help.

What did you do before you became your own boss?

Since out of college I’ve been working mostly for myself. My husband and I have a clothing line, LOVE NAIL TREE, and before blogging I did this full time. Being an entrepreneur has lots of perks but it’s also so hard to turn it off.

Is there anything these you want to add under your belt for future projects?

I have some ideas in mind - one is starting a brand with a friend. We are in the planning stages! I have also started dancing again and would love to take it on as a bigger project and incorporate into my blog one day.

Create & Connect: Sisilia Piring Works Hard, Cuddles Hard

On set Sisilia Piring is cool, calm, collected. You would never know that the fashion photographer, style blogger, and self-professed adventurer is also a mother of two. Having shot with clients such as Levi's, Reformation, Burberry, and Estée Lauder to name just a few top-notch brands, her work is clean and bright. Plus we love a lady who takes a break during the workday for "cuddles." A bonus of working from home.

Though her work speaks for itself, we wanted to hear from Sisilia herself on why the Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard works with her fast-paced lifestyle. This week on the Create & Connect series presented by Logitech, Sisilia tells us all about what's coming up next, what inspires her, and a former job with a "sassy" boss.

+You’re a full time mom and full time creative. What’s a life hack that works across both jobs?

Staying organized by making out schedules and lists ahead of time. Not really a life hack but this helps me tremendously because it's easy to forget something when you have a fussy child screaming at you!

+Juggling a wide array of clients can make it difficult to stick to your creative vision. How do you jump between clients? And how do you make sure that your aesthetic aligns with a client’s needs?

Typically when a client reaches out it means we have similar aesthetic already, which makes the initial process go by quickly. I usually print out a mood board for all my shoots and keep it handy so whenever I'm chatting with that client I already have a visual of what we have decided on and this makes it easier for me to remember which story goes with what client.

+How does being a photographer benefit you as a mom? And vice versa?

Being a mom has kept the playful side of me alive which in return inspires a lot of my work. A lot of my work right now is colorful, fun, and playful. You can thank my kiddos for that. The kiddos benefit having a mom as a photographer because they typically get the fun props I shoot with and we go on fun family adventures when I'm scouting for locations or when I’m traveling for a shoot. They love being on the road and get so excited in exploring different cities.

"Being a mom has kept the playful side of me alive which in return inspires a lot of my work."

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+What did you do before making the leap to full time photographer?

I was a caregiver to a sassy blind woman for a couple years.

+Do you have any side projects? Or your eye on in the near future?

My husband and I own a mobile screen printing business. It's called The Ink Truck and it's basically screen printing on wheels. We don't design our own shirts but instead offer our services to brands to use as a marketing tool. We are also in the process of building our own creative agency with a couple of our friends. A one stop shop where we offer photography, motion, art direction, graphic design, retouching, and screen printing services.

+Walk us through how you balance your personal and professional life.

I'm not a big phone person so if I don't have to be on it I have it put away. When I'm working from home we have lots of breaks throughout the day for cuddles, dancing, and singing. We also drive down to our neighborhood coffee spot which happens to be next to a park and grab a cup of joe and play with the kiddos.

"I was a caregiver to a sassy blind woman for a couple years."

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+You’re late, you’re walking out the door for a meeting, and your kid spills all over you. You:

Try not to raise your voice and find a new outfit ASAP!

+Van Gogh once said, “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” What small things lead you to where you are now?

That photography class in the 8th grade that inspired my love for photography, ditching school so I could play with Photoshop and make my own website, meeting my husband at work, moving to Chicago, dressing up my friends and photographing them.

+When you feel creatively drained, who/what/where do you turn to?

I call my mom, plan a family trip, even if we are going just a couple hours away, meditate, and write.

+How do tools like the Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard keep you streamlined and focused?

It's so nice to have the Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard with me because it makes the process of moving from one device to another seamless, especially when you're in a hurry.

+How many hours of sleep do you need?

All I need is 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep with blackout curtains and I'm good. Ha, that's what I wish for anyway :D

Create & Connect: Mel Rod's Stylish Life Depends on Her Phone

In 2010 when Mel Rod created her now popular style blog Mel RodStyle, it was more of a fashion journal. Five years later, having secured past partnerships with major brands like Keds, Smashbox, and Tacori, we’d call it more than an online diary. The speed at which she needs to operate is warp, moving between staying true to her brand, and engaging her readers on social. Every day brings the potential for something new-- plus, the influencer has a wedding to plan. She is on-the-go more than ever, and still admits to preferring the old-school “bulk” of a laptop to her phone.

Which makes the Logitech K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard ideal for her lifestyle. This week on the Create & Connect series presented by Logitech, we chat with Mel about figuring out organization, her big dreams, and her favorite part of each day.

+Walk us through your organization process when you multitask.

As much as it sounds silly to say, my life depends on my phone. I am constantly on it and use the notepad and calendar for taking notes and keeping track of my meetings, appointments, etc.

+How do you deal with the busy trap?

Well, first by prioritizing everything on the agenda. I make a list of what is most important or urgent to complete, and I give myself a specific time for each task. And in between, I take breaks to clear my head, and because you just have to. Working out helps me to release stress and gets me right back on track.

"My life depends on my phone." 

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+ As a natural born multi-tasker, how have tools like the Logitech K380 Multi-Device helped your productivity?

I’m old-school and at times I prefer to work from my laptop, but when I’m on-the-go (which is most of the time), it’s difficult to do that. The Logitech K380 has been more than convenient for me because it makes me feel like I’m working from my laptop when I’m on-the-go, and since I’m always on my phone, it just works perfectly with my schedule.

+What is one thing that you wish you could do in your career, but haven't done yet, or are planning to do?

I would absolutely love to design my own shoe line. It’s something I’ve wanted for many years.

+Do you prefer working in an office setting vs. a home setting?

I prefer working from home because it allows me to concentrate without any distraction. I feel more productive when I’m at home.

+With work, life and travel, and even a wedding around the corner, how do you allot time for each without having one overpower the other?

As much as I want to get everything done all at once, it is impossible. You have to do one thing at a time or give yourself a certain amount of time to work on each task. It’s been crazy busy, especially with planning a wedding but luckily, I have people around me that have been more than helpful.

+What's your favorite part about being a busy bee?

My favorite part is that it is never boring. Everyday is a new day and always different.

Fashion With Function: How Mira Is Changing That Wearable Tech Game

Mira, Mira, on your wrist. It's the fitness bracelet embraced by bloggers like Sincerely Jules that can be easily worn with other stackable bracelets, or solo. If you're confused, you're not the only one. Only recently has the intersection of fashion and fitness hit its stride. Think: Adidas Originals, Alo Yoga Wear, and Mira-- a game-changing fitness tracker and bracelet. 

Gone are the days of rubber bracelets that merely track your steps or your heart rate. Everyone wants a Mira. So we checked in with Melissa Dowell, Mira's Events Marketing Operations Associate to chat all aspects of Mira's healthy and fashionable world. 

The Mira lifestyle is much more than simply wearing a fitness bracelet. How do you translate this image of a complete life to your customers? 

Content is a big part of how we translate this complete wellness picture to customers. Our app content puts your daily activity into everyday terms. For example, we show you how many calories you burned while taking the stairs at work and how many steps in takes to work off that glass of wine. We track your dance moves while you’re boogieing at a wedding. Our stylish bracelet is versatile and flexible so it fits your personal style. Users are more likely to wear it and get a clearer picture of their data because they can wear it to the office, date night and everywhere in between. Finally, we’re also inspired by images of strong, empowered women who are taking care of business, family and other obligations. We try to show women in real life through our brand, not just the time where she might be at the gym. We like to show women how Mira can fit into all aspects of her world. 

Prior to working with Mira did you think the intersection of jewelry and fitness bracelet was possible?

What I loved about discovering Mira was that it was not only something beautiful I would wear, but it also put my health and wellness in perspective. Previously, I had seen fitness trackers as one thing: a rubber band that tracks your steps. It seemed like a fad that would come and go and I never really understood what tracking my steps could tell me about my health. Because I love wearing the bracelet, I’m able to really see how active I am throughout the week and that’s been a game-changer.

How do you feel about goal-setting? In both your personal and professional life? And as a Mira user? 

Personally, I’m someone who is far more interested the journey than the goal. I aim to be present and authentic, staying open to the experiences life has for me. In my professional life, I like to keep an open mind to the opportunities in front of  me. The same goes for me as a Mira user. I aim to stay aware of my journey so I’m motivated to make good choices, and do the activities that I enjoy.

How important do you find the “community” aspect of the Mira lifestyle? 

Like anything worth achieving, living a healthy lifestyle is not something most people can achieve alone. Who can understand you better than another woman who shares similar goals, passions and challenges?  As we expand our product offering, building a Mira community is going to be essential to helping women achieve their goals. We’re looking at ways that we can connect like-minded women that share similar goals through our app and through the brand experience. Health and fitness become instantly more manageable when you have someone with you on the journey helping you make healthy choices.  

How have you seen the wearable tech industry change? What’s next?

There is an attention to detail that wasn’t there before. Fashion and function are no longer mutually exclusive! We are going to continue to see more innovation both with the technology and with the fashion offerings in the market. We’re excited to be a part of what’s coming next.

How have you seen social media affect and grow the brand?

Social media has been key to building brand awareness.  Getting women who share our passion for style and health has been key to driving engagement and excitement about our brand. Social media has also been a great way to get the word out about our pop-up events around the country.

What Mira bracelet do you wear? How have you seen it affect your lifestyle?

I just got my hands on our new Rosé All Day bracelet which I’ve been swooning over since I first saw the prototype! I definitely pay closer attention to what my personal style really is and it’s been a lot of fun discovering what I like to wear. I’ve definitely put myself out there more to try new things. I love how Mira encourages you to look and feel your best. That gives me the confidence to try clothes and trends I never thought I could wear.

Mira is prepping for multiple pop-up events over the next few months. What is the benefit of an online company hosting these events and meeting face-to-face with customers?

Because we’re a startup, getting that immediate feedback from customers is invaluable. We get to learn right away what our customers value in a fitness tracker so we can better tailor our product to meet their needs. Also, it gives us a chance to present our brand in an authentic way--as a team of mostly women, we can relate to the unique challenges that our customers face when we’re able to meet them in person.

"Step back and look at the bigger picture."

Tweet this. 

We love that Mira offers the “try before you buy” feature. How do you think this option affects customers who are worried they won’t like or use a fitness bracelet? 

It’s great because customers can see how well Mira fits in with the pieces that are already in their jewelry box. There are a lot of wearable options out there and our “try before you buy” option tells customers that we are committed to offering a product that fits into her life. Plus, it gives you a chance to interact with our awesome  app and see just how much activity you’re already doing but were never able to capture. 

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve noticed since “tracking” with Mira? 

I noticed I can easily sit and work for hours without getting up. I get so consumed in what I’m doing that I tend to go long periods with no activity. It’s great to be aware of that now so I can get up and go for a walk to get my blood pumping again. I find it helps me stay on top of my game throughout the day too. 

Daily tip that keeps you motivated?

Step back and look at the bigger picture. How can you make your next choice a healthy one?

Melissa Dowell is Mira's Events Marketing Operations Associate. Make sure to chat with Melissa at Create & Cultivate Dallas and she gives all the deets on how Mira is changing the wearable tech game. 

Motivate Your Monday: 10 Tweets to Start the Week Right

Let's talk turkey. It's Thanksgiving week, which means airport lines, pumpkin pie, and feeling awkward during catch-ups with old friends and the uncle you haven't seen in 10 years.  

So, to kick the week off and bring you a bit of #MondayMotivation we've rounded up 10 Tweets we love-- some to make you laugh and feel inspired, and others to give you something to talk about when you run out of convo starters between bites of stuffing.  

Binge-watching > binge-eating turkey. But take a note from @equivocarly and turn autoplay off. 

Getting what you're worth is always worth it via: @ForbesWoman. But you need to ask.

In case you missed the #WomenofHollywood article in the New York Times about the pay gap in Tinsel Town. Angelica Huston slays. (As does the article.) 

Mae Whitman on harem pants. 

Jenny Slate (@jennyslate) on the delights of getting up after falling down. 

If you're feeling timid, remember that when women forge their own path. It's usually pays off via @JessWeiner.

@NancyJoSales pens an open letter to Tinder CEO for Vanity Fair. Why are female journalists continuously attacked for doing their jobs? 

When dreams are realized, @taffyakner shows us HOW GOOD it can feel. That's some real motivation. 

@AmberTozer has the best advice for those creeping negative thoughts. 

And if you find yourself stressing out on Thursday, take this piece of advice from @ch000ch.

WTF Is Periscope? And Why Should You Be On It Right Now?

Kayvon Beykpour and Joseph Bernstein saw a problem: they felt that despite the billon plus smartphone users all over the world, the camera was still an underused resource. A bit of a head-scratcher considering the 400 million active users on Instagram alone as of September 2015. But the digital entrepreneurs wanted to know why there wasn’t a way to see what was happening right now, anywhere in the world. Not in pictures, but in live stream video.

Their goal was to “build the closest thing to teleportation.” To jump around the world in seconds to see things that inspire us, make us laugh, motivate and excite, teach us, and ultimately, make us band together. 

They created Periscope. An app that had so much potential it was purchased by Twitter while still in beta.

And then it topped 1 million users within its first 10 days.  

So how is this going to change social media?

Live video-streaming is not new. Apps like Meerkat existed before Periscope. Webcams existed before Meerkat. But there is always one platform that takes an idea and makes it beautiful. After all, photo-sharing existed before Instagram, but no one spends hours lost in a Flickr hole. 

Let’s talk business. What Periscope can offer brands and bloggers is multifold. At its most basic it allows for direct-live-to-consumer marketing and connection. Watchers can comment and heart videos and choose to “follow” channels, much in the same way they can on Instagram. Whistle alerts can be sent every time a broadcast from someone you follow starts.  

Within the app, videos can be watched for up to 24 hours and users can share these broadcasts with their Twitter followers. (Something that Twitter blocked Meerkat from doing once it acquired Periscope.) There are also already apps designed to capture and store your Periscopes— like Katch— so that they can be embedded on your blog or company’s site. Brands will also be able to promote live events. All of this has the potential to lead to brand loyalty and sales. If someone sees something they like on Periscope, it’s free advertisement and an instant commercial platform. 

Same goes for bloggers. Not only will it change the way they connect with their audiences, but it could also lead to sales for brands they work with. Whether it’s Shea Marie of @peaceloveshea taking you behind-the-scenes during NYFW or Claire Thomas of @kitchykitchen live-streaming a recipe and tagging knife brands that she’s using. Which is a key feature in potential Periscope-born partnerships: bloggers can tag brands within their stream that they are either already working with or are interested in partnering with in the future. It's not just live-streaming, it's a live revenue stream. 

So how is this going to change the social world?

Human connection. Information sharing. Real time unfiltered news. The humanity in the app is where the raw power lies. 

Beyond the inevitability of the business side-- the sponsored posts and paid-to-promote content-- Periscope's unmediated access to anything from anywhere puts the individual in control of information. Sure, bloggers and brands will be able to craft and control their image, but to be able to “channel-surf” from NYFW to the moon to a discussion about women’s healthcare to a protest in Rome, connecting with people all over the world, has unlimited potential.  

"This going to change the social world."

Tweet this. 

The app is offering a "Teleport" option, which takes users to a random place in the world and shows them a broadcast. 

It is also provides a "Mutual Broadcast" option, where you can start a private broadcast for people who you follow and follow you.

Part of the beauty of Periscope is in its simple truth, and the somewhat utopian hope of its founders. The hope that the most important events and conversations will be documented. Its possibilities are as endless as there are people and places in the world. The stories are everywhere. Life is everywhere.

We just need to pick up our phones, and Periscope. 

Create & Connect: On-the-Go with Go-getter Puno DosTres

When you work as a creative, the need to produce quality innovative work is always on your mind-- even if that means you’re working on multiple projects at once. That’s how us creatives function, and we find solace in the chaos of multitasking. Our friends at Logitech get it, and that’s why we’re in love with their new K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard. A piece of tech that allows us to do just that.

In celebration of the release of the K380 Multi-Device, we’re highlighting some of the hardest working women in the digital space. All of whom have multiple projects under their belt, and whose careers have thrived off of multitasking and efficient productivity.

This week, we are featuring Jennifer Puno, better known as Puno DosTres. Puno is a creative from Los Angeles who quit her day job to build to her own business. Today, Puno has co-founded Map and PeopleMap.co with husband Daniel, co-founded ilovecreatives.com with none other than Eva Goicochea, does UX/UI design, and dabbles in photography and styling. Is there anything this girl hasn’t done? We caught up with her in between hustles to chat about traveling with total strangers, avoiding the pitfalls of “busy,” and making every minute count.

+What is your favorite thing about working on the go?

The freedom! This past summer, Daniel and I went on an epic trip in Europe that started in Copenhagen. Our intention was to stay for only three weeks, but we started swapping homes with a few different people on behomm.com and ended up staying for two months! It’s not easy traveling and working, but if I am super disciplined and the internet is on point, I can get about 2-4 hours of work done in a day. It really helps to stay in one city for 2-3 weeks.

+What are some of the best relationships or projects that have come from traveling for work?

I've just started doing more "strangercations" where I travel with a complete group of strangers. I know, sounds super Road Rules, huh? On my first strangercation, I went to Iceland and took Star Trek photos, which led to a hunt for hot springs in California.

Just recently, I went to Sayulita with Coast To Costa and helped them build their website. If anyone wants to go to Baja, come with us!

+How do you deal with the busy trap?

Calendly keeps me in check by putting rules on how many meetings I can book a day. I also find that when I work out on a daily basis, I prioritize my day better.

"I don’t dwell on tasks."

Tweet this.

+With so many projects running at the same time, how do you manage focusing from one project to the other?

I start hiring as soon as I can by automating as many processes and finding really smart, resourceful people that are super fun to work with. Also, I don’t dwell on tasks or over complicate processes. If I do, it’ll just never get done or becomes super annoying.

+What is your #1 hack when it comes to staying productive and keeping focused?

Harvest is the one app that really forces me to track my time. It’s not easy and I don’t like doing it, but every minute counts when you’ve only got about 10 hours in the day to work after working out, eating, sleeping, and re-doing that cat eye three times.

+How do tech tools like the K380 Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard help you stay productive?

With the K380 Multi-Device, my fingers are elevated so I can type all day long. I also have a wacom tablet that I used instead of a mouse. It was a bit of a learning curve to get used to, but I can’t live without it. My wrist doesn’t hurt anymore, I’m super precise, and it feels more natural when I’m designing. If I had to work with a mouse, I physically feel like my body has to stop and that’s super frustrating. Same thing with typing too long on my iPhone, my fingers feel swollen. Does anyone else feel that way? :)

+How do you celebrate ending a productive week at work?

Usually a really good beer or super delicious meal. If it’s crazy productive, I love to cozy up in the bed and just veg out with Daniel.

Off The Grid: 5 Innovative Instagrammers Thinking Outside The Box

By nature, Instagram is meant to be a visual gateway to people's lives, creative minds, and storytelling. Quite often, we find ourselves following people that use Instagram in the same way that they use Twitter to update their followers with status updates, but there are accounts that know how to use Instagram to full its full potential and go way outside of the box. 

With a set vision and story to tell on your Instagram, followers will always be more inclined to look at your Instagram and look at the thought behind it, rather than stop and look at your photo while they're scrolling through their Instagram feed. That's why we've compiled a list of some of the most impressive Instagram accounts that have inspired us to go beyond a single post and make a feed that can live together as a whole. 

1. Tayst - @tayst

@tayst on Instagram

Taylor St. Claire, better known as Tayst on Instagram, has built one of the most visually captivating Instagram feeds with her floral and free-spirited doodles. Her feed makes us think back on all the doodles that we made on our notebooks in high school and wish that we never threw them away. By combining illustrations on amazing photos, Taylor shows that you don't have to be bound by just the picture you take and that you can go crazy with editing them to stand out. 

2. Tea For Bear - @teaforbear

@teaforbear on Instagram

After you look at Tea For Bear's Instagram feed, you're going to want to look for all the geometry hiding in our every day lives, and apply it to all of your angles on your Instagram feed. By keeping all her photos to a 45 degree angle having a line cut right through two corners, Tea For Bear's entire feed diverts from the photos we're used to taking to making a cohesive slanted array of images that can live alone yet together in one feed. 

3. A.L.C. Ltd. - @alc_ltd

@alc_ltd on Instagram 

New York-based designer Andrea Lieberman has been able to define A.L.C's image not only though the pieces in her collection, but also by curating a vibe and mantra to go hand in hand with her designs on her Instagram. By pairing selected quotes, looks, and images from some of the the prominent figures of the 70s, 80s, and 90s, Andrea has been able to present the inspiration for the brand with individual Instagram posts that still live cohesively in one feed. 

4. Taku - @takubeats

@takubeats on Instagram

Musician and photographer Taku has been one of the visionaries able lead the "grid movement" on Instagram, by using each of the rows on his Instagram grid to capture a seperate story in it's own from different angles and perspectives. The trick to his feed is always to always capture the same subject, but use different angles, different people, and different points of focus to make each photo significantly different yet able to live with the rest of the photos in one row. 

5. A$AP Rocky - @asaprocky

@asaprocky on Instagram

Okay, so everyone knows A$AP Rocky for his rhymes, but his Instagram is one of the feeds that you have to follow if you aren't already. Think of it as an actual scroll that you have to physically roll out. With the use of texture and space, he is able to make all his images live in one grid all together. Just by looking at his feed, we want to get some Polaroid photos, add some actual paint or cardboard cutouts to add texture and see how it will all look in our Instagram feed. Rocky's feed is definitely thinking outside the box, and can help inspire you to use every element of visual imagery to its fullest. 

What are some of your favorite Instagrammers that have crafted beautifully curated feeds, and have inspired you to practice your art direction skills for your own Instagram? Let us know below! 

Ask Camille Styles: How Do I Build My Following?

On Instagram, we asked what you wanted to learn from the lovely Camille Styles and your questions came pouring in. Camille is a blogger and party stylist living in Austin, Texas, and the author of the book Camille Styles Entertaining. As her name would suggest, she has an impeccable eye and is known for transforming a space and making the whole thing seemed effortless. Below, she answers a question that we're sure tons of you are wondering about, and this is just a taste of her wisdom! Catch Camille live at #CreateCultivateDALLAS, where she'll be speaking on the panel Brand Vibes: How to create a brand that lives beyond the blog bubble.

Casuallydisheveled: As a new blogger, how do you build a following outside of your friend's group?

Creating a blog requires energy, resources, creativity, and most of all, time, so it’s natural that we all want an audience reading and appreciating our efforts. However, the first thing to realize is that building a following is usually a slow process—one that I’ve been working on for the last seven years, since I launched my blog. The second most important thing to keep in mind is that your audience will only stick around if you’re creating great content. So while it’s important to strategize about your promotional efforts, creating high quality original work should always be first and foremost.

While it’s important to strategize about your promotional efforts, creating high quality original work should always be first and foremost.

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With that being said, there are a few strategies I’ve used over the years that have significantly helped to build my following and get the word out about CamilleStyles.com. Here are the most successful ones: 

• Just say yes to collaborations. This is probably the most important one, especially if you’re a new blogger. In the early days of my blog, I jumped on every opportunity to be interviewed, featured, or contribute to another site, even if it required an outlay of time and energy on my part and I wasn’t getting paid for it. Remember: value doesn’t have to come in the form of cash. Exposure and promotion can be an incredibly valuable way to grow your readership, so look for any opportunities and say “yes” to any that come your way. 

• Be proactive about getting what you want. Even if tons of opportunities aren’t coming your way, you can be proactive about going after them! Think about what unique point-of-view you have to offer as a blogger, whether it’s in fashion or food or lifestyle, then offer to contribute to sites that are bigger than yours in exchange for promotion. I can’t tell you how many times I styled photo shoots, wrote stories, and pitched new ideas to larger media outlets just to keep getting my name out there in front of their audiences. Over time, that exposure adds up.

• Brand yourself on social. It probably goes without saying that you should have a strong social media presence if you’re hoping to grow your audience. But have you spent time thinking about and cultivating your unique personal brand on your channels? Every tweet, Instagram, and Facebook post is a building block that defines your brand message. Take some time to articulate what sets you apart as a blogger and determine your brand vision, then write it down. Now you’re ready to be strategic in the messaging that you put out there on social, and this is what will make you memorable and build a following that keeps coming back for more. 

When it comes to building your brand, start with these small steps, but don’t be afraid to dream big! It may seem like a daunting task at the beginning of your journey, but if you keep at it, before you know it you’ll have built something great. And since being a blogger is all about having the opportunity to do what you love, don’t forget to enjoy the process!

Snap To It: Using Snapchat to Build Your Brand

How's this for a snappy statistic (pun totally intended): 41 percent of teens use Snapchat, and it's the third most popular social network (after behemoths Facebook and Instagram). In the 18-29 demo—the ultra-coveted millennial age group— 26 percent cop to using Snapchat, and a remarkable 70 percent of those users are women. There are about 26 million Snapchat users in the U.S. alone, and they send a whopping 400 million snaps a day. So if your brand isn't already on Snapchat, now would be a good time to start! Here, we've got you covered with a few tips and tactics to for making the most out of it, whether you're jumping in for the first time or just want to grow your audience. Now, snap to it!

Geofilters

For whatever city you’re in, there is for sure to a filter to match your location. Think of it as Snapchat’s digital postcard that uses a cool filter to let all of your followers know where you are. Not only can Snapchat’s geofilter feature show artwork to match the city you’re in, but if you’re hosting a large event (concert, party, festival, conference, etc.), you can also add a geofilter for your event! With a geotag filter, its a sure ticket to have tons of people share about your event to all their followers on Snapchat.

Snapchat stories

The next level to Snapchat geofilter feature is having your own Snapchat story for your occasion. Just like every city has a Snapchat story, so can your event! Give everyone who is coming to your event a chance to add your snaps to the curated Snapchat story for a chance to be featured! Not only does this give a chance for your attendees to engage more in Snapchat, but it also allows people who were not able to come to your event see it on their Snapchat feed worldwide.

When your brand has exciting news, head to Snapchat and build up anticipation by announcing it in a series of snaps.

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Story lines

Do you have something exciting to announce or want to start a recurring series that lives on your Snapchat? Build up the anticipation by planning out a storyboard of how you want to announce your news in a series a snaps, and then put it into action. Not only will a story line project your message better than just a snap that lasts 10 seconds, but it will also increase your views after people see that a long series of snaps means there’s something exciting to announce.

Snapchat exclusives

When you give your followers on other platforms exclusives if they follow you on Snapchat, get ready for the views to come flooding in. Exclusivity always wins, so use Snapchat as a tool for that if you have some behind the scenes action going on, or create a promo code that's just for your followers. 

If you’re already experienced with Snapchat, what are some of the tactics that have worked best for you? Let us know below!

Priscilla Castro is Create & Cultivate's Director of Social Media and Community in Los Angeles. She also does social media client work at (No Subject), and was previously Editorial Director at BeautyCon. Follow her @kodeofkondukt. 

Smash Past The Noise: How to kill it in a crowded Instagram space

My head is still reeling from the wealth of useful insight & information I learned at the most recent Create & Cultivate event in Chicago. Most notable were those addressing what it takes to stand out in today’s crowded social media space. Whether you chooseone platform or a few in particular, the tip to stand out from the masses, is by just that. Standing out!

Case in point. #tbt to a hip crowded NYC rooftop bar. Around 60 social mavens stilettoed their way to a balconies edge, held their Rose wine up to the sunset sky, and proudly Instagrammed their dime-a-dozen Picasso. #nofilter. Perfect picture? Sure. Easy photo? Why not. Predictable? Absolutely!

Now to be perfectly clear, there is nothing wrong with posting images that are popular and trending. But if you want to stand out, or get featured by a hot digital publication you might want to rethink a couple of strategies, starting with these 5 easy tips.

I was voted 'best use' of Paul Smith's pink wall.

1. Just Because Everyone's Doing It, Doesn't Mean You Have To. This is a hard one as we see that great engagement comes with great composition. If you copycat trends you will always be a step behind. The goal is to put YOUR signature on a style, not follow behind one.

Actionable tip: Try a new angle on a common theme e.g. Ice cream cone from a dog or ant’s eye view, as opposed to a bird's-eye view.

2. Put Down The Phone. Hey I get it, it’s easy to follow what other people do when we have our heads buried in our social feed & it’s on constant repeat! There’s new inspiration everywhere that’s just begging to be found. I promise you, all you have to do is say YES!

Actionable tip: Go to a magazine stand or bookstore and browse magazines or art books you might not have seen before. Be inspired by a different genre.

3. Time To Engage. What I love about Instagram is the sense of community that has been built, especially when you don’t even know most of your audience. But it feels like you do right? Comment back, like people's photos, even if you don’t follow them. By engaging with your audience and being social with them, it lets them know you value them.

Actionable tip: Reply to most of your comments, for you will create raving fans that value the time you took to answer a question, or just a simple emoji back. Engagement will let you skyrocket!

4. Story Time. Sometimes it’s the who, what, and why of a shot that draws people in. A good story can be just as compelling as the image itself. It helps explain it, entice it, and adds value to your feed.

Actionable tip: Perhaps talk about the behind the scenes reasons for the shot. What it meant to you, or how it makes you feel. Your audience wants to connect with you on many levels.

5. Staying True To Your Brand. A savvy audience can see a lie a mile away. The more transparent, and the more you have FUN, the more your brand and personality will shine through.

Actionable tip: Write down who you are and who aren’t. Create a rule book for your brand based on these brand guidelines to help keep you on track.

6. Stats. By using simple tools like Iconosquare to measure engagement and look at the best posting times, you will find out what your audience likes. This will allow you to know which content performs better, hence what to showcase more of.

Actionable tip: In order to stand out from the noise you have to a/b test which images work for your audience. Find your style, test the waters, watch your stats—cause your audience will tell you what they like and what they don’t.

For this post, I used Madewell's #totewell hashtag to be featured in their campaign.

7. Tool Kit. Here’s a simple yet effective arsenal of what I use and how it works. For photo editing I use Snapseed, and then Instagram's own editing tools. Both are simple and effective. For framing I use Diptic, where you can customize borders, add text, and color correct as well. For hashtag strategies, use different ones depending on what the content is. Flowers are different to outfits and food. Be strategic, and put them in the comments. Try new hashtags as what's trending also changes. A lot of brands will have their own campaigns. It's a great way to hashtag the campaign brand to get noticed.

Actionable tip: Watch what your peers are doing. If you know someone doing extremely well, what is it that they are doing? Look at their hashtags, and photo tags. You have up to 20 photo tags, so use them! Tag brands, style groups and IG accounts that promote you on their page.

For more tips & tricks on standing out in a crowd, join us in Dallas for the next Create + Cultivate for our Style Vibes panel on how to define your personal brand!

Melinda Fleming is the founder of Curated Cool, an online destination where the world of fashion, travel and art come together. Curated Cool offers tips & advice on standing out from the masses, & finding those cool one-of-a-kind pieces. Wanderlust has Melinda flying around the world over 100,000 miles a year. Follow the adventures @curatedcool

Link Up: What we're reading, watching & lovin' for Sept 25

Your weekend reading material right here: Finding love and ditching friends at work; deep thoughts about Kanye; a round of emotional applause for Viola Davis, and our founder Jaclyn makes the #Levo100.

Create + Cultivate founder Jaclyn Johnson made the #Levo100 list of trailblazing millennials.

If you’re looking to meet the love of your life at work, try one of these jobs.

But maybe think twice before finding your BFF at the office.

Tiger Beat earns its stripes in a digital age.

A New York Times must-read on America’s toxic work culture and why we need to redefine our ideas of success.

We’re reading up in anticipation of Kanye’s show at the Hollywood Bowl this weekend.

Our Social Media Director Priscilla’s new favorite photo app (and this girl knows apps): Fyuse.

True story: Use your social media followers to pay for clothes at onepiece.com.

Warning: Feels ahead—Viola Davis’s emotional speech after becoming the first woman of color to win Best actress at the Emmys.

And the prettiest toilet paper we've ever seen.