We are often reminded that hindsight is 20/20 – a proverb that means “it is easy to understand something after it has already happened”, and how ironic that is since we are in the year 2020 and not sure we can fully comprehend all we are learning and what hindsight this will bring.
Reflecting back to six months ago, there were many of us that didn’t have much of a clue about what the rest of 2020 would look like and how we would have to adjust to a more virtual world. We’ve updated our ways of working, connecting with colleagues, socializing with friends, networking with those in our industry, or looking for a new job.
Microsoft suggested that we have seen two years’ worth of digital transformation in about five months. For example: MS Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet have become the new way to host networking sessions, work meetings, and “chats” with colleagues; Tele-med appointments became the norm for routine or non-911 emergency doctor appointments; curbside pickup at grocery stores and food to-go orders via online ordering became the new normal (they existed before but saw tremendous growth in number of users).
We also had to learn how to create engaging and interactive ways to connect solely through a screen. We are already Zoom fatigued and wondering how online meetings have zapped our energy so differently than in person. It turns out, looking at ourselves and trying to talk to a group is a lot for our brains to process.
The Atlantic shares a great article about why the Zoom social life might feel so draining, saying that “Attempting to translate your old social habits to Zoom or FaceTime is like going vegetarian and proceeding to glumly eat a diet of just tofurkey”. No offense to vegetarians, of course.
You could argue though, that we’ve all been interacting via screens for years with the dominance of social media channels – whether it was posting our thoughts in 140 characters on Twitter, or sharing photos and videos of our artisanal sandwiches/cute kid/pet pictures on Facebook. But this seems different. Times are different and we will not be going back soon.
In this interim, many people are trying to make the best of the situation and are figuring out ways to connect. We will always need human connection (and without the germs, even better).
What about our single friends? If they don’t have anyone in the house to already drive them crazy, then where can they go to meet new people and/or possibly love interests?
While many experts are trying to predict the outcomes of this global shift, it may be hard to know what will change permanently. We know many industries are experiencing major disruptions – online dating apps being one of them.
According to Digital Trends, Tinder still ranks as one of the top dating apps. However, now that people are sheltering in place and/or social distancing, there’s a new app taking over as a way to “meet” someone a little faster, while also allowing you to stay behind the screen, sans mask.
“Slide is a video dating app that changes your first-date frustrations into real connections and instant chemistry. Explore video profiles, go on first dates via Video Calls at your fingertips, and find that chemistry before dating IRL.”
So, while Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge play quarantine catch-up, Slide is stealing their market share.
How? With video.
Slide recognized the massive success of short-form video platforms like TikTok, and have translated it to dating. They focus on features like:
- “Vibe Check”, which gives you the option to video chat immediately after matching with someone to see if there’s chemistry. This will save you from long or misinterpreted text conversations and money you may have spent on that first date.
- A video-first approach that lets you see the real people behind the profiles so you can pass if they aren’t really who they say they are.
- AI-assisted creation of “future bae” profiles that help suggest your best matches and spare you extra swipes. If Netflix can find similar suggestions…
As of August 2020, the Department of Labor and Statistics estimates about 13.6 million people are currently unemployed and searching for a new j-o-b. Is it possible that some of these newer ways of connecting online could be included in how we network for a new job/career opportunity?
For example, instead of sending a connection or networking request on LinkedIn, what if we could send a quick video about our story, or what we’d love to learn from that person, or how we’d like to connect?
Would that create a faster, better, possibly more genuine connection?
This would seem worth exploring as many job connections are created by in-person networking or reaching real people vs. solely online applications, behind a screen. Some other formats that have seen increased use are Marco Polo for video chats (you don’t have to both be available at the same time) and FaceTime group calls.
It might be worth exploring how short-form video platforms could assist job seekers in networking, outreach, and connecting with others. These are just some ideas as we continue to watch this digital transformation unfold.
Benjamin Bach
April 15, 2008 at 4:14 am
I liked the video, it’s the right forum for NAR to communicate with their members on a topic like this.
Daniel, what camera are you using ? I picked up a webcam which *sucked* (never spend a little less than you think you should 🙂
I want to get the Flip Ultra, but can’t find them in Canada. I think i’ll just grab one off the ‘bay. What is your reccomendation ?
Be Great!
Laura S Flournoy
April 15, 2008 at 8:36 am
Daniel,
I liked it (them). The set felt standard. I don’t want to see distracting hand movements, or feel there is a need for walking/pacing. Was it stiff, yep. But lets give Dick 10 (+/-) podcasts and he will be totally at home. Constructive criticism. That’s they way to make a difference. Great!….. thank you.
Hay ~ going to talk about the book in this forum some?
Daniel Rothamel
April 15, 2008 at 10:45 am
Benjamin,
Funny you should mention the Flip– that is exactly what I used to make this video! I happen to like it, but reviews are mixed, for the most part. I didn’t know they were withholding them from our good friends up north. 🙂
It is a decent camera, but if you are on a Mac, the downloading can sometimes be kludgy. There are digital still cameras that can record video of pretty much the same quality, it all depends on your needs.
Laura,
That is great feedback. I agree with you that, with practice, Dick will get even better. Actually, I thought that he looked pretty darn good in this one. With regards to the book, I don’t know. I hadn’t considered it. The first post will be next week, so we’ll see what people think!
Laura–
Danilo Bogdanovic
April 15, 2008 at 11:03 am
I’m totally with you on the living room/fireplace thing. It was 82 degrees here in the DC metro area when I watched it, but I guess it’s still cold in Chicago.
The point about his hands was right on. As the video went on, the more he moved his hands and was leaning forward. Looked like he was itching to get up.
It’s great to see NAR embracing technologies that engage members other than the ones that just read newspapers or magazines. It’s a good step in the right direction and I hope they keep it up.
Matthew Rathbun
April 15, 2008 at 11:21 am
Well… It was better than Saul Klien’s 🙂
I actually liked it, I am more a content guy, than I am an ambiance guy. I would have been OK, with him getting up.
I am very happy with what NAR has done here. They’ll get better over time and I am am sure that all of you will agree that the mere fact that NAR is responding to feedback is a great start.
The issue with content is that it won’t always fit everyone’s specific market. But, I think that NAR did as good a job as anyone could giving global guidance.
Greg Cremia
April 16, 2008 at 7:24 am
I guess I have gotten spoiled by the instant gratification of receiving my info instantly on the net. Part of this is my ability to scan the info to see if it is worth my full attention. Plus, scanning allows me to pull the info I need from the piece, whether it is at the front, middle or back of the piece, and move on.
Both of these videos looked good but when I tried to scan (fast forward) I lost sight of the material that was forwarded over. Consequently, I had no idea if either of these videos was worth my time and I did not make it through either of them. I wanted to watch both of them in their entirety but my “internet attention span” got in the way and I clicked the “next” button.
Internet consumers follow this same scanning pattern when they go looking for something. Very little is read in its entirety on the net. If what you want them to see is important but they can only find it by watching an entire video it might be getting overlooked. There is nothing unique on the internet. Everything can be found in multiple locations. If you put an obstacle in the way of the info they will move on and find the info elsewhere.
I was shopping for something the other day and this person popped up on my screen trying to sell me on their site. It looked like a good site but this person annoyed me so much I just hit the “next” button. This site may have been the best one out there but the site itself got in the way of me scanning it and once again my internet attention span kicked in. NEXT.