To post or not to post… The art of late posting on a fast paced world.

[Marichams]

Since a little more than a year I have been following what I define as a “late posting” social media sharing style, which basically means that I force myself to live the moment, document as much as I can from it and wait a while until it is over to spread it out in my digital outlets.

In a fast paced world that favors the immediate, such as the one we live in, late posting almost feels like swimming against the current. And in a certain way, I’m sure it is. The thing is that nearly everywhere you are not only invited but expected to go live instantly, you are not only asked to use hashtags but sometimes you are encouraged to do it as often as you can in an attempt to create trending topics.

Why to late post?
A while ago I noticed I started to get some mild traces of anxiety when I was traveling abroad or going into the wilderness because internet was not truly reliable, if available. When I spotted it as a pattern that was starting to create an interference with my possibilities of enjoying the “here and now” I made a full stop and took some time off to think and reflect of ways to control it.

Don’t get me wrong: I LOVE SHARING! I just started to notice how I was missing the “real life” moments while overthinking of a great caption for a photo that could perfectly be written any time in the near future.

After I changed my posting pattern I felt a relief, like if a weight had been taken off my shoulders because now I have the freedom to be fully present and to enjoy my “documenting phase”, that moment in which I am taking all my photos, videos, audio files and notes to “preserve” the memories.

The coolest part about late posting is that in certain way, is like getting a second chance to re-live everything later on, when it’s almost “posting time” and I sit down with the memories, I start to process and organize the data gathered before and I try to create publications that are not only more visually appealing, but that are so connected that have the power of telling stories.

Is it always easy? NOPE!
I still feel the temptation to jump in and post it all, and a clear example is happening just now in the Local Guides Connect Live, as I share this reflection.

But I know that being present is much more valuable than endulging myself, so I observe, accept and let go of that sense of urge. And I cannot express how much more I can enjoy the present time, social media free and actually being not only physically, but mentally where I am supposed to be.

Tell me about you!!!
Have you ever given this a thought?
Do you have a defined posting style?
Could you be in an awesome place with good internet and not stop to make a post about it?
What do you think about the idea of “late posting”?

I’m all eyes! And honestly quite interested in appreciating different perspectives!

[Marichams]

I would love to know what @DeniGu , @FaridTDF and @ErmesT think about this!

[ErmesT]

This is a good question, @Marichams , and I am happy to share with you my point of view (so we may continue face to face tomorrow morning).

I believe that, most of the time, we have all the time that we need, to create a good content.

Connect Live is happening now, and all the media are overcrowded of quick communication, photos and videos, that are already giving to the other Local Guides the feeling of the event.

Writing a post now, for adding more content, do not have any sense, in this moment.

A will personally wait a couple of weeks, first of all because I want to enjoy the event, that is so beautiful, but also because I want to let the emotional part to go, and mostly because I want to create a story that can last for a longer time.

I believe that we should use our experience to explain to the community why Connect Live is so special, to prepare everyone to Connect Live 2020.

Connect Live is not ended yet. I believe we can wai

[SP31]

@Marichams insightful post - this is something I’ve been personally dealing with as well over the years and I can say that I have adopted the idea of either posting later or not posting at all. I do appreciate the experiences I get to have, but I feel that there shouldn’t be a pressure to share in the moment. I don’t disagree with the idea, but it is just a personal preference and I usually will take a ton of photos for my own memories. Sometimes I do feel a bit selfish for not sharing all the time and I have been told time and time again that Instagram is meant to be Instant, lol, but I think it is up to the preference of each person. Sometimes not sharing can be due to privacy and safety reasons too. Maybe late posting is just the way to go lol.

[FaridTDF]

Hola @Marichams @tus pos siempre son como Kaa cuando hipnotiza a Mouwgli me atraen irremediablemente a responder, pero en este momento no puedo ya me gusta dedicarle el tiempo que deben tus post, estoy viajando por las rutas de Buenos Aires, luego regresare a tu post que leí muy rápidamente, te anticipo que acuerdo totalmente contigo en lo que indicas.

Saludos Farid. desde Buenos Aires, Argentina

[DeniGu]

Hi @Marichams !

I’m a little late to reply to your post (talk about late posting :)) and I wish I talked about this with you in person, too! But I do agree with your point of view and share the same opinion as @ErmesT and especially @SP31 .

I’m also part of the late-poster club. However, I’ve noticed one more trend with myself - I either post/reply to a post instantly or I take quite a long time to do it. Often, I even forget to go back and post/reply or don’t feel like doing it anymore. It’s the random boosts of inspiration that help me overcome this, though! After all, I use my social media mostly to curate my own memories and timeline, and share those with the people I created these memories with.

So, whenever you feel like sharing your adventures, thoughts or anything, I’ll be here to enjoy them!

[ErmesT]

We are all late in responding, @DeniGu . Wonder why :))

BTW, in the morning (in the bus) I had a very long conversation with @Marichams about posting in Connect, and we were on the same line.

What I really appreciate on this post is the question itself, and the meaning of it. Our post, our way to communicate with the community, what to share and how to share it. How to makes our content relevant and meaningful for the community, how to be creators of content.

Unfortunately this kind of post don’t have a lot of appeal, but I really would love to have a feedback of the whole community on Maricha’s question.

What do you think @KarenVChin ?

[KarenVChin]

OMG @Marichams - why you not ask me about this topic last week??? I have A LOT to say about this particular subject!!!

I am definitely a “Late Poster” - this was the first year that I tried to be a real-time poster on Instagram. I FAILED by Day 1: Afternoon. = )

I did take some Live Video for Facebook at the Closing Party (if anyone ever saw it).

So, back to be a late poster - I personally like to live in the moment, not have my head down stuck to my phone. I like to enjoy the company I am with. I like to talk to people.

I like to experience what others are experiencing around me — there was a lot of that last week.

Remember this??

By being a “late poster,” like you said, this has reduced a tremendous amount of stress regarding “real-time” posting because I am experiencing and taking in “the moments.” I just don’t have that skills set. And it’s perfectly fine!

At big events like Connect Live 2019, I rely on other attendees (HINT)/ Google professional photographers from their shared links (of course, giving them full credit) because I am too busy ‘experiencing’ and/or asked to be photographed/selfied.

The hard part is track people down afterwards! = )

I find when I post later than anyone else. It helps bring back memories to those who where there which gets lots of “likes/hearts” and lots more actual real comments in my social media channels, which is better just “likes/hearts” because my social media channels are real and not just bots.

Same with posting on Connect. If I take the time and write a great recap/story with curated photos/video (“great photos” - not crappy, blurry, fuzzy) post event, I get a lot more engagement.

As @FaridTDF @ErmesT knows me well, I am ALL about great content. Never the first. I post when I am ready to post.

The best for last!

Cheers,

Karen

[Marianis]

Hi @Marichams

Now I know that I am not alone late poster :). I try to be there in my whole existense, sometime I forgot that I bring a handphone to capture the moments. I try to absorb the positive vibes while in Connect Live cnd being there. Now I am planning to make some posting about CL in my facebook account. Thanks for shating your thought, @Marichams

[LuigiZ]

Hi @Marichams ,

very good and interesting topic, especially with the influence of all social medias but your point of view is fully appreciated.

I’m in the middle haha, let’s say I like to capture every moment and perhaps that was quite evident, but neither post immediately nor late after a while. I rather wait for the time “break” where you can think at what you just experienced … social talking, while I did just wait the weekend to share bit of my CL feeling.

I’m bit of emotional also if it may not seem so I’m in the mood of the emotion talking for me when I can settle what just happen few hours, end of the day or few days later.

[TMLKadventures]

@Marichams I Love your post. Sometimes I get a nice photograph that tells a story and sometimes I miss the shot. Close your eyes (after reading this) and picture a beautiful, majestic, great blue heron bird near the beach looking down into creek water that is meeting the Ocean during sunset. A couple is holding hands sitting next to each other, in the background, watching the sun disappear into the ocean. The sky is a combination of orange and shades of red, with silhouetted palm trees. For me, this photograph provides such a strong relaxing moody story, if I miss the next shot, or two, or more; it’s ok. Google Maps is a great platform to learn and grow. Have fun and enjoy the journey.

[FaridTDF]

Estoy de acuerdo contigo @KarenVChin , siempre tengo paciencia para leer tus notas sobre estos grandes acontecimientos de los Local Guides. Y también acuerdo con que es disfrutar el momento con las personas que te rodean.

[CaroGuiniazu]

@Marichams Amé este post!! Felicitaciones. Por lo general soy #latepostingteam, con muy algunas honrosas excepciones. Cuales son esas excepciones? Pues bien, hay ciertos momentos en los que me siento tan entusiasmada y emocionada por algo, que siento la necesidad de compartirlo de inmediato con la gente que quiero. Un ejemplo sería: Una foto de a punto de subir al avión que me llevaría a mi primer Connect Live, que compartí espontáneamente en Instagram.

Cuando siento esa “necesidad” repentina de compartir, me permito fluir y esos terminan siendo mis posteos más genuinos (aunque no sean los más estéticos o prolijos). Y de alguna manera, la energía con la que fueron creados, parece trascender la pantalla, ya que son los que más reacciones generan en mis seguidores.

Excelente post!! Bravo!!!

[ValeriaA]

Wow @Marichams thanks a lot for this post!

I love how you analyzed the topic and offered a description of your personal experience. I really enjoyed reading your words.

In my case, I always find it super difficult not to share what I’m living on social media just immediately as it happens. During my visit to California for Connect Live 2019, the first days I didn’t have mobile data at all, and relied only in free wifi I could find in the streets. It felt kinda “desperating” (?) not being able to upload them right away.

I’m gonna have to think about this a lot because it’s just a matter of habit and de-learning and de-constructing the idea our society (or generation) has about sharing everything ASAP.

I have a lot to learn from what I just read in your post!

Thanks again for sharing this

[isorianom]

Interesante. Pero creo que eso depende mucho del motivo del viaje. En mi caso, si viajo como periodista, ya sea independiente o en un Presstrip, me gusta ir informando a los seguidores (en la cuenta de la página), sobre el lugar que visitamos, aunque sea en las historias. Es hacer presente a nuestros seguidores durante el viaje.

Si es un Presstrip, es bueno corresponder a la invitación de la empresa/hotel/destino o rrpp, posteando sobre el viaje y utilizar el hastag que nos han indicado, ya que luego el rrpp presenta un dossier con las publicaciones digitales y de prensa. Entonces, si decido publicar la nota y fotos, meses después, probablemente se quede fuera del dossier que este presentó a la empresa. Hoy en dia, podemos demostrar el poder de los medios digitales, con las publicaciones en las redes sobre determinado viaje.

Pero entiendo y respeto tu punto de vista. Y de hecho, lo he hecho, pero en mi cuenta personal.