The GroupMe Guide

Presented by Rita M. Wiley

Overview

What is GroupMe?

About GroupMe?

Features

Where to download

Using GroupMe

Tips and Guidelines

Application to Higher Education

What is GroupMe?

“GroupMe is the best way to chat with everyone you know. It’s absolutely free, whether you’re talking to a group of friends, or texting one person. Best of all, it works on nearly everyone’s phone, via push or SMS. With GroupMe, it’s easy to reach anyone, anytime, anywhere.”

-GroupMe.com

Your groups include anyone you need to communicate with: Family, Friends, Roommates, Organizations, Coworkers, Teams, etc.

About GroupMe?

Founded as a start-up in 2010 by Jared Hecht and Steve Martocci – GroupMe.com/about

Became a member of the Skype and Microsoft family in 2011 after Skype purchased the company of upward of $83 million. -The Wall Street Journal

From 2010-2012, 4.6 million people joined the app -The Next Web

In the first two years, 550 million messages were sent per month. – The Next Web

Features

Compatible on all phone systems

Exclusive Emoji only in GroupMe

Group and Direct messaging chat through app

Ability to mute individual groups or the entire app, come back when you can check.

Share videos, photos and make your own memes from photo album or search the web straight from the app

Apple and Android App Stores

Features Continued

Facebook and Twitter Synchronization

Import contacts from phone

Receive phone notifications for chats, likes and updates if desired

No group limit, be in as many groups as you want!

Do not have to use Internet/Data/Wifi for SMS responses to phone

Apple and Android App Stores

Available to download:

Apple

Android

Blackberry

Windows Phone 7

Also available through SMS texting and online at GroupMe.com

How to use GroupMe

Click icon to add picture

Becoming a “Groupie”

*Based iPhone and iOs7 software

Starting Out

Start out by downloading the app

Next sync with Facebook, Twitter or set up an account

Start by creating a group or finding the groups your phone is already attached to!

Adding Groups

Create a group by clicking start group, and adding a group name.

Adding Groups

Add all the contacts to your group.

Type away in your newly formed group.

Creating a Meme

First, go to write a message and click on the paperclip to the left hand side

Then scroll through your photos indicated by the camera or use the “search” function.

Creating a Meme

Now you can search videos, popular gifs (internet memes) or other images. You can also type in your own topic in the search bar.

Creating a Meme

After searching and selecting the photo you would like, you can now create the meme inside the app! Click meme in the upper right hand corner.

Tap the Top, Bottom buttons to enter your text on the designated line. Next click done.

Creating a Meme

The meme creator will return you to the group conversation, and then click the paperclip button once more and the meme you created will post to the group!

Tips and Ground Rules

Establish guidelines of content and hours of activityBusiness/Work OnlySocial OnlyNo posts after (insert time) unless for emergency

Move 1:1 conversations to a private chat for courtesy of other group members

Mute responsibly to remain up to date with all information

Application to

Higher Education

Students can:

Communicate with others in their classes, especially those working on group projects, coordinate meeting times, share photos and ideas

Plan organization events and programs more easily (buying supplies, covering shifts, asking for help)

Create and build skills needed to work on a team

Disband group when finished

Possibilities are unlimited

Student Affairs Professionals can:

Schedule meetings, training sessions and provide updates when necessary (office, committee etc.)

Communicate with staff, board members (department, campus, region, and nation wide)

Plan staff a get together

Plan conference vacations and trip arrangements

Disband group when finished

Possibilities are unlimited

References

http://blog.groupme.com/tagged/announcements

https://groupme.com/

https://groupme.com/about

http://www.falconhive.com/10-chat-apps-for-iphone/

https://onwardstate.com/2013/10/07/groupme-etiquette-for-dummies/

http://techcrunch.com/2011/08/23/what-skype-really-paid-for-groupme/

http://thenextweb.com/insider/2012/07/18/groupme-has-4-6m-users-sending-550m-messages-per-month-court-documents-show/