As our final project in COM 435, Communication and Emerging Technologies, we were asked to create a step-by-step blog/ tutorial explaining how to use a new social media. I will be explaining how to use GroupMe, a social media program that allows people to have group conversations. These conversations are accessible through texts (on both smartphones and easy use phones), and can also be accessed on the GroupMe webpage or GroupMe app. This media is ideal for event planning, team projects, work partnerships, and for organizing family/friend group events. For this project I will be focusing on how to create a GroupMe account and how to get started with the program on your computer.

Personally, I use GroupMe frequently. It allows me to keep in constant contact with the other members of my internship. In this way we can have organized discussions outside of our meeting time. We are also able to use it as a social network, as we are able arrange meetings and social outings. GroupMe also comes in handy on show days, days that we run concerts that we have planned, as it gives us a way to distribute tasks, communicate orders, and keep track of everything going on. The only issue I’ve had with GroupMe was on an easy use phone. My phone would announce each text individually — which became a problem when everyone would send multiple texts. This eventually caused my phone to shut down. Since then I have traded my easy use phone in for a smart phone, I no longer have any problems with GroupMe.

Let’s begin by exploring how to create a GroupMe account:

First, you will want to go to http://www.groupme.com.

Here you’ll see three buttons — “Check it out” on the bottom, “Get the App” in the middle, and “Log In” in the top right corner.

GroupMe brings group text messaging to every phone. Group message with the people in your life that are important to you. GroupMe is a free group messaging app. It’s a simple way to stay in touch with friends and family. GroupMe works on Windows, Android, iOS, and the Web, so you can stay in touch on the go. Even your friends without smartphones can join; add anyone from your address book, and they can jump right in and chat with the group. The best way to get involved in any of our projects is to email Alex Bajzer.3@osu.edu to be added to the email list. Also, it is a great idea to join our club's groupme as well as the specific project's groupme. The link to each project's groupme can be found under current projects! 29,558 likes 59 talking about this. GroupMe from Microsoft is the easiest way to stay connected to all the groups in your life.

Select “Log In”.

Once on this page, you will more options to “log in”, “log in with Facebook”, or “Register with GroupMe”. In order to open an account you will need to select “Register with GroupMe” This will bring you a standard registration page where you will be asked to enter your email.

At this point it is recommended that you sign up using the email you use most. This will make it easier to keep track of, something especially important when using GroupMe to interact with team members or friends.

Here you will be asked a few simple questions including your full name and password. Once again it is important to use your real name if you intend to use this program in a professional setting.

After you fill out the information requested by GroupMe, you will be asked to read their “Terms of Service”. After doing so you will check the box on the lower left and click the green button/”Next!”

The next step before your account is open is to add your phone number. In doing so you will enable GroupMe to access you through texts /SMS. This will enable your team members to keep in contact with you, something that will be discussed in more detail later.

After selecting “Send SMS” as seen in the screenshot above, you will be redirected to a page that says to expect a text in the next 5+ minutes. This text will contain your GroupMe pin, which you will enter in the circled area. Once done, you will be able to select “Verify Your Phone Number”.

Congratulations! You have officially set up a GroupMe account! From here, I will take you through creating a group. As you can see I am currently a member of two groups, both used for my internship. To create your own group select “Start Group”, under the “Your Groups Page.

Here, you will be given several options. First, you will choose a name, suggestions can be seen on the right. Second, you may choose your members by typing in their name, phone or email and selecting “Add”. As you can see, you will already be added as a member to any group you create.

On the same page you will be able to chose an image as your Group Aviator (This is an image everyone in the group will see and be represented by). Finally, you will be able to select “Create Group” — You have officially made your first group on GroupMe!

Using your group page:

Now that you have a group page you will be able to interact with those added. On the bottom of the page is a text box. Use this to write to your team — when you are not using your phone or app.

In the top middle white box there is a up to date board, which will include your texts/photos. This program also features a “Like” or “Heart” function. This can be accessed on each post by selecting the grey heart outline. Once this feature is activated, the heart will turn red and keep a running count of how many others like each post.

*** These texts/photos will also be seen on your connected phone, allowing you to be active, or on the go while keeping in touch with your team. This is ideal for jobs that require participation outside of the office.

On the webpage you will also be given the choice of editing your “Notifications” and “Gallary”. These will be the final steps in this tutorial.

First, lets select “Notifications”. Here you will be able to select your alerts — if you would like notifications sent to your phone or not. You will also be given the option to set your group to office mode. This means that notifications will not be sent to group members in order to minimize distractions during the work day.

Now, select the “Gallery” option. Here you will be able to insert photos to the group, personalizing the your GroupMe experience. This is also a great option for sending out data or charts.

Congratulations! You have officially created your very own GroupMe account and group! Feel free to explore the program even more by returning to the main page (www.groupme.com) in order to download the app for your phone.

GroupMe

💬 Rundown

GroupMe is a free group messaging app that works on just about everything — you don’t even need the app to use it! You can do everything from sending messages to scheduling events and even sending money or documents. You can use the app with Windows, iOS, Android, the web, and even SMS (texting), too. GroupMe is helpful for groups with a common task or purpose, like discussing class material with classmates 📚.

📲 Students are using GroupMe positively by:

• Connecting with friends, classmates, and teammates
• Laughing 😂 over funny messages, videos, and gifs
• Asking questions about class content and learning from classmates
• Keeping each other on track with class deadlines
• Muting chats that are distracting/bothering them🔇

⁉️ Students are tripping up on GroupMe by:

• Becoming guilty by association by staying part of chats where others cross the line
• Avoiding standing up to someone who talks trash about another person or people
• Cheating by asking classmates about test material or exchanging homework answers
• Sending inappropriate content
• Bullying others by removing them from the group
• Feeling the need to always be “on” due to FOMO (fear of missing out)

💵 Buying stuff in GroupMe

• You can purchase premium emoji packs through the Emoji Store on GroupMe.

⚠️ Features to be aware of in GroupMe

• You can message someone one-on-one through a Direct Message (DM).
• GroupMe is known for its large selection of GIFs and emojis — some of which you can buy inside the app, and some of which are adult-themed.
• There’s no way to delete past posts, and though you can hide messages on your device, they are hidden only on your device.
• Link your Facebook and Twitter accounts to GroupMe to connect with the people you are friends with on those platforms (or just log in to GroupMe via Facebook to do so automatically).
• Create a poll to gather ideas or opinions from your classmates.
• Create an event through the calendar feature and send invites to the group.
• Send your location or the location of your favorite places 🗺️ to trusted individuals only.

👍 Players in action

• A group of students who met at Harvard’s Summer Venture in Management Program started a GroupMe before leaving and have used it to stay in touch ever since “Whenever I need interview tips, resume edits, general career advice or simply a good laugh, I turn to the GroupMe. The chat is active every day, with everyone always quick to offer help and support.”
• Moneta-Kai Price, a senior at Rutgers University, had trouble finding other black students on the New Brunswick campus, so he started a GroupMe for black students. It's now a sounding board for events, community, and activism.
• When student involvement was down at his college, Travis Peterson used GroupMe as a means of bringing Plattsburgh State students together.

According to GroupMe’s Terms of Use, you must be 18 or older unless you get parental consent. The App store, however, says that you can download the app if you’re 4 or older.

🏆 Winning moves

Groupmey

• If you’re using GroupMe through SMS, accept an invitation to be a part of a group by responding to one of the first few messages. If you don’t respond, GroupMe assumes you’re not interested and bumps you from the group.
• You can do a lot when you click on the plus sign ➕ or 📎 paperclip icon (depending on which device you’re using) in a group chat, including add a calendar event, create a poll, make a meme, and share a file, image, or video.
• Take the high road 🚙 if a group message goes southand people start making inappropriate comments. Remove yourself from the chat or respond with something like “Come on, not cool.”
• You cannot delete anything you share in GroupMe. Ever. The memes, messages, photos, videos and everything else you send reflect your character and can impact your future.
• A word about memes: Memes can get snarky, fast, so double-check both your intent and your final product. And remember: You cannot delete anything you share in GroupMe. Ever.
• If, for some reason, you must use GroupMe on your phone in the dark, use the Dark Theme to help save your eyeballs.

💪 Strong settings

• If everyone in a group decides they don’t want to be notified of new messages, enable Office Mode to turn off notifications for the entire group. This must be done in a web browser.
• Give yourself some quiet time (don’t let your device tell you when to pick it up!). Turn off notifications from one group in that group’s Settings. Turn off all notifications from all groups in your GroupMe global settings.
• Give yourself a break (from harassers or bullies) by blocking 🚫 them. Find their name in Contacts and choose Block.
• Change your mind about the whole GroupMe thing? Delete the app on the web or in the app itself. Detailed instructions are here. But note: People can still invite you to a group through SMS. So, to opt-out of all GroupMe possibilities, text #STOP to any group number.

🙌 More resources

Groupme Support Chat

• “GroupMe: What professors have to say” in The Signal
• The Social Institute'sSeven Social Standards