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BlastOut Encourages Real-time, Real World Social Engagement on a Mobile Platform

By Joy Hou - on 19 May 2014, 11:41am

BlastOut Encourages Real-time, Real World Social Engagement on a Mobile Platform

Locally developed app BlastOut is attempting to make social media more social, by using a geo-located, temporary social network which encourages real-time, real world social engagement on a social platform.

Image source: BlastOut.

The app lets you create and view content within a short range using the device’s location services, which means that the content changes as you move, and is always about the immediate physical space near you, shared by real people who are in that space as well.

You can post images with captions, and interact with other users by leaving comments or swapping contacts. They can also see lists of events that are going on near them or which are starting soon, and content that has been specifically created for them when they are within the vicinity of a relevant event.

The objective is to remove the social pressure of keeping appearances and keeping things casual, relaxed and fun for users as they share content with friends and connect with people within the closest proximity. This is done by making sure all content disappears from the network after it is no longer relevant.

BlastOut's geolocation means that businesses are able to focus on "inreach" - reaching out to people in and around their physical space by providing them with spontaneous content and connecting people who actually engage with their brand and buy their products, not just the people who talk about it.

Business owners can spontaneously advertise a 3-hour special deal offering a cheap cup of coffee for people to sit in. Create a quiz asking "What should I order?", offering a discount on the dish that suits customers' preferences best. Ask a question and get answers on the spot. Marketers will now have a social channel to push promotions, brand messages and obtain feedback from their most important customers.

BlastOut has already run successful trials at various events around Singapore, having partnered with names such as Cathay. The team behind the app is already seeding the app into more malls, cinemas, events, campuses, the MICE industry, and other social nodes. Users can go to Cathay Cineleisure and The Cathay to participate in a "Selfie of the Month" competition where the winner with the most viewed selfie will have an opportunity to win prizes and have the joy of seeing a much bigger image of themselves on one of the posters at each of these malls.

The startup also has an office in London, starting social tests there and has made plans to hit the US market as well.

The BlastOut app is available on Google Play as well as the App Store.

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