Creating a group? Easy.  Finding a way for the whole group to join the first time you ask?  Not quite as easy.

We’ve learned a lot of things during our Blastogo-ing (what works, what doesn’t and everything in between).  Here are the easy steps for getting a large group of people to join your group:

1. Have the leaders join first (ex. if you’re in a frat or sorority, get the EC to join the group and try it out so they feel confident about blasting)

2. When your group is all together, walk people through the process.  Literally, ask everyone to take out their phones and follow it at the same time.

Works like a charm!

Subway lovers in New Zealand have the option to text in their order to Subway.

The Subway website has a list of codes you can text to a short code phone number who will have your sandwich when you arrive to pick it up.  I’m a firm believer in food going this direction, but the process Subway is using seems a little bit complicated.  Someone must have realized this if they haven’t rolled it out in the US yet.

You have to access the “code” list online, and type in the codes for: the location, the type of bread you want, the type of sub you want, type of cheese and then all the other goodies. 

The bad news?  Your text looks like this: ad9so3nkpnbqr

The good news?  You can save your favorite sandwich with Subway and simply text “Fav” after the first time.

It sounds more complicated than walking into a subway and ordering the old fashioned way, or ordering online.

Thoughts?

Live Arts has jumped on the Blastogo bandwagon with their annual Gala event.  Last week Charlottesville gathered for the 17th Annual Live Arts Gala.  

Followers of the Live Arts Blastogo group were sent a Blastogo message before the event, offering them pre-sale ticket prices at the door on the night of the event.

Text “follow livearts” to 32075 for more great offers from Live Arts during the year!

AP reported last week that Salvation Army workers out of Atlanta will be using texts to help them raise money this year.

I rarely carry cash and always have my cell phone attached to my hand.  If you’re like me, the new system will be a great way to contribute.

Starting Nov. 14, you can text “TSA” (the salvation army) to 90999 and a $5 charge will be added to your cell phone bill. 

Donations go to basic neccessities, clothing, food and toys to families in need.  This is a quick and easy way to donate a little bit of money to those in need. 

You can also donate frequent flyer miles or start your own Kettle Campaign at www.salvationarmyusa.org.

The most frequently asked question we get- What do I do when my phone says I can’t send text messages to 32075?

Chances are your plan has blocked our “short code” phone number by default so you can’t buy crappy ringtones or your daily horoscope.  All you need to do is call your phone company and tell them to “turn on messaging to short codes”. 

If you’re on a plan with your parents, they’ll probably need to make that phone call, just promise them you won’t be buying the “joke of the day”.  Tempting, I know.

As you’re party-hopping this weekend, remember to “update at” your location and find your friends!  You can also text “view location” (ex. “view ThetaDelt”) to see a list of your friends at that location.

Happy Halloween from Blastogo!  Have a fun and safe weekend.

As Blastogo continues to grow, we want to make sure you’re getting the most out of Blastogo!  Here are a few of our tips:

1. Create groups with easy names. The easier the group name, the easier it is for people to remember to join your group.

2. Keep groups specific and create as many as you want. When part of your blast group signs up to play an intermural sport, create a group specific to your team!

3. Show your friends how to join Blastogo. Create a group from your phone and have friends you’re with join to show them how easy it is!

4. Update your location. When you and friends update your locations, you can see where all of them are instantly!

5. Add Friends. With holiday season approaching, groups for school and for your friends at home can keep everyone in touch!

Happy Texting!

We’re big fans of Cville kickball.  The Charlottesville Sports and Social Club has been using Blastogo for months to send “we need 2 more people or we have to forefit” blasts, or “let’s grab a burger after the game”.

They’ve now created a weather-line for the teams.  Players can join the group to get weekly blasts about field conditions before their games.  Just another example of how Blastogo can make life a little bit easier!

We created a Facebook group today called “I don’t return phone calls, BLAST ME”

You can join the group here!

A few months ago, service providers raised the rate for individual text messages from $.10 to $.20.  At that rate, why not buy an unlimited plan?  It seems like everyone text messages.  My parents both text me on a daily basis…I even, on occasion, get a text from my 86-year-old grandmother.

I think my unlimited text plan is only $10 a month.  I think the 500 message plan would be around $7 anyways.  At this point with cell phones…isn’t it time to take the unlimited plunge? 

How many of you aren’t on an unlimited texting plan?