DAY 6: Why I’m trading SnapChat accounts with Austin Iuliano || #StrubSnapSwaps

From Feb. 27 to April 16, Chris Strub will trade his SnapChat account with 50 different SnapChatters from around the globe. Add ChrisStrub on SnapChat to meet them all. During the 50 days, a portion of the proceeds from sales of Chris’s book will go to the nonprofits Chris visited during the #TeamStrub 50-state, 100-day journey. See the full list of NPOs that Chris visited here. On March 3, the nonprofit beneficiary will be the Jackson, Ms. YMCA.

If Gary Vaynerchuk is the most bullish thinker on Snapchat right now, Austin Iuliano might be number two.

I follow hundreds of people on SC, but my friend Austin — who joined the platform about a month ago, if that — has charged his way to having a terrific, interactive and engaged growing audience faster than almost anyone I’ve ever seen.

Austin practically lives on Snapchat these days (just ask his girlfriend, Emelina). And for the SC community, that’s a good thing, because Austin has brought immense value in all of his contributions.

By studying the best, thinking creatively and, most importantly, valuing each and every relationship he’s made on the platform, Austin has gone from totally green rookie to Snapchat pro in a matter of mere weeks.

But this isn’t a young man who caught my attention as I was planning this Snapchat project — no no. I value my friendship with Austin not because of any catchy tips he’s Snapped, nor any retweets, nor anything else he’s done via social media.

During my 50-state, 100-day trip around the United States last summer, I stopped at home on Long Island for a day of rest and to work with an organization in my hometown. As I headed back west through New York City — with my Dad, who was heading to a follow-up appointment for his liver cancer surgery (and he is now cancer-free!) — I carved out some time to stop in Manhattan to meet a few NYC live-streamers.

My Dad and I were greeted by Santos, one of the kindest and coolest members of the Meerkat community, and waiting right alongside Santos when I arrived was Austin Iuliano.

It was a pleasure meeting the gang in Manhattan, because we were only initially “meeting” in person — in fact, everyone there knew quite a bit about everyone else, because of the accessibility enabled by Meerkat and Periscope.

And Austin knew plenty about my quest, my adventure, my “hustle” (drink!), if you will. Austin had truly invested in building a relationship with me over time, and it was that two hours or so in Manhattan, when he chose to come hang out with us, that permanently placed him in my good graces.

Relationship building matters. The little moments matter. And, moreso than all of that, showing up in person and being there for people matters.

I will always value and appreciate those who support me, especially those who do so early on. Austin Iuliano was there for me early on. Turns out the little moments do matter.

Austin, I’m thrilled to swap accounts with you on Wednesday and to have you share such moments with my Snapchat audience; I’m honored to have the chance to meet yours as well.

Most importantly, I’m glad you’ve agreed to represent the Jackson, Ms. YMCA, a wonderful organization in northern Mississippi where I met some really fantastic kids — and made my first television news appearance of the trip (pre-trip press notwithstanding).

Austin and I have some fun ideas planned for this day, so be sure to tune in. See you there!