Snapchat is yet another in a seemingly endless stream of new social media apps. So, what does it do and why should you bother using it?
With over 100 million daily active users sending over 400 million ‘Snaps’ every day, it seems that Snapchat is no flash in the pan app. It’s aimed primarily at a younger audience, but that could also mean it’s ideal for keeping in touch with the grandkids.
First thing’s first: Snapchat is not like Facebook. Snapchat works by users posting ‘Snaps’, which are 10-second snippets of video or photographs. They are sent directly to your friends and are only available for 24 hours after posting.
This may seem like a waste of time, but users can be pretty creative with Snapchat. The most popular way is to create stories told in 10-second snippets. Users will take a 10-second video or an image, and piece them together over the course of a day or longer. Once the 24 hours after the first post are up, the story disappears into the ether.
Now, with introductions out of the way, here are seven simple reasons to use Snapchat.
Snapchat is fun
Instead of worrying about putting your best photo forward, you’re simply showing a snippet of your life. Because it doesn’t last for long, you shouldn’t feel as if you’ll be judged for what you snap.
It’s fun to try new things
Snapchat is a new social media tool, so have fun with it and use it in your own way. There are no rules, so play around.
It’s purely visual
You don’t have to explain what you snap – you just snap it and post it!
No likes or shares
You post your snaps and they do their thing. It may sound like a flippant use of time, but it can be incredibly liberating – almost cathartic – to post snippets of your life and not worry about what anyone thinks of them. It’s a kind of healthy release.
You can’t edit
All you do is capture an image, post it and, if you’re so inclined, decorate it with drawings, text or emojis. Then you move on to the next one.
You simply ‘cut to the chase’
You get really good practice telling 10-second stories, which can be a lot of fun and help you when you communicate outside of Snapchat. It’s good training for talking succinctly.
It’s quick and easy
As stated earlier, you capture an image, decorate it and post it – or not. It’s up to you!
Snapchat is not to be taken too seriously. It’s a quick-and-dirty social media tool that allows you to freely express yourself without worrying about what people think or how they’ll respond to your posts. It’s a cool way to keep in touch with your friends and family, whether it takes the form of a daily life journal told in snippets, funny tidbits or sharing your thoughts on something. It’s meant to be enjoyable, so why not give it a try and have some fun with it?
Let us know how you go in the comment below!
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