Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Last week I posted a collage on Instagram noting some of my favorite Portland Snapchat accounts. The response was lovely and there was a lot of interest in figuring out the hottest social media platform. There is also a lot of confusion and hesitation about the video and picture channel that only allows for content to last for 24-hours, isn't curated and involves a lot of puppy faces.
What do I like to share? I often cook dinner to a playlist, weather reports, events, beauty, packages I receive, and selfies expressing my fatigue and/or excitement. Honestly, just authentic snippets of who I am.
Step 1
Get Comfortable
The biggest challenge with Snapchat is the adaptation. It is weird to hear your voice or share a talking selfie. It can feel vain and odd.
Experiment: Unless you try something, you'll never know if you like it. Your homework assignment is to spend the next 36-hours trying to Snapchat.
You won't like the sound of your voice. Even if you were a journalism major, you still won't like it. It is what it is. If something sounds overly shrill, adjust.
Try the filters. This means speeding up the video, slowing it down, adding geofilters or a puppy face. It is fun, and everyone is doing it!
Remember that: the snaps only last 24-hours. Editors or followers won't be looking back on these in 6 months. And NO ONE knows how many people have viewed said snaps. Whether one person or 1,000 fans have viewed your video, only you know that. Don't worry about how engagement is perceived. This is you, being you. You don't need anyone else's validation.
Don't worry about your brand!! Are your Instagram pictures perfectly styled and edited? Do you only post pictures of your feet with fancy tiled floors? Expand your brand and show the reality of life. Show the BTS tools necessary to pull off the perfectly crumbled muffin. Share parts of your career or personal life. If you are a health blogger showcase a workout and Netflix. Foodie? Throw in your day job!
Step 2
Have Fun & Be Yourself
If you follow scripts, edit or try for a snap more than two times, you're doing it wrong. This isn't a YouTube hair tutorial that requires precision and editing. Every snap doesn't need to be the most profound 10 second clip of all time.
Are you having a mini-dance party to beat the 3pm blues? Share that!!
Do you have an especially witty sense of humor? Share your jokes!! That thing you saw on the Max is funny!
Paint your nails every Sunday and always have the hardest time picking colors? Share that!
Been reading a page turner? Share a snap why that book is a must-read!
Step 3
Layer, Layer, Layer
Brevity is key when it comes to Snapchat. To get the most out of a 12-second post add filters (temperature, location), the drawing feature and text to layer in additional information to get the message across.
I also like to use music to get my message across. It is amazing how often Ace of Base lyrics apply. And this is especially helpful if you aren't quite comfortable speaking yet.
Now go and snap!! My username is MereCDavison or you can grab my snapcode up top. Get your snap on and come back Thursday for my Do's and Don'ts!!
I feel like such a nerd watching a YouTube video about social media. I'm so old!
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