If you follow me on Snapchat (username: aliciatenise), you’ve probably been able to figure out that it is my absolute favorite social platform because of how much I use it! Sorry Instagram, sorry Twitter, sorry Facebook, but this quirky new medium has won me over!
I still meet a lot of folks who are still hesitant to sign up for it, and plenty of bloggers who prefer to keep their accounts private. However, I think it’s a ridiculously valuable tool and here’s why I think you should add it into the mix if you haven’t already!
Readers get to know the real you
Out of all the social platforms, I think Snapchat is where my readers really get to know me the best. Sometimes it’s hard as a blogger to come off as a real person and not as a robot. My Snapchat is where you can see the real me: the good, the bad, the ugly. I share my highlights and lowlights of life pretty candidly, but I also joke around a lot on the platform and just have fun with it!
It’s the most relaxed platform
Who else lowkey hates how curated you have to be on Instagram? On Insta, I spend quite a bit of time editing pics, making sure it fits in my feed, and scheduling content at ideal times to reach the most users. On Snapchat my friends, you don’t have to do any of that! It’s a lot more laid back of a platform, so you don’t have to be so meticulous with composition and filters, and a snap story only lasts a day so within 24 hours, a lot of users are bound to check your feed at some point.
It will be a major advertising platform in the future
You might have spotted a few ad campaigns on Snapchat already. I have a feeling this will be a trend that will continue, and if you’re looking for a new way to monetize your blog, this is a fantastic option! My Snapchat following is included in my media kit, and it’s another platform that adds to your overall social reach. I haven’t accepted an ad campaign just yet, but once I do so, I would plan on using it sparingly.
Now that I’ve possibly convinced you to sign up, how on earth do you use Snapchat to benefit your blog?
- Give them heads up about your new content. If I have a new post, something cool going on on Insta, or have been featured somewhere, I’ll share a quick Snap to direct readers to the new content. Believe it or not, I see a small spike in website traffic whenever I hint to new posts. Super easy way to get the word out and remind folks to head to your blog!
- Share behind-the-scenes looks at photoshoots, blog events and more. I’m notorious for Snapping an event rather than gramming it, so readers can check out what new store openings, media previews and menu tastings I’ve been able to check out on a whim. I’ll also share some pretty funny behind the scenes looks at how I produce blog content (AKA my sad white posterboard I always take photos on, and when I work with my photographer to shoot five looks in one day!)
- Produce exclusive content. Have a makeup or hair tutorial? Want to show folks how to edit in Lightroom? Doing a Q and A session? Give your readers content they won’t be able to find on other platforms to entice them!
- Be a human being. I still have a mix of personal friends and blog readers on Snap, so I try not to bombard my feed with blog promotions only. I share my pizza cravings, late night McDonald’s runs, and me jamming out in my car. Oh and puppies. A lot of random people’s puppies. Don’t be afraid to ~be yourself~ cause people will love you for keepin’ it real!
Still need some inspiration for Snapchat? Here are a few of my favorite snappers (some of these are celebs, too!):
- Haute Off The Rack (hauteofftherack)
- Chrissy Tiegen (chrissytiegen)
- Color Me Courtney (xocourtneyquinn)
- Poor Little It Girl (poorlilitgirl)
- DJ Khaled (djkhaled305) (OK well, duh, everyone loves DJ Khaled on Snap, amirite???)
Great tips! At the moment I currently have two snapchats b/c I couldn’t figure out whether or not I wanted to merge my personal feed with my blogger/vlogger snapchat. I’m starting to use the blogger one way more and these tips definitely sway me towards that!
India | IndiaHillWrites.com
MAJOR major props for balancing two accounts, you’re my hero haha! I know you’ll kill the Snapchat game!
I love these tips! I just recently started snapping and I love it! I love how relaxed it is! I am checking out some of these accounts for sure!
thank you logan! right, isn’t it such a fun platform?
I have thought about if I wanted to use snapchat for my blog but I’m still not sure…a lot of the time I just use it to talk to my sister lol or if a good song cones on at the bar lol this is, great advice I think I’ll consider it more now
it took a while to get used to using it personally vs. using it for the blog, but i found that my readers loved my personal snaps so much, haha! they’ll love you!
I’ve been trying to decide if I want to use snapchat or not, and I think your guidelines are exactly what I’d like to do with it. Great post!
Lifestyle by Joules
yay, i hope you love it! good luck with the snapping endeavors!
Thank you for posting this! I’m pinning.
thank you for the pin mary!
i have been debating using snapchat for my blog but i think for my brand periscope would be a better fit. i can see the appeal for you and others though
yup, if your audience isn’t on it, might not be a fit for you! it’s super great for millenials, which makes up most of my audience, so it works well for me!
Snapchat has been my favorite lately! I love how pressure free and real it is!
same, it’s my absolute most favorite platform!
I follow most of these people too!
I love seeing Courtney’s frenchie — it’s too cute 🙂
I really need to get more into SC.
xoxo, Jenny
woohoo! good luck getting more into it!
This is an awesome idea. Snapchat is the only platform that I don’t currently use for my blog and I think I need to start.
All the Best,
Allison | http://www.LiveLifeWellBlog.com
tell me how it goes! good luck!
I’ve tested Snapchat when it became a “thing”, but couldn’t get used to it. I think it just doesn’t suit me as a person…or maybe I need more time 😉
it’s really if your audience is on it…some people’s aren’t, i know for a huge fact that mine is really on it! i like being an “early adopter”
I have tried but only managed a day on it. Not my kinda of thing….That’s what I said about Instagram too…
http://www.itsallbee.com
if your audience is on it, might be a good idea to be an early adopter now!
Great tips! I need to be better at using SnapChat!!
I’m obsessed with Snapchat (ephilli)! I love Cupcakes and Cashmere’s account (e.schuman) too becuase she uses a lot of different techniques vs. just snap a photo, regular text or video. Looking forward to connecting on there!
Erin, Attention To Darling Blog
http://www.attentiontodarling.com
Yes! Love snapshat. I’m still in love with insta, but it’s becoming such a perfectionist platform. Snapping is so much more relaxed and fun.
Yes! I must start making the most of it. x
http://www.theprettycitygirl.com/
Omg I really should
Try snap again! The first time I made an account within 2 hours I got a snap famous “dick pic” lol…. Not exactly what I was wanting lol
Just wanted you to know you inspired me to make my snapchat more a part of my blog! (I’d been using it with friends for a while but now I want to do more behind the scenes blog stuff!)