Have you started using Snapchat, and are you wondering How to Use Snapchat in 2023?
Don’t worry. It’s simple and easy ????
You need a little focus and be ready to go.
Shall we begin 🙂
Are you excited to expand your business by connecting with Snapchat-loving millennials and Gen-Zers?
Let me help you learn how to use Snapchat to its fullest potential, increasing brand engagement, awareness, and revenue.
Don’t worry; I’ll be here to guide you through every step of this exciting journey!
What is Snapchat?
Snapchat is this super cool visual social media platform where you can share short-lived pictures and videos with others.
Launched in 2011 and introducing the Stories feature in 2013, Snapchat has soared to the top of social media.
Like Shakira’s hips, Snapchat’s stats don’t lie. As of July 2021, it boasts 293 million daily active users, an impressive 23% growth yearly.
With Snapchat, you can record and share live videos, find friends on a captivating map, and even dive into augmented reality (AR). How awesome is that?
Innovative features set Snapchat apart, making it a unique tool for entrepreneurs and everyday users.
No doubt about it, Snapchat has claimed its place among the social media titans, even though Millennials and Gen-Zers mainly make up its user base.
Snapchat features and terminology
Snapchat has incredible features designed to boost audience engagement and elevate brand awareness.
But before we dive in, let’s explore some essential Snapchat lingo together.
Snap
From the beginning, a Snap has been a picture or video you share with one or more friends via the app.
Video snaps can be up to 60 seconds long (called Long Snaps).
Staying true to Snapchat’s original purpose, the platform doesn’t store any photo or video content—instead, it erases content once the recipient has seen the Snap.
Stories
Stories let you share Snaps with all your Snapchat pals at once.
They hang out on the app for 24 hours and then disappear.
If you’re keen on saving your Story, it’s easy—download it to your device’s camera roll or keep it safe in Memories.
Custom Stories
With Custom Stories, you and your buddies from your friends list can team up to create shared Stories. It’s a fun way to collaborate and connect!
Snapstreak
A Snapstreak (or just Streak) counts the number of days you and a friend exchange Snaps in a row.
You’ll notice a flame emoji next to your friend’s name and a number showing how long you’ve kept that Streak alive.
It’s a fun way to stay connected!
Filter
Snapchat filters are a blast, letting you add a little extra flair to your Snaps with overlays or special effects.
These filters can vary depending on special events, holidays, your location, or even the time of day.
Get ready to spice up your Snaps!
Snapchat Lenses
Lenses bring the magic of AR to Snapchat.
They let you add 3D special effects, objects, and characters to your photos or videos.
The cool thing about Lenses is that you use them while taking a Snap, unlike filters added afterward.
Time to get creative!
Geofilter
Geofilters, like Filters, are tied to your current location.
To use them, you’ll need to enable location services in Snapchat.
Want something more personal?
You can create a custom Geofilter at just $5—perfect for boosting brand awareness or highlighting an event.
Let’s get those Geofilters going!
Snapcode
Snapcodes are these cool, QR-style codes that make adding friends or accessing features and content on Snapchat a breeze.
Every user gets their own Snapcode, and you can even create extra Snapcodes that link to any website you want.
It’s a super convenient way to connect and share!
Chat
Chat is Snapchat’s take on instant messaging for one-on-one and group conversations.
The neat part?
Messages vanish once they’ve been seen, keeping your chats fresh and spontaneous!
Memories
Memories let you save your Snaps and Stories for a trip down memory lane later instead of letting them fade away.
Imagine Snapchat Memories as your digital photo album, ready for a nostalgic peek whenever you like!
Friends
Friends on Snapchat are those special folks you’ve added (or who’ve added you!) You can share your Snaps, Stories, and other excellent content with this circle of friends.
Time to create and share some memories together!
Discover
Discover this fantastic Snapchat space where brands get to share Stories with the app’s vast user base.
It’s the perfect spot for businesses, publishers, and content creators aiming to boost engagement and raise brand awareness.
Get ready to make your mark!
Snap Map
Snap Map is this cool feature that shows where you and all your friends are on a map.
You can even explore Snaps submitted to Snap Map from all around the world! And don’t worry—if you’d rather keep your location private, you can always switch to Ghost Mode.
Happy exploring!
You see this video to learn more about Ghostmode.
Context Cards
Context Cards work with Snapchat’s partners to give you extra info about a place mentioned in a Snap or even let you take actions like hailing a ride or reserving a dinner table.
Swipe up on a Snap or Story to access these handy Context Cards.
It’s like having a personal concierge right in your app!
Bitmoji
A Bitmoji is your personalized cartoon avatar that showcases your unique style.
You can customize it in the Snapchat app, adding a touch of personality to your profile and account.
Cameo
Snapchat Cameos are fun, animated gifs you can customize with your face and send to friends—definitely not the same as the celebrity messaging app!
Spotlight
Spotlight is Snapchat’s hub for sharing video content with a wider audience.
Similar to TikTok and Instagram Reels, Spotlight lets you post 60-second videos to the app’s dedicated section. It’s the perfect place to share your best content, hoping to go viral.
Snapcash
Snapcash, powered by Square, offers a quick, free, and easy way to send money to friends using the Snapchat app.
How to set up a Snapchat for Business Account
To run marketing campaigns on Snapchat, you’ll need a Snapchat business account.
Don’t worry, the process is simple, and I’m here to help you through it.
1. Download the free Snapchat app
Head to the App Store (for Apple iOS) or Google Play Store (for Android) and download the app to your device.
2. Create a regular Snapchat account
Before creating a business account, follow these steps for a regular account:
- Open Snapchat and tap Sign Up. Enter your first and last name, then tap Sign up & Accept.
- Enter your birthday and tap Continue.
- Create a company-representative username. Snapchat will suggest alternatives if your choice is taken. Choose wisely, as you can’t change your username without creating a new account. Tap Continue.
- Set your password and tap Continue.
- Provide your email address and tap Continue.
- Input your phone number and tap Continue. Snapchat will send a verification code to your mobile phone. Enter this when prompted, and Snapchat will verify your account.
3.Sign up for a Business Account
Now that your personal Snapchat profile is ready, it’s time to register a Business Account.
Just follow these easy steps:
- Visit the Snapchat Ads landing page on your device or computer.
- Tap “Create an account” and you’ll land on the next screen.
- Since you already have an account, tap “Log In” at the top and enter your username or email and password.
- Fill in your business name, email address, and your name. Then, tap “Next.”
- Add your primary business location.
Voila! You’re all set to use Snapchat for marketing.
Navigating Snapchat
If you’re used to other social media apps, you’ll find Snapchat navigation a breeze.
But in case you need some guidance, we’ve broken down each screen, their purpose, and how to access them.
You’ll be a Snapchat pro in no time!
Camera Screen
The Camera Screen is like your home base. From here, you can take and send Snaps, and access other parts of the app:
- Swipe left for the Chat Screen.
- Swipe right for the Stories Screen.
- Swipe up for the Memories Screen.
- Swipe down for the Search Screen.
A toolbar on the right side of the Camera Screen lets you control camera settings, like flash, switching cameras, setting a timer, adjusting focus, and adding a grid for precise Snapping.
Chat Screen
The Chat Screen is where you connect with friends.
You can chat, view Snaps they’ve sent, edit your friends list, and make audio or video calls.
How to use Snapchat’s Chat feature
Snapchat’s Chat lets you connect with friends one-on-one or in group chats.
Individual chat messages disappear once you both leave the conversation, while group messages vanish after 24 hours.
Want to save a message?
Press and hold it.
Just remember, others in the chat will see that you’ve saved it, as the message background turns gray.
How to chat with one friend
To chat with a friend, tap their name on the Chat Screen, or tap the blue icon in the bottom right and choose the friend you want to chat with.
Starting a group chat
To chat with multiple friends, tap the blue icon in the bottom right, select friends for your group chat, and then tap “Chat.”
How to add friends on Snapchat
Snapchat without friends is like going to a party and being the only person in the room—dullsville!
To get the most out of Snapchat, you’ll need to add new friends.
You can add people you know from your contacts, but Snapchat gets a whole lot more engaging when you branch out a little.
Here’s how:
Add by Snapcode
To add a friend using Snapcode, simply open Snapchat, point the Snapchat camera over the other user’s Snapcode, then tap Add Friend.
Add by Name
On Snapchat, you can search for and add friends by their real name or username.
Tap the magnifying glass on the top left of the Chat Screen, and type in who you’re looking for.
Then, if they’re using Snapchat (and have a public profile), you can add them as a friend.
Quick Add
Snapchat’s Quick Add feature is similar to suggested contacts on other social media apps.
The feature suggests people you may want to connect with based on your mutual contacts, as well as the contacts on your phone.
To use the Quick Add feature, open the Chat Screen, and a list of users will appear in the lower half.
Tap the +Add button next to the user you want to add as a friend.
You may not see names suggested in Quick Add until you have started to build up your Snapchat network.
How to accept a friend request on Snapchat
When another user sends you a friend request on Snapchat, you have to accept it before you are connected.
To accept a friend request,
- Open Snapchat and tap on the Profile circle on the top left of the screen
- Tap Added Me.
- Tap the + button next to your friend’s username to accept their friend request
Profile screen
Tap the icon with your Bitmoji (if set up) in the upper right corner of the Camera Screen to access your Profile Screen.
Here, you’ll find your account info, Bitmoji, location on the Map, Story management, and more.
Stories Screen
Swipe right to access the Stories Screen.
You’ll see your Stories, friends’ Stories, and Stories from brands and creatives in the Discover section.
To move through Stories, tap the screen, and it’ll automatically go to the next Snap.
When a Story ends, Snapchat moves to the next one.
Simple!
Need more help?
We’ve detailed how to create a Snapchat Story further down this post.
Memories Screen
Who doesn’t enjoy reminiscing about precious moments?
With Snapchat’s Memories feature, you can swipe up from the camera screen to revisit past Snaps and Stories.
Browse through your Snaps, Stories, Camera Roll, and private Snaps using the main menu at the top of the screen.
How to use Snapchat Memories
Snapchat Memories lets you save Snaps and Stories for later viewing or reposting.
Save any Snap to Memories by tapping the Save button, or set all Snaps to save to Memories by default.
Open Snapchat and swipe up or tap the small circle below the capture button to access Memories.
Map Screen
One of the coolest Snapchat features is Snap Map.
Explore this screen for various options:
My Bitmoji
Bitmoji showcases your personality.
Update your Bitmoji on Snap Map to reflect your current activity, like dancing at a club or sipping coffee at a café.
Places
Discover what’s happening around you by tapping the Places icon at the bottom of the Map screen.
Access details like opening hours, popular visiting times, and contact information.
Send place recommendations to friends.
Friends
Find your friends on the Snap Map, see places they’ve visited, and engage with Snaps from different locations worldwide.
Search Screen
Swipe down on the camera screen or tap the magnifying glass in the top left corner to access the Search screen.
Search Snapchat, play games, quickly add friends, and discover trending content.
Spotlight Screen
Tap the triangle icon on the Camera screen’s lower menu to access the Spotlight Screen. Engage with short viral videos from across the platform.
- Tap the heart button to favorite a Spotlight video
- Tap the arrow button to send a Spotlight video to a friend
- Tap the three dots button to subscribe to the creator’s content or report inappropriate content
How to Create a Snap
Viewing Snaps is fun, but creating your own is even better.
Snapchat opens directly to the camera screen, so you’re ready to start Snapping.
1.Take a Picture or Video
Tap the round capture button at the bottom of the screen to take a picture.
Hold the capture button down to record a video, and a red marker will appear.
You can record up to 10 seconds of video in one Snap or multiple Snaps totaling 60 seconds.
Switch to the front-facing camera by tapping the square arrows icon or double-tapping the screen.
If you’re not happy with the photo or video, tap the X icon to discard and try again.
Get creative
After taking your Snap, unleash your creative side by using various tools and filters to enhance your Snap.
Creative Tools
The following creative tools are available on the right of your screen:
- Caption (T icon): Add text with bold, italics, or underline styles. Mention friends using the @ symbol.
- Doodle (pencil icon): Draw on your Snap. Change brush color and size, or tap the heart icon to draw with emojis.
- Stickers (square icon resembling a sticky note): Add stickers from Snapchat’s library.
- Scissors (scissors icon): Select any part of a Snap to create a custom sticker for current or future use.
- Music (music note icon): Add songs to your Snap. Browse playlists, search for artists/songs, and edit the music snippet.
- Link (paperclip icon): Attach a URL to your Snap. Friends can swipe up to access the linked webpage.
- Crop (two right angles icon): Crop or zoom your Snap.
- Timer (stopwatch icon): Set the Snap’s duration (up to 10 seconds) or choose the infinity symbol for unlimited viewing.
You can also add filters and lenses (more on this below).
Send Your Snap
Once your Snap is ready, click the yellow Send To arrow icon at the bottom right of the screen.
Select recipients by checking boxes next to their names.
Add your Snap to your Story and Snap Map as well.
The app will then take you to the Chat Screen.
Repeat the process for sending multiple Snaps, which your friend will receive in the order sent.
How to View a Snap
Now that you know how to create and send a Snapchat, here’s how to view Snaps:
- Swipe right from the camera screen to open the Chat screen.
- Icons next to usernames indicate the type of message sent:
- Blue: Chat message with no Snap attached
- Red: Snap or multiple Snaps without audio
- Purple: Snap or multiple Snaps with audio
- Tap the message to open it. View multiple Snaps in sequence, with the outer ring of the timer showing the time left. Tap to skip to the next message or swipe down to exit.
- Replay the Snap by tapping and holding your friend’s name, then tapping the Snap. Don’t leave the Friends screen, or you won’t be able to replay the Snap.
- Screenshot Snaps by using your phone’s regular method. Snapchat will notify the sender.
Note: Set up push notifications for new Snaps.
How to Create Snapchat Stories
A Snapchat Story is a collection of Snaps from the past 24 hours.
By default, your Story is visible to all friends, who can view Snaps as many times as they like.
Limit your Story’s audience by changing privacy settings.
How to Create and Edit Your Story
Add Snaps to Your Story
Create a Snap following the instructions above, then tap the Story button at the bottom left of your screen.
Finally, tap Add to include the Snap in your Story.
Delete a Snap from Your Story
From the camera screen, tap the circular icon in the top left of the screen (displaying your most recent Snap).
Then tap My Story.
Tap any Snap to view it, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and tap Delete Snap.
Save Your Story
Since your Story is a rolling archive of the past 24 hours, save it for longer access.
From the camera screen, tap the profile icon, then tap the download button next to My Story to save it to Memories or your camera roll.
See Who Viewed Your Story
Tap the eye icon on any Snap within a Story to see who viewed it.
Note: View tracking is only available while the Story is live.
Once it disappears, so does the view tracking.
How to View Someone’s Story
From the camera screen, tap the Stories icon in the bottom right corner.
You’ll see a list of contacts who have updated their Stories.
To view a Story, tap your friend’s username.
While viewing a Story, you can:
- Tap to advance to the next Snap
- Tap the left side of the screen to return to the previous Snap
- Swipe left to skip to the next Story
- Swipe right to return to the previous Story
- Swipe down to exit the Story
- Swipe up to start a Chat with your friend
How to Create a Custom Story
Create a shared Story with friends.
Custom Stories can contain up to 1,000 Snaps and last as long as someone adds a Snap every 24 hours.
- From the camera screen, tap the Profile icon in the top left corner.
- Tap + New Story on the top right.
- Choose to create a Custom Story.
How to Use Snapchat Lenses
Make your Snaps stand out with Snapchat Lenses.
As of July 2021, there are over 2 million Lenses to choose from.
Lenses are special AR effects applied directly to faces in the Snap.
Add them before capturing the Snap.
- Point the camera at your face (with the selfie camera) or a friend’s face (with the front-facing camera). Multiple people can be included in your Snap.
- Tap on one of the faces on the screen. Lenses will appear at the bottom.
- Scroll through the available Lenses to preview effects.
- Some Lenses have prompts like “open your mouth” or “raise your eyebrows.” Follow the prompt to transform your Snap.
- Once you find a Lens you like, tap the capture button to take a picture or hold down the capture button to take a video.
Absolutely! By understanding and utilizing the various features of Snapchat, you can create engaging content, connect with your audience, and promote your brand effectively.
Just remember to be creative, authentic, and consistent in your approach.
As you gain experience and learn more about your audience’s preferences, you can refine your strategy and make the most out of this dynamic platform.
Happy Snapping!
