How do you get started on Snapchat?

Snapchat offers a fantastic support menu, which details all of the features and how-to’s, but I’ll help you get started on the basics.

It’s easy! You can either download the app on your phone or from your computer (it’ll download it to your phone). Create your account details and decide on a username. Once you’re signed up, you can create a Snapcode Selfie (a 5 photo GIF for your profile image). This is where the fun starts…

Check out some lingo to help you navigate

Snap: Capture a moment with a quick photo or video and send it to a friend.

Pro Tip: Spice up your Snap with a fun Sticker or press and hold to pin a Sticker to your Snap video. Learn more here. (Snapchat.com)

Lenses: Filters for selfies. In front-facing mode, press and hold on your face to see the

variety of lenses to choose from.

Pro Tip: Use your rear-facing camera and tap to see your world through a different Lens! (Snapchat.com)

Stories: Stories are compilations of Snaps that create a narrative. Snaps appear in chronological order with a beginning, middle and end. (Snapchat.com)

How to Use Snapchat for Author Branding and Book Marketing?

We recently welcomed Snapchat expert Suzanne Nguyen (AKA @StringStory) to #BookMarketingChat to explain how authors can use Snapchat to further their personal branding and marketing. (This summary, as well as all previous chat summaries, can be found in the Notes section of BookMarketingChat’s Facebook page or Twitter @BkMarketingChat — likes and follows appreciated!).

Here are 10 quick tips she shared with us:

1. Set a topic/theme
2. Make it less than 5 mins (it’s not YouTube)
3. Always provide value/entertain
4. Have a format
5. Use it like your own personal TV channel
6. Share your Story at a set time – create a habit for your fans to tune in
7. Use video and/or Snapchat to share your sparkle to the world
8. Create with Snapchat and share to Instagram, FB, YouTube, Twitter, G+, etc.
9. Show your writing process or read excerpts to your audience on Snapchat. Build up and share the excitement!
10. Have a read out loud writers show… read a chapter of your book

Why bother?

Publishers are now embracing Snapchat for branding, just as they are Twitter, Instagram and Medium as well (channels often ignored by authors). We encourage you to get your feet wet with Snapchat by at least opening your account, claiming your username (always important!), and getting to know how to use it. Developing your author platform means creating visibility on all channels.

If you’re self-published, same concept applies!

Remember, social media is about connecting with readers and establishing your branding, which means you need to go where your readers are, not staying in your own comfort zone of Facebook all the time.

If Snapchat isn’t for you, that’s okay, but how will you know unless you try?

This post was originally published on the Bad Redhead Media blog.