How to Use Snapchat as a Blogger

Snapchat is my favorite way to connect with friends and people who follow my blog. It used to be that Instagram was a way for me to show what was happening behind the scenes at A Side of Sweet. Now everything on Instagram has to be so carefully planned and edited it’s lost a lot of that fun and spontaneity. Snapchat is perfect for life behind the filter. It’s actually ‘insta’ and you have to post content as you take it. 

The app does take a little getting used to, but once you get it, I promise you’ll love it too! No scheduling posts and no planning your grid. Snapchat is like a breath of fresh air.

I followed many top bloggers and even a few celebrities on Snapchat to see how other people are using the app to connect with their followers. What I found was surprising. Bloggers that portray a ton of personality on their blogs and social channels don’t necessarily excel at Snapchat.

One huge blogger posted mainly clips of Netflix movies she was watching. Another only talked to herself in the mirror about the outfit she was wearing that day. The CEO of one of my favorite companies shares several monologues per day rambling in an almost nonsensical fashion, and trying to get her cat to Face Swap with her. It’s a new platform and I think people are just starting to find their voice and how to use it effectively.

Some people and brands do Snapchat really well. Jeff Mindell (@JeffMindell) gives a great look into behind-the-scenes of the Studio DIY blog and his life as a top level photographer. He hosts Q&A’s where he answers questions from his followers and his Snaps make you feel as if he’s talking directly to you as a friend. My friend Ally (@FashionByAlly) shares her outfits, silly photos of her dog Bella, and her adventures as a professional Youtuber. She has a huge fanbase and I can tell from the engagement she gets that her followers love her updates! Cynthia (@CynEats) shares some crazy awesome food porn and tons of San Francisco food recs. She’s also hilarious.

NPR (@NPR) is also killing it at Snapchat. They share a Friday ‘Meme of the Week’ where they look at something that is trending on social media and talk about its political relevance. Their correspondents all over the world also tackle issues like what it’s like to get harassed on the streets in different countries and what life is really like on the Israel-Palestine border.

Here are a few ways that I use Snapchat, and also a few from Ally. I hope we can inspire you to take your Snapchat game to the next level!

Share a Restaurant Review

Snapchat is the ultimate way to share a restaurant you love! With a combination of videos and stills, you can bring your followers along with you for the meal. Remember to set the stage by telling everyone what restaurant you’re at and where it’s located. It’s always good to show the logo or write it down so there’s something they can screenshot as a reminder.

New Post Announcements

I’ll sometimes announce new blog posts or videos on Snapchat and encourage people to check them out! I know some people who follow me on Snapchat find me because they already read my blog, but not all of them! Some find me through other platforms, like Instagram. Telling them that I have a new post up on A Side of Sweet is a great way to convert Snapchat followers to blog readers! The more personal the announcements are, the better.

Share Behind-the-Scenes & Bloopers

I’m pretty silly and kind of awkward in real life. I try not to take myself too seriously, so some of my most embarrassing moments end up on Snapchat! After all, it’s nice to have everyone laughing along with me. It’s a little intimidating to share this personal side, but I’ve had a hugely positive response when I do share silly posts!

Silly Pet Stories

As evidenced by the heaps of pet Instagram accounts out there, people love a cute pet with some personality. Ally does a great job of sharing cute snaps of her dog Bella and her sister’s dog Colby.

Photography Tutorials

I’ve been doing food photography for almost five years. I started with a simple point and shoot camera and I improved little by little by taking thousands of photos. I love sharing what I’ve learned along the way on Snapchat. I snap everything from how I put together a set, to tips for photographing certain types of food, to the equipment I use to get the job done.

What You’re Eating/Cooking

Snapchat is a great way to share a favorite easy recipe, or just some good old fashioned food inspo. The best recipes are quick and easy with each step a separate snap. If you really want people to be able to replicate it, type out each step so they can screen shot it, or include a link to where you share the recipe on your blog. It’s also great to share healthy meals you’re eating at home to encourage others to do the same!

Host a Q&A

I haven’t hosted a Q&A yet, but I love it when people I follow do. It’s so fun to see what sorts of things their followers are curious about and I almost always learn something about that person or their career.

Unboxing

Being a blogger means that something fun is always coming in the mail. Sometimes I bring out #SnapchatHand (aka trying to open things with one hand while the other hand holds the phone) to share! Once your following grows, this could be a great way to partner with brands to get get the word out about their product. Just be sure to disclose if you do!

Life as a Local

Living in San Francisco, I’m in a city that people are fascinated by. There’s so much to share, from colorful Victorian homes to amazing views. This little impromptu snap story I shared was a tour of one of my favorite streets in San Francisco. Encourage your readers to check it out for themselves by offering something they can take a screenshot of as a reminder.

Travel Stories

Sharing your vacation on Snapchat allows your followers to experience a new place through your eyes. I shared dozens of Snapchats every day during our recent trip to South Africa – everything from what we were eating to information about the rich history of certain places, like Robben Island. I also love it because each day I save my story on my phone meaning I have a daily clip of all of the fun things we did to look back on!

Tell me, what are your thoughts about Snapchat? Love it? Hate it? How do you use Snapchat to connect with your audience? Make sure you leave your screen name in the comments below!

Thanks so much for reading A Side of Sweet! For more Sweet in your life, you can find me on Instagram (obviously!), Snapchat (@asideofsweet), Pinterest, Facebook,Bloglovin’, or Twitter, or subscribe to receive a weekly email with new posts (see sidebar).