Using the new "Snapchat Memories" feature

Using the new "Snapchat Memories" feature

So first of all a quick rundown on what Snapchat is.

Snapchat is a mobile messaging application used to share photos, videos, text, and drawings.  Its free to download the app and free to send messages using it.  The one feature that makes Snapchat different from other forms of texting and photo sharing is that the messages disappear from the recipients phone after a few seconds - this message will "self-destruct" in 10 seconds!  

Snapchat's logo, named Ghostface Chilla (based on Ghostface Killah of the Wu-Tang Clan), is a ghost to represent the "there, then, gone" nature of their photo sending service. 

How do you use Snapchat?  Well its simple, you take a picture using your camera phone, select who you want to send it to from your contacts, decide how long you want your picture to be visible for (up to 10 seconds), and click send.  If you are the one receiving the picture, well its just like receiving a text message, simply tap to view the pic.  Remember though that the message disappears from their phone once the time limit has expired.

Last month, Snapchat launched "Memories", a major change to the social app known for its quickly disappearing images and videos.  Snapchat now lets you save old photos, videos and snap stories within the app.  In other words you can now save a funny snap or if you had a bunch of photos on your phone that you want to share, you can now publish from your camera roll in a single-story like memory. 

So how do you use Snapchat Memories to publish more content on Snapchat?

Navigate the Memories Feature

On your Snapchat screen, tap or swipe the small circular button below the main caption button to enter Memories.  I'm going to take it that this is your first time using Memories, so you'll find two tabs along the top, i.e. Snaps and Camera Roll.  If you tap Snaps, you'll see any snaps or videos you've saved since you received the Memories update.  Tap Camera Roll to access your phones saved images and videos.  You can now use these to create and share Memories. 

To enter selection mode in Memories, tap on the check mark icon at the top right of your screen.  Navigate to any tab to select specific snaps or camera roll items.  You can select a single item to edit and share as a memory or multiple items to make a longer memory.  You can use the section mode to delete, share, and send items to your story.  You can also set an item to "My Eyes Only", which hides that item (using a password) in Memories.  (Once you begin using Memories, the All, Stories, and My Eyes Only tabs become available).

Create and Share your Memories

To get started, take a photo or video.  Tap the in-tray icon to save it to your Memories, then go into Memories and find it.  Tap on the item to enlarge it and then press hold on the screen to enter edit mode.  In Edit mode, you can change the duration of a photo, add stickers, text, and doodles.  You can also share the memory to your story or Snapchat friends.  Your other options are to Export Snap, Save to Camera Roll, Move to My Eyes Only, or Create Story from this Snap.  

Remember though to capture your items in the order you want them to appear in the Memories story as it doesn't currently allow you to manually rearrange the items you select.  Then tap on the Create Story icon at the bottom of the screen.

With regard to your Business, Snapchat Memories will now allow you to use and re-use any photo or video, and content from other networks can also be re-published on the platform.  In other words, you can now create your own designs and videos using your own programs and market them on your Snapchat account without them looking so Snapchatty (that probably isn't a word!!).  Then keep running it, repetition, repetition, repetition.

Its also important to remember that the number of users over the age of 35 has steadily been increasing.  The addition of Memories will likely multiply these numbers as Snapchat begins to appeal to older audiences.  This will give brands that have an older target audience more opportunity to market effectively on the platform.

All good me thinks!