How To Use Snapchat Like A Boss

I had heard of Snapchat, but I didn’t really mind it. Then I saw you talking about it, using it, and having fun with it on my Twitter feed. I was intrigued and decided to give Snapchat a whirl.

At first I didn’t know what to do or how to use Snapchat. Now I use it like a boss and you can too!

Get and Install Snapchat

1. Get the Snapchat app from the Apple app store or Google Play.
2. Set up your Snapchat account.
3. Add your friends or other people you want to follow.
4. Tap the ghost icon at the top of your screen. This opens your profile page.

Profile page

• Customize your Snapcode. Take a photo or video for your friends and followers to see. This will appear on your ghost icon.
• Settings: Tap the gear icon in the top right corner of Snapchat. Here you will manage privacy and additional user settings.
• Find: Add more friends. Follow brands and celebrities.
• See your score: Your Snapchat interactions make up your score. See your instant score under the ghost icon next to your Snapchat username.
• View trophies: View your Snapchat trophies by tapping the trophy icon in the top center of your screen.

Start Capturing Pictures and Videos

When your phone is in normal camera mode, you can take a photo as you normally would. Tap the circle button that appears at the bottom center of your screen. Press and hold the button to take a video.

1. After taking a photo, you can add filters by swiping right.
2. To use multiple filters after applying your first filter, hold your finger on the screen and swipe right with the other one. This is called stacking.
3. You can also add filters to videos by swiping right. With video, you get a few more options to use though you can’t stack filters. Video allows you to view your video in rewind mode, fast (rabbit) mode or super slow (snail) mode.
4. You can share the image or video with your friends or add it to your story, which I’ll cover later in this guide. By the time you finish reading this, it will be like you knew how to use Snapchat all along.

Take Selfies and Videos. Then Customize Them.

1. Swipe up from your profile page. To take a selfie, tap the “flip camera” icon in the top-right corner, then tap the circle button in the bottom center of your screen to take a photo or hold to record a video.
2. Do you want to add text? No problem. Scroll to the capital T in the top right, tap and type a caption to add to your picture or video.
3. Add a few stickers by tapping the little icon that looks like a piece of paper with the edge facing up.
4. Draw a picture or doodle on your selfie with the pencil icon located in the upper right corner of your screen.
5. Add filters by swiping your screen to the right. Tip: You can unlock even more filters specific to your region by turning on location-based services.

Using Lenses

In selfie mode, hold your finger across your face on your phone’s screen (not the “take photo” button).

Now Snapchat will scan your face and in the lower right corner you will see the lenses you can use to take selfies or videos. Check them out. . . they are super fun!

• To use a particular lens, tap it and it will be applied before taking a selfie or video of yourself.

Incoming Snapshots and Chats

Swipe right to view snapshots and chats from your friends.

• To see a photo from a friend, tap your friend’s name once to open it.
• Over time, the emoji next to your friends’ names will change based on your interaction with them.

Open Chat

1. To chat with a friend, swipe right on their name. You can tap on the line of text, image or video you want to save if you need it later.
2. Send a picture to your friend with the picture icon in the lower left corner.
3. You can also make a voice call by tapping the phone-shaped icon.
4. Use the quick capture button (small circle) in your chat to take a picture and send it to your friend.
5. Tap the video camera icon to video chat with your friend.
6. Send some art with the smiley icon to your friend.

Privacy

1. From your profile page, click on the “settings” icon, the little gear in the top right corner of your phone.
2. Scroll down to “Who Can…” where there are two options: “Contact Me” and “View My Story”.
3. Tap “View My Story”. Then choose who you want access to view your story. The options are “Everyone”, “My Friends” or “Private” where you can choose who sees what.

stories

Want to see your friends’ video and image compilations? Swipe left on your phone to open the Stories page. These are only valid for a 24-hour time frame, so be sure to check the stories page often. Create your own stories to share with your friends or make them public for all to see.

You can also watch the stories of brands and celebrities on Snapchat.

Live stories are those that happen near where you live. It is from snapshots of local users and made by Snapchat team.

• To keep things moving, you can tap your screen to see the next snap without waiting.

Once you start using Snapchat, you’ll get used to the way it works and you’ll soon become a pro. You’ll probably wonder what you did without it. It can be a little addictive at times but it’s always fun! Shoot and share my friends. . . shoot and share.