In 2011, three Stamford Students—Evan Spiegel, Reggie Brown and Bobby Murphy—developed Snapchat, a photo messaging application. When using Snapchat, you have the ability to send one to ten second photos and videos to friends in your contact list. Recently, Snapchat added “My Story” which is just an accumulation of your photos and videos that stay on your profile for 24 hours. But what makes Snapchat so popular and what sets it apart from Instagram and Facebook is it’s disappearing act. Once the ten seconds are up, whatever you sent is forever deleted (of course, you can screenshot it but not without the sender getting a notification). Here are Resource’s top 10 reasons to join Snapchat if you haven’t already.
10 Reasons Why You Should Join Snapchat Right Now
1. You Can Capture Quickly
©evan p. cordes via Flickr Creative Commons
The Snapchat app opens directly to the camera making it optimal for capturing a fleeting moment, such as this cat.
2. The Disappearing Act
©Carl Raether via Flickr Creative Commons
Let’s say you want to send a risqué message of sorts—no judgment here, I promise—you can feel safe knowing that once 10 seconds has expired, your message is forever gone and won’t come back to haunt you.
3. My Story Features
©Jessica B. via Flickr Creative Commons
Even though the individual messages are short, “My Story” allows users to record extended footage of photos and videos that you can break up in clips.
4. One-on-One Directness
©Lance Robotson via Flickr Creative Commons
Unlike other social media sites where everyone you connect with can see what you post, Snapchat allows you to send directly to certain people. You want to send a photo specifically to Michelle? Only Michelle gets to see.
5. Privacy Options
©Taehyun Kim via Flickr Creative Commons
Depending on how you set up your privacy settings, only friends are able to receive snaps from you and vice-versa. This stops creepers from sending you unwanted content or having your content looked at by unwanted eyes.
6. Chit Chat With Friends
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With a quick swipe, you can message your buddies.
7. You Can Market Your Business, Company or Brand
©Yuko Honda via Flickr Creative Commons
No matter your business, Snapchat is another social media tool that can be used to your advantage to help promote and market. If you’re an artist, you can give your audience a behind the scenes look into your life that disappears in a day.
8. Get Artsy
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Snapchat proves there’s an artist in each of us.
9. Your content can suck, it’s okay
©Harper Reed via Flickr Creative Commons
Let’s face it, some of our content or message aren’t worth a post on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, but they sure are perfect for Snapchat.
10. It’s Fun as Hell!
©Jessica B. via Flickr Creative Commons
Silly? Yes. Fun? Hell yes.