Snapchat, Instagram or Messenger Stories – And the Winner is?…….

A few years ago, my kids started using an app called Snapchat.   Of course, I had no idea about the app until over hearing on the news that Facebook wanted to buy it.  And yes, if Facebook wants to buy an app, I needed to download it and try it.  My daughter, Lauren, said, “mom, there is an age limit”.  She almost had me.   I’ve been using Snapchat for a few years.  The only reason I used the tool was to keep up with technology and to keep up with what my kids use for social media.  And yes, my teenagers are using Snapchat more than any other social media.   Snapchat launched in September 2011 and any millennial or i-generation user has a 6-year jumpstart on many of us.

Snapchat, Instagram or Messenger?  Each of these apps give the user the ability to build a story board. But with three options, where should we build our stories?  If you’re not familiar with either of these apps, anyone using these apps can build a story where the message self-destructs in 24 hours.  Each of these apps have history.  Instagram is known for images and 60 second videos.  Messenger is Facebook’s private message tool.  And Snapchat is the first app that create the self-destruction message, then in 2013 they added the 24-hour story board.

Snapchat has dominated stories in their App since October of 2013.  Instagram launched their version of stories in October of 2016.  And on March 9^th, 2017, Facebook released their version of Stories.  Anyone using Facebook Messenger can build stories similarly to what Snapchat and Instagram are already doing.

Instagram stores

1. Build a story
2. Create private messages for people you select in your Instagram contacts
3. Features a live streaming option
4. Upload recent photos to your stories
5. Add current photos
6. 15 second videos
7. Add a filter
8. Build a story with the hands-free option
9. The boomerang app integration
10. Add text, emoji’s, write with a highlighter or color
11. Re-purpose your videos and images on other social sites

Messenger stories+

1. Build stories
2. Create private messages for people you select in Facebook
3. Upload photos from your mobile device
4. Filter categories
5. Add text, emoji’s, draw and write with color
6. Integrated their “Write Something” feature
7. Take photos for your story
8. Add 15 second videos
9. Make phone calls with messenger
10. During the call use filters
11. Re-purpose your videos and images on other social sites
12. Chat in groups

Snapchat Stories

1. Build stories
2. Create private messages for your Snapchat followers
3. Use filters
4. Snapchat also has fun filters – a few change your voice
5. Discover – learn, read or listen to news and shop.
6. Build your own geo-filters
7. Add emoji’s, write, draw and add text with color
8. Add your bitmoji character
9. Call feature
10. Build snapchat groups
11. Build reusable stories
12. Re-purpose your videos and images on other social sites

And the winner is………

The winner is where your network is!  If you weren’t an early adopter of Snapchat, start building stories for your network.  If your network is on Facebook, start there.  If you’re a real estate agent here are a few ways to begin building your story:

1. Talk about the communities you serve
2. Home ownership tips
3. Steps to purchasing a home
4. The fastest way to get your home sold!
5. How to reinvest your tax refund.
6. Do you work in the luxury market? Share hidden secrets
7. Remember when sharing not show another agent’s listing without permission. If the home was yours you wouldn’t want an agent walking through showing your valued possessions.  Think before you add content to a story.
8. We want to know interesting tips but we don’t need to know the details of your last inspection.
9. Show us your park district or your favorite restaurants.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOqxW05SJoM]

When you look at the 3 apps, Snapchat is the clear winner for building stories.  Their filters are higher quality, the functionality of the tool is much easier to use, and Snapchat is for the next generation.  This is where they are and it’s clear they want to watch short videos.

All 3 apps can serve you well.   When messenger launched their version of stories I used it immediately.  I have a much larger following on Facebook. Therefore, I could see immediate results.  People are engaging on Facebook messenger because I use Facebook.

Not sure where to begin?  Follow me on Snapchat, Messenger and request me as a friend on Facebook messenger.   Pick one and get started!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlVEqr1xaNg]