Starting a new social media platform always takes a bit of adjusting. No matter how long you’ve been on other platform, each new one requires a different set of tools or skills. Usually you’re stuck waiting for someone to crack the code or trying as many things as you can until something works. No app – even Clapper – comes with a starter kit.
Until now! Consider this article your official “clap hands” road map. Here we have everything you need to get started on Clapper.
What should I put on my profile?
Your social media should be for you, so your profile should make you happy. There’s nothing you have to include in it, but we do have some recommendations.
- Add a profile picture. This can be of you, a pet, something you’ve created, your brand’s logo – whatever you like!
- Fill out your bio. Tell us a little about yourself! This can be a quick summary of what you want to post, or a small list of descriptors.
- Add Profile Tags. On Clapper, you can add up to 20 customizable tags to your profile. These can be about your personal life, your professional life, or your content.
If you want to become a content creator or influencer, there’s a few more things you may want to keep in mind as you create your profile. You can read them here.
Should I create a Groupchat?
That depends. A Groupchat is a feature where you can chat directly with your audience – and they can all chat with each other. It’s a really fun way to forge connections and see your community come together. If you’re just starting out, you may want to wait until you’ve grown your audience and have some followers you want to talk with!
Creating your first video
Your first video can be about anything you want. On Clapper, we see a lot of people creating an introduction video first thing. This can be a quick video where you introduce yourself, say what you’re interested in (or what you want to create) and anything else you’d like your potential audience to know.
Or you can just dive in and post whatever you like! If you want to show off your woodworking or share social media tips, go ahead and start with that. There’s no wrong way to make a first video.
If you think an intro video is your speed, check out this tutorial from @ClapperAcademy.
What equipment do I need?
All you need to get started on Clapper is your phone! So long as your phone has a working, clear camera, you’ve got everything you need.
If you want to elevate your content, there are a couple of things you can grab. The first thing we’d recommend is some kind of tripod or phone holder. This can make filming easier, as your phone will be in a stable place and you won’t have to hassle with holding it. You can find some cheap tripods on Amazon, but we love this one from Walmart and this face tracking one from Amazon.
You can also grab a ring light to enhance the quality of your videos. This makes it easier for the audience to see you and can often make you look better (aka, instant confidence boost). This option from Amazon combines both a phone stand and a ring light. To improve the quality of your sound, consider a microphone! This can be a heavy-duty one, or a small, more portable one.
What are Clapper’s features?
Clapper’s bread and butter are our shortform videos and Livestreams, and you can go live from the moment you join Clapper. In addition, we also have a Radio feature, Clapper Shop, Support Tiers, and more.
I’m not sure how to do something.
If you’re having trouble, head to the Clapper Academy section of your profile. On your profile, tap the “Creator Space” button. Once in your Creator Space, tap the “Clapper Academy” link a the bottom of the page. This will open to a full menu of Clapper how-to’s!
If your question doesn’t get answered, head to @ClapperAcademy and see if they’ve posted something recently that could help. Or just shoot them a DM and ask.
Clapper’s Live Events
Each week, Clapper hosts a variety of events to help creators learn more about the app and our creators. On Mondays at 1pm CST, we host our New User Radio, where a team member sits down to give new users a Clapper 101. Tuesdays at 11m CST, @ClapperCreator goes live to answer questions from the audience. On Thursdays at 5pm CST we host Clapper Talks Radio, where we interview a creator about their community and content creation process. Finally on Fridays at 3pm CST, we host our Clapper Townhall Livestream, where we share updates about Clapper.
And every other Monday, @ClapperSounds hosts a Live Session, where we invite a musician from Clapper to perform for us. They also host monthly Open Mic Nights for all creators to share their talents with our community.
What kind of algorithm does Clapper use?
Clapper has an equal-opportunity algorithm, meaning that all videos pushed to the FYP have equal chance of going viral. There’s no favoritism for people with viral videos or huge audiences. So long as your video is high quality (we can clearly hear and see you) and meets our Community Guidelines, it has a shot at going viral!
How can I grow my account?
The best way to grow on Clapper is by connecting with your fellow creators. Engage with comments left on your videos, follow creators who make content you enjoy, and drop into Livestreams just for fun. Creators who are highly engaged on the app tend to be our most successful creators. You can find other ideas for growing your following here.
Who should I follow?
There are so many incredible creators and communities on Clapper that it’s impossible for us to make a short list of people you should know about. But we can for sure recommend that you follow the official Clapper accounts: @ClapperCreator, @ClapperAcademy, @ClapperSounds, and @ClapperTalks. We post regularly on these pages, highlighting current events, creators, and any updates we have on the app.
What if I have a problem?
Anytime you have a technical or community guidelines question, please send a DM to @ClapperCreator or @ClapperAcademy. They’ll be able to answer your question or report any technical problems to the appropriate team members.
I’m not sure what to create or how often to post.
Finding your content style can feel overwhelming. We’ve covered it before in our series on creating a content calendar, which will also touch on how often you should post. Don’t be afraid to try a couple of different things until you find something you love!
Now go, make your first video, and get to know the community! You’ve got this – and we can’t wait to see what you create!
