Think Snapchat is just for Millennials? Think again. The budding social media giant has quickly become a hot spot for business promotion. From the NBA to The Onion, companies are sharing disappearing pictures and videos to raise brand awareness and increase audience engagement among younger audiences. If you think you might be ready to jump on this trend, learn how to use Snapchat for business today.
Learn How to use Snapchat’s Top Features
1) Snapchat Stories
Snapchat Stories are images or videos that are distributed to all of your followers or everyone, if your account is public. Stories are a great opportunity for business promotion, because Snapchat’s engaged audience now spends an average of 25 to 30 minutes on the app every day.
Brands often post these popular types of content on Snapchat Stories:
- Behind-the-scenes photos and videos
- Product demos
- Exclusive previews
- Event promotions
Since these photos and videos only appear for 24 hours, Snapchat Stories draw more engagement when they have a sense of urgency.
2) Geofilters
Geofilters are graphics that can be automatically placed over a Snapchat photo or video when they are taken in a specific location, during a certain period of time. Since Snapchat now allows anyone to create a Geofilter, your business can also use this popular feature to create engaging content for your target audience. Or, you could encourage followers to create user-generated content for a special event, store opening, product debut or other occasion.
3) Paperclip
Paperclip is a recently-released Snapchat feature that now allows you to attach a link to your website inside a Snap. Then, a user can swipe up to open the link in Snapchat’s internal browser. Until now, only ad campaigns and Discover content could include links.
This feature opens the door to more promotional possibilities to young audiences who really know how to use Snapchat. For example, you could now post a picture to announce your next special event and include a link directly to your sign up page.
4) Snap Map
Snap Map is another new feature for 2017. It allows users to share their current location with others on the app. The interactive map also lets users search for other public profiles across the globe and in their own backyard. If you enter your company’s location and set your profile to public, you can use your social media marketing skills to hook local Snapchat users.
5) Coupons and Discounts
Snapchat marketing strategies often target prospective customers with coupons and discounts right on their mobile phone. For example, you could create a promotion where customers receive a discount for posting photos or videos of themselves using your product or service. This tactic tends to not only increase audience engagement but drive sales as well.
Snapchat, which now boasts more than 170 million daily active users, is a fantastic addition to any social media marketing campaign. Whatever age you may be, learning how to use Snapchat is fast becoming a business necessity.
