How To Use Snapchat For Business

With the increased cost of traditional forms of advertising and the decreased viability of these platforms, small businesses need to get creative to increase the visibility of their brand. Businesses, small and large, are turning to social media platforms as an alternative means to market their products and services to the masses. The increased number of business profiles on Instagram and Facebook is a perfect example of this changing landscape. But how can the use of Snapchat, the latest social media craze, boost your brand and increase your bottom line?

What is Snapchat?

If you’re not already familiar with Snapchat, you should ask your teenage son or daughter for an introduction. Snapchat has roughly 26 million users in the United States with 77% of college students using the platform daily; 58% of which would purchase a brand’s product if presented with a coupon on Snapchat. Snapchat is a mobile photo-messaging app which allows users to “snap” photos and videos to recipients that can be viewed between 1 to 10 seconds. After that time, the “Snap” will vanish forever into the deep debts of space and time. The explosion of Snapchat has landed it a $16 billion dollar valuation and a place among the top social-media platforms. It’s features range from free to affordable and any business owner looking to reach the 18 to 24 demographic should be on Snapchat immediately.

Geofilters, Word of Mouth on Steroids

The use of geofilters is an affordable form of advertisement for small businesses who want to promote their business on Snapchat. When users take photos or videos in the designated location, a Geofilter appears with the name and logo of the business. Customers can snap a pic of their food at a local cafe and post the image to all their followers with the name of the business embedded in the image. This form of advertisement is organic and allows users to easily share your product or service to their friends and family.

1.  Upload your own, or use one of our many templates to get started.
2. Pick a time and set a geofence for your Geofilter.
3. Submit your Geofilter and have it reviewed within one business day.

Create a Following With Promotions

Giving incentives to your customers to join your Snapchat following will give them unique opportunities for discounts and promotions. Snapchat offers a free feature that allows you to post pictures and videos to your “story” for your followers to see. Imagine posting a picture of the daily specials and promotions that allows customers to see them in real time.

Develop a Brand Through Storytelling

Snapchat is a creative way of branding your product or service by creating stories through pictures and videos. By posting pictures and videos to your story you can give your customers a behind the scene look into your business. People are interested in stories and content so Snapchat can be the perfect tool to expand your business’s brand. Give your Snapchat account to your lead marketer and allow them to post daily content and information about your business in a fun and creative way.

Highlight Big Events

By using the above three techniques you can create buzz worthy events with free and affordable advertising channels. If a local band is performing at your bar then create a Snapchat filter for the event, offer promotions to people who follow you on Snapchat and post pictures and videos from your night on your story. The combination of all three are easy and simple to do but have huge impacts on your business’s visibility in the local community.

Overview

If you’re wondering if Snapchat could really give your marketing a boost then the answer is an unequivocal yes! Even if you are hesitant about using Snapchat you should at least use the free features to promote your business. Passing up on an under-priced advertising channel is never a good idea, especially in today’s overpriced advertising environment.