Snapchat is the fastest growing social media network in the world. More than 60% of 13-34 year-old smartphone users in the US are on Snapchat. Over 100 million people use the app daily and only 2% of businesses are currently on Snapchat. With strong growth fueled by a young user demographic, and not yet saturated by competitor noise, Snapchat is a platform ripe for business marketing with strong potential for a high ROI.
What is Snapchat?
Snapchat is a mobile application that allows users to send videos and photos to their friends. A Snap is a photo or video sent directly to friends that vanishes after viewing. Stories are a compilation of snaps posted to the storyboard. Stories can be viewed many times, but disappear after 24 hours.
Who is on Snapchat?
Currently, Snapchat’s primary user base are millennials. 84% of Snapchatters fall between the ages of 16-34. But, not all Snapchat users are millennials (or individuals for that matter). Top media companies like CNN, Buzzfeed, ESPN, MTV, and People have flocked to the app as a way to share content with their followers through Snapchat’s Discover feature. And recently, Snapchat has started to allow brands to sponsor content. Now that Snapchat has become a media and marketing destination, smaller businesses and brands are beginning to join as well.
Why Businesses Should Consider Snapchat
Unlike other social media platforms, Snapchat encourages in-the-moment interaction. Direct snaps are personalized and private while stories are timely and intimate. This heightened engagement offers an opportunity for businesses to connect with their audience like never before. Snapchat allows a business or brand to step away from the corporate image that may be projected on other social media platforms and instead show followers a real-life, behind-the-scenes view of what their company is really like. Show the personal side – the side that social media was designed for.
How To Use Snapchat?
Snapchat is a fairly user-friendly app, but requires some practice to learn all the features and options.
Here are the basics on getting started:
- Download the app on your smartphone
This is best for the owner or manager to do initially. Employee integration can be added later under proper guidelines. - Choose a username
Choose a name that is the same or compliments the names of your other social platforms. Consistency across platforms is important. - Connect with friends
Snapchat will show you all of the contacts in your phone who are currently on Snapchat. Start connecting with them. - Attract followers
Cross promote your username on your website & other social channels to drive current followers to your Snapchat account. - Start posting stories daily
Stories disappear after 24 hours. Jump in and establish a consistent presence. - Sprinkle in direct snaps
Direct snap your followers and encourage them to do the same for you. It’s not likely you’ll be able to respond to every direct snap, but respond to some, especially when you’re starting out. This audience interaction builds customer loyalty very quickly.
If you need help launching your business on Snapchat, contact Mariposa Marketing. We offer a Snapchat Starter Package designed to help businesses customize and strategize their Snapchat accounts to increase and effectively engage with their following.
Content courtesy of Monica Gutierrez from Mariposa Marketing.