How to Use Snapchat for Business

Snapchat is now one of the most used social media platforms, particularly for younger audiences.

Snapchat has more than 443 million daily active users, with 4.75 billion Snaps that are created daily. It offers an amazing opportunity to engage with Millennial and Gen Z users.

In this guide, we’ll demonstrate how small and medium-sized businesses can leverage Snapchat to build awareness and grow engagement and sales.

How to Set up Your Snapchat Business Account

It only takes a few minutes to set up Snapchat for business:

1. Launch the Snapchat app on your iOS or Android device.
2. Register using your business name, phone number, and a username of your choice.
3. Visit the Snapchat Business Manager site, and switch your profile from personal to business. This gives you access to powerful analytics, advertising tools, and more.

With your business profile setup, you can now interact with your customer base!

Key Snapchat Features for Businesses

Snapchat is full of features to help brands creatively connect with customers:

Snap Ads

Snap Ads appear in between in Stories and Discovery content, cheekily mixing the fun with the commercial. Snap Ads have been shown to drive an 8% lift in ad awareness and 15% lift in intent to act amongst those who view.

Sponsored Lenses

These are billed as “Sponsored Lenses”, letting you layer your brand on top of your audience’s (often silly) Snaps. Once its released, based on the type of business, the entity could will be able to create something engaging, for example, a local bakery may issue a sponsored lens where users could virtually “try” different varieties of bake goods.

Story Ads

Story Ads are full-screen vertical video ads that appear in between Stories. They can be skipped after 5 seconds, maintaining an engaging user experience. For example, a pet grooming business might use Story Ads to highlight their work.

Analytics

Detailed analytics offer insight into your audience demographics and what content works best. Analyze metrics such as impressions, reach, and engagement to refine your approach.

Custom Lenses & Filters

Create branded lenses and adjust your filter to navigate Snapchatters to connect with you or your business well. Great strategy for increasing brand awareness! A small clothing store could create a custom filter with their logo.

How to Engage Your Audience with Snapchat

Well, it’s time to dive into some of the winning Snapchat content strategies to delight your audience:

User-Generated Content

UGC highlights your product being used naturally by real customers. Hold contests asking followers to send in Snaps featuring your products or services. It fosters community while creating real, branded content. A craft supply store might solicit customers to share DIY projects made with their products.

Influencer Marketing

Form partnerships with Snapchat influencers in your niche to leverage their audience. According to Mediakix, Snapchat influencer marketing achieved 20% more ROI than all other platforms. For example, a travel agency could partner with influencers who promote Hawaiian vacation packages.

Behind-the-Scenes Content

I also recommend giving followers a sneak peek behind the scenes of your brand with exclusive backstage content. The sense of exclusivity and urgency it creates not just engages the viewer but also stimulates them to take part in it. For example, a restaurant could post Snaps of their kitchen and food prep routine.

Promotions & Deals

Use Snapchat Stories to share special promo codes and deals Sixty percent of college student are likely to purchase products being pitched through Snapchat coupons, according to one study. For example, a sporting goods store could give 10% off coupons to its Snapchat followers.

Regardless of the strategy, the common factor is offering value and entertainment to your audience. These Snaps should not be too promotional!

Brands Killing It on Snapchat

Need a little inspiration? Here are several brands that have leveraged Snapchat well:

Primark

This clothing brand gives followers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what’s coming with playful Snaps and Stories on Snapchat. Users get to learn about products in a fun way.

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

The coffee chain gets people visiting its location by delivering Snapchat-only coupons for free drinks and treats. Once at the register, they just show their phone with the Snapcode to redeem.

Local Pet Shop

A pet store might highlight new pets available for adoption in Snapchat Stories and invite users to swipe up to complete adoption applications.

Jewelry Boutique

For instance, a jewelry shop could use Snapchat to announce the launch of its new product line or share styling tips and tutorials on the latest trends to attract new customers.

Advantages of Snapchat for Business Use

Now that you’re familiar with the tactics, let’s talk some of the powerful benefits Snapchat has to offer your brand:

High Engagement Rates

Snapchatters spend more than 30 minutes on Snapchat every day on average, which means that your content will be highly visible to people. The vertical, full-screen format also engrosses viewers.

Younger Demographic Reach

Most Snapchat users fall between 13-34 age demographic. This has made it ideal for the Millennial and Gen Z markets.

Low Competition

Snapchat hasn’t established itself as a marketing medium, and just 1% of marketers use the site. Early bloomer businesses have a competitive edge.

Real-Time Engagement

Because content is ephemeral (disappearing after 24 hours), followers have an incentive to open Snaps and interact in real time. You can hold back-and-forth conversation in real time.

FAQs

Can I use Snapchat if my business doesn’t target a young audience?

Snapchat is super popular, especially with teens and millennials, but that doesn’t mean you can’t effectively use the platform to reach older demographics. Give it a try — you just might be surprised at the success you have!

What type of content should I avoid on Snapchat?

On Snapchat, steer clear of anything too salesy or corporate. Make your Snaps fun, raw and behind the scenes — to make them fit the platform’s casual feeling. Snapchatters in particular tend to shy away from overly polished, hard-sell content.

Can I reuse content from other platforms on Snapchat?

You can reuse some content but Snapchat wants content that is designed for its own form. Putting the same content out across platforms creates more problems than it solves. For maximum engagement, make your Snaps vertical and full screen.

Do I need to post daily on Snapchat?

It does not need to be daily but some level of regular posting (3-5x a week) is a must. Ephemeral content means to stay top of mind on Snapchat, you have to keep sharing. Hit your audience’s sweet spot so you don’t overwhelm or underwhelm.

What’s more important – followers or views?

Followers are typically less important than views. You want your Snaps to show and serve to all types of audiences, even those who do not officially follow your account. Instead, focus on making Snaps that will grab views — not followers.

Can I promote my Snapchat account on other platforms?

Absolutely! Promote your Snapchat name on all your other social networks. Get your Snapcode on your website and emails. This does a good job of driving followers from your existing networks.

How much time should I spend on Snapchat per week?

If you want solid results, plan on investing 1-2 hours a day on your Snapchat. The hands-on creation and engagement necessary for Snapchat. If you think you will need help managing this time commitment, hire a social media manager.

When will I see results on Snapchat?

So wait 2-3 months of continuous use then check which is better for you — snapchat! They have their work cut out for them with the awareness, getting their approach right will take time. Set realistic goals, then check in about whether you are meeting those goals.

How do I measure Snapchat success?

They include views, reach, shares, audience growth, engagement rate, website visits and sales. Uber to Snapchat’s native analytic and link tracking tools to demonstrate ROI and improve efforts.

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