If you’re like many small business owners, you probably use Facebook and Twitter and perhaps Instagram or Pinterest.
But, have you thought about using Snapchat? Before you think, “I can’t use Snapchat – that’s just for teens and twenty-somethings, we’re here to tell you to take another look.”
Snapchat is a mobile photo-messaging app that lets you highlight photos and videos on your page. Because of it’s real-time access, it is worth a look when you ponder new platforms to add to your social media marketing mix.
To help you make the leap to Snapchat, we look at how a startup can use Snapchat to take its marketing to the next level.
Why Use Snapchat?
This increasingly popular platform has 100 million daily active users.
As one of the fastest growing social networks, you can count on Snapchat growing in prominence in people’s marketing plans. While most of its users are the Millennial generation between the ages of 18-34, it’s poised for growth.
Let’s look at how you can use it to kick start your online marketing.
Snapchat Stories
With Snapchat Stories, you can leverage your ability to portray a narrative.
A story is a compilation of snaps (photos) that you post to your story over 24 hours, thus creating a video narrative. With Snapchat Stories, you can create daily stories that engage your audience.
Since each snap remains with your story for only 24 hours, you can motivate your audience to look for new stories every day.
Snap Ads
You’ll find that Snap Ads are a super way to grab your audience.
Snapchat is all about speed, and since the Snap Ad is a 10 second full screen vertical video ad that shows up between stories, you can intrigue your audience to swipe up for more info.
You can then provide a longer video, an article, a link to your website and much more.
Snapchat says the swipe-up rate for interactive Snap Ads is five times higher than the average click-through rate on comparable platforms.
What does this mean for you? It means you are better able to connect with your audience.
Live Event Access
Snapchat is beneficial to your business because it is the epitome of real-time social media.
Because everything is in real-time, you can give your audience direct access to live events.
Get creative and think of the many ways you can leverage Snapchat – open houses, product launches, special events, lectures and more.
Snapchat works because you are giving your audience an immediate inside look at your business, not something they have to wait for.
Promo Codes
Again, because Snapchat lives in the moment, you can use Snapchat’s instant photo features to deliver promos and coupon codes in an instant.
For example, invite your audience to snap a photo of themselves doing something that relates to your product. Offer the first 200 customers a promo code.
Or, when people are inside your business, you can offer the same perk, but tell them they have to snap a photo inside your store.
Since Snaps disappear after you’ve watched them, and stories only last for 24 hours, when your followers get used to you offering coupons, you are basically “forcing” them to stick around for your next big announcement.
In other words, your Snapchatters will attentively follow you so they can grab their next coupon.
Have fun with the delivery of your promo codes, and your followers will get excited and come back for more.
Final Thoughts
Snapchat is expected to grow exponentially in the next few years.
This means it’s time for your business to get on board. Add Snapchat to your social media marketing mix now so that you are ready when the boom hits.
Don’t drag your feet as your startup can use Snapchat to take your marketing to the next level.
Now is the time to get a leg up on your competition as many businesses are slow to arrive on Snapchat. Be a pioneer and see how far Snapchat can take your startup.
Are you a new startup ready to succeed? Are you looking to get your new business off the ground and watch it rise to success? We are here for you. We can help answer your questions and guide you through the process. Outsource your finances, payroll, HR duties and more to us. Contact Escalon today to get started.
Image: Chantel Lucas
