Tips on Using Snapchat for Marketing

Snapchat is a trendy new avenue for visual mobile marketing. This mobile app allows you to send photos and videos that self-delete after a maximum of 10 seconds. Snapchat will open up a new demographic for your company, for instance the 18.6% iPhone users who have installed the Snapchat app, or the young adults (15-25) migrating to social networks that offer an instant messaging type of communication (like Instagram and twitter).

With over 60 million messages being sent out every day this is shockingly a widely untapped social media network with many people not knowing how to use Snapchat for Marketing. This is because most marketers are not yet adept at using Snapchat as a marketing tool; here is an overview of how to use Snapchat for marketing.

Captivating Previews

Snapchat gives the users a short window period to look at images of new products or information; this will get people interested by arousing curiosity about your brand. An example is American fast food restaurants that used Snapchat to showcase secret menu items only available on that day.

Flash Coupons

Engage your customers by sending them a coupon with a keyword code that they can use to save money when buying from your company. A New York based Yogurt chain utilized this strategy by having customers send in a photo of them sampling their yogurt and in return the company sent them a coupon to use while in their stores.

In-Store Treasure Hunts

Snap users send in an image of a product and then get a percentage discount on their purchases as they are shopping in the actual store.

Rapport Building Messages

Create a friendly brand by “sending greeting messages” or “enjoy your holidays” messages. This type of marketing will create a sense of friendship with your customers which will create loyalty and also add a cool factor to your brand.

Competitions

You can use Snapchat to increase traffic to your store by offering your customers prizes if they participate in contests. For example:

• Send a number of images to your followers that hold specific keywords, users have to send in these specific words for a chance at the prize.
• The Quick Snap game where the first customer to respond to your company’s snap with another snap gets a prize.
• Fill in the blank games, send images of texts that have a missing word and have your customers send in the replies on other social media networks like Twitter, this will help you to create buzz about your Snapchat account through other social media networks. Maximize the experience by sending out clues and questions in other networks like Twitter and have customers reply via Snapchat.

Friend Referrals

Create followers for your brand by asking your existing fans to refer you to their friends and followers on Snapchat. You can offer prizes and discounts as incentives for your followers to bring in more followers. Remember to have a social media team that is capable of replying to all the messages and photos sent out by your new fan following, this will enhance their customer experience and protect your brand from bad reviews.

Behind the Scenes Looks

Fashion and entertainment companies have used Snapchat to give their customers an intimate behind the scenes look at the effort made in makeup, photography or outfits. This adds to the brand authenticity and transparency.

With the above tips and pointers you should be an expert at knowing how to use Snapchat for marketing.