4 Tips for Using Snapchat as a Business

These are a few tips for using Snapchat as a business that you’ll want to follow if you plan on finding success on the app.

Just two years ago, two thirds of teens and young adults considered Facebook to be the most important social network in the world. Now, according to a recent report by Piper Jaffray, Facebook is considered the most important social network by only 14% of this group of tastemakers, only 1% of the explosive Snapchat, which sits at 13%.

With that kind of growth, and momentum that’s poised to take the network to the very top of the list, there is a clear desire (and opportunity) for brands to be a part of the network. But how can a business jump into something like Snapchat?

These are a few easy-to-implement tips for using Snapchat as a business that will help make the foray into the network much smoother.

Know Your Audience

As with email, anyone on your list of recipients in Snapchat has opted to receive your snaps. One of the greatest benefits of an email list is the ability to tailor messages and offers to users based on previous interactions. So when you’ve had a history of sharing a certain type of content with a user, don’t dramatically change the formula in order to pitch a new product or service. Stick to what works and get to know the individual members of your audience on a personal level.

However, that is not to say that you shouldn’t send out mass snaps using your story…

Familiarize Yourself with the App

There are snaps, and there are stories. (Yes, there is more, but we’ll look at these two for now.) If you’re planning on communicating with an individual user one-on-one (as noted above) you’ll want to share personalized snaps. This not only shows that you care about your audience, but it creates a personal connection for the user to your brand, and that can make all the difference.

Your stories are where you will want to put the content that is important to share, but not vital to personalize. For example, a new announcement, showcasing your corporate culture a product release, or something along those lines. Because it is a less personal space, users will not feel as though you are imposing on them when commercial content is shared to a story.

Provide Value to Your Audience

As with any social medium, find a way to provide value to the audience with which you are sharing content. Personalizing your messages is a great practice, but more of your story content should be showcasing your value rather than the commercial content mentioned above. (That is really something that should be shared sporadically, not religiously.)

Use the ten seconds you have available to show or teach something. This is video at its most engaging. Showcase a value added to your audience that improves their experience and sells your expertise or offering in a very subtle way.

Cross-Promote

Another great use for Snapchat is to leverage the platform to cross-promote your other offers and social media. If you’re running a contest on Instagram, for example, Snapchat is a great space in which to promote it to matched demographics. That said, stick to the first pointer: know your audience. Those using Snapchat may not be the same users in your LinkedIn network. So cater your cross-promotion to the demographics that are most likely to be there.

These are just a few of the ways to start using Snapchat as a business. The network is currently a blank slate when it comes to brands, so feel free to experiment and get creative! How else have you used the network? Tell us in the comments below or on Twitter!