{"id":17210,"date":"2022-12-23T10:10:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-23T10:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.searchenginejournal.com\/snapchat\/474251\/"},"modified":"2022-12-23T10:10:00","modified_gmt":"2022-12-23T10:10:00","slug":"snapchat-marketing-an-in-depth-guide-via-sejournal-brianfr07823616","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marketingnewsbox.com\/?p=17210","title":{"rendered":"Snapchat Marketing: An In-Depth Guide via @sejournal, @BrianFr07823616"},"content":{"rendered":"

Social media marketing<\/a> is all about location.<\/p>\n

If your target audience is on a platform, then you should be too. And if you\u2019re going after a younger demographic that means Snapchat.<\/p>\n

Snapchat is the sixth<\/a> largest social media network, it\u2019s also one of the most misunderstood by marketers.<\/p>\n

So, if you\u2019re panicking right now about missing the boat on this platform, you\u2019re not alone and you\u2019re not old \u2013 you just need a quick primer.<\/p>\n

In this guide to Snapchat marketing, we are going to give you an overview of this multimedia messaging platform, explain who\u2019s using it, and give you the information you need for adding it to your marketing strategy.<\/p>\n

What Is Snapchat And How Does It Work?<\/h2>\n

Snapchat is a smartphone app-based social media platform.<\/p>\n

Sometimes referred to as \u201cSC\u201d or simply \u201cSnap,\u201d it was initially designed with a focus on private, person-to-person sharing.<\/p>\n

It sought to create a natural interaction flow, with shared images, videos, and messages that are only available for a limited amount of time (up to 10 seconds after viewing), after which they are automatically deleted.<\/p>\n

Over time, the app\u2019s developers began adding more features.<\/p>\n

They still allow private multimedia messaging, but this is now supplemented with features like live video chat, chronological stories, and Bitmoji avatars. Users can also apply filters and use AR lenses to add animations and effects.<\/p>\n

Okay, you may be saying, this sounds like a fun app, but what can it do for me as a marketer? And more importantly, what can it do for my brand?<\/p>\n

Why You Should Be Using Snapchat For Marketing<\/h2>\n

Successful marketers take advantage of every opportunity to reach potential targets that present themselves \u2013 and Snapchat offers a lot of opportunities.<\/p>\n

As of October 2022, it had more than 363 million<\/a> active daily users, more than 82%<\/a> of whom are 34 or younger. The most active users are 13-year-olds<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That means if your brand is going after Millennials or Gen Z<\/a>, you need a presence on the app.<\/p>\n

It may not have the sheer user volume of Facebook<\/a> or YouTube<\/a>, but according to Snapchat\u2019s own data, the average user snaps between 20 and 40 times<\/a> and spends at least 30 minutes on the app per day. Those are engagement numbers other sites would kill for.<\/p>\n

And not only does Snapchat offer incredible user engagement, but it\u2019s also a territory that is largely untapped by marketers.<\/p>\n

There are marketers on the platform, but unlike sites like Facebook and Twitter, where commercial presence is ubiquitous, many brands have not yet established a presence on Snapchat.<\/p>\n

This presents a great opportunity for you.<\/p>\n

Snapchat marketing also tends to feel more authentic.<\/p>\n

By showing followers what\u2019s happening right now, rather than using a digitally modified, airbrushed, and perfect-looking piece of marketing collateral, you\u2019re showing your business as it really is. People love that.<\/p>\n

By now, it should be clear why you should add Snapchat to your marketing mix, but now comes the hard part: how do you do that?<\/p>\n

We\u2019ll get into that in just a bit, but when you have time, you should first check out our podcast on how to use Snapchat in your marketing campaigns<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, let\u2019s take a closer look at just how to use Snapchat.<\/p>\n

How Does Snapchat Work?<\/h2>\n

If your social media experience is primarily from using Facebook, Instagram<\/a>, and Twitter<\/a>, you may find Snapchat a bit frustrating at first.<\/p>\n

For one thing, its design is fairly unique. Actions are controlled by unlabeled icons, and swiping right or left takes you to a different part of the app.<\/p>\n

And whereas other platforms are friendly to pre-developed content, Snapchat isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

Instead, you\u2019ll need to create videos or photos (messages known as \u201cSnaps\u201d) or Snapchat stories in the app in real-time.<\/p>\n

There is a bit of a learning curve, but with a little patience, you\u2019ll soon master it and be snapping like a pro.<\/p>\n

How To Take A Snapchat Picture Or Video<\/h2>\n

After you\u2019ve created an account and opened the app for the first time, you\u2019ll be faced with an ordinary back-facing camera.<\/p>\n

Play around with this to discover the functionality it provides, including turning the flash on and off, reversing the camera, and putting the camera into night mode.<\/p>\n

To take a picture, simply press the circle button at the bottom. To take a video, press and hold it.<\/p>\n

Next, you can edit your Snap with text, filters, stickers, and links (to your homepage, or a special offer page, for example). You\u2019ll also be able to adjust how long the content will last for the viewer.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019re ready to send the video or image, you can select who receives it, or if you want to add it to your Snapchat story \u2013 but we\u2019ll cover that in the next section.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s it! Congratulations, you\u2019ve just made your first Snapchat post.<\/p>\n

Create A Snapchat Story<\/h2>\n

Just like Facebook and Instagram stories, Snapchat stories<\/a> are collections of videos and images that disappear after 24 hours. They collect your Snaps chronologically, which allows you to create a narrative around your brand.<\/p>\n

To make yours impactful, use original (i.e., not previously used) Snaps to create a story arc.<\/p>\n

You can determine who sees these under Settings<\/em>.<\/p>\n

By default, they will only be viewable by your friends \u2013 but as a brand, you should change this to \u201cEveryone\u201d to improve your exposure and visibility.<\/p>\n

Outlining Your Snapchat Marketing Strategy<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re trying to make an impression \u2013 and you are \u2013 just slapping together a profile and uploading the occasional video isn\u2019t going to cut it.<\/p>\n

You need a well-thought-out strategy that will speak to your audience in a way that resonates and generate real results.<\/p>\n

But before you can generate results, you need to know what you\u2019re hoping to achieve \u2013 and write out your plan to make it happen.<\/p>\n

First, consider your goals. Do you want to use Snapchat to:<\/p>\n