Snapchat is the oddball of social media sites, so you may have been avoiding it in your social media marketing strategy. But 101 Management, Inc., suggests you might want to take another look at the possibility of using Snapchat to market your product or service if:

  • your target market is between 18-34;
  • you’d like to reach some of its 203 million active daily users (more than Twitter’s);
  • you’re creative and imaginative; and,
  • you’re okay with living in the “now.”

One of the best things about marketing on Snapchat is that it’s still relatively new, so very few companies have figured out how to take advantage of it. In fact, only about seven percent of marketers use it for business. This means you’ll have little competition if you get on board now.

User stats

We’ve encouraged you before to think about Snapchat to market your business, and here are a few reasons why.

Thirty-five percent of teens use Snapchat more often than any other social media platform, and 69 percent of all teens say they use it daily.

Of those, 51 percent use it approximately 11 times a day, and spend more than a half-hour each day on the app.

In addition, older users are beginning to find the platform. This includes 79 percent of 18-24-year olds, 48 percent of those ages 25-35, 17 percent of those ages 35-44, 14 percent of those ages 45-54, and 12 percent of those ages 55-64.

Another survey found that 58 percent of college students would likely purchase a product from a brand that sent them a Snapchat coupon.

Analysts predict that by 2020, 25 percent of all mobile users will by on Snapchat, and that it will add twice as many new users as Twitter and Pinterest over the same period.

Finally, a Pew survey earlier this year found that Snapchat users have disposable income. Twenty-six percent of daily users make between $30,000 and $74,999, while 22 percent make $75,000 or more.

Why marketers skip Snapchat

Snapchat is the “odd duck” of social media sites. It’s the youngest, both in terms of longevity and in terms of demographics. If you’re not part of Gen Z, it’s likely a mystery to you.

The Snapchat messaging platform is available only as an app on mobile devices. In addition, although the platform has rolled out ads, they’re not yet available to everyone, so you’re forced to work within the parameters of the medium.

It’s all about living in the “now.” Snaps disappear as soon as they are viewed (with the exception of Snapchat Stories and Snapchat Memories).

Another reason marketers haven’t figured out how to capitalize on the platform is because they need to be able to think like the young users, and that can be somewhat challenging for those used to the more traditional platforms like Facebook and Instagram.

Your Snapchat marketing campaign

If you’re creative and imaginative, you can reach the millions of Snapchat users with your message. Your marketing message must be subtle, somewhat irreverent, and, above all, fun, but it can really pay off.

The key is to give them an insider’s or behind-the-scenes look at your business.

You can offer friends (i.e., followers/fans):

  • promo codes, coupons, or discounts relating to your product or service;
  • a behind-the-scenes glimpse of you and your staff;
  • tips and advice on ways to use your product;
  • a heads-up regarding new products;
  • news about upcoming events; and,
  • user-generated content to boost engagement.

Once you become comfortable with the platform, you can take advantage of the Snapchat Stories and Snapchat Memories features. Snapchat Stories play like mini-movies, allowing you to tell a “story” with your photos and brief videos. Memories allows you to back up your Snaps and Stories to the cloud for later retrieval.

Our social media marketing experts have many ways to help you get a jump on your competition by utilizing Snapchat as a marketing tool, so contact us today to learn more.