Snapchat

 Snapchat (https://www.snapchat.com/)

Snapchat, created in 2011 and registered in the USA, is a popular social network that allows sharing short videos and photos. The platform has over 375 million daily active users, making it an excellent tool for small and medium-sized businesses. Snapchat may remind you of TikTok.

In this article, we will explore how Ukrainian entrepreneurs can effectively use Snapchat to grow their business.

Why choose Snapchat?

Although Snapchat has over 306 million daily active users, only 1% of marketers and business owners actively use the platform. This is because many see Snapchat as an app solely for personal use, and short-term content may not be suitable for all businesses.

Huge audience

• 375 million daily active users.

• 75% of people aged 13 to 34 in over 20 countries use Snapchat.

• 300 million active Spotlight users monthly.

• 250 million users engage with augmented reality (AR) features daily.

• 800 partners in the "Discover" section in over 20 countries and 17 languages.

• 100 million people visit the "Discover" section monthly.

Advantages of Snapchat for business

Quick audience engagement. Snapchat allows you to quickly engage young people through short videos and photos. This is a great way to quickly draw attention to your business. A sports club can film videos with short trainer tips or exercise demonstrations. This will not only attract new clients but also create an image of experts in their field.

Creative content. Snapchat offers many tools for creating engaging content. You can use filters, masks, and stickers to make your photos and videos more captivating. A confectionery can create an AR mask that turns users into sweet pies or cupcakes, and then offer a discount to everyone who uses this mask and shares their photo.

Stories – content that disappears after 24 hours. This helps keep your audience informed about news and promotions, creating a sense of urgency. A travel agency can post stories with short video tours of exotic destinations they offer, thereby attracting potential clients.

How to start using Snapchat

Creating a profile

1. Download the Snapchat app from the App Store or Google Play Store.

2. Sign up: create an account, enter your age, phone number; come up with a secure password and a unique username.

3. Use Snapchat Business Manager to create a business account.

Adding friends and followers

• Cross-promotion. Inform your followers on other social networks that you are now on Snapchat.

• Share your profile link. Share the link to your Snapchat profile in your emails and on your website.

• Create a Snapcode. Use Snapcode so users can quickly find your account by scanning it.

Creating content on Snapchat

1. Use the app to take short videos and photos.

2. Make your content more engaging with text captions and stickers.

3. Regularly share stories to keep your audience informed about news and promotions.

How to use Snapchat for Ukrainian business

Engaging a young audience. Snapchat is popular among young people, making it an ideal way to reach this audience. A streetwear store can showcase new clothing collections in action, organize fashion shows, or invite popular influencers to talk about your products.

Creativity in advertising. Use filters, masks, and stickers to make your ads more engaging. A coffee shop can create a special filter for its customers that adds a steaming cup of coffee to photos and offer a discount to anyone who uses the filter and shares a photo with it.

Promotions and discounts. Announce promotions and special offers through stories. An online electronics store can post exclusive discounts for its Snapchat followers, creating a sense of urgency and exclusivity.

Behind-the-scenes stories. Share behind-the-scenes events of your business, show the work process or interesting moments from the company’s life. A furniture factory can show the process of creating furniture, from design to finished product, attracting those who value quality and craftsmanship.

Quick content. Use short videos to instantly capture attention. An art gallery can post videos of new exhibitions or events, attracting visitors and art enthusiasts.

Advertising on Snapchat

Snapchat Ads – full-screen ads that encourage viewers to learn more about your product or service. A language school can run ads with fun videos showing how easy and interesting it is to learn languages at their school.

Advanced targeting options. Use the features of Snapchat Business Manager to set up targeting for your ads. A programming course can target users interested in technology and have basic skills in this area.

Sponsored filters and lenses. Create sponsored filters and lenses that users can add to their photos and videos. A sportswear brand can create a lens that adds sports equipment or uniforms to users' photos, encouraging them to share their sports achievements.

Content formats on Snapchat

To use Snapchat for business, it is important to know which content formats are supported by the platform:

• Snap Ads — vertical videos or images displayed full screen. Recommended resolution – 1080x1920 pixels.

• Collection Ads — ads with multiple images or videos that can be swiped through.

• Story Ads — ad stories consisting of multiple Snaps.

• Dynamic Ads — ads automatically created based on your product catalog.

• Filters — graphic overlays that users can add to their photos or videos.

• Lenses — augmented reality (AR) masks that users can use for their photos and videos.

Additional ideas and recommendations

Collaborating with influencers can significantly increase your brand's reach on Snapchat. It is important to choose active and relevant influencers in your field. Make sure their audience matches your target audience and carefully plan the campaign to achieve maximum results.

Creative promotions. Use AR lenses and filters for virtual product try-ons. For example, if you have a cosmetics store, create filters that allow users to try different lipstick shades. This will create an interactive experience for users and increase engagement with your brand.

Advanced analytics capabilities. Snapchat Insights is an essential tool for your marketing strategy. You can analyze key metrics such as the number of views and daily reach for better planning. This data will help you understand which types of content engage your audience the most.

Exclusive offers and contests for your subscribers. For example, organize a flash sale or offer a discount to those who share a photo with your product and a special filter. This will create a sense of urgency and exclusivity, encouraging users to participate in your promotions.