How to Use Snapchat in Marketing — Step One

Snapchat is a newer social messaging platform that has taken the world by storm. There are now 100 million daily active users. Many businesses have leveraged Snapchat and created fun and interactive marketing strategies to engage users and spread brand awareness.

Sub Sea Systems has decided to see how we can use Snapchat to market Sea TREK. As we go through the process of learning how to set up an account, create content and gain followers, we thought it would be a good idea to share what we learn, so that you can decide if Snapchat is right for your business. Follow along as we explore ways to use Snapchat to reach a new audience.

Note: Snapchat does offer paid advertising, but from what I’ve read the minimum budget is somewhere around $50,000 for 1 day. I think we have enough creativity and eye candy to create a compelling story that people will want to see, without paying the fee (everyone loves Sea TREK photos and videos, because… uh, yeah!).

I would share some examples of Snapchat marketing, but because of the ephemeral quality of Snapchat they won’t be there very long. I do recommend checking out this website to get started. http://www.snapchat.codes/ 

Our Goals:

1. Create a new Snapchat account for SeaTREK
2. Explore Snapchat’s many editing tools
3. Learn how to use photos that already exist
4. Create a Custom Snap Code
5. Create content for Our Story
6. Create and submit custom Geofilters
7. Gain Followers & Trophies & Snapchat Points

How does Snapchat work?

As we go through this process we hope to find out a lot more about Snapchat’s abilities and perks, but the basics of the application are pretty straightforward. You take photos and videos, edit them and send them to people. They disappear after they are seen, and IF someone screenshots the image Snapchat lets you know.

There is also a feature called My Story that allows you to upload and compile many snaps that are viewable up to 24 hours (make sure your settings say public) — this is an opportunity to create a narrative and showcase your brand’s personality.

We will research all of the abilities Snapchat has, and continue posting about the new things we learn as we go along.

For today, I want to start a Sea TREK Snapchat.

If you do not have the app you can get it here for Apple and here for Android

Click signup and follow the step-by-step instructions (Enter email, password and birth date). Then choose your user name (this is how people find you). We chose Sea-TREK — add us as a friend! Use the Snapchat app to take a photo of the code below and click Add Friend.

Next, you will need to allow Snapchat to access your contacts, so you can see who in your contacts list already has Snapchat. Have to start somewhere right?

Then it’s time to snap!

If you click on the bottom left (blue square) you will see that you have a snap from team Snapchat — spoiler alert! —it's a cute little tutorial to get you started. If you tap the bottom right (purple square) you will see a My Story from team Snapchat that shows a fun video about how to use My Story.

You will also see a section called Discover (these are the businesses that paid the big bucks to advertise), take a look and maybe you will be inspired.

Alright, before we lose your attention we’re going to leave off here and let you play around to see what you can find. We’ve found stickers, how to add text to a photo, and our personal favorite … a selfie camera! If the selfie camera is not already on, tap the icon in the top right corner when you’re on the main camera screen.

And, here’s a fun little hint for the day, when you’re in selfie mode, tap the screen and hold your finger on your face until the camera recognizes you (white lines will go across your face). Little icons will appear on the screen. Swipe through them and watch the magic!!! You won’t be disappointed.

Next up, we explore Snapchat’s photo and video editing tools in our How to Use Snapchat in Marketing — Step Two. Stay tuned.
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