Snapchat may not be as well-known as Facebook or Twitter, but the social media app is growing in popularity. In fact, businesses are beginning to use the app to bring attention to their companies. Five ways that businesses are using the Snapchat app include to:

• Post exclusive promotions
• Present new products
• Provide real-time help
• Offer access to live events
• Stand out from competitors

Exclusive Promotions

Food-based companies are taking advantage of Snapchat to offer their customers exclusive promotions. For instance, a frozen yogurt chain recently gave customers discounts when they stopped by one of their establishments for a treat. If the customer opened a snap from the company while paying for their frozen yogurt, they received an exclusive discount. The discount amount varied for each person, so they didn’t know how much the discount was until they were at the register. This type of promotion lets companies capitalize on the app’s brevity while getting in touch with their customers in new ways.

Presenting New Products

A number of businesses have been presenting new products on the Snapchat app. Those who have been effective at this kind of campaign have tapped a few employees to showcase a new product. They’ve done this by creating several snaps that tell a story about the product. Then, they encourage their customers to view or buy it. The key to success with this advertising method is to speak the Snapchat language, which features emojis. When companies speak to their customers without condescension and in a way that’s familiar, they will usually respond by engaging with the company.

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Real-Time Assistance

Since people can share photos as well as videos that are just a few seconds long on Snapchat, companies have discovered that they can help their customers in real-time. If a customer posts a photo of a company’s product still in the packaging because they are unable to open it, the company could respond by showing the customer how to access it. Videos or photos demonstrating how to use a product are also an effective use of Snapchat. Companies can take advantage of the app to show where their store is located or advise users about their current promotions or coupons.

Live Events

Snapchat makes it easy for companies to capitalize on real-time social media advertising since the app gives their customers direct access to live events. Use the app for trade shows, one-of-a-kind events and product launches. When companies share these moments with their audiences via Snapchat, they create added buzz and excitement because it’s different. It’s also an authentic view of this kind of event’s happenings. Professional sports organizations have been using it. For instance, the NBA has been sharing its draft and finals event on Snapchat, which allows fans to see the excitement practically firsthand.

Standing out from the Competition

Companies that begin using Snapchat now will likely pull ahead of their competition when it comes to advertising because many businesses have yet to discover it. Those who embrace it now will become Snapchat pros by the time the rest of their field catches on. This gives companies that use Snapchat an advantage because the social media site is continuing to release new features. Recent additions include access to multiple snaps and the ability to chat. According to rumors, Snapchat is looking at ways to allow companies to share breaking news. Statistics show that millions of people use the app. In addition, it has a current valuation of around $10 billion, so companies shouldn’t overlook this feasible advertising option.

Stay in Touch with Technology

If you already are or intend to work in the business world, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the newest trends in social media. Because people use different mediums to communicate today than they did in the past, companies are gaining new ways to connect with old and new customers.