The metamorphism of marketing certainly keeps brands on their toes. Nowadays, it’s no longer enough to map out a rigid strategy over weeks and months; consumers expect instant, relevant updates on the latest events as they happen. This has been the driving force of platforms like Snapchat, the pace of which leaves many businesses in the dust.

How can you keep up with a platform that, by its very nature, is constantly evolving? To help you get a handle on Snapchat – or Snap Inc, as it’s now known – our influencer marketing agency explores:

Live streaming

As social media erodes the barriers between brands and the rest of the world, platforms like Snapchat are a way to bridge the gap and build connections with an audience. With very little effort, you can give your followers a point-of-view glimpse of what goes on within your brand, putting an exclusive ‘VIP’ twist on your marketing efforts.

Whether you’re a fashion brand behind the scenes of the catwalk, a sports company on the front row of the most-watched games, or even a restaurant with juicy shots of the kitchen in action, live streaming is a compelling way to draw in new and existing customers. You could even give sneak previews of new products, generating excitement ahead of launches…

Influencer marketing

Few brands have the resources or expertise to keep up with the users that hang out on Snapchat. And, thanks to influencers, they don’t need to. Brands that know their demographic use this platform can harness influencer marketing, targeting their audience in a way that’s relevant, authentic and extremely cost-effective.

Using influencers can work in several ways. You can either invite them to ‘take over’ your Snapchat account during an event, or enlist them to market your products or services to their own audience as part of a wider campaign. Combine this with a competition, as we did with Stuggy, and your engagement will skyrocket.

Hand over the baton

One of the biggest pitfalls that many brands make with social media marketing is failing to include their audience. Telling your brand story is a two-way conversation; your customer is your co-author, so let them have a say in the direction it should take.

Encourage your followers to participate. Whether that’s singing a song, showcasing their favourite fashion picks, or undertaking a funny challenge with friends, any form of involvement will promote brand loyalty, especially if you reply or share with your audience.

Creativity is key when using Snapchat for business. Grabbing and sustaining the attention of young audiences is a hard-won game, so think laterally when putting together a strategy for this up-and-coming social media platform.

Influencers can prove invaluable in providing the insights and expertise you need to succeed on Snapchat, and that’s where partnering with an agency like Billion Dollar Boy can help. For more information about how we work, check out our website.