Snapchat is an engaging mobile messaging application designed to let users send photos and video messages that automatically delete themselves after several seconds, providing users with a fun way to connect with one another and brands with an opportunity to build awareness and drive engagement with customers and prospects alike. Snapchat has quickly become popular with millennials and Gen-Z audiences in particular; therefore it provides writers with another great tool to reach their target audiences while understanding its limitations.
Start using Snapchat by creating an account with your name, birthday and email address. Next download the app and create a password. When adding friends users can either upload their contacts or search by Snapcode (a unique QR code). There is also ghost mode which enables users to stay private about their location from other users.
Communication on Snapchat usually involves users sending each other “snaps”, short photos or videos with text, drawings and filters – whether public to all Snapchat users or private to specific recipients – up to 10 seconds long messages that can either be deleted immediately after being taken or saved or screenshotted later. Snapchat also has features like lenses for applying augmented reality overlays on pictures as well as geo-filters which only appear when someone visits specific places.
Though some features of Snapchat present safety risks for children – for instance, its Snap Map feature shows friends on a map without their consent; Snapstreaks encourage kids to exchange snaps frequently to earn rewards; and Discover provides age-inappropriate content – when used responsibly under parental guidance regarding privacy, safety and marketing concerns it can provide teens a fantastic platform to connect with each other and form lasting friendships.
Snapchat has proven itself as a valuable advertising platform for businesses that focus on direct-to-consumer sales, as it attracts both teen and young adult audiences. Furthermore, its less intrusive nature means brands can quickly create engaging campaigns that resonate with their target audiences through Snapchat’s unique ephemeral nature.
The Snapchat Discover feature should be an important component of marketers’ brand strategies. It allows major publishers like CNN and BuzzFeed to display short ad-supported videos on Snapchat’s platform; and can drive traffic directly to your business website and increase the likelihood of consumers converting there.
Parents can help their kids navigate Snapchat safely by setting clear guidelines on how they should use the app and regularly reviewing its settings. Parents need to understand that just because something disappears from an app doesn’t mean it can no longer be saved or shared – by encouraging open dialogue and staying abreast of digital trends, parents can assist their kids in using Snapchat responsibly.