How to Create a Snapchat Ad

Have you ever watched a friend’s Snapchat story that is then immediately followed by an ad that actually looks as if you’re watching another individual’s Snapchat story?  Larger brands have already been using the Snapchat platform to advertise and now local businesses have the option as well (although, it is pricey!). Register your business for the Snapchat Ads Manager and follow these steps to create your first Snapchat ad:
 
1. Create an Audience

Like Facebook and Instagram, Snapchat now offers ways to target individuals based on device, demographics, and geography. When creating your audience, try to keep in mind that most people using Snapchat are teenagers and young adults, so if your audience falls outside of these parameters, it might be wise to consider advertising on a different social media platform.

2. Set Your Budget and Goals

Select your ad budget for the particular ad as well as the goal. This can either be “swipe-ups” or “installs”. As of now, the minimum budget for a Snapchat ad is $100 per day, which is much higher than daily ad minimums on other platforms. (Facebook and Instagram currently only require $1 per day per ad.) We’re hoping that Snapchat will lower the daily ad minimum once brands with larger budgets become more familiar with the platform. We saw this happen with Instagram and Twitter years ago.
 
3. Schedule

Select a duration for how long you want this specific ad to run. One week? One month? A year?
 
4. Select an ad type and upload your content

There are four types of ads: App Install, Long Form Video, Top Snap Only and Web View.

The App Install ad will send people directly to the Apple Store or Google Play to download the selected app. The Long Form Video ad is similar to a video trailer and these videos can be up to 10 minutes long. The Top Snap Only ad option is a 3-10 second video ad with no call to action.
 A Web View ad will send people to a website to purchase a product, make an appointment or read an article.  

Ready to get started with Snapchat ads? Reach out to us to begin creating these type of ads for your brand!
 

3 Ways Brands are Using Snapchat

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Snapchat has been on a roll lately, implementing changes that makes the social platform more than just a place to throw away pictures.

With over 100 million people using Snapchat daily, businesses are tapping into the app to communicate and influence current and potential customers.

Snaps — photos or 10-second videos — are all about storytelling. Use Snapchat in a way that will grab the attention of a quickly growing audience. Here are some ways brands are using Snapchat to share their story and influence consumer action:

Snap Ads

Today, Snapchat is as hot as it gets. Having reached 10 billion video views a day, the platform is looking to cash in on its popularity. Snapchat offers the best in mobile video ads with options to add interactive elements.

Snap Ads begin with an up to 10-second, fullscreen video ad that appears within users stories, where before were only seen in the Discover and Live Stories section. You can also add a feature for users to swipe up to reveal additional content like longer videos, articles and website information.

In collaboration with Snapchat, Spotify added Snap Ads to their "NYE live" story to promote "Party" playlists:

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Sponsored Geofilters

Be seen and interact with Snapchatters everywhere using Sponsored Geofilters. When users snap in a location specified, they are able to use a brands custom geofilter to show where, when, and why they took the snap.

Whether it's at a wedding or company event, geofilters spread brand awareness and make it fun for users. Before submitting your design, ensure you are meeting their guidelines (no URLs, hashtags, and social media handles). Be creative and fun so Snapchatters will share your filter with their friends.

samsung-snapchat

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Offers and Giveaways

Since a huge majority of Snapchat users fit the millennial market, businesses are running contests and discounts offers to encourage them to purchase a product. A great way to promote flash offers is by posting the deal to your Story.

For instance, food delivery service GrubHub sent out a snap asking users to snap back a photo of a food doodle. From there, 10 random users who responded within the next day were chosen to receive a prize. GrubHub also Snapchatted a series of scavenger-hunt challenges to win $50 in food orders and a shoutout across their social media platforms.

grubhub-snapchat

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Does your business use Snapchat? Tell us how you're implementing Snapchat for your social media campaigns in an email!

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