I Ain’t Afraid Of No Ghost: Why Snapchat Matters


Snapchat may seem like just one more gimmick in the rising sea of social media apps but the Carmella Crew is here to explain why you need to take a closer look.

Believe it or not, as of this year, 150 million people use Snapchat every single day. And while 60% of current users are under the age of 25, more than half of new users are over 25. This means, your clients and customers are either already signed up or will be on Snapchat very soon.

What is this thing?

Haven’t yet joined the swarms of Snapchatters? Here are the basics. Snapchat is a photo and video-messaging app. It launched in 2011 and it’s most unique feature is that all the photos and videos last a brief amount of time before they disappear forever! If you’re still perplexed, we suggest this article: What’s the point of Snapchat and how does it work? 

So, considering the fact that the average Snapchatter spends 30 minutes per day on the app – and each photo or video is capped at 10 seconds in length, your company would gain instant access to an extremely-captive and highly-engaged audience. Is this the future?

Simply taking a few moments to browse some of the larger companies who have paid (undoubtedly BIG bucks) to become permanent fixtures in the full-story area of the app: People, Cosmopolitan, BuzzFeed, Comedy Central, MTV, VICE and Tastemade (to name a few), it’s no surprise that live sporting events and concerts are also becoming active within this space.

Here’s where you come in!

Snapchat is a completely free app. Even if all you ever did was post engaging content to your story, you would be giving your fans a new way to connect, captivate and help them to more easily associate your brand with their lifestyle. Each item posted only lasts 24 hours, so posting continuously is the key. But it’s also perfectly okay to not always have content on your story. It’s in-the-moment, creative and fun!

One of the unique ways individuals and companies use Snapchat is through the purchase and creation of event-geofilters. Geofilters (within the app) are location specific, organic options for users to overlay on their photos or videos.

If your company or business is hosting an event Snapchat offers the opportunity for you to purchase, create and launch your very own stylized and branded geofilter. The geofilter is set up by determining where you’d like it to be active, for how long, and exactly what you’d like it to look like. Then once it’s live – watch your branding fly!

Regardless if you are just getting started or deep into your marketing plan – The Carmella Crew knows Snapchat could be the new secret weapon in your tool belt. And don’t be scared – this ghost is the friendly kind.

– The Carmella Crew

PS: Bonus content below (because we like you!)

Okay, I downloaded Snapchat but what do I post?

• Event preparation
• Day to day, first-person activities
• Behind The Scenes with interviews/clips
• Content Memories – “throwback” images and videos from your camera roll
• Text-based messaging
• Contests, Countdowns, etc.
• Encourage people to screenshot and share
• LIVE content from events – be sure to use or create a geofilter