It is easy to be an early adopter on many social networks. But Snapchat is different.

Knowing how to snap a photo or record a video, add a filter and share with friends is basic knowledge.

To really stand out from the crowd, you need to have something up your sleeve.

If you are keen, you must have noticed that some people’s snaps appear so captivating and interesting. Take the record producer DJ Khaled’s Stories for instance.

He has made a name for himself as an inspiring Snapchatter. He has millions of loyal Snapchat followers who watch his snaps within the first five minutes of posting.

A renowned self-help coach and one of the most influential motivational speakers on the planet, Tony Robins, described him to Business Insider as “off the cuff…really sincere… authentic…” and “awesome.”

Tony Robins was captivated by DJ Khaled’s Snapchat keys to success videos that he hoped to “bump into him in the near future.”

How does the DJ manage to create such an engaging Snapchat community with a series of less-than-ten-minute videos and photos?

Is there some secret to success on Snapchat that is known only to a few people?

Much as it appears like everyone is doing the same stuff, there are a bunch of ways to stand out on Snapchat.

Let’s have a look at some.

1. Use Emoji in Realistic Ways

Snapchat has a bunch of emojis that you can use to go with virtually any story:

• Animals and nature
• Food and drinks
• Smileys and people
• Travel and places
• Objects
• Symbols and flags

In short, there’s an emoji for each activity and everyone.

Take your picture- a new icon shows up over the picture on the screen. Tap it and access the Sticker Picker, a new fun feature on the Snapchat app.

Here’s the big deal. Don’t pick just any emoji and add to your snap.

I start by scanning my surroundings. I’d highly advise you do the same.

Are you working out in the gym? The Activity emoji set will render you just the right pick for your snap.

Are you riding outside? At your office desk? In a classroom…or just lazing out in bed?

There’s probably more than one emoji that perfectly blends into your snapshot realistically.

It’s party night! Time to make your friends regret having stayed home at such a moment. Pull the sparkling-wine-bottle emoji and place it on your coffee table. Scale it to size to make the effect unmistakable.

The trick is to make the emoji deliver your message. It has to appear real.

2. Tell Your Story in Form of a Mini-movie

Snapchat videos are short – up to 10 seconds each.

But it’s more than enough for a fun chat.

However to become a DJ Khaled, you must hook your friends and followers.

Snapchat stories only last 24 hours. As a way out of this, create short video segments with stories that lead to the next.

The videos will virtually create a kind of short movie with a storyline.

You can post as many snaps as you want. There’s no limit. Pick any interesting plot and create your mini-movie out of it.

Remember however, the more concise your movie, the more successful it will be.

3. Got Some Humor; Knock Our Socks Off!

A sort of stand-up routine will spice up your stories. That is one of the things that has worked for most of the successful celebs on Snapchat.

Huffington Post  recommends Calvin Harris’ Snapchat account because apparently he “has a hilarious group of friends that often make cameos”.

Simply Measured (now acquired by Sprout Social) once described DJ Khaled as the best thing that ever happened to Snapchat. The reason? He is “not afraid to be exactly who he is, which is hilarious and honest and a wee bit aspirational.”

Humour works.

A little fun will earn you lots of love from fellow Snapchatters. Remember who your largest audience on Snapchat is: young people aged 13 to 34. To these folks, nothing comes above some good fun.

4. Go Weirdo With the New Snapchat Lenses Feature

Snapchat’s face recognition software can be a scary stuff.

You want to puke rainbows?

You want to become a cannibal?

Use the new Snapchat face recognition feature to manipulate weird parts of your body to turn you into a zombie or any scary image you wish to create.

Still, creativity is the name of the game.

The more creative you get with the Lenses feature the more interesting your snaps will be.

One thing is certain: it’s as amusing for your friend, the recipient, as it is for you, the sender.

5. Assume a Different Persona with each Selfie Lens

You don’t want to bore your Snapchat friends with the same selfie style each time.

Evan Spiegel and his friends are definitely aware of that. That’s why they have provided a lot of filters in the form of Snapchat Lenses.

The rest is up to you to pull off. Think of words, a sentence or a voice that will match the filter you have chosen.

If you choose something as scary as the one above, a guttural voice will top the effect by exuding panic or fright.   

You could say something dramatic, funny or strange. Whatever it is, ensure it is in synch with the filter you have selected, each time.

6. Make Geofilters Work for You

If I want to subtly shout to everyone in my neighbourhood that I showed up in Brisbane, I don’t have to do a circular on that.

Snapchat has lots of geofilters meant only for use in Brisbane. If I pick a smart one and apply to my snaps, then drop them on the Story section of the social network, chances are that everyone I anticipate to get the news will. Bravo.

All you have to do is perfect the art of making geofilters appear really cool. Snapchatters love cool snaps. They sure appreciate geofilters when well used.

Today you can customise your own geofilters and submit for approval by the Snapchat team. If you can submit some cool ideas then you can soon be a Snapchat genius.

Wrap Up!

There are hundreds of thousands of creative ways to send people messages on Snapchat. And with the many cool filters and features added every day, you have no excuse to be less creative in the way you chat on Snapchat.  

It pays to take a basic idea and transform it into your own unique style. Always. 

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on 5 May 2017 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness, based on new research and findings into the topic.

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The post Snapchat’s Hidden Treasures – 6 Amazingly Successful Ways to Stand Out on Snapchat appeared first on 99signals.

Snapchat currently has 265 million active users who use the app to keep up with friends, family, events, and to update everyone on what they are up to. Several brands have started advertising on Snapchat to reach out to a highly engaged audience that’s connected at all moments of the day.

The Snapchat accounts featured in this article have one thing in common. They have a deep understanding of how the platform works. As a result, they know exactly what type of content will resonate with Snapchatters and engage them regularly, increasing their influence.

Needless to say, marketers can find a lot of fresh content ideas and inspiration from these Snapchat maestros.

Here are the 10 best Snapchat accounts – entrepreneurs, brands, and influencers – you need to follow for marketing inspiration.

10 Best Snapchat Accounts Marketers Need to Follow

1. Gary Vaynerchuk, entrepreneur and best-selling author

Username: @garyvee

Gary Vaynerchuk is a serial entrepreneur and a best-selling author. He currently heads his own digital marketing agency called VaynerMedia, working with top brands such as Budweiser, Pepsi, and Toyota, among others.

In the past, he has invested in companies such as Twitter, Snapchat, and Uber. He was also one of four mentors in the reality show Planet of the Apps alongside Jessica Alba, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Will.I.Am.

Follow Gary Vaynerchuk on Snapchat to get a sneak peek into how he builds his personal brand, along with great motivational tips on how to succeed in entrepreneurship.

2. HubSpot, inbound marketing company

Username: @hubspotinc

HubSpot is the perfect example of a B2B brand that has successfully built an audience on Snapchat. Founded by Dharmesh Shah in 2006, HubSpot makes the best use of all major social media platforms to educate and entertain their target audience. Snapchat is no exception.

HubSpot uses Snapchat both as a marketing as well as a recruitment tool to showcase their work culture, inbound philosophy, and employees.

Related: 15 Free HubSpot Tools and Resources Every Marketer Should Be Using

3. Peter Shankman, founder of HARO

Username: @petershakman

If you have experience in SEO or PR, you’ve probably heard of Peter Shankman, the founder of Help A Reporter Out (HARO), a service that connects journalists and bloggers with influencers and thought leaders.

Shankman uses Snapchat to share his knowledge of PR and social media marketing.

4. Justin Kan, co-founder of Twitch

Username: @justinkan

Justin Kan was one of the original co-founders of Twitch, the leading video platform and community for gamers which was acquired by Amazon for $970 million.

You can follow Justin Kan on Snapchat for entrepreneurial insights and to get a behind-the-scenes look at launching new companies.

5. Noah Kagan, founder of AppSumo

Username: @noahkagan

Noah Kagan is the founder of AppSumo. He was also employee #30 at Facebook and director of marketing at Mint.

Follow Noah Kagan on Snapchat to get insights into growth hacking and social media marketing. In quintessential Noah Kagan fashion, his posts showcase his amazing sense of humor.

Related: 10 Best AppSumo Deals of the Month

6. Cisco, networking and telecommunications technology company

Username: @wearecisco

Cisco is probably not the first brand that comes to your mind while thinking of Snapchat. After all, why would a networking and telecommunications technology company want to leverage Snapchat? In this case, it’s not to showcase their highly sophisticated products, but to showcase their unique work culture.

Following Cisco on Snapchat is a must for B2B marketers who would like to leverage social media, but aren’t sure what to showcase. If you can’t get people excited about your products or services, then think about the other interesting aspects of your organization.

7. Chris Sacca, Silicon Valley investor

Username: @sacca

You may be familiar with Chris Sacca if you watch Shark Tank where he frequently appears as a ‘guest shark’. Sacca is one of the most prominent investors in Silicon Valley. He has invested in technology companies like Twitter, Uber, Instagram, and Kickstarter.

Follow Chris Sacca on Snapchat to get business tips and insights from one of the leading VCs in Silicon Valley.

8. Amazon, e-commerce company

Username: @amazon

Amazon uses Snapchat to share exclusive promotional codes for amazing deals, especially during the holiday season, and to create a sense of exclusivity for its Snapchat followers.

Follow Amazon on Snapchat to see how an e-commerce company promotes its services on the platform and to learn innovative promotional tactics.

9. Pat Flynn, founder of Smart Passive Income

Username: @patflynnspi

Pat Flynn is the founder of Smart Passive Income, a blog where you can learn how to build an online business from scratch. He also hosts the popular Smart Passive Income Podcast and offers tons of how-to guides, tutorials, and videos to aspiring bloggers and entrepreneurs.

Follow Pat Flynn on Snapchat to get insights into building a successful online business and get a behind-the-scenes peek at his podcasts.

10. Jay Baer, founder of Convince and Convert

Username: @jay.baer

Jay Baer is an internet entrepreneur and a New York Times best-selling author. He is the founder of Convince and Convert, a social media consulting firm.

Follow Jay Baer on Snapchat to stay up-to-date with the latest content marketing and social media marketing trends.

Final Thoughts

Snapchat is a great place to find engaging content from influencers and brands. If you’ve just joined the platform and would like to learn ways to connect with your audience, then these are the best people to follow on Snapchat.

Hope you found this article useful. Did I miss out on any of the influencers you think should be included in this list? I’d love to hear from you. Please drop a note in the comments section.

And before you leave, please do me a favor and share this article with your followers on Twitter using the link below:

Editor’s Note: This article was first published on 3 October 2017 and has been updated regularly since then for relevance, freshness, and comprehensiveness. 

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The post 10 Best Snapchat Accounts to Follow for Marketing Inspiration appeared first on 99signals.

In this guide to Snapchat advertising, you’ll learn how to advertise on Snapchat and create your first Snap ad using Snapchat Ad Manager.

Why Advertise on Snapchat?

Before getting started with Snapchat advertising, let’s examine why Snapchat is such an important platform for advertisers.

Snapchat’s community spans a broad age range. It’s not just the teens who use the app, but Snapchat’s growing audience includes 50% daily users in the US who are 25 or older.

Snapchat Demographics (Image Credit: Snapchat)

Another aspect that sets Snapchat apart from other social networks is the amount of time Snapchat users (or Snapchatters) spend on the app each day. Snapchatters spend an average of 30+ minutes on Snapchat every day.

Snapchat Statistics (Image Credit: Snapchat)

Most importantly, the reasons people use Snapchat run the gamut from staying in touch (86%), to sharing funny moments (84%), to getting advice from their closest confidants on what to buy (43%).

This means that marketers and business owners can reach a highly engaged audience that’s connected at all moments of their day.

What are Snap Ads?

A Snap ad is a 3 to 10-second vertical video ad that provides Snapchat users (Snapchatters) with an option to swipe up on the ad for additional information.

The additional information can be a longer video, an article, an app install page, or a website.

Here’s an example of a Burberry Snap ad:

Snap ads use the same structure as Facebook ads – campaign, ad sets, and ads. So to create a Snap ad with Snapchat Ad Manager, you’ll have to follow this structure – create a campaign, an ad set, and then the ad.

How to Create Snapchat Ads using Snap Ad Manager

Now that you know what Snap ads are and the advantages of Snapchat advertising, let’s look at how to create your first Snap ad using Snapchat Ad Manager.

#1 Sign up for a Snap Ad Account

The first step is to create a Snap Ad Account. Visit this page and click “Sign up” to get started.

You’ll need to sign in with your Snapchat account. If you don’t have a Snapchat account yet, click here to sign up for a new account.

On the next page, fill in your business details and click “Get Started”.

Snapchat will then ask you to add your payment information. You can link your account to a credit card or establish a line of credit with Snapchat. This will allow Snapchat to invoice you on a monthly basis.

Now that your account is setup, let’s take a closer look at some of the key sections in Snapchat Ad Manager.

In the upper left corner of the screen, you’ll see two options – Ad Manager and Business Manager. Ad Manager is where you create your Snap ads and Business Manager section is where you add new members to your account or make changes to your payment information.

Ad Manager has 4 key sections which you can select from the left side of your screen:

• Dashboard: This is where you can create, view, and manage your existing Snap ads. You can also see some key performance metrics of your ads.
• Creative Library: This is where you can view, edit, and create ad creatives.
• Custom Audiences: This is where you can use your customer data like emails or mobile advertising IDs to effectively reach Snapchatters.
• Help Center: This is where you can learn more about Snap ads and Snapchat Ad Manager.

Now that you have a basic understanding of the interface of Snapchat Ad Manager, let’s start creating your first Snap ad.

#2 Create a New Campaign

Log in to your Snapchat Ad Manager account and click “+New Campaign” to create your first ad campaign on Snapchat.

Next, choose a campaign objective from these 4 options:

• Drive Traffic to My Website
• Drive Installs of My App
• Grow Awareness
• Drive Video Views

To take any of these above actions, users will have to swipe up while viewing your ad.

Next, you’ll need to schedule your ad. You can either start the campaign immediately and run indefinitely or set start and end dates.

Finally, give your ad campaign a name and hit “Next” to move on to the next step.

#3 Set Audience and Budget

The next step is to create the first ad set in your campaign.

Under Geography, select the location you want to target.

In the Demographics section, define the audience you want to reach. Enter the age ranges, gender, and language.

In the Audiences section, you can select an audience from Snapchat’s Predefined Audiences:

• Lifestyles: “What do they like?” – These audiences are built based on people’s long-term interests.
• Shoppers:”What do they buy?” – These audiences are built based on what people buy in stores, restaurants, venues, and dealerships.
• Viewers: “What do they watch?” – These audiences are built based on what TV, film, and video people like to watch.
• Visitors: “Where do they go?” – These audiences are built based on the places people go when using their mobile devices.

Next, select a placement for your ad and the devices you’d to target. Choose a budget and select a goal to optimize for. Also specify when you want the ad set to run.

Note: Though it’s not disclosed anywhere, the minimum amount for daily budget seems to be $100. 

And finally, give your ad set a name and hit “Next”.

#4 Upload Your Ad Creative

On the next page, you’ll need to set up your ad creative. Click “+New Creative” to start the process.

Snapchat will open a window where you’ll need to enter some basic information such as giving a name for your creative and choosing whether you’d like your ads to be shared by snapchatters with their friends.

Next, you’ll need to choose an ad type. You can choose from four types of ads:

• Top Snap Only: A Top Snap is a 3 to 10-second video ad that Snapchatters will see. This ad type doesn’t need any link or video attachment and as such, there won’t be a swipe up call-to-action for this ad. The goal of the ad is to drive views of your video, still, GIF, or cinemagraph.
• Web View: This ad type allows you to send users to your mobile website to take action: read an article, purchase a product, download an eBook, etc.
• App Install: This ad type allows you to drive users to your app page in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
• Long Form Video: This ad type is a short teaser to your long-form video. Snapchatters will need to swipe up for the longer version of your video which can be up to 10 minutes in length.

These are some of the important things about Snapchat advertising you need to know before creating your first Snap ad.

Now that you have a basic understanding of how advertising on Snapchat works, it’s time to leverage the benefits of Snap ads for your business.

Hope you found this guide on Snapchat advertising useful. Please do us a favor and share this article on Twitter using the link below.

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The post How to Advertise on Snapchat: A Detailed Guide to Snapchat Advertising appeared first on 99signals.