How to Market in 10 Seconds or Less with Snapchat and Vine

Young people are naturally tech-savvy and are experts on social media because they actually use it socially. Businesses need to keep up with the trends and find ways to use tools like Snapchat and Vine to their professional advantage.

The novel concept behind Snapchat is the ability to send pictures or videos to your friends that last up to 10 seconds before disappearing. The sender can see if someone takes a screenshot (picture of their phone or computer screen) of the Snapchat. Users can also choose to set the length of the snap for a shorter period of time, or attach a series of snaps together using the recently created “Story” feature.

Vine is also a short-video sharing platform, but with different nuances. Vine videos are six seconds long and constantly stream. That means that those six seconds replay over and over again. There are also unique features like stop motion, where users can stop and start the video recording. This enables them to move people and props creatively to make a doll look like she’s walking, for example.

You may be thinking, how do these apps concern my business, and more importantly, how do they make me money? If you are familiar with other social tools like Facebook and Twitter, then you know that social media marketing can be instrumental for attracting new customers. Marketing belongs in the 21st century, and that means utilizing the power of the Internet to reach more people than you ever imagined.

However, there is a skill behind marketing for a business in 10 seconds or less. Having a visually appealing, interesting video is key. For instance, a technology company that makes computer chips could take a video of the progression of computer chips. They could use stop motion to show how small chips have become over the years, and end with their own computer chip, accompanied by a picture of the company name and website.

If you aren’t already seeing the potential benefits of Snapchat and Vine, then the fact that this is virtually free advertising should sell you. Anyone in marketing who is familiar with these apps on a personal level would be able to implement videos professionally. The apps are free to download and effective usage of previous client bases could result in a following on your new platforms. Posting a Vine link very easily to your Facebook account would likely cause people to follow you on Vine as well. Having Vine and Snapchat icons on the bottom of emails, newsletters and your website would let your clients know about them also.

A simple way to ease into the world of Snapchat and Vine is to do what a lot of others out there are doing: offering an inside look at their company and its deals. Snapchat has its own account and occasionally sends all its users videos of the Snapchat employees and office. Video marketing in itself is an incredible opportunity for clients to feel connected to a company by seeing actual people and having visuals.

Another great social media trick is to have a call-to-action. Telling people that by following you on Vine, or adding you as a friend on Snapchat, they will have access to exclusive information will entice people to click the follow or friend button. This is evident in Teton Valley Hospitals, who posted a Vine about the benefits of walking. If they advertised “Follow us on Vine for Healthy Living Tips and More!” people who want free information will follow them and potentially make Teton their go-to hospital.

The picture and video options are endless, the effort and costs are minimal, and the results are invaluable for any business out there. Consider downloading Vine and Snapchat today.

Are you in the healthcare or technology industry and want expert advice on how you should be using social media? Contact our certified healthcare marketing agency. Call 877-887-7611 or visit www.clarityqst.com for more information.

Author: +Chris Slocumb