As an entrepreneurship consultant who assists dozens of small and medium-sized businesses every year, I always recommend setting up a Snapchat profile. Snapchat‘s engaging platform offers immense marketing potential, especially when done right.
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll share my proven step-by-step process for creating a public Snapchat profile that attracts followers and drives real results for your business.
Why Snapchat is Essential for Small Businesses
With over 319 million daily active users, Snapchat offers a massive and highly engaged audience. Snapchat users under 25 spend over 40 minutes per day on the platform on average.
For small businesses, Snapchat delivers several key benefits:
- Boost brand awareness – Snapchat‘s unique Story format helps users discover new brands. 72% of Snapchatters have engaged with a brand story.
- Increase website traffic – Add a clickable link in your profile to drive traffic. Snapchat drives a 20% conversion rate for direct-to-website clicks.
- Drive sales – Promote discounts and exclusive offers through your Snaps. 66% of Snapchatters have made a purchase after seeing it on Snapchat.
- Improved engagement – The platform‘s interactive features like lenses and geofilters make connecting with followers easy and fun.
- Valuable insights – Detailed analytics offer data on views, engagement, demographics, and more to optimize your content.
"Snapchat has helped us dramatically increase brand awareness among college students and drive traffic to our online store." – Lisa F., boutique owner
Let‘s look at how to create an engaging profile that takes advantage of Snapchat‘s unique marketing opportunities.
Step 1 – Set Up Your Snapchat Account
First, you‘ll need to create your Snapchat account:
- Download the Snapchat app on your preferred device
- Sign up with your business email and create a strong password
- Enter your business name, category, website URL, and any other requested info
Be sure to use a professional business email rather than your personal account so that important notifications are never missed.
Step 2 – Build Your Profile
Your profile is the foundation of your Snapchat presence – take the time to get it right:
- Profile Picture – Upload a high-quality logo or headshot. Avoid blurry pics.
- Bitmoji – Create a branded Bitmoji that represents your business.
- Username – Pick a memorable username like @YourBusinessHandle. You can‘t change it later!
- Bio – Keep it short and sweet. Include 1-2 sentences about your business and a link to your site.
- Snapcode – Download it and add it to your website and other marketing materials.
Here are some profile examples from successful brands:
Note how they include clear profile pics, branded Bitmojis, custom usernames, short bios, and website links.
Step 3 – Follow Relevant Accounts
Next, search for and follow accounts relevant to your business such as:
- Industry leaders and influencers
- Local businesses and partners
- Existing vendors and suppliers
- Engaged followers on other platforms
Interacting with these accounts helps new users discover your profile and builds valuable connections.
Step 4 – Create Engaging Content
The key to Snapchat success is consistently posting content that engages your audience:
- Show products in action – Create short demo videos to showcase your offerings.
- Give exclusive deals – Offer special snap-only discounts or coupons.
- Share company events – From team lunches to trade shows, give inside access.
- Highlight employees – Let customers get to know the faces behind your brand.
- Partner with influencers – Work with nano or micro influencers to promote your products.
Post at least 3-5 times per week to build consistent engagement. Use stickers, text, drawings, and geofilters to make your Snaps interactive and fun.
Step 5 – Analyze Performance
Leverage Snapchat‘s built-in analytics to fine-tune your efforts:
- View demographic data – See age, gender, location of your followers.
- Identify top content – Check impressions and engagement for each Snap.
- See traffic sources – Find out where your profile views are coming from.
Use these insights to post content that resonates most with your audience.
Proven Snapchat Best Practices
Based on my consulting experience, I recommend these best practices for Snapchat marketing:
- Respond to followers – Reply to DMs and comments to build relationships.
- Promote account everywhere – Share your handle on all marketing channels.
- Post consistently – Stick to a regular posting schedule for maximum engagement.
- Partner with micro-influencers – Align with relevant influencers to expand reach.
- Use Snap Ads – Run paid ads to reach new audiences. Start small to test performance.
By leveraging these tips, you can create an engaging Snapchat presence that boosts brand awareness, drives sales, and delights customers!
