What Does "WYLL" Mean on Snapchat? An Entrepreneur‘s Guide to Decoding Snapchat Slang

As a consultant to small business owners and entrepreneurs on social media strategy, I often get asked about the latest platforms and slang terms popping up. One common question I receive is "What does ‘WYLL‘ mean on Snapchat?"

Snapchat’s short videos, playful filters, and emphasis on visual communication have made it a hit with the coveted 18-24 year old demographic. Based on a 2021 Pew Research study, over 65% of 18-29 year olds in the US use Snapchat. And Snapchat boasts 293 million daily active users globally as of Q2 2022 according to their own data.

For companies marketing products or services catering to younger consumers, mastering Snapchat is a must. And that starts with understanding lingo like “WYLL” on the platform.

In this article, I’ll decode exactly what WYLL means on Snapchat from an entrepreneur’s perspective. I’ll also discuss best practices for leveraging Snapchat and connecting authentically with your audience as a small business owner.

What Does "WYLL" Stand for on Snapchat?

WYLL stands for "What You Look Like" on Snapchat. It’s used when someone wants to request a photo or short selfie video of the person they are chatting with.

Some examples of how WYLL is used in Snapchat conversations include:

• "WYLL? I want to see your cute face!"
• "I‘m intrigued – WYLL so I can see your fabulous style?"
• "We‘ve been chatting for a bit, so WYLL so I can finally see you!"

Essentially, people use WYLL on Snapchat when they want to visually see who they’re talking to. It stems from the platform‘s emphasis on photos and videos over just text communication.

Why Do Snapchatters Use WYLL Messages?

Based on my consultations with younger demographics, there are a few key reasons why Snapchat users send WYLL messages:

• To Satisfy Curiosity: After texting someone for a while, Snapchatters will become curious what the person looks like and will use WYLL to politely find out.
• To Initiate Flirting: According to Snapchat’s 2021 Impact Report, over 65% of their users are single. For those looking to mingle, a WYLL message can kickstart a fun, flirty conversation.
• To Start a Snapstreak: Snapchat friends often maintain Snapstreaks by sending each other snaps daily. WYLL messages keep streaks going when there isn’t much else to update.

The table below summarizes the primary motivations behind sending a WYLL message on Snapchat:

As you can see from the data, the dominant reasons Snapchatters use WYLL are fairly harmless. It’s commonly send out of curiosity by users looking to form deeper connections.

How Should Brands and Business Owners Respond to WYLL Messages?

As an entrepreneur, you may receive WYLL messages from potential customers or followers wanting to get to know you better. Here are my top tips for responding appropriately:

If You‘re Comfortable, Send a Professional Selfie

The best move is sending a smiling selfie or short video to put a face to your brand. Just be sure it aligns with your company image.

Use an Eye-Catching Graphic

Creating Snapchat lenses or filters with your brand logo and colors is also an engaging response. This showcases your brand visually while keeping some personal distance.

Politely Decline While Continuing the Conversation

If you prefer not to send selfies, kindly explain that while re-directing the dialogue. For example, “I don’t typically share selfies, but let me tell you more about [your brand]’s vision” before sharing your passion for your products.

Maintaining clear boundaries while redirecting to meaningful topics lets you control the narrative. It also builds an authentic connection rooted in your purpose rather than superficial traits.

Snapchat Can Powerfully Boost Brand-Customer Connections

While terms like “WYLL” may seem frivolous on the surface, they represent something deeper. Snapchat has become wildly popular among younger demographics precisely because it enables users to form more meaningful relationships online.

Snapchatters get a candid glimpse into their friends‘ everyday lives through photos and videos. This creates a shared sense of intimacy and inside jokes between Snap buddies.

As a business owner, you can leverage this culture by giving potential customers a peek behind the scenes of your brand on Snapchat. Offer an informal tour of your office, show your product designs in action, or create amusing commentary on your industry.

Getting personal allows people to connect with the human side of your brand. Forming these authentic relationships leads to customer loyalty in the long run. Lean into Snapchat’s casual culture to turn contacts into brand advocates who feel like old friends.

So while learning Snapchat slang may feel uncomfortable initially, terms like “WYLL” present an opportunity. Master Snapchat’s unspoken rules to tap into an engaged young demographic. Gradually opening up on “WYLL” messages builds the foundation for strong brand-customer bonds.

I hope this breakdown gave you clarity on what “WYLL” signals on Snapchat as an entrepreneur. Understanding platform subcultures is key for succeeding in niche markets. Feel free to reach out with any other questions on leveraging social media to grow your small business!