Snapchat has become one of the most popular social media platforms, especially among young people. Snapchat allows users to share photos, videos, and messages that disappear after being viewed. This creates a fun, ephemeral sharing experience. Many people and brands now use Snapchat to engage their target audience and build their follower base. But getting more Snapchat subscribers can be challenging. Here are some proven tips and strategies to increase your Snapchat following.
Optimize Your Profile
Your Snapchat profile is the first thing people see when they discover you on the platform. So make sure your profile looks appealing and entices people to subscribe to your updates.
- Add an accurate yet catchy Snapchat username. Include keywords related to your niche or brand.
- Use a creative Bitmoji avatar that represents your brand personality.
- Write an informative and engaging About section that gives people a reason to subscribe.
- Link your other social profiles so people can learn more about you.
- Pin your best Snap to your profile to make a great first impression.
An optimized profile establishes credibility and gives potential subscribers confidence in your content.
Post Engaging Content Daily
Posting frequent, high-quality content is key to gaining and retaining Snapchat subscribers. Try to post at least 1-2 times per day to stay top of mind. Here are some types of content that perform well on Snapchat:
- Funny or entertaining video Snaps using lenses, filters, stickers, etc.
- Behind-the-scenes footage of your daily life or business.
- Reaction selfies and videos responding to current events.
- User-generated content showing your followers using your products.
- Cool photos and videos related to your niche and brand.
Aim to post content that aligns with your brand identity and resonates with your target audience. Authentic, fun, and exclusive content gets the best engagement on Snapchat.
Leverage Snapchat Ad Features
Snapchat has a wide range of advertising options you can use to get more subscribers and grow your audience. Consider running some or all of these Snapchat ads:
- Snap Ads – Full-screen video ads that appear between Stories.
- Sponsored Geofilters – Custom location-based filters for people to use.
- Sponsored Lenses – Interactive branded lenses and face filters.
- Story Ads – Vertical video ads that run within Stories.
- Collection Ads – Showcase your brand through tappable product images.
- Sponsored AR – Place branded 3D objects into Snapchat Camera.
Target your ads to your ideal audience based on demographics, interests, behaviors, and more. Ads allow you to get your Snaps in front of many new people.
Collaborate with Other Snapchatters
Partnering with popular Snapchat influencers and creators can help expose your brand to new audiences. Look for Snapchatters in your niche with an engaged following. Offer to collaborate on a Snapchat Story or lens. The influencer gets fresh content, and you get to tap into their subscriber base.
You can also search for public Snapchat Stories related to your industry and contribute relevant Snaps. Adding value to public Stories is a great way to gain new organic followers.
Share Snaps to Other Platforms
Don’t just keep your Snaps isolated on Snapchat. Re-share Snaps on other platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. This allows non-Snapchat users to get a glimpse of your content. Include your Snapchat username when you re-post Snaps to drive people to subscribe.
Tools like Social Kit and Snap2Stream make it easy to download your Snaps and upload them across your other social media accounts. Repurposing Snaps gives existing followers a reason to add you on Snapchat.
Run Snapchat Contests & Promotions
Contests, special offers, and giveaways can quickly build up your Snapchat subscribers. For example, you can run a “Snap and win” contest where followers have to Snap a unique code to enter for a chance to win prizes.
Or offer exclusive discounts, deals, and first-looks only for your Snapchat subscribers. Limited time promotions create urgency for people to subscribe so they don’t miss out.
Make Your Snaps Discoverable
When new Snapchat users search for accounts to follow, they will see suggestions based on their interests and who they already follow. So it helps to publish content around popular Snapchat terms people may search for.
You can also use relevant Snapchat community hashtags like #SnapchatArt or #SnapchatFashion to make your Snaps visible across the app. Add easy-to-find hashtags to your Snaps and profile to get discovered.
Snapchat Sponsored Lenses
Sponsored lenses allow you to create branded, interactive lenses that Snapchatters can access for free. This gives them an opportunity to engage with your brand in a fun, organic way.
Here are some tips for creating compelling Sponsored Lenses:
- Show off your brand personality with 3D objects, logos, colors, and music.
- Offer lens features like face-tracking overlays, animations, and simulations.
- Make lenses timely based around holidays, events, seasons, and trends.
- Collaborate with influencers to develop co-branded lenses.
- Promote lenses through Snap Ads to maximize reach.
Popular sponsored lenses commonly gain millions of views as Snapchatters try them and share with friends.
Leverage Snapchat Stories
Snapchat Stories allow you to string Snaps together into a narrative that lives for 24 hours. Here are creative ways to use Stories to get more subscribers:
- Give “behind the scenes” access to your business, brand, or life.
- Curate user-generated content of your followers using your products.
- Educate and inform people through Stories with tips, advice, and how-tos.
- Promote new products, sales, and special events.
- Collaborate with employees or influencers on takeovers.
- Ask engaging questions and encourage responses through Stories.
Well-crafted Stories entertain people while keeping your brand top of mind.
Geofilters
Geofilters are location-specific graphic overlays Snapchatters can add to their Snaps. Here are tips for creating effective branded geofilters:
- Design graphics inspired by your brand identity and local culture.
- Target your most strategic locations like stores, campuses, and events.
- Refresh your geofilters frequently to drive continued engagement.
- Offer geofilters during high-traffic dates and occasions.
- Promote geofilter usage through in-store signage and social posts.
With branded geofilters placed in your target locations, you can increase brand impressions and drive people to add you on Snapchat.
Leverage Snapchat for Ecommerce
Snapchat also offers powerful ecommerce capabilities through Shoppable AR Lenses and Snapchat Catalogs.
Shoppable AR Lenses allow people to try on your products virtually in Snapchat Camera. This provides an immersive way for shoppers to engage with your products.
Snapchat Catalogs are digital storefronts where you can showcase and sell products right within the app. Snapchatters can browse products, make purchases, and more.
Leveraging these ecommerce experiences can drive product discovery and direct sales with Snapchat’s audience of young, mobile consumers.
Analyze Your Performance
Consistently analyzing your Snapchat analytics can help you refine your strategy. Look at key metrics like:
- Impressions: Total views your Snaps received.
- Reach: Total number of unique accounts that viewed your Snaps.
- Engagement rate: Percentage of people that interact with your Snaps.
- Screenshots: How many people took screenshots of your Snaps.
- Subscriber growth: New followers gained over time.
Pay attention to what types of Snaps, Stories, and posting times perform best. Double down on what’s working and improve on what’s not.
Conclusion
Gaining Snapchat subscribers takes creativity, consistency, and patience. Optimize your profile, post high-quality Snaps consistently, collaborate with influencers, run contests and promotions, and analyze your performance. With the right strategy tailored to your brand and audience, you can gradually build a thriving subscriber base on Snapchat.