Snapchat continues to be a powerful platform for brands looking to engage with a younger, highly interactive audience.
Many companies are tapping into its unique features, from Stories and Filters to Snap Ads and Discover, to create impactful campaigns that drive brand awareness, engagement, and conversions. In this article, we’ll explore five brands that are winning on Snapchat and the lessons you can learn from their success.
Taco Bell is a prime example of a brand that uses Snapchat’s interactive features to create engaging and fun experiences for users. By using Snapchat filters and lenses, Taco Bell has turned itself into a cultural icon among millennials and Gen Z. Their campaigns, like the Taco Bell “Taco Emoji” lens, allow users to virtually experience their products, creating a playful interaction that drives both engagement and brand recognition.
Lesson Learned: Interactive content is key to standing out on Snapchat. Create fun, shareable filters or lenses that align with your brand’s personality to encourage user participation and viral potential.
Nike has long been a leader in using storytelling to connect with its audience, and it’s no different on Snapchat. Nike uses the platform to showcase motivational stories, athlete highlights, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. With the platform’s ephemeral nature, the brand takes advantage of the urgency and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) factor by offering limited-time content that keeps users coming back for more.
Lesson Learned: Use storytelling to emotionally connect with your audience. Share exclusive or behind-the-scenes content to build anticipation and make users feel like they are part of an inner circle.
Sephora is another brand excelling on Snapchat by focusing on beauty tutorials and product demos. The brand uses Snapchat to highlight new products, showcase makeup tutorials, and run exclusive sales and offers for its audience. Sephora also engages with influencers to create authentic content that resonates with its followers.
Lesson Learned: Product demonstrations and tutorials are an effective way to showcase your products and educate your audience. Snapchat’s short-form video format is perfect for quick, digestible how-to content.
Gatorade is winning on Snapchat by connecting with sports fans through exclusive behind-the-scenes content and athlete-focused stories. Gatorade uses the platform to provide insights into training regimens, sports events, and athlete achievements. This not only strengthens their connection with sports enthusiasts but also positions them as a trusted, integral part of an athlete’s journey.
Lesson Learned: Create exclusive, niche content for your target audience. Whether it’s sports, fashion, or another community, tap into what excites and motivates them to foster a loyal following.
Grubhub knows that social proof can be a game-changer. The brand effectively uses Snapchat to highlight user-generated content, such as customers sharing their food orders and experiences with the platform. By encouraging customers to share their meal experiences, Grubhub not only promotes user interaction but also builds authenticity and trust with its audience.
Lesson Learned: User-generated content is a powerful tool for building trust and social proof. Encourage your audience to share content and use it in your marketing efforts to create a sense of community and brand authenticity.
Snapchat offers a unique space for brands to engage with their audience in creative, interactive, and meaningful ways. The five brands highlighted above have mastered various strategies, from interactive content and storytelling to product demos and community-building efforts. By applying the lessons from these brands—such as embracing creative features, telling compelling stories, and leveraging user-generated content—you can create Snapchat campaigns that not only capture attention but also foster long-term brand loyalty.