Sponsored feature: Salon Snapchat marketing – an untouched gold mine for your business

Snapchat is a fantastic marketing tool for salons, with the right know-how. Ian McDonald, app advisor Phorest, reveals nine ways you can use the social media platform to your advantage. 

We’ve never been more individually targeted with information, social media platforms, apps and advertising. Business-wise, it’s the same. We’re constantly being sold the great, revolutionary features of a new app hitting the market, which brings me to salon Snapchat marketing.

Launched in 2011, Snapchat is not just another social media platform. It’s a one-to-one and group messaging app that now has more than 100 million daily active users, making it one of the hottest social networks at this time. In fact, despite its vanishing content, Snapchat is currently positioning itself as the most vivid, instant and unique way to chat.

How does it work?
You snap a photo or video, add a caption and filter, and then send it to your contacts. They can then view this image until it disappears from their screen, never to be seen again (unless they screengrab it, of course).

Long classified as an app for exchanging self-destruct videos, Snapchat is now a fantastic marketing tool because you can offer exclusive content on the platform and play with the sense of urgency it provides users. Remember, Snapchat offers the advantage of a greater engagement rate because users choose where their attention goes by deciding who they follow.

This is the best way for your clients and prospects to feel your salon’s atmosphere and energy, ensuring that you're always their first choice when wanting to look and feel beautiful. Also, Snapchat is an excellent way to reach the younger audience who, let’s face it, will grow into your next generation of regular customers. So, be an influencer.

Valuable content
It's easy to get carried away when you're first starting your salon Snapchat marketing – most people end up posting ridiculous images of themselves.

There's a lot you can post on Snapchat, but the key is adding value to what you post. With some rules and guides, you can maximise your salon Snapchat game (something I’m sure your competitors are not doing). So, what will you share?

9 salon Snapchat marketing ideas
Snapchat is different to other social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and in some ways it's more personal. Here are some of the things you should be looking to post:

• Product reviews – use Snapchat’s 10-second video option to creatively review your products
• Before-and-after photos – clips from the progress of a treatment before-and-after
• Event coverage – bring your following to VIP events, trade shows and conferences
• Staff stories – this is a great way for your clients to build relationships with your employees. Remember, people buy from people. Why not show off your team?
• Salon Snapchat insights – industry insights are an excellent way to educate your clients and add value to your brand
• Tips and tricks – offer quick tips and tricks that your clients can try out at home
• Promotions – run your special promotions exclusively to your salon Snapchat following (more on that later)
• Competitions – "do this and get that"; use contests to reward your loyal following
• Daily Salon snaps – promote the great work you and your team are doing.

The list is as big as your imagination. So, what are you waiting for?

Launching October 17, Phorest Academy is hosting a webinar covering all the basics and marketing strategies behind Snapchat (the newest within the giant social platforms). 

Presented by Zoé Bélisle-Springer, the class will cover:

– Understanding the importance of the fastest growing social network
– Setting up your Snapchat salon account
– Snapchat marketing best practices
– Get younger clients to come through your door.

Don’t miss out and get younger clients walking through your salon’s doors. Sign up for the webinar here.