In the world today, people – especially young people - are constantly finding new ways of communicating electronically to fit their needs. In August 2015 Pew research center, an organization that breaks down social media demographics each year, released a report specifically about mobile messaging apps.  According to a new survey, 36% of Smartphone owners report using messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Kik or imessage, and 17% use apps that automatically delete sent messages such as Snapchat.

Snapchat , in particular, can no longer be dismissed as an underground social media app for tweens and teenagers – it now has more than 100 million daily active users that send over 400 million Snaps every day. The app is extremely popular among millennials, nearly 50% of Snapchat users fall in to the 18 – 34 age group.

If you are aiming to reach a younger audience then Snapchat is the place to be.

Snapchat is not like Facebook

Facebook posts and tweets are archived and can be accessed at any time. The unique selling point of Snapchat is that Snaps disappear - either in 10 seconds when sent directly to a friend, or 24 hours for a story. Most brands use Snapchat by taking advantage of the story feature.

A story can combine a series of snaps together along with video to create a longer piece of content that your followers can view as many times as they want in 24 hours. After that the story disappears.

The other difference is that you have the ability to draw over your images and videos. This function allows you to be more creative and entertaining than you might have been on Facebook, Instagram Pinterest or Twitter.

Snapchat is about fun

Everyone, consumers and companies, have a habit of showing only their best images on social media.  Snapchat was started to subvert that trend. Snaps are a reflection of a moment in time and not a series of curated images, which means you don’t have to cultivate a persona. In terms of marketing it means giving your brand a human touch. Users don’t want professional photos or stock images. They want unique, entertaining content.

The most popular brands on Snapchat post snaps and stories that have little to do with the brand itself. This shows that they understand the brands culture. It’s not about how many likes, shares or comments you get. You can’t think about what your company gets out of each snap. Be genuine, be funny and real.

Why you should start Snapping

It’s always a good idea to get on board a social media platform while it’s young and Snapchat is only five years old. Additionally, the company is preparing for a big year having rolled out its new native video ad product - 3V www.snapchat.com/ads in June 2015.

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, once untouchable, are looking over their shoulders as Snapchat gains ground.  Looks like it’s time to download the app and start snapping. And to get Greater Leads, it's best to join all social media groups.