Is Snapchat the wave of the future? This app was launched a mere five years ago, but it seems like just yesterday that it popped up and into our lives. This photo-sharing app has evolved to include video and has just exploded with the number of snap filters available. As users continue to skyrocket, this app is being more and more often harnessed to help out companies, businesses, brands, and more to advertise themselves and live events in particular!

Snapchat has been used by brand using the Live Stories features to highlight events on Discover channels and is now becoming an event partner. For instance, Tribeca Film Festival used a Snapchat program this year, as did the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games courtesy of NBC Sports and BuzzFeed. These are just two examples of how the app is innovating and pushing ahead when it comes to special access, marketing, and general brand to consumer engagement. Check out our tips for event planners and how to use this app by reading on to find out more!

How can Snapchat advertise brands and live events? Well, in particular, the app allows users to capture a moment or two. This showcases a lot of information in a short amount of time. If you’re prepping for an event or about to go on, it can help people feel like they’re there or make their way to that event if it’s open to the public. It also provides a behind the scenes, exclusive look at an event that allows people to be there even if they are not physically present. Snapchat is like having an all-access pass so it is like you can be multiple places at once!

How to use this app?

Create a social story.

An event that is marketed on Snapchat needs to have a story or perspective. Before covering an event or covering marketing for an event, decide how you’re going to tell that story. This will help create a Live Story that makes sense and will achieve your vision whether it’s connecting with people at an event or marketing it, you can achieve it using the Live Story feature.

Promote your channel.

To watch your channel, people need to know about your channel. Promote your handle or Snapcode whenever you can. One way you can do this is word of mouth, by promoting it on your profile on other social media sites. Advertise your handle on merchandise or event decor at events to get the word out and have more people follow you so you get ‘discovered’ more by an audience. The casual promotion will be picked up on and people will appreciate free swag or subtle mention of your code instead of it being pushed on them.

Get custom filters.

Snapchat is all about the filters. Now event planners and brands can take advantage of upgrades via the custom filters. These filters can be designed for an event and even be made geo-filters that cover a certain range of square feet in a geographic area. These filters are a great choice because they personalize events and make them more fun! Plus, show off to followers where you’re at and create a frame for telling a story.