1. What is Snapchat?
Snapchat is an smartphone app-based social media platform. The main function of it is to send or share “snaps”, quick photos or videos.
2. How do I share posts?
Posts are called snaps, and you can share them in two ways:
- Send a snap directly to someone you follow, like a private message
- Post a snap to your story, where all of your followers can view it
A unique aspect of Snapchat is that if you send a snap directly to someone, it disappears after they view it. If you add it to your general story for all of your followers to see, it is gone after just 24 hours.
Choose one of the two options. IE: Do not send the same snap directly to someone AND put it in your story.
3. Why does my hospital need another social media platform?
Snapchat has 100 million daily active users, and 30% of millennials are using it. I recommend surveying your clients to see how many are snapping.
Generally speaking, if I see 10-20% of my clients using a social media platform, I know it’s time to consider it. Over 30%? It’s necessary. You want to be smart with your time, but you can’t ignore change!
4. What should we post, and how often?
I talk a lot about showing the “behind the scenes” at your practice, and Snapchat’s informal format is PERFECT for this. Share a glimpse into your waiting room, show your admitted patients being cared for and use the hilarious face filters to make funny content with your team. As always, just keep it positive and avoid the gory stuff.
5. Who should post?
Snapchat is a phone app, but you can also use it on some tablets. As with any social platform, it’s important to set guidelines and expectations for the team members that will be posting. Find someone you can trust to get content throughout the day without getting too distracted by the fun that Snapchat can provide. 😛
6. How do we get followers?
This one is a little tricky! Right now, it comes down to word of mouth and cross promotion. Discuss it with clients in exam rooms while you’re taking snaps of their pet, post about Snapchat on your other social media platforms and consider sending out an email blast to your clients.
TIP: You can link people up to follow you by using the URL http://www.snapchat.com/add/username.
For example, to follow me go to http://www.snapchat.com/add/daniellesnout.
Add my veterinary hospital at http://www.snapchat.com/add/qvvets
Have more questions?
Feel free to leave them in the comments, or contact me directly.