Want to get ahead with Snapchat’s 188 million daily active Snapchat users? It might be time to crack the code—Snapchat codes or Snapcodes, that is.

In this guide, we’ll cover the basics of Snapcode marketing, including Snapchat codes for filters and Snapchat codes to add friends and gain followers.

We’ll also look at how brands like Pepsi, Burberry, and Disney are using Snapcodes to add a little twist to their digital marketing campaigns.

What are Snapchat codes?

Snapcodes are scannable badges that can be read by smartphones. Think QR codes, but they have a white ghost, a yellow background, and a unique arrangement of black dots. Every Snapchat user has their own Snapcode that functions as their profile picture and shareable “follow” button.

Snapchat codes allow Snapchat users to add friends and followers quickly, but that’s not all. Custom Snapcodes can be created to share branded filters and lenses, unlock exclusive content, link to specific web portals, and more.

Snapcodes for brands are an ultra-modern way to connect with customers where they are already and engage them with contextually relevant experiences.

Brands that take advantage of the Snapchat platform features are free from advertising only, enjoyable followers with branded content that is personalized, immersive and interactive.

8 ways to use Snapchat codes for work

1. Get more followers on Snapchat

The most obvious use of Snapcodes is to promote your Snapchat presence and gain more followers. Add your company’s Snapcode to virtually any touchpoint customers can have with smartphones in hand, almost anywhere today.

Newsletters, packaging, and business cards are places where you might want to add a Snapcode to your profile. Some brands have even replaced their Facebook and Twitter avatars with Snapcode profile pictures, but this trend has waned, possibly in response to updated branded content policies. However, Snapchat phenom and artist Cyrene Q. still uses her Snapcode as herself. Twitter avatar.

How to Use Snapchat Codes to Market Your Business 2

2. Connect with your customers in stores

Access to more data and behavioral targeting can make it easier to connect with consumers in the virtual world. But while physical environments are relatively data scarce, in-store interactions are one of the most important touchpoints between the consumer and your brand.

In fact, a 2015 study found that in-store communication is more effective than any other communication, including advertising.

To bridge the offline retail experience, many brands have turned to Snapcodes. For Mr. Burberry’s launch in 2016, the luxury fashion brand placed QR codes on the labels of its products in select retail stores. When snapcodes are scanned, it connects customers to Burberry’s Snapchat Discover channel. At the time, the channel featured a Steve McQueen-directed clip of the Mr. Burberry campaign ad alongside styling and grooming tips.

The Snapcode campaign didn’t just increase Burberry’s Snapchat follower count. It has positioned the high-end retailer as an authority on men’s fashion. Mr. Burberry was no longer just a perfume and menswear brand, but a personal tailor and tailoring guru.

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3. Create a gamified experience

If there’s anything to learn from the success of Pokémon Go! people love a good scavenger hunt, especially when it comes to augmented reality.

Disney, Universal, and Six Flags sprinkled Snapcodes at their theme parks in the summer of 2018. By scanning Snapchat codes, visitors got exclusive access to Mikey and Minnie Mouse filters, lenses showing Minions wandering around Universal parking lots, and Superman’s feats.

For franchises or brands that have multiple or regular interactions with customers, it’s easy to see the gamification potential of Snapchat codes.

For example, imagine unlocking a special discount code with Lyft after scanning Snapcodes for the previous five rides.

Or an airline with a frequent flyer leaderboard scanning Snapcodes at airline lounges.

How about a cafe that unlocks hidden menu items after a certain number of Snapcode scans?

4. Create buzz and intrigue

Universal Pictures released a mysterious billboard series to promote the thriller Girl on the Train, featuring a large Snapcode and a startling question: “What happened that night?”

Scanning Snapcode unlocked a branded filter that was only available for an hour.

Encrypted campaigns asking Snapchat users to “crack the code” using their Snapchat camera as a detective magnifying glass tap into our irresistible urge to solve mysteries. Done well, the result can result in an unforgettable and rewarding “a-ha moment” or “wow factor.”

Include a call to action like “Unlock” for users who may encounter their first Snapcode in the wild.

Netflix turned 200 real coffee shops into the fictional greasy spoon Luke’s Diner in Stars Hollow to celebrate the Gilmore Girls revival and the series’ 16th anniversary. Customers received coffee cups with Snapcodes that unlock Gilmore Girls-branded filters, complete with “Netflix” turned into a piece of toast.

The filter was used more than 880,000 times in one day.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BLMmdcUAO6q/

5. Turn fans into brand ambassadors

Instant codes that unlock branded filters and lenses have the power to turn Snapchat users into ambassadors for your brand.

A 2016 KFC campaign featured Snapcodes on posters and packaging with the call to action “A quick picture with the Colonel.” Scanning the code unlocked the chance to take a selfie with the Kentucky colonel. “By unlocking the incognito filter, people can have fun with the Colonel and share the moment with their friends,” said Joshua Benge, KFC’s social media manager in the UK and Ireland.

From July to September this year, in one of the biggest lens campaigns in Snapchat history, Pepsi Canada printed Snapcodes on its 20oz bottles, 12pack boxes, and out-of-home ads. More than 20 codes have been created that unlock a variety of branded summer experiences, from campfire meals to skydiving. The activation resulted in 70 years of total playtime and 8 million Snapchat users.

Brands can also encourage Snapchatters to share special lenses with friends to expand the reach of their branded content and increase brand consideration.

6. Let followers “try things”

In June 2017, Lancôme launched the first bespoke makeup filter on Snapchat. The filter was essentially a makeover in augmented reality, allowing Snapchatters to try on Lancôme’s Monsieur Big mascara and Matte Shaker lipstick shades without needing to use makeup remover or going to a store.

The filter was available for a limited time and then only made available through Snapcodes.

This type of try before purchase activation may not work for all brands and can backfire if not implemented effectively. But when done right, a nice filter paired with a shoppable Snapchat ad can lead to instant conversions.

7. Deliver custom content for second screen interaction

Presenting behind-the-scenes and extras is a great way to appeal to the second-screen urge that many viewers have during programs and live events.

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In anticipation of the Season 7 premiere of Game of Thrones, a special audience guide has been made available via Snapcode. The guide included extras, who’s who, an inventory of characters and houses, an interactive map, and histories. Viewers can view this guide on their phone while watching the episode on TV.

The Seattle Mariners were the first professional sports team to share the Snapcode on a jumbotron, and several other teams quickly followed suit. A code on the big screen can give fans quick access to player and team stats, locker room and practice footage, and more.

Sports games provide brands with an enthralled fan base. With the right calls to action, they can keep their fanbases engaged post-game.

Sure, it makes sense for sports franchises to push Snapchat subscription in their space, but nothing stops other brands from tapping into a captive crowd and engaging in second-screen sports action.

8. Learn about your audience

One of the biggest advantages of using Snapcodes is that it gives brands more user data.

Information about where Snapchat users scanned codes and interacted with products, which products were used, and more can be extracted from campaign analytics.

Data mining can also be a strategic element of a campaign. For example, Gatorade used Snapcodes to give fans access to exclusive content featuring professional athletes JJ Watts and Karl Anthony Towns. But to unlock the content, Snapchat users were asked by Gatorade to provide their name and email address, which could be used to retarget fans on Snapchat and other social platforms.

Snapcodes can also be used to connect to polls, votes or polls. Use them as prompts to enter contests and promotions. It’s a win-win situation when your brand is able to create an engaging experience for followers while also collecting customer feedback and information.

If you’re using Google Analytics and you have Snapcode links to a URL, don’t forget to add a Google Analytics tag.

How to access and share your Snapcode?

Sign in here to download a high resolution .PNG and .SVG version of your Snapcode.

To share your Snapcode from Snapchat:

1. Open the Snapchat app
2. Tap on your profile icon in the upper left corner
3. Tap the icon again to enlarge it. Snapchat users can scan Snapcode directly from your screen
4. Click Share Snapcode and choose the method you want
6. You can also save your Snapcode to your Camera Roll for future sharing.

How to scan snapcode

1. Open Snapchat and point your camera at a Snapcode. You can scan Snapcodes from computer screens, phone screens, TVs, jumbotrons, billboards, posters, packages and more, as long as the resolution is high enough.
2. Take a photo
3. A prompt should pop up on your screen

How can you create your own Snapcode?

To generate a URL Snapcode, add the website link of your choice and press “Make a Snapcode!”. You will also be given the option to add an image to Snapcode.

You can also create Snapcodes in the app with these steps:

1. Open Snapchat and tap your profile photo
2. Select the Settings icon in the upper right corner
3. Tap Snap codes

4. Select Generate Snapcodeand add your URL

From the Snapcodes section of the app, you can access the Snapcodes you’ve created and their statistics, as well as your browsing history.