Chapter 7 "Marketing with Snapchat"

Snapchat is something that I'm not very familiar with. However, while reading Chapter 7, it is rather easy compared to the other platforms discussed in this book. Still, when it comes to marketing, I have a hard time seeing how Snapchat can be effective in that area. It seems that this platform is meant to be a way for people to post goofy pictures of themselves, talk to friends, and connect with popular trends for a short period. This chapter does provide good points on how Snapchat can be very effective in regards to marketing products to a wide audience.

The chapter begins by stating that Snapchat is relatively one of the lowest platforms used, nevertheless, in the top 10 platforms used constantly by people in some of the most populous countries. India, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and the United States for example. The chapter also gives specific times one should post on the platform as well, explaining that weekends (except Sundays) are most effective. The chapter goes on to discuss how Snapchat works, similar to the other platforms. Create a profile by downloading the app, typing in critical information that matches your company, and updating your app so your posts "snaps" are in the public domain. The part of the chapter that was brief, but interesting, was the portion about the founding of Snapchat. How it was originally called Peekaboo, how the ghost became the mascot, and that only one of the original founders remains at the company. History does tickle my fancy quite a bit. 

Now for the boring portion, how the app works. If you know me by now, I don't really care about social media and find it annoying and boring. Furthermore, while it may look easy, there are still complex components to it that still leave me confused and irritated. I prefer to stick with the ones I'm familiar with and ignore the others. However, being in a marketing class, I can't ignore the others until the end of the semester, so here we are. Despite my complaints, I can that the functions of Snapchat are quite simple and straightforward. There are multiple camera functions, filters, mapping tools, and chat. While some may be a rip off of other platforms, like Instagram with stories. There is something unique about this platform that makes it enticing almost. The chapter then goes on to discuss the many types of posts, like Spotlight, Cameos, games, and shopping. Then the utilization of artificial intelligence and augmented reality. Snapchat has accepted our new future and implemented it in a way that benefits the app. 

My final opinion of this chapter is that it laid out pretty good information about marketing with Snapchat. It is a well-known platform, used by millions in the United States and around the world. It is simple compared to other platforms and marketing with it turns into something fun rather than constant, emotionless ads that pop up. Irritating you to sign up or buy something on the spot. Snapchat, in my opinion, is one of the more positive cases of marketing on a social media platform. Despite its strange ways of going about business with its filters and functions. It has a bright future and can stand against the others that continue to threaten its existence.