Let’s have a shame-free, ego-free convo, ok?
Getting more followers on social media is important to you. I said it.
It’s kind of cringe-worthy to admit that sometimes this is a numbers game, and the numbers make us some kind of happy. OF COURSE it’s quality over quantity — but c’mon, quantity is a fun part of it, too. Even just for sheer encouragement (I know I’m not alone here…)
Obviously, we’re all using social media to brand ourselves, spread awareness about our amazing businesses, and at the end of the day, try to make a few extra $$$’s. And in the efforts of getting in front of as many people as possible and at all times of the day, it’s really tempting to jump on every social media platform and gain the biggest audience possible.
But actually — I’ve always run my mouth against doing just that. Instead, I tell myself: let’s figure our Instagram sh*t out, and then jump to the next thing if I feel like it. (Psst: Let’s be Instafriends?? Click here –> @windycitykristi)
So Let’s Talk About Snapchat
If you feel like rolling your eyes at me now, like I’m coming late to the Snapchat game — Let me just say, I know. You’re right. Snapchat isn’t the “next cool thang.” It’s already there.
But I’m ready to talk about it now. Why?
Because whereas Instagram used to be the focus of every marketer’s attention– I’ve noticed Snapchat has just start to bubble up into conversations such as in some of the Facebook Groups I’m part of.
Which tells me people still have questions about it, still learning, and still figuring their sh*t out, too. So hey, I’m not so far behind on this one.
The main critique is that besides searching by username, there’s really no easy way to organically find people, which makes it basically impossible to grow a real audience. The problem with this, I’m sure you know, is that the people in my phone’s contacts list aren’t necessarily my target audience. Plus, I’m trying to grow a business that is bigger than just my friend group.
How to Get More Friends on Snapchat
Thankfully, I am part of The BossBabe Academy Facebook Group, and someone recommended I download an app called Ghostcodes.
Seriously guys, Ghostcodes is the answer.
Basically, this app makes it super easy to find other Snapchat users based on how they classify themselves. So, for instance, I listed my profile interests as:
- Fashion
- Travel
- Make-up
- Blogging
- Entrepreneurship
- etc.
So, when people search for these tags, my profile comes up. Then, they can download my little Snapcode thingy.
I’m not going to lie, I had NO IDEA what the purpose of this thing was. I thought it was only useful if I met someone in person– and then I was like, why can’t I just search them by username? Why would I EVER need their Snapcode?
OH, NOW I KNOW WHY!
Why Snapcodes are Cool
When you download a Snapcode, it goes into your gallery. Then when you open up Snapchat and add a user by Snapcode, it scans the code directly from my gallery.
Meaning, I just realized I have probably supposed to be screenshotting everyone’s Snapcodes all along, but I had no idea how to use them. Now I know how to use them. So when someone shares their Snapcode on social media, I can now screenshot it and add to Snapchat later.
Genius!
But More About GhostCodes
Ghostcode users are probably a bunch of people just like me who are all way overly excited to have discovered this amazing new app. Why do I say this? Because I started getting “Kudos” (i.e. hearts) and “Downloads” (i.e. Snapcode saves) pretty much IMMEDIATELY!
I’m not kidding, in about 12 hours I had so, so, so many new interactions that I had to change my notification settings.
See below:
Within 12 hours of downloading the app, I had 37 Downloads and 117 Kudos!!! Don’t get too excited about Kudos though, I think they are the equivalent of “Pokes” on Facebook. But 37 people downloaded my Snapcode and that is so legit.
Before Ghostcodes, I probably had 1 new Snapchat follower a week. MAYBE.
Yikes.
Now, I get 3-4 followers A DAY!! I had no idea that was even possible!! And it’s making Snapchat really fun.
How about Relevancy?
With the good comes the bad — I’m not that naive and I know that Ghostcodes is just like any other platform filled with trolls. And I have had lots of inappropriate followers. And a lot of people just frankly outside of my target audience.
Like, no offense men, but you’re not really “my niche.” So you can follow along if you want, but I’m not intentionally speaking to you like, at all. Haha.
But with the troll/irrelevant followers, I have also gotten an equal number of realsies, so that’s pretty cool!
And since Snapchat is like Instagram in that you don’t have to follow people back, it doesn’t really bother me to have people outside my audience watching my daily snaps.
The Best Part about Ghostcodes:
I’ve never really experienced this type of follower growth on Snapchat, and it’s been pretty encouraging. As one of the platforms I’ve kind of ignored until now, all my new followers have been motivation to continue snapping on the daily. It’s been the kick in the right direction I needed to take this app seriously and use it to help gain visibility with my business.
What are your Snapchat tips??!! Spill ’em for us newbies!!