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If You Can’t Beat Them, Join Them

snapchat-for-education

Snapchat has emerged as one of the most prevalent social media channels among millennials.

While Snapchat has existed for a few years, it is only within the last year that brands have begun to use the platform to their advantage.

For those who do not know, Snapchat is a video/messaging app that allows the user to send 10 second videos or pictures that disappear once viewed. From its inception, millennials have flocked to the platform and were quick to embrace the app’s many filters and geo-tagging abilities.

Snapchat has around 100 million users worldwide – so it makes sense that brands would be quick to jump on the platform. Further to that, the app also offers a more “intimate” look into a company. Given the nature of this emerging social media platform, brands have the opportunity to connect with, and come across as natural to their audiences.

Given how major brands have already optimized social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to their advantage, it makes sense that they would also target Snapchat. What is interesting, however, is how educational institutions are also using the platform to their advantage.

When you consider that 77% of college students use Snapchat, colleges and universities would be remised to ignore the platform.

Much like with corporate brands, Snapchat offers colleges and universities a unique opportunity to connect with their student population on a more human, intimate level. Snapchat allows schools to directly share fun, creative information with their population. It is also a great platform for promoting campus engagement because it offers immediate and authentic responses.

Some professors have even taken the app one step further and use it as a study-aid for their students. This method takes the “if you can’t beat them, join them” adage to heart. Throughout the studying process, students are going to, invariably, check Snapchat.

A great example of professors using Snapchat to their advantage comes from a New York area university. Michael Britt uses the app to show his students “real world” examples of what he teaches in class. When students check the app during study sessions, they get a bonus study aid. Britt estimates that upwards of 90% of his students use his “study-aids.”

Communicating effectively and making your students feel as if they are part of a community is what attracts prospective young people to your institution. Using Snapchat to connect with your student population is a great way to accomplish this goal.

If your educational institution wants to capitalize on the unique features that Snapchat offers, but is lost in the world of social media – we can help. Think Profits specializes in the education industry and we are very familiar with the ins and outs of the ever-changing social media landscape. Do not hesitate to contact us, we can help you come up with a thorough and successful strategy.