Snapchat geofilters just got easier for your small business.
Now you can create your own on-demand geofilters right inside the Snapchat app, whereas before you’d have to visit Snap’s website (i.e., I’d have to visit Snapchat’s website for you).
Geofilters >> Photo filters your audience can place over their selfies when they’re at your event or brick and mortar location, within a designated geofence area.
The new on-demand geofilter feature comes equipped with themed templates for things like birthdays, weddings and holidays. You can add custom text, stickers and Bitmojis to spice up the templates with your personality and bits of your brand.
The design process takes you through similar steps as it did on the website. What varies is your ability to upload a custom design, which limits your ability to stick to your branding.
To try out Snapchat geofilters:
- Start by clicking on your “Profile” (hint, the little white ghost in the top-left corner) > select“Settings” in the top-right corner > select “On-Demand Geofilters.”
- Choose your occasion.
- Select a design.
- Customize your design with stickers and text.
- Name your geofilter.
- Include the start and end time.
- Draw a fence around your area.
- Submit your design and pay.
The cost of a standard on-demand geofilter is about $5 per 20,000 square feet, but prices vary depending on the size of your area and how long you want the geofilter to run.
Understanding On-Demand Vs. Custom Geofilters
You may want to pull out your phone and create an on-demand geofilter for your brand right away. Remember, though, to spend your marketing budget wisely. The on-demand geofilters are great for personal celebrations.
Maybe you want to treat your friends for:
- Bachelorette or bachelor parties
- Weddings
- Birthday bashes
- Retirement parties
- Baby showers
- Seasonal shindigs
Even the app labels the geofilter filter as “personal.” While these on-demand filters could be great answers to up your social presence and reach on a tight budget, I urge you to remember the importance of sticking to your brand image and voice.
Templates can be tweaked, but they can’t be reworked completely to your brand’s needs. If your event or need is big enough, and you want to use Snapchat as an integral tactic in your marketing strategy, it’s probably a smart idea to opt for custom.
With a custom design, you’ll have your exact colors, your logo, your font, custom illustrations — and the lovely peace of mind of someone else doing the dirty work.
My Zao525 team created a fun branded Snapchat filter and signage for BFab BBQ’s grand opening.
If I have to make a guess, I’d imagine the market will soon be flooded with personal on-demand Snap filters. We’ll grow used to seeing the same tweaked templates as we go places and take selfies. By opting for custom design, you’ll help your brand stand out in this social media space.
My team at Zao525 can provide you a custom design for any of your small business needs (events, store promotions, etc.). We’ve even been lucky enough to custom-design Snapchat filters for personal events, too, like the below bachelorette party and wedding.
