Selfies of teenagers with the infamous flower crown filter undoubtedly come to mind when many people think of Snapchat. What doesn’t come to mind as often, however, are the practical applications that Snapchat poses for brands. While it’s easy to write the app off as a silly social media app, it’s actually proven itself to be an effective platform to help brands connect with consumers.

Companies can reach consumers in several different ways via Snapchat. Brands can create their own profile, sponsor filters, or even design a geotag. It’s an excellent way for a brand to let its personality shine through. It’s also highly personalized and engaging. Furthermore, the quirky platform humanizes a brand and can make it more relatable.

Brands Successfully Using Snapchat

Let’s take a look at several companies that have enjoyed success with Snapchat. First, there’s General Electric. This is probably the last brand people would associate with an app used to send selfies. But, GE uses it to embrace their geeky personality in a fun way. For example, if you send them an emoji, they’ll “send you back some science.”

Next, there’s Gatorade. They created a filter for the 2016 Super Bowl that mimicked dumping a cooler of the drink on your head. It was an entertaining way for consumers to interact with the brand and share it with their friends. There was even a snap of Serena Williams drenched in orange Gatorade that garnered millions of views.

Finally, we have Dominos UK. They created a Snapchat story saga titled “Dough to Door.” It chronicled a pizza delivery riddled with obstacles- including an alien invasion. It was a low-budget yet successful effort that actually led to an increase in orders. Seriously, what better way to connect with consumers than through pizza?

As is clearly evident, Snapchat can be very useful for brands. With over 161 million daily users, it provides access to an abundance of potential consumers. What started out as a social media channel for teens has grown into a legitimate tool for all types of businesses; it’s so much more than just selfies and flower crowns.