Snapchat is the secret weapon for reaching younger audiences. With over 375 million daily users, it’s one of the most popular apps worldwide. And time sensitive Snapchat stories are marketing gold – creating serious FOMO.
Your Snapchat story is here today, and gone tomorrow. So it drives immediate action, unlike any other platform. There’s no time to sit back and think about it. You see something you like, you need to act right now.
It’s an addictive, can’t-look-away experience. Like a magician doing a trick before your eyes – then poof – it vanishes! Brands that harness this power of now in their Snapchat stories will win big with Gen Z and Millennials.
What Does Time Sensitive Snapchat Mean?
First launched in May 2023, time sensitive Snapchat stories create urgency and exclusivity. They have a blue “Time Sensitive” indicator attached to them.
The fleeting nature pushes viewers to watch immediately. Before the content vanishes. This drives engagement, especially for limited-time promotions or event teasers.
For brands, time-sensitive stories are a valuable marketing tool. They help reach younger audiences on Snapchat. Over 375 million people use Snapchat daily.
Stories also build community. Viewers feel special, like insiders. They’re seeing something not everyone gets to see. Time-sensitive stories tap into FOMO psychology. Snapchat uses this to compel instant action.
How do Time Sensitive Snapchat stories work?
Android and iphone have Focus or Do Not Disturb modes. These limit notifications to reduce distractions. But sometimes you want alerts for key messages. This is where Snapchat’s Time Sensitive notifications come in.
Time Sensitive snapchat notifications break through Focus and DND. They appear on your lock screen for at least an hour. So you don’t miss important Snapchat alerts.
It’s unclear how Snapchat picks which notifications are time sensitive. But it seems to prioritize messages, replies, and stories from best friends.
- To create a time-sensitive story
- Open the Snapchat app
- Tap on the “Create Story” button.
- Then, tap on the “Time Sensitive” toggle to enable the feature.
Once you have created your story, it will be visible to your followers for short time.
How to Turn Off Time Sensitive Snapchat Notifications
Snapchat’s Time Sensitive notifications ensure you never miss an important snap. But if you want complete do not disturb, you’ll need to disable them. Here’s how you can do it without Snapchat support on iPhone and Android.
On iPhone:
- Open Settings and select Notifications.
- Scroll down and tap the Snapchat section.
- Toggle off the switch for Time Sensitive Snapchat Notifications.
On Android:
Android doesn’t have a specific Time Sensitive setting. But you can control Snapchat notifications as follows:
- Open Settings and select Apps.
- Tap Snapchat under Recent apps or See all apps.
- Select Notifications.
- Customize notifications for Snapchat here as desired.
Now Snapchat alerts won’t break through when you activate Do Not Disturb. You’ll gain complete control over disturbances from Snapchat.
The Time Sensitive feature is useful for avoiding missing key snaps. But if you want to lock down distractions, disabling it on iPhone or customizing notifications on Android will do the trick.
How to use Time Sensitive Snapchat Stories for Marketing?
Promote Limited-Time Offers
- Create a visually engaging snap or series of snaps showcasing the limited-time offer details – discounted price, redeem code, expiration date, etc.
- Use captions like “24hr Flash Sale!” or “Ends at midnight!” to create urgency.
- Remind viewers how much time is left as the deadline approaches to encourage last-minute action.
Tease Upcoming Events
- Post cryptic snaps building up to an announcement like “Something big is coming…”
- Share sneak peeks of preparations, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and teaser content.
- Encourage viewers to stay tuned to your story for exciting reveals.
- Build excitement in the 24 hours leading up to the event with reminders.
Share Behind-the-Scenes Content
- Give fans exclusive behind-the-scenes access they can’t get anywhere else.
- Show product development, creative processes, team events, and office culture.
- Use captions inviting fans to “go backstage” at your brand.
- This makes viewers feel special and deepens their connection.
Run Contests or Giveaways
- Post rules, prizes, and deadlines clearly.
- Remind viewers of the deadline to enter as it approaches.
- Announce the winner in a compelling snap – deliver prizes quickly after.
- Contests give great incentive for followers to engage.
Strengthen Your Community
- Give followers a window into your brand’s personality and values.
- Respond to comment snaps to have real conversations.
- Ask questions and encourage interaction among your audience.
- Build an authentic community that feels invested in your brand.
How to Create Effective Time Sensitive Snapchat Stories?
1. Capturing Attention
Grabbing attention is critical for time sensitive Snapchat stories. Strong visuals like bold graphics, eye-catching filters, and compelling photos capture interest. Creative captions pique curiosity with questions, urgency, and intrigue.
For example, Airbnb used stylish visuals and captions like “Who’s down for an adventure?” to promote travel in a time-sensitive story. GoPro drew viewers in with point-of-view action shots captioned “Takes you places you’ve never been before.”
Tips: Use captions up to 80 characters. Ask questions. Use emojis strategically. Feature people’s faces. Show authentic moments.
2. Telling a Compelling Story
Effectively tell stories in your time sensitive Snapchat stories. Outline a narrative arc with a beginning, middle, and end. Use a mix of snaps, videos, photos, captions, and stickers to advance the story.
Red Bull built anticipation for its Flugtag event by documenting behind-the-scenes preparations in a time-sensitive story. It used captions like “Getting ready to fly!” to narrate the story.
Tips: Show don’t tell. Use captions purposefully. Incorporate unexpected moments. Build suspense. Feature multiple characters.
3. Utilizing Snapchat’s Features
Leverage Snapchat’s creative features in your time-sensitive stories. Use lenses to transform snaps. Create polls to engage viewers. Add links with Snapcodes. Stickers and gifs make stories more lively. Locations and music add context.
The Washington Post used location stickers, gifs, and emoji captions to enhance its coverage of U.S. elections in time-sensitive stories.
Tips: Test different lenses. Use stickers sparingly. Add music thoughtfully. Create custom geofilters. Encourage viewers to engage with polls.
Conclusion
Snapchat’s time-sensitive stories are a marketer’s dream come true. Their short-lived nature taps into powerful FOMO psychology, driving urgency and immediate action.
With some creative thinking, brands can craft stories that capture attention, tell compelling narratives, and leverage Snapchat’s unique features. The right combo of visuals, captions, interactivity, and exclusivity will get audiences hooked.
As Snapchat continues to evolve, keep exploring new ways to make your time-sensitive stories stand out. Experiment with emerging formats like Games and Minis. Stay on top of trends in AR lenses and filters. Most importantly, provide value to your community with entertaining and informative stories.
Time-sensitive Snapchat offers a direct line to Gen Z and Millennials. Make the most of this marketing goldmine while it lasts – your story tomorrow begins with the story you create today.
