Snapchat, the app based on sending photos to your friends that disappear, is rapidly evolving. The Verge reports that Snapchat Stories are now viewed more times per day than actual "snaps." With a base of users that love the app for various reasons, it's easy to see why the app is useful for businesses and how businesses can excel on Snapchat.

What is a Snapchat Story?

Snapchat's "Stories" feature released on October 3rd, 2013. Since then, Stories have exploded and become the most viewed aspect of Snapchat. Snapchat has even evolved to include Live coverage of events and Campus Stories that are location based.

Photo via iMedia Connection

Able to be viewed for 24 hours, Stories are attached to your name in others' contact lists and can be repeatedly viewed. This allows for more room than normal Snaps that disappear after viewing.

How Can Your Business Excel on Snapchat Stories?

Although non-visuals play little to no role in Snapchats, business can overcome this difficulty with superb visual marketing.

Taco Bell is regularly cited as a top brand on Snapchat, utilizing humor and playful doodles to show off their brand.

On the retail side, American Eagle promotes their new lines and some holiday mischief on their Story.

You can also use Snapchat to reflect company culture, something highly regarded in today's market.

Snapchat simply makes sense for marketing purposes due to the fact that people will actually want to see what you're posting. Customers add businesses because they're interested, and will open your pictures when they see the notification number that you've updated your Story.

The likelihood of Snapchat users (mostly 12-24 year olds) sharing your Snaps with their friends is high and represents a great opportunity for your brand.

Overall Thoughts

With the option to potentially promote events with Snapchat Live (Comic Con, Coachella and Oktoberfest have been a few hits), a worldwide audience could see your event take place resulting in innumerable leads.

Trying out a Snapchat Story campaign for your client or brand is worth a shot: it costs nothing and could lead to millions of views.