Skimm'd while road tripping home from an epic weekend in Louisville, KY feat. 21st birthday shenanigans and DJ Glittertits 

QUOTE OF THE DAY

 "People come up to me like, 'Man, that's right. Take down Taylor.' Bro, I love all, y'all. That's why I called her."  -Kanye's two cents at Sunday night's VMAs regarding the TSwift drama fueled by KimK's Snapchat story and his latest song "Famous". 

WHAT'S theSKIMM?

THE STORY

TheSkimm is a daily email newsletter that is sent out M-F to millions of subscribers around 6:00 AM. The goal: to help people start their mornings off with a quick recap of what's going on in the world--keeping you in the know and making elevator small talk less awkward since 2012. Geared towards chicks in their 20s and 30s, theSkimm's voice is witty, concise and v relatable. They cover all the latest topics ranging from the latest Kimye drama to Germany's current trade situation with the US (ps they also provide wine suggestions!!). And if you haven't already guessed--this blog post is set up exactly like the email you will be receiving early tomorrow morning. 

SAY WHAT?

Basically, theSkimm is a brief overview of the latest current events. They read the long articles so you don't have to. In about 150 words or less, theSkimm summarizes trending news in a humorous and to-the-point kinda way. Mornings are tough, and theSkimm founders know that. What they also know is that the first thing we all do in the mornings after struggling to turn off the snooze button is begin the inevitable scroll through our Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter feeds. TheSkimm wants to change that. They are "disrupting morning routines and information consumption" by ensuring the timed delivery of an info-packed email every weekday morning at 6:00 AM. Because most Skimm'rs are on-the-go early in the morning, their e-newsletter is primarily suited for mobile. After a few mornings of reading theSkimm, whether your laying in bed getting those five extra minutes or riding the train into work, you'll get hooked. There is something about knowing what's going on in the world that will give you a rush--especially during break room coffee talk. 

WHAT'S THE LATEST?

TheSkimm recently introduced their new subscription based mobile app, Skimm Ahead. For $2.99/ month, you are able to see when upcoming events are (ie. the Bachelorette premier or the next election), so you don't miss out on the important things in life.

REPEAT AFTER ME 

WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU REALIZE YOU HAVE TO EAT RAMEN NOODLES FOR DINNER...

Help me, I'm poor. For most start-ups, like theSkimm, the first few years are far from glamourous. Think: long hours and lots of ramen noodles. With dedication, persistence and many bottles of wine, theSkimm was able to build their readership to 3.5 million in under 4 years. Say what?!

WHAT TO SAY WHEN SOMEONE ASKS YOU WHAT THE WEATHER IS GOING TO BE LIKE...
 
I'm a vegan. Skimm'rs are no different. TheSkimm encourages readers to "Share that Sh*t" with friends through their Skimmbassador program. Each reader has a unique code and every time someone new signs up with it, you get cred! Once 10 people sign up using your code, you gain that Skimmbassador status. Perks include Skimm swag, a birthday S/O at the bottom of the newsletter, and other fun Skimm events. 

Here's an example of what this conversation might look like:

Skimm'r: "Omg, did you know that Brazil is probably going to impeach Prez Rousseff?!"

Friend:  "Um, no...how do you even know about that?"

Skimm'r: "I read the theSkimm every morning! Do you not? You have to sign up for it right now. Here, I'm texting you my code!"


WHAT TO SAY WHEN YOU THINK THE SKIMM IS SOMETHING YOU CAN GET DOWN WITH...
Sign me up. And it defintiely is something you can get down with. All it takes is a few morning reads and you'll be hooked. Click on the "Share That Sh*t" button below to sign up for theSkimm (using my code, obviously) and begin receiving emails like this blog post every weekday morning. Cheers!

Snapchat offers several options for brands to advertise, including Sponsored Geofilters, Sponsored Ads and Sponsored Lenses—all of which provide unique ways for users to generate their own content and share with friends and family all while advertising a specific brand. The Sponsored Geofilter pioneer, McDonald’s, launched their first filter at U.S. McDonald’s locations in June 2015. Since, many businesses have recognized the massive success in sponsored Snapchat features and are taking a stab. While many doing it, not all doing it well.

So, what makes a sponsored Snapchat filter #successful? 

1. Keep it simple
Look, there is nothing worse than a busy in-your-face Sponsored Geofilter. In a world where creating a Geofilter is as easy as getting your designers to whip up a 1080 x 1920 px .png file and then convincing your department that it's worth it to drop hundreds of thousands of dollars on a selfie decoration, it's easy to get lost in the clutter of all the other crazy brands out there doing the same thing.  Personally, I look for the most tasteful filter when swiping through my options. You know, ones that will still leave room me to see my photo.  When your company is spending unsightly amounts on a digital sticker, it's tempting to over do it with the graphics to get your pixels worth. Please don't. Just keep it simple like Hollister, because who doesn't want to show off their "Friday Vibes" wit a quirky Snap Story?

2. Make it interactive 
With users' ability to add text, stickers and doodles to their snaps, the possibilities for interactive Geofilters is endless. While not as interactive as a Sponsored Lens, a Geofilter that allows for users to engage with the brand is unique and allows for personalization.  GE's Sponsored Geofilter at the JFK airport invites users to insert their own destination on the digital boarding pass. Snapchat is the hottest tool for people to visually share where they are and what they are doing. This interactive filter is a simple way to accomplish what most Snapchatters are there to do: tell the world they are doing something awesome.  
​          

So, before your brand gets Snap happy, consider these three major keys to create a successful Sponsored Geofilter: Keep it simple, make it interactive and know your audience.