This is the Transcript of the #WeddingMarket Chat on March 27th, 2016 with Samantha Roberts. The answers were made on Twitter so responses will appear different.

Samantha Roberts

A former Social Media Manager for The Knot, Samantha Roberts is a social media consultant and strategist specializing in the wedding industry. Her work recognizes the importance of social media as a key resource not only for couples for their wedding days, but for wedding professionals to use as a way to showcase their work and engage with potential clients. One of the most popular social media platforms to use in recent years is Snapchat, which is often used as a mobile application like other social media platforms. However, some professionals find that using Social media platforms via Desktop can be a good way for them to formulate and strategize what is needed to reach their audience. They can download Snapchat (or Télécharger snapchat) to their computers to get the full social media experience from their laptops, should they wish to do so, and with the help of someone like Samantha Roberts, they are sure to use such platforms to their full potential.

 

Samantha helped establish The Knot’s social media channels as the go-to wedding destination for brides, dreamers and vendors alike. Samantha was directly responsible for increasing The Knot’s followers by over 200%, engagements by 300% and used social media to drive 1 million sessions to the website each month. Samantha’s focus on Instagram helped The Knot win the DigiDay award for “Best Brand Instagram.”

See more of Samantha Roberts at www.maidofsocial.com

 

Q1: How did you get involved with the wedding industry?

Samantha Roberts : Since age 2 when I broke free from my parents at a resort pool & ran down the aisle at a nearby wedding ceremony naked!

 
Q2: How do you explain @Snapchat to someone who has never used it?

Samantha Roberts: @Snapchat’s a social platform where users can send videos, photos, messages to others with fun animations or graphics or submit them into a personal story that lives for 24 hours or a live event, which is UGC & curated by Snapchat!

 

Q3: How can wedding pros find @Snapchat useful?

Samantha Roberts: Wedding Pros can find Snapchat useful to show what they’re doing each day, showcase their work and engage with clients!

 

Q4: What are top wedding brands and professionals on Snapchat right now?

Samantha Roberts: I love how @WeddingWire, @JoseVilla, @KleinfeldBridal and @janawilliams & Chard Photo use Snapchat currently.

 
Q5: How do you find people to connect with on @Snapchat?

Samantha Roberts : You can search by your phone book or by username! Many people include their Snapchat handle in their Instagram handles!

 

Q6: How do you promote your @Snapchat account to brides?

Samantha Roberts : I would promote your Snapchat account on your other social media platform bios including Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

 

Q7: What are filters? How do they apply to events and weddings?

Samantha Roberts: After you take a photo or video, you can swipe left or right to find filters for your area or fun interactive animations to add! Couples can even purchase a customized @Snapchat geo-filter for their wedding!

 
Q8: Do you suggest a certain length of time for pictures or video on @Snapchat?

Samantha Roberts : Submit photos to your story for at least 3 seconds and videos can be up to 10 seconds long.

 

Q9: Do pictures or videos do better on @Snapchat?

Samantha Roberts: Both photos and videos should be used on Snapchat #WeddingMarket

 

Q10: What should you not do on Snapchat?

Samantha Roberts : Don’t post too much! There is no reason to have a story that is 5 minutes long!

 

Q11: How can wedding pros use @Snapchat at weddings?

Samantha Roberts : I <3 when vendors take 30 seconds & snap a moment during the reception or snap a detail during the getting ready process.   Q12: How should wedding pros use @Snapchat during the week?

Samantha Roberts : Showcase what you do everyday! Ideas: Meetings with other vendors, editing photos or talking BTS during a shoot!

 

Q13: How often should wedding pros @Snapchat daily or weekly? Can you #Snapchat too much?

Samantha Roberts: I think you should use it at least 5 days a week. It’s a platform that’s not as time consuming as others to use!

 

Q14: How can Snapchat be used differently than Instagram?

Samantha Roberts : Instagram has evolved to be perfectly curated, often with professional imagery. Photos & video on Snapchat are uploaded in the app, so it tends to be more authentic, raw and has more personality!

 

Q15: What would you like everyone to take away from this #WeddingMarket Chat?

Samantha Roberts: Fall in <3 with Snapchat! It's the fastest growing social platform & your next couple is most likely already using it!   Questions From #WeddingMarket Audience

 

@BeauWeddingApp How is #snapchat playing a role in the future of the wedding industry?

Samantha Roberts: It’s starting to be one of the most used platforms by wedding guests at an actual wedding! Brands and wedding professionals are using it to develop their personalities and show their days!

 

@DreamyWeddingSK How can wedding planners make use of snap chat for marketing of their business?

Samantha Roberts: Wedding Planners can use it to engage with clients, showcase their days, take 30 seconds and use it a wedding.

 

@BeauWeddingApp How do you see tech in general playing a role in the future of the #wedding industry?

Samantha Roberts: I think tech with continue to play a large aspect in the wedding planning process!

 

@BridalWarsEvent How would Snapchat benefit @bridalwarsevent a live Bridal Competition Event?

Samantha Roberts: Snapchat could be another place to broadcast and show what a bridalwarsevent is like. More BTS!

 

@WedGownCleaning Snapchat’s seen as more personal & of lower quality, so what are examples of good Snap-for-business posts?

Samantha Roberts: Businesses like Bloomingdales, @KleinfeldBridal, Taco Bell all do a good job on Snapchat with the perfect balance of personality and professionalism for the platform. Tell a story of your business each day.

 

@BeauWeddingApp What are some creative ways that #weddingguests are using #snapchat on the Big Day?

Samantha Roberts: Guests are using it to show moments of the wedding. Could be on the dance floor or during cocktail hour!

 

@ASweetStart I default my Snapchat photos to 5 seconds, do you think that’s too long?

Samantha Roberts: Not necessarily. Watch your view numbers, if you see them dropping off drastically. Id adjust the time submitted.

 

@VegasWeddings for those who have “unplugged” weddings, do you think promoting snapchat might confuse guests?

Samantha Roberts: For unplugged weddings, social media shouldn’t be used. But you could use it for portions of the wedding prep?

 
@AllAboutYouEnt Only people following me are other wedding vendors. Why would a bride want to follow my snaps?

Samantha Roberts: They could see a 3 second click of the dance floor energy at another event and be more excited for their own! Or they could see the prep of what goes into creating a DJ set list differently each week.