If you are thinking about running Snapchat ads for your brand, stop right there. Before spending any money, here is what you need to know.
This advice is based on personal experience from someone who has been running their own brand for over two years, and it could save you a lot of money and frustration.
Should a New Brand Run Snapchat Ads?
For many new brands with limited budgets, the answer is usually no.
If you are a new brand, you should not go anywhere near Snapchat ads. Here is why. A new brand typically has no awareness in the market. It does not have a large budget.
It may not even know how to create the right ad creatives. And most importantly, it is still experimenting to understand what works.
Snapchat ads may not be the best platform for experimentation if you are working with a limited budget and have not yet identified your target audience.
If you are in the early stages and still trying to figure things out, you will end up wasting a lot of money without seeing results.
Who is Snapchat’s audience, and is it your customer?
Understanding this is crucial. The majority of Snapchat’s audience is between 13 and 34 years old, that’s Gen Z and young millennials. If your product or service is aimed at this age group, Snapchat might theoretically seem like the right platform. But the problem for new brands is that this audience’s purchasing behavior is different.
These users come to Snapchat to be entertained, not to shop. They easily ignore ads, especially from a brand they don’t know before. Established brands thrive here because their logo and name are already familiar.
If your target audience is over 35, Snapchat is practically the wrong platform – this age group has very little presence on Snapchat.
What New Brands Should Do Instead
If you are just starting out, the better approach is to focus on organic marketing first. Spend one to two weeks posting content without any paid ads. This costs nothing and helps you understand how your audience responds.
If you want to move into paid advertising after that, start with Facebook and Instagram ads. Meta’s platforms offer more flexibility, lower minimum budgets in Pakistani rupees, and a much broader audience. TikTok is also a good option in the early stages.
These platforms give you far more control and value for your money when you are still building your brand.
The Budget Problem with Snapchat Ads
Another major reason to avoid Snapchat ads early on is the minimum budget requirement.
Snapchat runs ads in dollars, not Pakistani rupees. The minimum spend starts at around $5 to $10 per day.
When you convert that, it comes out to thousands of rupees daily, which is simply not sustainable for a new brand with a limited budget.
In comparison, Meta ads (Facebook and Instagram) can work with much smaller budgets. You can often start with much smaller budgets depending on your campaign goals and still see meaningful results. Snapchat does not offer that kind of flexibility.
Direct Comparison of Snapchat Ads and Meta Ads
Check out this comparison to help clarify decisions for new brands:
With Facebook and Instagram ads, you can start with just Rs. 500-1,000 per day and collect meaningful data. You learn which age group, location, and interest group are responding to your ad.
Snapchat has a $5 to $10 daily minimum, which is Rs. 1,400 to Rs. 2,800 daily just for testing. And the data isn’t as granular as Meta Ads provides for new accounts.
TikTok ads are also delivering better results for some brands in Pakistan because the young audience is highly engaged and content can go viral organically.
The simple rule is: use the platform that allows you to maximize your budget and get the most data. Meta is the clear winner for new brands.
Will Snapchat Ads Even Get You Buyers?
Even if you do manage to run Snapchat ads, there is no guarantee you will get buyers, especially as a new brand.
Getting customers through Snapchat is genuinely difficult when no one knows who you are. Established brands that already have a strong presence on Instagram, brands that people already recognize and trust, can see results from Snapchat because users are familiar with them. When their ad appears in someone’s inbox, that person already knows the brand and may click “Shop Now.”
But for a new brand with zero recognition? That same ad will likely be ignored, and your money will be gone.
What If You Still Want to Try Snapchat Ads?
If you are curious and want to experiment anyway, that is completely fine. There is no harm in trying if you have the budget to spare. Put in $10 or $20 and see what happens.
However, if you run the campaign and no orders come in, stop immediately. Do not keep running awareness campaigns on Snapchat hoping things will improve. They may not improve without making changes to your strategy or creatives.
Your money will be wasted, and worse, you might end up feeling demotivated about your business before it even gets off the ground.
For many new businesses, investing that budget into platforms such as Facebook or Instagram may provide better results.
When Should You Consider Snapchat Ads?
Snapchat ads are not off-limits forever. They become a viable option once your brand has grown and scaled.
When you have an established presence, a loyal customer base, and a bigger marketing budget, then expanding to Snapchat, LinkedIn, and other platforms makes complete sense.
At that stage, you can run larger campaigns across multiple platforms and truly benefit from Snapchat’s reach.
Can Pakistani Freelancers Earn Through Snapchat Ads?
Yes, and this is one of the most underrated freelancing opportunities in Pakistan right now.
Many e-commerce brands from the US, UK, and the Middle East actively hire freelancers on Fiverr and Upwork to manage their Snapchat ad campaigns.
If you know how to set up Snapchat Ads Manager, create basic creatives, and read campaign reports, you can charge competitive rates per project
The best part? Competition on Snapchat Ads is far lower than Facebook or Google Ads, which means new Pakistani freelancers can land their first client much faster here.
Start by learning Snapchat Ads Manager for free on YouTube, build one or two sample campaigns, and list your service on Fiverr as “Snapchat Ads Manager.”
What Works in Snapchat Ads, Actual Examples
Brands that genuinely get results from Snapchat ads often do the following:
Story ads that create a hook in the first 3 seconds; if the first 3 seconds are boring, the user swipes away. Successful Snapchat ads show the product immediately in the first frame.
Collection ads that connect directly to a product catalog: the user swipes up and is taken directly to the product page. This is the best format for e-commerce brands.
AR lens ads that let users virtually try on a product- sunglasses, makeup, clothes – this format is uniquely effective on Snapchat because other platforms don’t offer such a strong AR experience.
If you ever try Snapchat ads, test these formats. Generic banner or image ads do not work on Snapchat at all.
FAQs
Q: Can a new brand run Snapchat ads successfully?
It is very difficult. New brands lack market awareness and the budgets needed to make Snapchat ads effective. It is recommended to start with organic marketing and Meta ads instead.
Q: What is the minimum budget for Snapchat ads in Pakistan?
Snapchat charges in US dollars, with a minimum of around $5 to $10 per day. This translates to several thousand Pakistani rupees daily, which can be too expensive for new brands.
Q: Which Ads platform is better for new brands?
Instagram (and Facebook) is significantly better for new brands. Meta platforms support smaller budgets, offer more flexibility in ad formats, and have a larger base of active buyers.
Q: When is the right time to start Snapchat ads?
Once your brand is established, has a recognizable presence on Instagram or other platforms, and has a larger advertising budget, Snapchat becomes a worthwhile option.
Q: Is it okay to experiment with Snapchat ads?
Yes, if you can afford to spend $10 to $20 without expecting guaranteed returns, experimenting is fine. Just make sure to stop if you see no results, rather than continuing to spend.
Conclusion
Snapchat ads can be a useful marketing channel, but they are not the best starting point for every business. If your brand is still new, focus on organic content, understand your audience, and test lower-cost advertising platforms first.
Once your business has gained recognition and you have a larger marketing budget, Snapchat ads can become a valuable part of your overall advertising strategy. The key is to invest in the right platform at the right stage of your brand’s growth.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are based on personal experience and observation in the Pakistani market. Results from advertising platforms may vary depending on your product, target audience, budget, and creative quality. This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional financial or marketing advice. Always test and evaluate ad platforms based on your own business needs before making significant investments.
