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.
Also Read: How to Get 50,000 Followers on Snapchat: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
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.
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.”
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.
