Last Updated on October 20, 2025 by Lisa Brown
LinkedIn vs. Snapchat: Where Should a Beginner Start?
So you’ve decided to dip your toes into social media marketing. That’s awesome. But then you look at the landscape—Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Snapchat—and your brain freezes. Where do you even begin?
Let’s simplify things. For most beginners, the real choice isn’t about using every platform. It’s about picking the right one for your specific goals. And two platforms that couldn’t be more different are LinkedIn and Snapchat.
Think of it like this: LinkedIn is a professional conference where everyone is wearing name tags and looking for business connections. Snapchat is a massive, chaotic house party where the goal is to be the most entertaining person in the room.
You wouldn’t wear a suit to the party or show up to the conference in a graphic tee. You need to pick your venue. Let’s break down which one is the right fit for you.
First, A Quick Reality Check
I made this mistake myself when I started. I tried to be everywhere at once. I was posting polished articles on LinkedIn while trying to figure out goofy filters on Snapchat. The result? I was mediocre on both and exhausted.
Here’s the kicker: you don’t need both. Not at first. Master one channel that aligns with your audience, then consider expanding. This comparison is your first step to making a smart, focused choice.
Meet the Contenders: The Professional vs. The Playground
Let’s get to know our two very different platforms.
LinkedIn: The Digital Boardroom
LinkedIn is all about business, careers, and industry insights. Its users are there with a purpose: to network, learn, and advance their professional lives. The vibe is polished, informed, and valuedriven.
Who’s really there? Over 200 million users in the U.S. alone, primarily professionals, decisionmakers, B2B service providers, and job seekers. The average user has a higherthanaverage household income. You’re talking to people who are ready to have a business conversation.
Funny story: I once landed a $5,000 freelance project just by commenting thoughtfully on an industry leader’s post. I didn’t even pitch myself. I provided a genuine insight, they checked out my profile, and they messaged me. That’s the power of LinkedIn.
Snapchat: The Backstage Pass
Snapchat is raw, personal, and inthemoment. It’s built on ephemeral content—messages and stories that disappear. This creates a sense of urgency and authenticity that other platforms struggle to match. It’s less about perfection and more about connection.
Who’s really there? Heavily skewed toward Gen Z and Millennials. In fact, it reaches 75% of Millennials and Gen Z in the U.S. If your audience is under 35, they are almost certainly on Snapchat. They’re not necessarily looking to “shop,” but they are highly engaged with brands they feel a genuine connection with.
A local boutique I follow uses Snapchat brilliantly. They don’t just post products. The owner does quick, unedited videos from the stockroom, asks for opinions on new arrivals, and shares bloopers. It feels like you’re getting a secret look behind the curtain. That builds a loyalty that a slick Instagram ad never could.
Breaking Down the Key Differences for Beginners
Okay, let’s get into the nittygritty. Here’s a sidebyside look at what really matters when you’re just starting out.
Your Goal: What Are You Actually Trying to Do?
- LinkedIn: Best for B2B lead generation, building professional authority, recruiting talent, and driving traffic to a business blog or website. You’re playing the long game of trust and credibility.
- Snapchat: Best for building brand awareness with a younger demographic, fostering a loyal community, promoting shortterm sales or events, and showing off your brand’s personality. It’s about vibe and immediacy.
See the difference? One is about building a reputation; the other is about building a tribe.
Content Style: Polished vs. Personal
This is the biggest practical difference you’ll face.
On LinkedIn, your content should provide value. Think industry articles, thoughtful commentary on news, case studies, and professional achievements. The writing is key. A wellcrafted post can spark a huge conversation.
On Snapchat, your content should be entertaining, authentic, and offthecuff. Use the filters, the text tools, the silly lenses. Show your face. Talk directly to the camera. A quick, 10second video of your team celebrating a small win is perfect. A highly edited, minutelong promo video? Not so much.
The biggest mistake I see beginners make on Snapchat is trying to be too perfect. It backfires. The platform rewards realness.
Audience Engagement: Conversation vs. Reaction
- LinkedIn: Engagement looks like comments, shares, and direct messages. The conversations can be lengthy and detailed. It’s a network for dialogue.
- Snapchat: Engagement is a snap back, a screenshot, or a view on your story. It’s faster, more visceral, and more private. It’s a platform for reaction.
Advertising and Costs
Both platforms offer sophisticated ad tools, but for a beginner, the entry point is different.
LinkedIn Ads are notoriously expensive. You’re paying for access to a highvalue professional audience. The CPM (cost per thousand impressions) is often the highest of all social platforms. This makes it a tougher playground for a small budget.
Snapchat Ads, while still a real cost, can be more accessible for a smaller business looking to reach a young, broad audience. Their selfserve ad platform allows you to start with a relatively modest daily budget.
For a deeper dive into the numbers, the Pew Research Center’s social media fact sheet is an invaluable resource for understanding who uses these platforms.
So, Which One Should YOU Choose? A Simple Guide
Stop thinking about which platform is “better.” Start thinking about which one is better for you.
Choose LinkedIn Marketing If…
- You’re a B2B company (you sell to other businesses).
- Your target customer is a professional over 30.
- Your goal is to be seen as a thought leader in your industry.
- You offer highticket services or products that require a long decisionmaking process.
- You’re a consultant, recruiter, or agency owner.
Here’s a pro tip from my own experience: Don’t just post and ghost. Spend 15 minutes a day genuinely commenting on other people’s posts in your niche. That’s how you get seen.
Choose Snapchat Marketing If…
- Your primary audience is Gen Z or Millennials (under 35).
- You’re a B2C brand with a fun, personalitydriven product (food, fashion, entertainment).
- You want to build a “behindthescenes” connection with your followers.
- You’re promoting an event, a flash sale, or a limitedtime offer.
- Your brand isn’t afraid to be a little silly and imperfect.
Trust me on this one. If you’re a local coffee shop trying to attract college students, a Snapchat story showing your barista creating a new drink is worth ten professionally shot Facebook ads.
Getting Started: Your First Step on Each Platform
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t be. Here’s a single, simple action to take on each platform today.
Your First LinkedIn Move
Optimize your personal profile. I’m not talking about your company page yet. People connect with people.
Go to your profile right now and do these three things:
- Write a headline that states who you help and how, not just your job title. (e.g., “I help small business owners untangle their bookkeeping” vs. “Accountant”).
- Add a professional, friendly headshot.
- Follow five industry leaders and interact with one of their posts.
Boom. You’re already ahead of 80% of users.
Your First Snapchat Move
Create a “Day in the Life” story. No script. No fancy equipment.
Just take 510 short video clips throughout your day—opening the store, making your product, answering a common question, etc. Add text and a fun filter. Post it to your story. That’s it. You’ve just created authentic content.
For creative inspiration on using the platform’s features, check out Snapchat’s own business hub.
FAQs for the Overwhelmed Beginner
Can I use the same content on both platforms?
Absolutely not. This is a recipe for failure. The audiences and their expectations are worlds apart. A formal LinkedIn article would flop on Snapchat, and a casual Snapchat video would damage your professional credibility on LinkedIn. Tailor your content for each specific environment.
Which platform gives faster results?
Generally, Snapchat. Because the content is ephemeral and the engagement is immediate, you can see a spike in awareness for an event or sale very quickly. LinkedIn is a slower burn. It’s about building relationships and authority over weeks and months, which then leads to more qualified leads and opportunities.
Do I need a huge budget for ads?
Not necessarily. You can achieve a lot organically on both platforms if you’re consistent and provide value. For Snapchat, your “currency” is creativity. For LinkedIn, it’s insight. If you do decide to advertise, you can start small on both, but be aware that LinkedIn’s minimums and costs are typically higher.
Is one platform better for driving website traffic?
Typically, LinkedIn is more effective for this. The users are already in a professional, informationseeking mindset and are more likely to click a link to a blog post or service page. While you can add links to Snapchat, the platform is more about contained, inapp engagement. The social media demographics guide from Hootsuite can help you understand the clickthrough behavior of different audiences.
The Final Word: Stop Overthinking and Start
Look, you can analyze this forever. The truth is, the best way to learn is by doing.
Based on everything we’ve talked about, pick one. Just one. Give it your full attention for 90 days. Post consistently. Engage daily. See what happens.
If you sell to businesses, you probably just chose LinkedIn. If you sell to teens and young adults, you likely picked Snapchat.
That gut feeling you have? It’s probably right. Now go validate it. Your future customers are waiting.