The National Republican Senatorial Committee's Latest Mission: Make Snapchat Uncool The GOP campaign arm is urging members of the Senate to get on the platform.

By Laura Entis

Opinions expressed by BIZ Experiences contributors are their own.

Shutterstock

In case you didn't know, Snapchat is apparently really big with teens and millennials.

Founded in 2011, the photo-sharing platform has managed to retain its cool factor even after becoming a giant, established social network. While it still skews very young -- 45 percent of users are between the ages of 18 and 24 -- older folks are increasingly joining the platform in a bid to appeal to these snap-happy youths.

This includes Republican candidates for Senate. Or at least, if the National Republican Senatorial Committee has any say in the matter.

In a leaked memo (which also reads like a veritable advertisement for Snapchat) obtained by Politico, the committee urged Senate candidates to join the social network, which it helpfully points out has 100 million daily users who watch more than 8 billion videos per day on the app.

Related: Barack Obama Is the Most Popular World Leader on Instagram

"These are astounding figures and it's another sign that we need to start considering Snapchat in the same league as Facebook, Twitter, and Google," the memo says, before listing other (admittedly impressive) figures, such as "two-thirds of Snapchat's millennial users are likely to vote in the 2016 election."

All of which is to say, it's time for Republican Senate candidates to get on Snapchat already! To help candidates ready to take the plunge, the memo outlines five tips for success. From the practical -- "Don't make your snap story too long. Keep it less than 45 seconds as best you can." -- to the rather exploitative -- "You can also use young volunteers in your snaps by snapping them making calls, knocking doors, or just working around the office" -- the memo, like most memos, is pretty much the antithesis of cool.

Related: Snapchat Reaches 8 Billion Daily Video Views

We can at least take comfort knowing snaps don't last very long. In the near future, if you stumble upon a series of snaps featuring Republican candidates for Senate "driving in the car from event to event," at least know it probably wasn't their idea. Blame the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

Laura Entis is a reporter for Fortune.com's Venture section.

Want to be an BIZ Experiences Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for BIZ Experiencess to pursue in 2025.

Science & Technology

OpenAI's Latest Move Is a Game Changer — Here's How Smart Solopreneurs Are Turning It Into Profit

OpenAI's latest AI tool acts like a full-time assistant, helping solopreneurs save time, find leads and grow their business without hiring.

Social Media

How To Start a Youtube Channel: Step-by-Step Guide

YouTube can be a valuable way to grow your audience. If you're ready to create content, read more about starting a business YouTube Channel.

Money & Finance

These Are the Expected Retirement Ages By Generation, From Gen Z to Boomers — and the Average Savings Anticipated. How Do Yours Compare?

Many Americans say inflation prevents them from saving enough and fear they won't reach their financial goals.

Starting a Business

I Built a $20 Million Company by Age 22 While Still in College. Here's How I Did It and What I Learned Along the Way.

Wealth-building in your early twenties isn't about playing it safe; it's about exploiting the one time in life when having nothing to lose gives you everything to gain.

Business Solutions

Boost Team Productivity and Security With Windows 11 Pro, Now $15 for Life

Ideal for BIZ Experiencess and small-business owners who are looking to streamline their PC setup.