As 2 billion users exchange images, videos and text, the app has become more than just a casual messaging service. It’s rapidly growing as a powerful tool for businesses to reach out to customers. What are you waiting for? Invest in your business with WhatsApp Marketing and be where everyone else is!
WhatsApp Marketing is the newest form of internet marketing and as with such, you may not know what it is that you need to do. So how do you make this strategy work for your business?
This post will demystify the ins and outs of WhatsApp marketing, going from creating a business account all the way to how to determine if your campaign is successful. If you want to be successful and build deep customer connections, then you’re in the right place.
Advantages of WhatsApp for Marketing
WhatsApp isn’t only for talking to your friends and family; businesses can also use WhatsApp to make meaningful connections to their customers. Still on the fence? Here are the key benefits:
Composed Direct & Personal Communication
Unlike social media posts or email newsletters, WhatsApp lets you interact with customers one on one. Admittedly I did not have a huge subscriber list at the time, but even as someone with a small following the conversation feels more personal, more direct.
Wide Reach
With more than 2 billion active users worldwide, chances are your target audience is already on WhatsApp. This also brings in an inclusiveness, where you reach out to customers no matter where they are.
Higher Engagement Rates
WhatsApp broadcasts see an open rate of 98%! Combine this with the platform read receipt feature (where customers know when a message is read) and your marketing instantly becomes that much more transparent, and that much more effective.
Cost-Effective Solution
Forget expensive SMS campaigns or bloated app development. With WhatsApp being an inexpensive, fast and convenient way to directly promote what you are selling, many businesses are already using it as part of their marketing strategy.
Secure Communication
The company said customers feel more secure interacting with companies through WhatsApp because of its strong privacy protections, like encryption and identity verification for business accounts.
Creating Your WhatsApp Business Account
You can start using WhatsApp Marketing Services, but you need to establish a professional identity. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
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Download WhatsApp Business
Get the WhatsApp Business app (not to be confused with the regular WhatsApp app) from iOS and Android. This app is designed for businesses and provides access to specialized tools like catalog and away messages. -
Create a Business Profile
Complete other important information such as your business name, address, category, description, email and website. A full professional profile establishes confidence with prospective clients. -
Enable Two-Step Verification
This is done to protect your account and minimize the risks of hijacking, impersonation, and unauthorized access. -
Set Up Automated Messages
Leverage features such as greeting messages for new contacts and away messages for when you’re unavailable. -
Categorize Contacts With Labels
Through WhatsApp Business, you have the ability to apply a tag to a contact (e.g., a ‘New Customer’ or a ‘VIP Client’). This helps to make both communications and campaigns more efficient.
Building Your Contact List
The WhatsApp Marketing Services will work only when you have targeted your audience. Here are some tips for growing a valuable list:
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Use Opt-in Forms
Urge customers to subscribe to messages from your company and use opt-in forms on your website, emails, or social media. And always be sure to follow privacy laws such as GDPR. -
Leverage Existing Channels
Spread the word about your WhatsApp number or QR code through your email newsletters, social media or in-store signage.
Tip: Motivate your site visitors to sign up by providing birthday discounts, exclusive offers, or a preview of new product offerings. -
Ask for Referrals
Your most valuable ambassadors are happy customers. Motivate them to let their friends or family know the details, of let’s say, your business WhatsApp.
Creating Engaging Content
Now that you have an account and established a contact list, let’s get into what you really want to talk about: your content. Here’s how to write posts that resonate and hold your readers’ attention:
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Personalized Messages
Personalize the message by using the customer’s first name and based on their interests or purchase history to increase engagement. -
Rich Media Content
WhatsApp also allows picture, video, and documents sharing, and voice notes. Leverage these formats for product demos, infographic or personalized video messages. -
Interactive Features
Leverage polls and surveys to get fast customer feedback. Paste shareable call-to-action (CTA) buttons that send users elsewhere and are clickable (“Shop Now” / “Contact Us”). -
Limited-Time Offers
WhatsApp is a live platform, so it’s perfect for advertising for flash sales and unique time-limited offers.
Always remember, the rule of thumb is to make the content as sharp as possible. No one likes spams messages!
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Automated WhatsApp Marketing
Time is money, particularly for marketing departments. Automate repetitive work. Are there any automated parts of your WhatsApp campaign that can cut down on time spent yet still maintain quality?
Advanced Automation Benefits From Tools Such as WhatsApp Business API:
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Chatbots
You can use AI-fueled chatbots to cover such FAQs while your team concentrates on more important work. -
Scheduled Messages
Schedule texts such as appointment reminders, holiday wishes and campaign promotions at specific times. -
Auto-Responses
Program replies for frequently asked questions such as store hours, product availability, or pricing info. This is to ensure no text goes unnoticed.
Automation not only enhances productivity but also provides a smooth process for customers.
Measuring Your Results
To know how successful your WhatsApp Marketing Service strategy is, you may need to look at some of its most important performance metrics. Here are the basics:
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Delivery Rate: The proportion of emails that have been successfully sent to your contact list.
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Open Rate: You can see how many of the users who received your message have read it.
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Engagement Rate: Track replies, clicks, and user interactions with the links you share.
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Conversion Rate: Track how many users convert and purchase product, book service or take your desired action after reading through your message.
Google Analytics, Bitly etc such tools can be integrated to measure the tracking of clicks and conversion from WhatsApp campaigns.
WhatsApp Marketing of Tomorrow
WhatsApp Marketing Services—that one is only yet to maximize the potential of WhatsApp Marketing Services. With WhatsApp increasingly introducing new features such as in-app shopping and payment tool, the functionalities of the platform are likely get expanded.
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