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Step-by-step Guide to Using WhatsApp For Marketing

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In this guide, you will discover WhatsApp marketing and how to utilise it for your business.

I aim to help you understand why you should use WhatsApp for your marketing and exactly how to go about it.

What you learn here is based on extensive research and the collation of successful tips and tactics for using WhatsApp for marketing from marketing experts.

Generate leads faster and close deals on WhatsApp without worrying about technicalities with TelebuSocial’s broadcast sender and chatbot. Get started for free, or book a demo.

Why should I use WhatsApp for my marketing?

WhatsApp is not just a popular app – it’s a global phenomenon. 

With 2+ billion active users across more than 180 countries, it’s clear that people love using this app.

Whatsapp global monthly usage.
WhatsApp stats

For your business, this means a huge prospect base. 

Unlike other platforms where your posts might get lost in the noise, messages sent via WhatsApp are more likely to be seen and read.

Plus, because it’s a messaging app, users check their messages more frequently than their social media feeds. This makes WhatsApp an effective channel for marketing your product and services.

One of the standout features of WhatsApp is the personal touch it brings to communication.

Unlike traditional marketing channels, interactions on WhatsApp are more intimate and direct.

Think about it. A WhatsApp message feels much more personal than an email or a social media post. 

It’s like having a one-on-one conversation. 

You can send personalised messages, respond quickly to inquiries, and even use voice and video calls to connect on a deeper level.

This communication can help you build stronger relationships with your customers, making them feel valued and appreciated.

I’ve already highlighted some reasons for using WhatsApp for your marketing. But I believe it will benefit you if I go a little deeper.

Check out 20+ WhatsApp statistics.

What are the benefits of using WhatsApp for my marketing?

Let’s run through some specifics:

  • High engagement rates: WhatsApp messages have incredibly high open and response rates. Unlike emails that might end up in spam folders or social media posts buried under countless updates, WhatsApp messages are almost guaranteed to be seen. This high engagement rate means your marketing efforts are more likely to pay off.
  • Personal connection with customers: You can create a more personal connection using WhatsApp. You can address them by name, send them offers, and respond to their queries in real-time. This level of personalisation can help you build loyalty and keep your customers coming back for more.
  • Easy and convenient: WhatsApp is easy to use, both for you and your customers. Setting up a business profile is straightforward; you can start messaging your customers immediately. For customers, it’s convenient because they’re already using the app to communicate with their friends and family. They don’t need to download anything new or learn to use a different platform.
  • Cost-effective marketing: WhatsApp is very budget-friendly. You don’t need to spend much on ads or other promotional materials. This makes it an excellent option for small businesses or those with limited marketing budgets.

Let’s walk through how to use WhatsApp for marketing. 

Discover the best WhatsApp marketing solution for your business.

How can I set up a WhatsApp marketing plan for my business?

Let’s take it step by step.

Step 1: Build your contact list

Here’s what’s interesting about marketing your products on WhatsApp — WhatsApp cannot be your first point of contact with your prospects. You must have connected with them somewhere and either collected their contact details or shared yours.

Let me make it more transparent. You can’t start a WhatsApp marketing campaign without numbers to reach out. These are the prospects you’d be sending your messages to.

Here are some ways to grow your contact list:

  • Website sign-ups: Add a WhatsApp opt-in form for visitors to sign up for updates.
  • Social media: Promote your WhatsApp number on your social media so people can contact you. Then, you can get their consent to join your list.
  • In-store promotion: If you run a physical store, encourage customers to join your WhatsApp list at the checkout. You can generate a barcode for this to make it fancy and fast.

Always ask for permission before adding a contact to your list. This ensures your messages are welcome and reduces the risk of being reported as spam.

Check out 5 inspiring customer experience stories that define great service

Step 2: Choose the best tools

You can use the WhatsApp Business app or a WhatsApp bulk messaging solution, like TelebuSocial, to execute your marketing plan. 

It all depends on the size of your business. 

If you run a small business, I recommend you start with the WhatsApp Business App. It’s easy to set up, and you can message up to 256 people via broadcast. 

If you want better results and more control, or your business is larger and you want to message thousands of people via your marketing broadcast, I recommend you use a WhatsApp messaging solution like TelebuSocial.

Why do I recommend TelebuSocial to execute your marketing plan?

Here are 5 reasons:

  • Broadcast to thousands of contact
  • Chatbot to automate lead generation
  • Analytics to understand what’s working
  • Live chat to speak to lead 1-on-1
  • Shared inbox and account for your team to collaborate.

Can you use the standard WhatsApp you use to message your friends and family to run a marketing campaign?

You can attempt to use it, but you won’t get the best results. And I don’t recommend it.

Check out the stories of businesses that are crushing marketing with WhatsApp.

Step 2: Set up your business profile

If you want to use the WhatsApp Business App, you can set up your business profile once you download it. This is where you can add essential details about your business, such as:

  • Business name
  • Logo or profile picture
  • Contact information (phone number, email)
  • Address
  • Business hours
  • Website

Make sure your profile is complete and professional. This is the first impression customers will have of your business on WhatsApp, so make it count.

Like this

WhatsApp business app profile

If you use WhatsApp API or messaging providers like TelebuSocial, you can also provide information about your business and other relevant details. 

Like this

Whatsapp business api profile

Step 3: Creating a catalogue

You’ll love this feature if you sell products and use the WhatsApp Business App. WhatsApp allows you to create a catalogue of your products and services right in the app. 

You can upload photos of your products, add descriptions, and set prices. This way, when customers message you, you can quickly share products from your catalogue without sending tons of photos and descriptions each time.

See an example.

Catalogue on whatsapp business app

Step 4: Create a marketing messaging strategy

To promote your product or services on WhatsApp via broadcast, your strategy controls everything. 

Your answer to these questions makes up your strategy:

  • What are you selling?
  • Who are the people you want to sell to?
  • What kind of message will you send to them?
  • When will you send the message, and how often?
  • How will you measure success and improve your performance?

Use your answers to these questions to craft your message and the frequency of your messaging.

Step 6: Send your campaign 

This is where the broadcast features on the WhatsApp Business app and WhatsApp API solutions come in.

It’s similar to how you send an email blast.

Put your message together and send it to your list.

Step 7: Use chatbots to automate replies

Nobody wants to be glued to their phone 24/7, right? That’s where automated messages come in handy.

You can’t do this using WhatsApp Business App, but you can do it with a WhatsApp API provider like TelebuSocial.

Want to maximize your reach on WhatsApp? Learn What is Broadcast in WhatsApp: Everything You Need to Know

On WhatsApp Business App, you can only set up automated away messages, and that’s where it ends as far as automation is concerned. But with a WhatsApp API service like TelebuSocial, you can set up lead nurturing chatbots to help customers make a buying decision on autopilot.

Step 8: Use live chat and labels to organise chats

Chatbots cannot effectively handle all conversations. That is where you and your team of marketing experts (or your sales team can help here) come in using live chat. 

You can customise your chatbots to automatically redirect a lead to a live agent or add an option for the lead to talk to a live agent. TelebuSocial provides all of these features.

As your customer base grows, keeping track of conversations can get tricky. Use labels to organise your chats.

You can label chats based on the customer’s status, such as “New Customer,” “Pending Order,” or “Completed Order.” This helps you track where each customer is in your sales funnel.

Step 9: Track results

The WhatsApp Business app and WhatsApp API (like TelebuSocial) provide analytics. You can use this to understand how your messaging worked.

Who opened your message, who clicked a button, who bought something?

This is just what you need to segment your list further, change your copy and adjust your timing.

To get the best analytics so you can make good decisions, I’d recommend you use a WhatsApp messaging solution or API like TelebuSocial.

There you have it.

I hope this helps you start marketing on WhatsApp ASAP.

If you look at your analytics and feel there’s still room for improvement, how do you make the changes?

Let me share some tactics with you.

What are some effective WhatsApp marketing tactics I can use for my business?

Now you know that WhatsApp marketing is the way to go if you want to connect with your customers in a fun and personal way. But what types of messages work best?

How can you make sure your content is engaging without being intrusive? And what can we learn from successful WhatsApp marketing campaigns?

Let’s dive in and explore some effective WhatsApp marketing tactics to help boost your brand.

  • Be personal and friendly

Make your messages feel personal and friendly. Use the customer’s name, add emojis, and keep the tone light and conversational.

The goal is to make your customers feel like they’re chatting with a friend, not receiving a generic marketing message.

Example: “Hey Jane! 👋 Just wanted to let you know about our new arrivals. Check them out and let us know your favourites!” 

  • Keep it short and sweet

Nobody likes long, rambling messages. Keep your messages concise and to the point. Highlight the essential information and include a clear call to action.

Example: “Hi June, don’t miss our weekend sale! Get 25% off all items. Shop now: [link].” 

  • Use rich media

With WhatsApp you can send images, videos, and voice messages. Use these features to make your messages more engaging.

A picture or a short video can convey your message more effectively than text alone.

  • Respect their spaces

Find a balance between staying in touch and giving them space.

Pay attention to their responses and adjust your frequency accordingly.

Example: If a customer hasn’t engaged with your last few messages, consider giving them a break.

Measuring Success in WhatsApp Marketing

How do you know if your efforts are paying off? Measuring the responses you get

I want to use this section to explain everything to you.

Let’s explore the key metrics to watch, tools to track and analyse performance, and how to tweak your strategies.

What metrics should I track in my WhatsApp marketing?

  • Read rates

One of the most straightforward metrics to track is the read rate of your messages.

WhatsApp shows you two grey checkmarks when a message is delivered and turns them blue when it’s read.

High read rates indicate that your messages are reaching and being noticed by your audience.

  • Engagement rates

This includes how many people read your messages and how many respond, click on links, or take action based on your messages.

High engagement rates mean that your content is resonating with your audience.

  • Conversation rates

Ultimately, you want your WhatsApp marketing efforts to drive sales or other desired actions.

Track how many recipients of your messages make a purchase, sign up for an event, or complete any other goal you have set.

With a WhatsApp API, like TelebuSocial, you have a dedicated section for analytics that shows you how your messages were opened and read.

Discover the 10 WhatsApp marketing metrics you must track.

Wrapping things up

Looking to make the most of WhatsApp marketing right now? TelebuSocial is here to help.

TelebuSocial is a single-window, secure, easy-to-use WhatsApp marketing software. It offers everything you need to generate leads and opportunities on WhatsApp.

Visit our website to learn more or schedule a 1-on-1 demo to see how TelebuSocial can help you generate more leads and sales.

Val wants to help you figure out how to complete everyday business processes fast and effectively using everyday tools. This page is just one of his attempts at helping you grow your business, click on his name to see more from Val.

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