Can you send promotional messages on WhatsApp? This is a question that many ask before choosing the platform to market their products or services. WhatsApp has always worked to meet the expectations of its users. Since the launch of the business version of the app in 2018, businesses were only allowed to send pre-approved template messages that were transactional in nature to customers who have opted in to receive such messages. This was put in place to make sure businesses don’t spam customers with irrelevant content.
What are WhatsApp Marketing messages?
In September of 2021, WhatsApp introduced a new feature that enabled businesses to send promotional messages to customers who give their consent to receive these updates. This simply means that with access to the WhatsApp Business Platform, you can send messages that contain promotional offers, discounts, reminders for abandoned cart recovery, product launch announcements, and more.
Promotional messages on WhatsApp are a great way to win new customers, showcase your products to the target audience, take your engagement levels to newer heights, skyrocket your conversion numbers, and offer support.
What are the ways you can leverage WhatsApp for your business?
1. Adequate target audience research
WhatsApp has more than 2 billion active users, and there are high chances that your target audience are users of the app. If you want your WhatsApp marketing campaigns or messages to convince buyers, it’s important to invest in target audience research.
This covers everything from knowing how and when customers use the app to getting a sneak peek into their buying habits. With this knowledge backing you, you can tailor WhatsApp promotional messages and campaigns that appeal to them.
2. Unconventional thinking
No doubt, there is tough competition on WhatsApp with so many brands vying for customer attention. Therefore, you need to think outside the box and come up with unique ideas that set you apart from the rest. Take a look at what your competitors have done to promote their products, this will give you a fair idea of what worked and what didn’t.
3. Sign up for WhatsApp Business API
The best way to promote your business on WhatsApp is to get access to the WhatsApp Business Platform. Not only is it a brilliant tool for communication but it comes packed with features that are essential for your marketing efforts to succeed. These features include WhatsApp template messages, bulk automated campaigns, third-party integrations, Quick replies, and WhatsApp catalogs. With access to WhatsApp Business API, you can use these powerful features to reach out to 1000s of opted-in customers effortlessly, resolve customer queries instantly and offer delightful customer services.
What are the key Benefits of sending WhatsApp Marketing messages?
1. Drive Conversions with WhatsApp promotional messages
There are multiple ways that a business can leverage promotional messages on WhatsApp to boost conversions for their business. These include sending out messages about special offers or discounts, creating WhatsApp automation to answer customer questions about products or services, or even using WhatsApp to take orders.
For instance, you could send a notification to your customers on WhatsApp about a special deal or offer. This can effectively increase sales and revenue for your brand.
You can also create a WhatsApp automated flow to answer customer FAQs about your offerings. This is a great way to increase customer satisfaction, as it enables you to provide more information about your products and services without wasting any human agent efforts.
2. WhatsApp marketing messages have higher open and read rates
WhatsApp messages are known to have extremely high open rates of 98% as compared to email with an open rate of 20-30%. So, if you have only been relying on email and SMS marketing till now, it’s time to explore the power of WhatsApp marketing as a channel.
You must be thinking, how do I know how many of my messages get delivered, opened, and read?
Well, your WhatsApp Business Service Provider should have an analytics dashboard to help you track these metrics.
With Interakt’s powerful dashboard, you can track metrics in real-time such as
1. Delivery rate
2. Response rate
3. Failure rate
4. Campaign ROI
And other important analytics to keep you up-to-date on how your WhatsApp marketing campaigns are performing. You can easily track your campaign performance, ROAS, and more with Interakt!
3. Send personalized and engaging WhatsApp marketing messages
With WhatsApp, you get to bring back the personalization and high engagement of the in-store experience into your online interactions.
The messaging giant provides you with a treasure trove of communication options to choose from, such as images, videos, gifs, PDFs, and much more. You can segregate your customers into different categories according to their choice and preferences and assign a tag to send customized communication and boost customer loyalty.
However, it is important to make sure you educate and entertain your audience too. Do not bombard your customers with an incessant stream of promotional messages every hour. It might turn off their interest in your brand.
What are WhatsApp marketing message examples?
Since people are most active on WhatsApp, they would rather receive promotional messages on WhatsApp than on any other channel. WhatsApp marketing messages are a great way to send promotional offers that encourage shoppers to purchase from your e-store.
With WhatsApp conversational commerce on API-led platforms like Interakt, you can send discount coupons and offers on products in their shopping cart or newly launched products. WhatsApp promotional messages can reach large audiences with the least amount of investment. So here is a glance at a few whatsapp marketing messages examples that you can send out to generate leads and drive sales.
1. Festive offers
Use WhatsApp promotional messages to notify customers of the festive season offers they can enjoy. These messages are quite effective when customers have been looking for coupons to redeem on your website. Here is an example of a WhatsApp promotional message containing a festive offer.
Festive offer!
Hey {customer name},
The biggest Online sale is here. This Diwali, get up to 60% OFF on Home and Kitchen Products.
Get the brands you love, at never–before–seen prices.
Shop Now!
2. Loyalty programs
Loyal customers are extremely valuable to a business. You can provide them with interesting offers and rewards to encourage them to continue their association with your brand. Here is an example of a WhatsApp marketing message template that you can send.
Hey [customer name]
We are so glad that you chose to stick with us for over [ 5 years]. As a token of our gratitude, get 40% off on your next purchase with us.
Cheers!
3. Abandoned cart recovery
Cart abandonment continues to be one of the major issues affecting e-commerce businesses. This takes place when a customer adds items to a shopping cart, but drops off the cart halfway through the checkout process. To combat this, you can send out WhatsApp marketing messages containing details of the order with a CTA to urge them to complete the purchase. Here is a whatsapp marketing message sample template that you can use to recover abandoned carts and boost sales.
Hi {customer name},
We notice that you have added items to your cart but have not completed the purchase. Shop Now to get your products! CTA- Complete order.
4. Events
Are you a marketing agency using WhatsApp. Do you have an event coming up? Send an invite to your customers using WhatsApp promotional messages. Here is a template you can use to notify customers of upcoming events-
Hi {customer name},
Hope to see you at the opening of our brand-new store at {location}, on {date & time}. Click on Y to RSVP or STOP to not receive updates from us.
Cheers!
5. New product or service Announcement
If you have recently introduced a new product or service, send out promotional messages to all your customers informing them about this exciting news. Here is a template message that you can use for new product announcements.
Hey {customer name}
The moment you have been waiting for is finally here! Introducing our new range of { product name}. It’s live on our website. Limited in number, get yours today before they are gone!
6. End-of-season sale
Planning an end-of-the-season or a clearance sale? Send out a promotional alert letting your customers know what to expect in terms of the products that are discounted, for how long, and at what prices. If it is a mega-sale event, prime your customers with messages leading up to the event. Here is the template that you can use for the end-of-season sale.
Hey there!
The end-of-season sale is only 2 days away!
Sale: up to 60% OFF on all categories.
Starting from 1st Sept-30th Sept 2022
7. Flash Sale
A flash sale is a kind of promotion that is run for a short period usually featuring a specific product or service. Flash sales are a great way to get old products that are out of season off the shelves. Here is the sample message that you can use for Flash Sale.
30 June
FLASH SALE
(On limited products only)
30 Minutes| 30% OFF| 30 Brands
8. A secondary reminder for a sale
Before a mega sale event is about to unfold, send out timely reminders urging customers to head to the sale. Here is a template message that you can send out as a reminder for an upcoming sale.
Hey {customer name}
Our Christmas sale starts in 10 hours!
Are you ready for it? If you are among the first 10 shoppers tonight, you stand a chance to win exciting prizes! Take a look at our gift guide to see what’s in store for you.
9. Free Delivery
Who doesn’t like free delivery? Throw in a free delivery offer in your next WhatsApp promotional message and see the impact it creates! Here is a template message that you can use for Free Delivery.
Hey {customer name}
Get free delivery when you shop for over {amount} at {brand name}. The offer ends at midnight. Shop now!
10. VIP Deals
WhatsApp messages are a great way to get VIP sign-ups. Give your customers early access to your most awaited sales. Here is a template message that you can use for VIP deals.
Hi {customer name}
Want early access to our top sales? Join the coveted {VIPs club}! Click on- I WANT IN to sign up or STOP to Opt-out.
How to send WhatsApp marketing messages to unlimited users?
Despite being one of the most popular instant messaging platforms of our time, many businesses are yet to use the channel to promote their businesses. Studies indicate that only 7% of businesses are using WhatsApp as a tool to market their businesses.
If you want to start leveraging WhatsApp to engage customers at scale, get in touch with a BSP like Interakt and set up your WhatsApp Business Platform at a nominal subscription fee of INR 999/- today!
Use the platform to create engaging content that drives sales and boosts customer loyalty. Sign up with Interakt today and enjoy a 14-day free trial.
