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How To Use WhatsApp As A Marketing Platform

By: Kelly Bolton   Date: October 14, 2016

Mobile devices are extremely popular at the moment, with many people using some sort of smartphone or a tablet as a sort of portable computer to keep in touch with people over social media, watch videos, and do shopping, among another things. There are tons of apps available for a multitude of tasks, from games to more serious things. Smart businesses take advantage of the mobile device craze to reach out to customers and perform some mobile marketing or even develop their own apps.

One app that businesses should be using in their marketing endeavors is WhatsApp.

WhatsApp is an app designed to be a social messaging service on mobile devices. You can text with people around the world with no charge.  Besides that, you can also send photos, audio clips, video clips, share your location, and also start group chats.  These features make it a great app for small businesses to build a rapport with customers.

How is this app useful for small business marketing?

1. Facebook

WhatsApp has been a partner with Facebook since 2014.  This means there are a lot of neat features available in the app, such as end-to-end encryption of messages and WhatsApp Calling, as well as some that can be used specifically for small business marketing, WhatsApp Web and new communication tools.

2. WhatsApp Web

Announced in January 2016, this is a new tool that will let you use WhatsApp in your web browser, which makes it more convenient for many people who have trouble using their mobile devices to type. This will also be more convenient for businesses who can’t do everything with their mobiles.

3. Communication Tools

In February 2016, new communication tools were announced on their blog. The tools are supposed to be able to let people communicate with businesses and organisations that they want to hear from. This can let people communicate with, say, their bank, whilst also not bombarding them with third-party ads or spam.

4. No Ads

The app has been and always will be ad-free, even with these new changes. This means your marketing messages will have a better chance to stand out without having to compete with ads. Just be sure to keep your communications with current customers so you don’t enter spam territory. Examples of communications you can do to promote your brand include:

  • You can write a catchy phrase in your status to attract people to your product.
  • You can post interesting messages and videos to group members to start discussions.
  • Accompany text with an appropriate photo or video to make it more interesting, but keep the content brief and to the point.
  • Send greetings and birthday wishes to group members to make them feel special.

5. Local marketing

WhatsApp can be used for local marketing as well as reaching out to a wider audience. For local marketing, you can use it to create groups based on customer interests and send them targeted offers or helpful tips, or even start discussions to get feedback on products or services. You can also use the app for customer support communications. You can even run marketing campaigns on WhatsApp. Just think about the sort of campaigns you might use on Facebook, such as asking people to share a photo referencing your business. For example, maybe you run a restaurant, and you can have them share a photo of their favorite dessert. Whatever the campaign/contest, you can give participants a coupon or a discount code through WhatsApp.

WhatsApp is a very versatile app with lots of promising features for businesses to use in their digital marketing efforts.

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About The Author

 
Kelly Bolton

Kelly is the founder and director of Aggressive Growth Marketing. Known for unprecedented levels of ambition, drive and client service, Kelly has fuelled AGM from the ground up and has taken it from a part-time start-up to one of the fastest rising stars among digital marketing firms in the UK. Currently, her team provides top-notch creativity, analytical thinking and data metrics for companies seeking next-level growth. Behind Kelly’s vibrant, friendly personality is a high-energy professional with deep familiarity in forecasting, budgeting and maintaining a results-driven path to success. Thinking outside the box, building innovative campaigns, and never losing focus are probably the most commonly-used descriptors you’ll hear when someone describes Kelly. Among her many core competencies, growth strategy development is by and large her biggest strength, as it encompasses a whole suite of skills that boost a client’s profile and revenue. These include around-the-clock competitor analysis, new media and technology strategies, monitoring target markets and keeping KPIs synchronized in order to stay a cut above the competition.

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