Beginner’s Guide on How To Do WhatsApp Marketing – Strategies and Tips Included

Since we have been using WhatsApp for more than ten years, it has ingrained itself into our daily routine. So much so that individuals began using WhatsApp to share business-related information and data. After realizing this, WhatsApp launched WhatsApp for Business, which has greatly expanded the opportunities for WhatsApp marketing.

In this blog, we will cover everything about WhatsApp marketing Right from the start, understanding what is WhatsApp for business and WhatsApp marketing, What is WhatsApp Channels, how they are beneficial, how to use WhatsApp for business, and a step-by-step process to set it up. Some additional tips and strategies on how to use it effectively are also included. Also, catch how digital marketing can be integrated into WhatsApp marketing!

What is Whatsapp Marketing? 

WhatsApp marketing is nothing but promoting your products/services and engaging with your audience through the popular messenger app “WhatsApp”. We widely use Whatsapp to communicate with our friends and family regularly.

Thus, when you use this app to market/promote your products and reply to your consumers’ queries, it becomes the most personalized form of communication and shopping experience. 

Let’s see why so many brands are already using it and why you should use it too!

What are WhatsApp channels? 

Similar to a large WhatsApp group, WhatsApp Channels—also referred to as WhatsApp Broadcast Channels—allow only the admin to broadcast messages, announcements, updates, and other content. It’s among the greatest places for WhatsApp promotion. It is like building a personal and private community that is beneficial for businesses as well as followers. So, for example, if you are a food blogger, then you can start a WhatsApp channel where you can update your followers about your latest or old videos that are available on Youtube, any information updates, and your overall general experience. You will get a reply only in the form of reactions via emojis. Those users who love your content or share the same passion and interest in food as you can follow you. Just like that, you will never have to worry about your subscribers missing out on your content because you can promote them on WhatsApp as well. 

Is WhatsApp Marketing beneficial? 

YES! WhatsApp marketing has proved to be very effective and beneficial. Listed below are just a few reasons why we think using WhatsApp Business is beneficial – 

1: Help keep your business separate from your personal life

WhatsApp is a very social app and there are chances that you may put up a personal profile picture or share moments of your family on your WhatsApp status. This may be putting off your clients who may become skeptical of buying from you again. Whatsapp as a social media platform is simple to navigate through.

With the WhatsApp Business app, you can keep your personal and business lives separate. You can easily portray a more formal and professional side of your business while also making it personalized.

2: Set up a complete business profile

The business app has additional, handy features that allow you to create a business profile with information such as name, profile picture, business address (with map), business category, business description, business hours, email address, and up to 2 website links. 

Such information is useful for current and potential customers who want to know the credibility of a buyer as well as be able to contact you when needed. People you message through the business app will also be able to see that the contact belongs to a business account.

Setting up your business on a new online platform is always challenging and you are prone to threats. To avoid those threats and strengthen your security read our blog on Top 10 Tips On How To Stay Secure While Using The Internet.

3: Plethora of business options available

Apart from setting a unique business profile, there are other useful features on the app. For instance, you can see message statistics (number of messages sent, delivered, read, and received). 

You are also able to set “Away Message”, “Greeting Message” and “Quick Replies” and can decide when and how to send them.

Furthermore, you can add a label to every chat – a new customer, new order, pending payment, paid, order complete, and many more custom labels.

4: As seamless as the regular WhatsApp

If you are still worried about whether or not you will be able to manage the new app, there is no need to fret. Apart from the above features, the app works exactly like your regular WhatsApp. It has the same interface, the same options, and the same accessibility. 

Your contact list will show up on the app; you can set up statuses for promotion; delete sent messages, and you can use WhatsApp Web when you are using your PC.

5: Can set Auto-Reply Option

Imagine you’re sleeping away or vacationing somewhere, does that mean you need to put a pause on your business? Technically, no. You can set up an auto-reply option wherein your users will get pre-set replies depending on their inputs. 

6: Hassle-Free Payments 

You can send and receive payments via Whatsapp! How cool is that? You can generate a lead, convert them into a consumer and receive payments all through your Whatsapp Business app. It has proved to be a safe payment method and thus, even consumers won’t hesitate. 

7: Most importantly, It’s free

Small business owners are always tight on their budgets. WhatsApp recognized this and therefore kept their business app completely free just like the regular WhatsApp application. For a free price, the app gives a lot of brilliant business options.

If you want to get started with the WhatsApp Business App, then you must set up your account first. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get started and set up your WhatsApp Business account. 

Benefits of WhatsApp Channels

1. Security: 

You might have thought that if so many people have subscribed to one channel on WhatsApp, then they can easily see your personal information or phone number. Well, that is not the case. Phone numbers and the personal information of the admin as well as the followers are hidden to create a private, personal, and secure space. 

2. One-way Chat:

 As only the admin can share the information, there is no worry of missing out or losing the important information or update that you have sent, as there will be no clutter of messages from other people. 

3. Important information for a wide audience: 

WhatsApp Broadcast Channels are a great way of WhatsApp Marketing as you can reach a wide audience and share information like a bulletin in the form of text, photos, videos, third-party links, stickers, polls, etc. 

4. Audience Management: 

As an admin, you will always have the option to decide who is in the broadcast channel and who needs to be removed. WhatsApp channels allow you to manage the membership or audience of your channel and let you decide who joins and stays in the channel. This way, your content will reach the right target audience.

5. Get analytics and insights: 

The WhatsApp channel gives you important insights like engagement, subscriber count, etc. to give you an understanding of how your channel is performing. This way, you can strategize on how to use WhatsApp channels and WhatsApp marketing more efficiently.  

How to get started and set up Whatsapp Marketing to promote your business? 

The Whatsapp Business app is available for Android as well as iOS users now so here’s a step-by-step explanation of how you should download and set up your WhatsApp Business account.

Step 1: Search for ‘WhatsApp Business’ on the Play Store and download the app

Step 2: Accept the terms and conditions with/without reading them

Step 3: Add your business mobile number

To register on the app, you need a mobile number different from the one you are using on your personal WhatsApp. If you have a dual phone, you can simply buy another SIM card and use that. If you don’t, you may have to buy another phone and use a new SIM card to register.

A third option is to simply use your existing number; however, your personal profile will be transferred to a business profile if you do this and you will only be able to use the WhatsApp Business application thereon. 

After registering, the app will send you an OTP to verify your number. You will get a pop-up option if WhatsApp automatically detects the OTP so you can use that for convenience.

Step 4: Add your business information

It’s time to add your business name and image. We recommend you use your official logo and business name.

Note: Although it has been mentioned that you cannot change your business name once it’s set, we have found a trick to do it. Simply uninstall the app and reinstall it, follow steps 1-3 and change your business name in step 4!

Step 5: Explore the business settings and set them

As already mentioned above, there are a host of business options that you can use to make your business appear more professional. Fill up your required information and set up your messages to start with.

Step 6: Set up the WhatsApp Pay option 

If you want to send and receive payments via WhatsApp itself, here’s how you can do it. Click on the 3 dots or the settings option, go to the ‘Payments’ option. Choose  ‘Add Payment Method’. You will be asked to accept the WhatsApp Payment policies. Accept it and Continue. 

Select your bank name, fill in the details and give the registered number with that account, An OTP will be sent. Punch it in and voila, your account is verified. Now just set a UPI pin for future transactions.

With your Whatsapp UPI ID, anyone can send you payments even if they don’t have their WhatsApp Pay account. 

Step 7: Notify your existing business contacts

It’s a good idea now to message your existing business contacts and notify them of your change in number. Request them to only use this number to WhatsApp you from now on. You can use this template:

“Good morning! This is Amanda from Confectionery Treats. We have decided to shift to WhatsApp Business to handle all business-related queries and messages. Please save this number and use this number to get in touch with us. You can also view our business details here. Looking forward to doing business with you. Have a great day!”

Once you’ve set up your business account, here are some strategies you can use to get started with Whatsapp Marketing. 

How to create WhatsApp Broadcast Channels? 

Step 1: Make sure your WhatsApp is updated and has the latest version. You can start your channel with the WhatsApp Business app. 

Step 2: After making sure that you have an updated version, navigate through WhatsApp until you find the channels icon, and then click on the channels icon.

Step 3: Click on the “create channel” option

Step 4: After agreeing to the terms and conditions, click “continue.”

Step 5: Mention the name of your channel and other necessary details. You can always change the name later.

Step 6: Personalize your WhatsApp Channel by adding a display picture, description, etc. You can always fill the details or change the details later

Step 7: Lastly, click on “create channel,” and you’re all ready to start your WhatsApp Broadcast Channel journey. 

Step 8: Share the link to your WhatsApp channel to invite subscribers. You can share the link to your channel from your page info. 

 

Please note: Since the WhatsApp Broadcast Channel was launched recently in 2023 and is still in its growing stage, the cost of this channel is uncertain. 

WhatsApp Marketing Strategies and Tips to Get Started 

The first strategy should definitely be to create a resonating brand persona on Whatsapp. Create a character that reflects your brand and also connects with the audience at the same time. 

This will make users feel like they are talking to your brand directly and not with a robot. 

Another main strategy should be to start building your database of contacts. Give your consumers some incentive in exchange for their phone numbers! Once you have that, you can run promotional messages directly to them.

You should also strategize how to update your consumers on their product journey. Right from placing the order, to the shipment updates and when it is out for delivery. An option of cancellation/exchange would be a bonus as it becomes hassle-free for users.

Creating a marketing strategy as a startup seems very risky, especially when you don’t have any path/roadmap to follow. 

Check out our blog on 8 Best Digital Marketing Strategies for Startups which will provide you with the perfect guide to help you formulate your strategy.

A few more pointers to keep in mind: 

• Set up your business profile correctly 

To get the most out of WhatsApp Business, it’s important to add all the relevant business information to your profile. The most important of which is your profile picture. 

You can then add your business hours, business website, email address, and location (if necessary). Lastly, you can put your business category and business description. These steps are important to legitimize your business and show that you are serious about it. 

• Use messaging tools

Messaging tools such as “Away Message”, “Greeting Message”, and “Quick Replies” are great to secure and maintain your customer relationships. 

You can set away messages for different times as per your convenience; a greeting message will automatically go out when someone messages you for the first time or after 14 days of no activity. 

Quick replies are great to send out depending on the message reason and really help to save precious time thinking of replies!

• Label your chats for better tracking

Depending on the scale and nature of business, you will have different contacts for different purposes. Instead of saving contact names with awkward words such as “Ashna blacktop June” you can keep adding and updating labels to the chats. What’s more, you can even add custom labels for segregating groups!

• Use stories to talk about your business

Use stories to inform clients of new products, popular products back in stock, what goes on behind the scenes, awards and recognition you have received, etc.

• Create different groups to market

You can create different groups for high-value customers and their interests to give them special discounts on existing prices of products to maintain loyalty. You can also give them new product samples, ask for feedback, and request them to give any ideas.

• Broadcast greetings and important information

On important occasions such as Diwali, Christmas, New Year, etc. you can broadcast greetings to your customers and suppliers to let them know you are thinking of them. 

This will also help increase your brand recall. Broadcasts can also be used to relay important information such as if you are introducing new products, if the business will be closed for a couple of days, etc.

• Use a CRM for Whatsapp Business

A CRM is a platform whose purpose is to manage each of the interactions that a company has with its buyers or potential customers.

Many of these platforms, like Kommo, have integrations with many messaging services, obviously including WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business. By using a CRM, you can not only keep all your outgoing and incoming conversations in order in one place, but you can also run many WhatsApp Business marketing strategies, such as sending mass messages with promotions or information, creating a chatbot to automatically answer frequently asked questions or the management of links and QR codes of WhatsApp Business.

Some Examples of WhatsApp Marketing Strategies are

1. Netflix

This campaign was launched by Netflix in 2017 that would permit its customers to stay in touch with this platform by using WhatsApp as the medium of communication. Netflix would personalize its movie recommendations based on their previous watches.

This facilitated them to engage and interact with their audience including those who had unsubscribed from the audience. The main motive behind this strategy is to retain existing customers as well as persuade unsubscribed customers to resubscribe for this platform.

2. Saffola

Saffola launched a very unique and different WhatsApp marketing strategy called, “Beat the Crave”. The main intent of this campaign was to provide a distraction to the people who were at the threshold of craving or indulging in unhealthy food.

Users would use Saffola’s Chatbot to distract themselves whenever they craved something unhealthy in order to strengthen their willpower to follow their diet. 

The chatbot tried to promote a healthy lifestyle by interacting with its users through pre-recorded messages, puzzles, etc. that would help them achieve their fitness goals.

3. BookMyShow

In this campaign in addition to SMS notifications and emails, BookMyShow leveraged WhatsApp to share an M-ticket containing a QR code that would allow the audience to enter the theatre.

BookMyShow used these data to indulge in cross-selling activities by sharing its partner’s company’s discount coupons along with other products and services.

No matter the size of your business, a CRM is an ideal tool for WhatsApp marketing and boosting the visibility of your business.

These were just a few strategies that can help you offer a smooth process to your customers. Learn how you can use digital marketing for WhatsApp Marketing and make the most of it.  

How to do Digital Marketing for WhatsApp Marketing?

Digital marketing has gained immense popularity recently. The scope of digital marketing is very promising and it offers great opportunities. 

Integrating digital marketing with WhatsApp marketing can be the best decision and here’s why: 

• You don’t need to worry about not having a website. You can still run ads on social media and capture your target audience. What you need to do is redirect the lead to your WhatsApp number to continue the sale. You can add your WhatsApp business link. You need to know social media marketing for this.
  
• In case you wish to start your own website but don’t have the resources, you can make your own website using platforms like WordPress which doesn’t require knowledge of coding. This way you can start by creating a simple website. if you want to learn how you can make your website secure, check out this blog to know more.
• With that, you can run ads on search engines and garner traffic from there. Once they land on your website, you can showcase your product line and navigate them to your WhatsApp number!
• If you’re a business offering multiple products, setting up an e-commerce store can be your best bet. You can get all the sales from there and update your consumers via Whatsapp.
• In short, when you apply digital marketing and integrate it with your WhatsApp marketing efforts, it can prove to be a game-changer for your business.

Learn digital marketing with our 3-month Online Digital Marketing Course in India to see how you can expand the potential of your business from the comfort of your home. It is an apt course for all business owners as you will be learning the practicality of digital marketing and can apply it to your business simultaneously! 

But if you’re someone who is aspiring to become an entrepreneur, we recommend you to study digital marketing at a professional level with IIDE’s 11-month MBA-Level PG in Digital Marketing.

Because be it whichever field you wish to enter, digital marketing is an integral part of it. Learn beforehand how you can scale your business to the top. 

Popular WhatsApp Marketing Software & Tools

Have a look at some of the popular WhatsApp marketing software and tools to ease the process: 

• Whatso
• Rapbooster
• WappBlaster 
• Whatsender Profile 
• Rapid Planner
• Waam-it
• Lead Myntra 
• WhatsHash 

Some of these tools are paid and a few are free. They help you in sending bulk messages and planning your marketing campaigns on Whatsapp. You can check them out for further detailed information. 

If you want a more dedicated approach strategy in place, you need professional help.

Connect with IIDE’s Corporate Training Vertical to get personalized and customized training and approach for your Whatsapp marketing and other digital marketing needs and upskill your employees in it. 

Before we part ways, we have answered some of the most commonly asked questions. 

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions 

Q1. How to do bulk WhatsApp marketing?

You can make use of the various WhatsApp Marketing software mentioned above to carry out bulk messaging. It enables you to send messages to millions of people at the same time. 

Q2. How much does WhatsApp marketing cost?

The WhatsApp Business app is free to download and hence, the cost of Whatsapp Marketing is zero. If you do buy some additional software, then that may cost you. And if you have a dedicated person handling your WhatsApp marketing, then his salary is the only cost you need to bear. 

Conclusion

That’s all folks! We hope this blog has helped you understand how to use Whatsapp marketing and everything related to Whatsapp Business. Consider signing up for Whatsapp marketing courses if you need help or hiring a WhatsApp marketing agency!

If you want to learn how you can build a strong marketing campaign for different platforms, we would recommend you pursue a course that will help you equip the necessary skills.

IIDE’s Online Digital Marketing course has an industry-recognized curriculum that will help you master various tools and teach you about how you can nail digital strategies across various platforms.

You can also go for an MBA in Digital Marketing that will help you gain in-depth knowledge of marketing principles and strategies while focusing specifically on the digital landscape.

With an MBA in Digital Marketing, you will develop a strong foundation in business management alongside specialized expertise in leveraging digital platforms, giving you a competitive edge in the dynamic world of marketing.

So what are your thoughts on our WhatsApp marketing guide? Let us know in the comments below!