Unlock the power of WhatsApp blast messages to reach your audience instantly. Discover how this tool can streamline your sales and marketing efforts with efficient, mass communication. Learn what a WhatsApp blast message is, how it works, and best practices to maximize your impact.
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What is a WhatsApp Blast Message?
WhatsApp blast messages refer to the practice of sending a message to multiple recipients simultaneously. By using our Conversation-Led Growth Framework, you can retain customers by using blast messages.
By implementing drip campaigns or sending promotional messages, you can target existing users for remarketing campaigns. So, why should businesses use WhatsApp for blasting messages instead of other channels?
Advantages of Sending a WhatsApp Blast Message
Businesses stand to gain 3 key benefits:
1. High Engagement Rates: Messages sent via WhatsApp are more likely to be read promptly compared to emails or SMS. They have a 98% open rate and an immediate notification system, making it an effective channel for reaching customers.
2. Cost-Effective: Blasting WhatsApp messages are relatively inexpensive when compared to SMS. While SMS campaigns can incur significant costs, especially for international messages, WhatsApp messages use internet data, which is typically cheaper.
3. Improved Lead Conversions: Companies like Qobolak have almost significantly increased their lead conversions since adopting using blast messages.
So, now that you know the benefits of sending a WhatsApp blast message, let’s look at how you can send one.
How to Send Blast Messages on WhatsApp Business App
Here’s how to send a blast message on the WhatsApp Business App, you need to:
- Download and install the WhatsApp Business App on your device.
- Verify your number. It should not be your personal number.
- Create a broadcast list.
- Write your message and send it.
Keep in mind that the WhatsApp Business App has a 256-contact limit per broadcast list. Thus, it’s only suitable for small businesses that send and receive a low volume of messages. For medium or large businesses, your best option is WhatsApp API.
How to Send Blast Messages on WhatsApp API
WhatsApp API or the WhatsApp Business Platform, doesn’t have the same limitations as the WhatsApp Business App. It allows you to send blast messages to a much larger audience. You need two things to send blast messages with WhatsApp API:
- A WhatsApp API account
- Software like respond.io to send and receive messages.
<call-out> You can get a WhatsApp API account from respond.io, an official WhatsApp Business Solution Provider (BSP). <call-out>
You can send a WhatsApp blast message on respond.io in 3 steps.
Step 1: Navigate to the Broadcast Module and click on + Create Broadcast.
Step 2: Fill in the name of your broadcast, select a label (if you want) and then press Create.
Step 3: Configure the blast message by selecting your Segment, Channel and the Message Template you want to send.
You can also schedule blast messages for a later time and date before sending them. Note that you need to have a pre-approved Message Template before blasting a WhatsApp message.
Now you’re ready to send WhatsApp blast messages to your customers. But before you do, make sure you check out these best practices.
Best Practices for Using WhatsApp Blast Messages
When sending blast messages, it's crucial to follow best practices to ensure your communications are effective and well-received. Customer Success Manager, Elva Tan recommends businesses follow these best practices:
Respect Privacy and Consent
“Take the time to understand the WhatsApp Business Business Messaging Policy before blasting WhatsApp messages. For example, always ensure that you get a customer’s consent before messaging them.”
“From my experience, many businesses get banned for blasting WhatsApp messages because they didn’t get opt-ins before messaging customers. There’s a high risk of customers reporting your messages as spam if you’re blasting WhatsApp messages without this consent,” said Elva Tan.
By complying with these rules, you can maintain a positive reputation and avoid being flagged as spam.
Review Performance and Experiment
There’s always an opportunity to improve on the performance of your blast messages. Elva adds that customers that have great success with blast messages tend to experiment with the content of the messages to maximize their performance.
Use Visual Content
Enhance your messages with images or videos to make them more engaging. Visual content can help capture the recipient’s attention and convey information more effectively. In fact, it can generate 650% higher engagement compared to text-only content.
Send Personalized and Concise Messages
Even though WhatsApp blast messages are sent to multiple recipients, personalize them where possible. On respond.io, you can do this by using variables. For example, if you want to include the first name of every customer in your message, you can use the $contact.id variable.
FAQs
How Can I Create Message Templates?
On respond.io, you can create Message Templates by going to Settings > Channels > Manage the WhatsApp API account > Templates.
When Should I Obtain Customer Opt-Ins?
You must obtain opt-ins from recipients before blasting WhatsApp messages. If you fail to obtain recipient opt-in, your number might be reported as spam and is at risk of being banned by WhatsApp
Are There Any Limits on the Number of Messages That Can Be Sent?
If you are on the WhatsApp Business App, you are limited to sending 256 contacts in each broadcast list. If you are using WhatsApp API, the number of contacts you can message depends on the messaging limit of your number. Increase your messaging limit by improving the quality rating of your number.
You now know everything about sending a WhatsApp blast message. It is a powerful tool for businesses looking to market and promote your products with a large audience quickly and efficiently. If you want to start blasting WhatsApp messages sign up for a respond.io account or connect your WhatsApp API account now.
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Further Reading
If you enjoyed reading this article, check out these WhatsApp-related blogs:
- The Ultimate Guide to WhatsApp API for Businesses: Everything You Need to Start Messaging Fast
- WhatsApp Drip Campaign: Crush Your Conversion Goals
- How to Reverse and Avoid a Whatsapp Business Banned Account
