WhatsApp Promotional Messages: How to boost customer engagement

Getting new customers and retaining existing ones requires a well-thought-out strategy. But finding the right channel to approach them is the real challenge. The ideal platform should have high traffic to increase open and response rates, after all, what's the use of marketing if no one is seeing your message? This is where WhatsApp brings an efficient solution.

WhatsApp boasts around 3.14 billion active users and a 98% open rate, making it one of the ideal platforms for businesses to engage with their audience.

Whether you're looking to build relationships with your current customers, promote new products, or simply increase brand awareness, WhatsApp marketing offers an efficient way to achieve these goals.

Let us explore the meaning and benefits of promotional WhatsApp messages, along with how you can set these messages up and the best practices to follow.

Understanding promotional WhatsApp messages

WhatsApp marketing involves strategically using WhatsApp to engage with your customers through personalized promotional WhatsApp messages. It provides two-way communication, so when a text seems interesting to the customer, they can directly connect with the brand in the chat itself.

With features like chatbots, product catalogs, and interactive buttons, you can create a seamless and engaging customer journey that drives interactions and delivers meaningful results.

Additionally, performance insights can help you find the lags in the campaign, analyze what is working, and drive it towards customer engagement.

Can you send promotional messages through WhatsApp?

WhatsApp does not allow businesses to send direct marketing messages or newsletters to attract customer attention. Since September 2021, however, WhatsApp Business will enable businesses to send product/service promotion messages & deals to their customers in the form of template messages. These template messages (or business-initiated messages) must be pre-approved by WhatsApp to ensure that they adhere to their business & commerce policies.

One of the best ways to send promotional messages via WhatsApp is through groups or broadcast lists. A business owner can create separate groups for each customer segment and send targeted messages to attract their attention. One can also create a customized broadcast list with relevant customers to send personalized promotional notifications in bulk.

Read more: How to send WhatsApp Broadcast: A guide for 2022

Benefits of WhatsApp marketing messages

85% of customers are interested in receiving proactive and timely messages from businesses on WhatsApp (Double tick).

Here are the benefits of using WhatsApp marketing messages:

Improved customer engagement

Over 69% of people prefer to use WhatsApp, which provides a great opportunity to communicate with your audience. Additionally, 80% of WhatsApp messages get seen within 5 minutes.

You can leverage this capability to send updates and offers to your customers and boost the probability of getting seen instantly.

Brand loyalty

With WhatsApp marketing messages, you can direct and personalize channels to interact with the customer.

71% of customers prefer personalization. WhatsApp marketing message allows you to send you send personalized product recommendations and provide real-time support based on past interactions. This makes them feel valued. This enhances customer relationships and increases repeat purchases.

High conversion

WhatsApp messages have a conversion rate of around 45-60% and a click-through rate of 15%.

Additionally, one user opens WhatsApp approximately 23 times a day. You can utilize this engagement rate to create a strategic WhatsApp marketing campaign and generate more leads and boost customer experience.

Cost-effective solution

WhatsApp helps to cut customer service costs by up to 40%.

Thus, with WhatsApp marketing messages, you can engage with your customers more effectively at a low cost. The profitable cost-to-return ratio of WhatsApp makes it an ideal tool for both small and large businesses.

Increased global reach

WhatsApp supports more than 60 languages and is used in more than 180 countries. This ensures that you can reach your customers globlly using WhatsApp.

Using Whatsapp marketing messages campaigns, you can scale your business efficiently while ensuring an optimum customer experience.

Types of WhatsApp marketing messages

You can send different types of promotional WhatsApp messages to your customers to enhance their experience.

Here are the types of WhatsApp marketing messages, along with some promotional messages examples:

1. Acquisition and initial outreach

You can share discounts on the first purchase, new product updates, or seasonal offers or campaigns to bring new customers to the funnel.

• Offers and updates: Customers like to receive offers and discounts on WhatsApp. 23% of users engage with brands on WhatsApp to get promotional deals and offers. You can send updates about sales or festive offers to persuade your customers to check out the products and make a purchase.
  
  
• Product launches: When launching a new product, you can send updates about the launch to the customers. 23% of customers prefer to get an exclusive preview of new products or services on text messages. This will make them feel valued and connected with your brand, boosting engagement.
  
  

2. Conversion

You can reach out to the customers who have previously engaged with your brand on WhatsApp or have added products to their carts. You can send abandoned cart reminders, back-in-stock alerts, or other re-engagement messages to move them to the next step in the sales funnel.

• Personalized product recommendations: Based on the purchase history and previous interaction, you can send personalized product recommendations to your customers.
  
  

• Abandoned cart reminders: Your customers have added products to the cart but have not made a purchase yet? Send them abandoned cart reminders to encourage them to complete the transactions. Companies were able to reduce cart abandonment rate by 25% by using WhatsApp API.
  
  
• Stock alerts:  Only around 15–25% of the customers manually check a product they were earlier interested in. This means losing a lot of business when customers do not know when the product is in stock. With back-in-stock alerts, you can inform your customers about the availability of a popular product. This creates a sense of urgency as they will be prompted to make a purchase before the stock runs out.
  
  
• Order updates: 54% of users prefer to get order updates on WhatsApp. You can send order confirmation, shipping, delivery, and cancellation updates on WhatsApp to your customers to keep them updated about the delivery status.
  
  
• Reminder messages: 50% of users use WhatsApp to get reminders. You can send WhatsApp messages to remind your customers about any upcoming appointment with you or for the payment of any subscriptions they have opted for. This will help you to retain your existing customers.
  
  
• Welcome messages: Everyone loves to be greeted and a welcome message will help you boost your brand reputation. Whenever a customer makes a purchase for the first time or opts-in for updates, you can send a welcome message. 86% stay loyal to a business if they receive a welcome message after they have bought something.
  
  

Also read: How to implement WhatsApp abandoned cart recovery to boost sales?

3. Re-engagement

You can send personalized product recommendations or offers to customers who have already made a purchase from your business. When you reengage with your customers, you can drive repeat purchases and boost brand loyalty.

• Cross-selling: Existing clients account for 65% of the business. You can send product recommendations based on the products your customers have purchased in the past. This will help you cross-sell other products to your customers and boost retention and loyalty. Remember, even a 5% retention rate can increase profitability by 25-95%.
  
  
• Feedback messages: In a survey, 89% of respondents said that they wanted to provide feedback. After a customer makes a purchase, you can send them a feedback form or message to get a review of their experience. This will improve the customer experience as they can share what they liked and didn’t like. Additionally, based on the feedback, you can improve your services or products.
  
  
• Customer support: 39% of users prefer WhatsApp for customer service. You can leverage the WhatsApp chatbot to solve customer queries in real-time. The overall experience is improved when customers get prompt responses.
  
  

Also read: Types of chatbots: A guide to smarter customer interactions

15 Creative WhatsApp Promotional Message Templates That Convert Very Well

Let’s look at 15 creative WhatsApp template messages that can yield more conversions for your business. You can simply copy & paste these messages to start increasing your revenues.

For the launch of a new product

To grow your business, you need to make sure that your customers are appraised of all new products and services that you are launching. This template allows you to maximize the reach of your new product and get it in front of interested customers. Click on the icon near each template message to copy it to your clipboard.

Template:

Hi <Customer>, did you know that we’ve just launched our latest product (product name)? Since we feel that it would be the perfect fit for you, we’re giving a 20% discount just for you. The offer is only for a limited period of time, so don’t delay, go to <your business link> to view & purchase! can_copy_tExt

An upcoming sale

This template allows you to let your customers know about a new sale to stay ahead of the curve.

Template:

Get ready for your 2022 Diwali clearance sale. Up to 70% off on major brands. The sale starts on <date>, mark your calendars now! can_copy_tExt

For promoting trending products

By letting your customers know about products that are currently trending on social platforms, your business can tempt interested customers to make a purchase.

Template:

Did you know that our <product name> has been the talk of the town? Don’t miss out on <product> that trending in <social platform>, click here to purchase now - <link> can_copy_tExt

Time-sensitive offers and coupon codes

Remind your customers about time-sensitive offers/deals and encourage them to make a purchase on time to enjoy the deal.

Template:

Dear customer, your coupons are expiring in two days. Take advantage now & get 50% off on your next purchase! can_copy_tExt

New designs & stock update

To grow your revenue, it is important to notify your existing customers about new designs to gain their attention. Sometimes, a simple ‘back-in-stock’ notification can work wonders for your sales figures.

Template:

Hi, the <product> that you were looking for is back in stock now. To avoid a last-minute rush, make sure to place an order now - <link> can_copy_tExt

Seasonal and holiday offers

Take advantage of the holiday season by informing your customers about new offers that they are most likely to make a purchase on.

Template:

Hi! Wish you a happy <holiday/season>. To celebrate this holiday season, we're offering 30% off on everything at <business link>. Get your order now! can_copy_tExt

Challenges

Conducting exciting games/challenges can increase the bond you have with your customers and encourage them to make a purchase.

Template:

Did you know about our latest challenge - <game/challenge>? For a chance to win a <VIP pass/discount/free product>, participate by <posting a picture, sending your latest bill, filling out this survey, answering these questions> at <link>. can_copy_tExt

Abandoned Cart Recovery

Promotional offers can also be sent to customers who’ve abandoned their carts while shopping. This can nudge them into completing the sale.

Template:

Oh no! It seems that you've not completed your purchase yet. Complete the purchase within <hours> and get 20% off for all the items in your cart. can_copy_tExt

Suggested read: WhatsApp Cart Recovery Tips You Can Use Now!

Upselling

Upselling is the process of nudging existing subscribers/customers to choose a higher-tier service or product. By using this template to upsell your existing customer base, you can drastically lower your acquisition cost.

Template:

Hi! It’s time to renew your subscription. You can choose to renew your current plan or upgrade to <plan name> and enjoy exclusive benefits. can_copy_tExt

Loyalty Rewards

Loyalty points can be used as a powerful tool to attract more customers and increase revenues. The loyalty rewards template allows you to send these messages to existing customers to build their loyalty and generate more sales.

Template:

Hi <Customer>, we have added <Number> Loyalty Rewards points to your account. Redeem them by clicking here! <link> can_copy_tExt

Upcoming Event

Inform your customers about the upcoming offline & online events that your company will be conducting. This can help drive traffic to your website and encourage more people to check out your offerings.

Template:

Hi <Customer>, you’re invited to join our <event/event name> on <date range>. Visit our <site/shop> during the event to <learn about new products/get exciting rewards/offers>. can_copy_tExt

How to write effective WhatsApp promotional messages

To ensure that your WhatsApp promotional message is successful, it is important to make the most of the opportunity by writing messages that are appealing to your customer base. The following points will help you increase the effectiveness of your WhatsApp promotional messages:

Make it short and concise

A short, concise and directed message can encourage customers to engage with the message and eventually purchase the product. So, it’s critical to not create long, disjointed and complex messages. Rather, you can create a succinct message that talks about your products & services in a few sentences.

Use persuasive words and phrases

It’s also critical that your messages use persuasive language that is easy to understand and act upon. If your message is perceived as a sales pitch, it might not pass WhatsApp’s internal review. This can also discourage customers as they might perceive it as Spam Messages. On the other hand, aggressive or confusing messages can irritate customers & also end up discouraging them from making a purchase.

Suggested read: 27 Best WhatsApp Business Greeting Messages (Copy Now!)

Be specific about what people get for their money

Today’s customers value honesty and transparency. Therefore, it is important to outline the specific value propositions in your message to target customers who are genuinely interested. If your company sends vague promotional messages, it will not only risk losing customers but also alienate your existing customer base.

Offer guarantees and credibility

Your brand reputation hinges on the fact that your customers can trust what you say and can make informed decisions. Your company’s credibility can either help them grow your business or can harm it when they lose trust. So, make sure to communicate your credibility in your WhatsApp promotional message to build trust and encourage customer confidence.

Crafting effective WhatsApp marketing messages

You can automate, personalize, and scale-up your campaigns using the user-friendly interface of Gallabox. Here is how you can set up effective WhatsApp marketing messages using Gallabox:

Step 1: Set up your WhatsApp Business API account

Before you launch a campaign, you need to set up a WhatsApp Business API account. This enables automation, bulk messaging, and compliance with WhatsApp policies.

Step 2: Create Your Gallabox account

After you set up your account, visit Gallabox and create one. To optimize your WhatsApp profile, make sure to use a high-quality logo, add brand details like email, phone number, and website, and write an engaging description that reflects your brand,

Step 3: Import your contacts

The next step is to upload and manage customer data. You can import contacts in bulk using a .xlsx file or auto-sync contacts from the existing CRM. Additionally, whenever the user initiates a conversation, you can automatically save their contact.

Step 4: Set up essential features

With the intuitive dashboard, you can access advanced automation tools to run your WhatsApp marketing campaigns:

• Chatbots: Handle inquiries and nurture leads with a customized AI-powered no-code chatbot.
  
  
• Message sequences: Use Gallabox’s Drip Marketing feature to automate personalized follow-ups.
  
  
• Broadcasts: Use pre-approved templates for promotional WhatsApp messages to send bulk messages to segmented audiences.
  
  
• CRM integrations: Sync with platforms like HubSpot, Shopify, Google Sheets, Razorpay, Zoho CRM, Zoom, and more to ensure efficient collaboration and data analysis.
  

Step 5: Assign team and manage access

To streamline the workflow, you can assign the tasks to your team and provide the required access:

• Owner: Full platform access
  
  
• Admin: To manage chats, contacts, and configurations
  
  
• Member: To handle customer interactions with limited access
  

Step 6: Drive traffic to WhatsApp

After setting up the WhatsApp Business API, you need to make it easier for your customers to approach you. Here’s how you can do it:

• Add a WhatsApp chat widget to your website to ensure instant messaging.
  
  
• Display QR codes on social media, packaging, or in-store posters so customers can scan and connect with you.
  
  
• Run targeted Facebook and Instagram ads to direct potential customers straight to your WhatsApp.
  
  
• Set WhatsApp Opt-ins at every touchpoint with Gallabox to engage with your customers.
  

Step 7: Set up message templates

With the ready-to-use templates for promotional WhatsApp messages by Gallabox, you can engage with your customers without delays. With pre-approved templates for reminders, promotions, and status updates, you can maintain compliance with WhatsApp policies and avoid restrictions.

Additionally, well-structured and personalized promotional WhatsApp messages will help you increase response rates and customer satisfaction.

Step 8: Create and launch a WhatsApp marketing campaign

Now that everything is set up, you can kickstart your WhatsApp marketing campaign. Gallabox provides a complete toolkit to create and automate workflows and drive engagement.

Here are the features to boost the results:

• Use Click-to-WhatsApp ads (CTWA) to generate leads, boost conversion, access real-time data, and optimize campaigns.
  
  
• Answer queries and personalize responses using WhatsApp Chatbot.
  
  
• Use Gallabox’s shared inbox to manage customer interactions in one place.
  
  
• Send promotions, updates, and offers to multiple contacts using the WhatsApp Broadcast feature.
  
  
• Design custom forms using WhatsApp Flows to build interactive experiences within the chat.
  
  
• Automate the delivery of pre-planned promotional WhatsApp messages at specific times using the WhatsApp Drip Marketing feature.
  

Step 9: Analyze the results

Gallabox provides an easy-to-use interface for tracking the success of your campaigns and identifying areas for improvement. Based on the analysis, you can optimize the campaigns to boost customer engagement and satisfaction.

Best practices for WhatsApp promotional messages

Setting up the campaign is just the beginning. You must implement best practices to maximize engagement, brand loyalty, and customer satisfaction.

Here’s how you can make every message effective:

Provide value

If your messages do not add value to the customer, they will be ignored.

You can share exclusive deals, personalized recommendations, or useful tips. To keep customers' attention, educate, engage, and solve a problem.

Use in-app catalogs

8 in 10 shoppers prefer convenience in shopping. To give your customers a convenient shopping experience, you can set up a mini store using built-in catalogs in WhatsApp chat. You can list products with images, descriptions, and prices. You can also set up simple browsing and payments to ensure a smooth checkout experience.

Use carousel messages

With carousel messages, you can send up to 10 scrollable items in one message, which improves interaction. You can highlight product features, launch products, send reminders, and use call-to-action buttons to direct users to the purchase page.

Try FOMO messages

When customers see a time-sensitive message, they feel a sense of urgency, ensuring quicker purchase decisions. You can create flash sales offers or early-bird offers and use phrases like “Only 3 spots left!" or "Deal expires in 3 hours!” to trigger the Fear of Missing Out and boost conversions.

Schedule the right time

Sending promotional WhatsApp messages at the right time can boost open rates and engagement. Schedule messages based on the customer's time zone. This will help you prevent opt-outs with early morning or late-night messages. Additionally, you should run A/B testing to find the optimal engagement window.

Also read: Step-by-step guide to WhatsApp schedule messages for businesses

Avoid sending too many messages

When you overwhelm your customers with a lot of messages, the unsubscribe rates can be higher.

A survey reported that 49% of respondents feel frequent messaging is the most annoying aspect of promotional WhatsApp messages. To avoid spamming their chats, stick to 2-3 messages a week and use data to find out the optimal frequency of messages.

Enhance brand communication with WhatsApp marketing messages

WhatsApp marketing is a powerful tool that will allow you to connect with your customers highly personalized and engagingly. You can drive customer engagement, improve brand loyalty, and boost conversions by leveraging WhatsApp's high open rates, automation capabilities, and interactive features.

Implementing best practices can maximize the impact of your campaigns. With the right strategy, you can build lasting customer relationships and grow.

With platforms like Gallabox, you can seamlessly approach your customers and create an engaging user experience. With its easy-to-use interface and no-code chatbot, you can set up WhatsApp message marketing and run the campaigns smoothly.

Don’t miss out on improving customer engagement and maximizing conversion rates! Leverage WhatsApp message marketing to keep your customers engaged and informed.

FAQs about WhatsApp promotional messages

How can businesses ensure their WhatsApp marketing messages comply with privacy regulations?

You should always ask for opt-in consent before messaging customers to stay compliant. Follow WhatsApp's Business Policy and data protection laws, keep customer data secure, and use it responsibly. Provide an easy opt-out option. Avoid sharing personal data without permission and only send relevant, value-driven messages to maintain trust with your audience.

What strategies can prevent WhatsApp marketing messages from being marked as spam?

To avoid being marked as spam, ensure your messages are relevant, personalized, and valuable to your audience. Utilize pre-approved WhatsApp advertising messages examples, avoid excessive messaging, and respect user preferences by allowing easy opt-outs. Send timely, well-crafted content. Avoid using overly promotional language and encourage two-way communication to keep interactions meaningful.

What are the best practices for integrating multimedia elements into WhatsApp marketing messages?

When integrating multimedia elements, use high-quality images, videos, or GIFs to enhance engagement and make your messages visually appealing. Keep file sizes optimized for quick loading. Align multimedia elements with your brand and add value, such as product demos or recommendations. Use carousel messages and WhatsApp catalogs to showcase multiple products. Always test content for proper display across devices, and keep text messages brief.

How to measure the success of WhatsApp Message Marketing campaigns?

You can measure the success of your WhatsApp marketing campaigns by tracking key performance metrics. Monitor open rates, read receipts, and response rates to gauge engagement. Analyze conversion rates to see how many leads turn into customers. Use analytics tools to track click-through rates on shared links. Additionally, monitor opt-in and opt-out rates to understand audience interest. Regularly optimize campaigns based on insights to improve results.