WhatsApp is an amazing tool for business communications. It’s super user-friendly – plus, messages sent on this platform also usually have a better open rate than messages sent via other channels like emails and other messenger apps.
WhatsApp communications feel easier and better with promotional messages. Better yet, you can also send WhatsApp marketing messages to your clients on WhatsApp. This feature was added to WhatsApp in late 2021. So how do you make the most out of this amazing feature? We’re here to assist you!
In this article, we guide you through how to write sales-boosting promotional messages on WhatsApp – complete with examples and templates you can use for your own marketing efforts.
Table of Contents
What is a WhatsApp promotional message?
What are the requirements of WhatsApp promotional messages?
Best practices for sending promotional messages on WhatsApp
6 inspiring WhatsApp promotional message templates
Conclusion
What is a WhatsApp promotional message?
A WhatsApp promotional message is a type of marketing message that you can send to your customers or leads via WhatsApp. The purpose of these messages is to promote your products, services, or events, or to increase customer engagement.
You can send promotional messages through WhatsApp, no matter which specific application you use: regular WhatsApp, WhatsApp Business, or WhatsApp Business API. The key difference between them boils down to how the promotional message would be sent (the specific steps).
Generally, you’ll want to know the platform’s requirements before sending promotional messages on WhatsApp. They have rather strict regulations to protect their users from spam and unwanted messages.
As a B2C salesperson or small business, knowing and following these requirements means you’re far less likely to get blocked, reported, or banned after sending promotional messages on WhatsApp.
Suggested Read: How to Get Unbanned from WhatsApp Quickly (2023 Updated)
What are the requirements of WhatsApp promotional messages?
There are certain requirements you need to meet to be able to send promotional messages on WhatsApp. Here are the most important ones:
- Consent: You must have a customer’s consent (or opt-in) to be able to send them promotional messages. This can include them submitting interest on your website or ad, or opt-ing in on a third party platform like email or SMS where you should clearly mention that they’ll be receiving messages. Plus, there should also be a way to opt-out of the communication whenever they wish to.
- Compliance: You must follow all applicable laws, including data protection and privacy laws, when sending promotional messages.
- 24-Hour customer service window: If you’re sending promotional messages through WhatsApp Business API, you have a 24-hour window to reply to your customer’s message message at no charge. Outside of that 24-hour window, you can only send messages to customers who have opted-in to receive them and you may be charged.
- Template messages: Outside the 24-hour window, promotional messages must be sent as “template messages”. Moreover, these messages must also be approved by WhatsApp before you can use them. This also applies to WhatsApp Business API users only.
Best practices for sending promotional messages on WhatsApp
Being able to send a promotional message on WhatsApp is great. That being said, just typing and sending out a message does not guarantee its success. What’s worse, generic messages are more likely to be viewed as spam, which may result in your account being reported and ultimately banned from WhatsApp.
Here are a few things you can consider to make your promotional messages more impactful:
- Value and relevance: Ensure your promotional message provides value and relevance to the recipient. Personalise the content based on the customer’s interests and purchase history.
- Clear and concise: Keep your messages clear and concise while keeping it short and sweet. Avoid technical jargon and ensure your message gets to the point quickly.
- Call to action: Include a clear call to action in your message. This could be an invitation to visit your website, a prompt to reply with a specific keyword, or an offer they can redeem.
- Frequency: Avoid sending too many messages since it can overwhelm or annoy your customers, which can ultimately lead to being reported. Strike a balance between staying top-of-mind and respecting your customers’ space.
- Testing and optimisation: Regularly test different versions of your promotional messages and analyse customer engagement to find out what works best. Then, optimise your messages based on customer’s response and behaviour.
Also, do not forget to introduce yourself if you’re interacting with the customer for the first time or you think you’re not in touch so much so they would recognise you instantly.
WhatsApp Bulk Sender : This FREE! bulk message sender tool helps you bulk-send personalised WhatsApp messages to multiple people, even if you haven’t added them to your phonebook.
6 inspiring WhatsApp promotional message templates
Template 1: Appointment reminder
Appointment reminders serve to notify your leads of an upcoming event. And they could certainly leave a good impression on those who schedule a meetup with you. Here’s an example for real estate (but you can always tweak it to fit your business):
Hi Philip, just wanted to give you a quick reminder about our appointment tomorrow at 11 a.m., the 26th of June. Looking forward to showing you the Brickell apartment. I think you’re really going to love it. Safe travels and see you tomorrow!
– Dave, ACME Realty
Template 2: Business update
Business update messages on WhatsApp are an easy way to inform your customers about your business’ latest updates. Here’s a temple example of a business update message of a plumbing service. Since you’ll likely send the same message to multiple people, be careful about including personal names in the message, especially if you’re sending messages in bulk.
Dear valued customer! Rudy here from Tim Fixes – your plumbing service! I’m writing to inform you that our company has relocated and we have a new address. Additionally, we’ve also updated our emergency contact number to serve you better.
Our new address: (address)
Emergency Number: 1234567
Please save this number for any emergency plumbing services you may need in the future. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reply to this message. Thank you for trusting Tim Fixes for your plumbing needs!
Template 3: Seasonal discount alert
Seasonal discount alerts can grab your customer’s attention and invite them to engage with you in a conversation, opening new sales possibilities. Here’s a travel agency seasonal discount alert template:
Hi Rosario, greetings from your travel partner, ExploreUp. We hope you’ve been itching for your next adventure because we have some exciting news!
We’re excited to announce an exclusive seasonal travel discount for the beautiful Maldives. This limited-time promotion is designed to give our valued customers like yourself a unique travel experience at an even more appealing value.
To find out more about this special offer and how it can be tailored to your travel dreams, please reply to this message.
Template 4: Review request
Reviews are a form of social proof that boost the trust of your brand. And good reviews are always worth flaunting. So why not ask your customers for a review of your product or service through a WhatsApp promotional message? Here’s a WhatsApp promotional message template of a review request from a veterinarian:
Hi Carlotta, hope you’re doing great and Mario is back on his routine after his recent visit to us!
We’d like to thank you for choosing us for your furry friend’s needs. As a new member of our pet-loving community, your opinion is extremely valuable to us and to other pet parents in search of reliable veterinary care. We’d greatly appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to share your experience at PetLovers on our website and on Trustpilot.
Here’s the link to our review page: (link)
And here’s our Trustpilot page: (link)
If you have any further questions or if Mario needs more assistance, please don’t hesitate to message us here.
-Your friends from PetLovers clinic.
Template 5: Referral benefit alert
Use referral benefit alerts to let your clients know about perks they get for suggesting your services.
Here’s a referral benefit alert template of an insurance agent who wants clients to know about their recent program that rewards them for suggesting the services.
Hi Mr. Lee, this is your agent from AtoZ Insurance. I hope this message finds you well!
As one of our valued clients, I’m excited to share some good news with you! We have recently launched a referral program designed to thank our loyal customers like you. In this program, you can receive benefits for recommending AtoZ’s services to your friends, family, or colleagues. Each successful referral rewards you with 2% commission, 15% premium discounts, and gift vouchers depending on what you refer. It’s our way of saying thank you for trusting in us.
If you want to know more about our referral program, feel free to reply to this message or call our office at 1235568.
Template 6: Seasonal sale reminder message
It’s always great to remind your existing customers of any promotional activities you do. It helps boost sales and customers also feel appreciated for being informed about the profitable deal. Here’s an example of a retail store looking to promote summer sale on selected items:
Hi Jenny, this is your fashion guide from StyleUp. We hope you’re excited about the summer as we are!
To celebrate the season, we are thrilled to announce our upcoming Summer Sale where you can find your favourite dresses at discounts of up to 50%! The sale begins on May 25th, but as a valued customer, we wanted to give you a heads up so you can mark your calendar and get ready to add some fabulous finds to your wardrobe.
If you have any questions, reply to this message.
Suggested Read: Send Bulk Messages on WhatsApp Without Adding Contact
Conclusion
Promotional messages on WhatsApp can help you connect with new customers and stay in touch with old ones more effectively. However, keep in mind that while sending promotional messages in bulk, it is crucial to follow WhatsApp’s Terms of Service to maintain the integrity of your communication and prevent issues with your WhatsApp account.
In some instances, you may still get reported as spam, even if your intentions are good and you’re compliant with the platform’s rules. It can happen if you send too generic messages and fail to introduce your business properly. Make sure to always follow the best practices while planning WhatsApp marketing messages.
