We live in a world of non-stop connectivity. Every minute, every second, people are talking to each other and exchanging stories. And thanks to messaging apps, sharing your stories with the world has never been easier.
In 2017 alone, there has been an estimated 1.82 billion people using messaging apps on a daily basis, and the numbers suggest these apps aren’t going anywhere. In fact, messaging apps are now 20% more popular than the biggest social media platforms, with people all around the globe turning to these apps to exchange content, talk, and connect to each other.
There’s no denying it: messaging apps are at an all-time high, and at the rate it’s going, there’ll soon be no better way to market, connect, and establish good customer service other than through messaging apps.
But in order to make the most of your opportunities, you need to use the right messaging app for your business goals. To help with this, Text Magic has put together this infographic, which outlines the pros and cons, and a range of tips, for each of the major messaging apps.
Marketing Strategies For Messaging Apps
In a survey conducted by Facebook, they found out that consumers prefer businesses that use messaging apps because of the quick response time – but other than establishing good customer service, there are solid opportunities that await any savvy marketer:
1. Promoting A New Service
In 2013, Hellman’s Mayonnaise in Brazil launched a service called WhatsCook, a live recipe service that connects customers with chefs in real-time.
The service is simple – foodies sign up on their website and get an exclusive invite to the chat, where they can send photos of their available ingredients. WhatsCook’s chefs will then send back a unique recipe for all those ingredients.
Within two weeks, Hellman’s Mayonnaise was able to partner up with 8,000 chefs helping 13,000 customers.
2. Launching A New Product
Who doesn’t like free juice? One of the best examples of successful SMS campaigns was conducted by Jamba Juice in Bakersfield – they gave out free 16 oz smoothie coupons for just a small catch: customers had to sign-up to their text marketing program. The sign-up process was simple – they would text the word “Jamba” to a certain number to sign up.
Registered users got exclusive deals through text messaging, most of which could be redeemed on the spot. In just two months, Jamba Juice had 1,000 contacts, thanks to the signs located next to their POS. The best part? They saw a 10% increase in the in-store traffic in all four locations in central California.
3. Targeted, Actionable Ads
The best customers are always the existing ones. By targeting the customers that have previously contacted their Facebook page for support, teeth-whitening company HiSmile was able to increase their website’s click-through rate by up to 21x more.
They sent message blasts in the Messenger promoting updates, deals, and special offers during weekends and special events. These short and conversational messages were enough to give them a 9.92x return on ad spend.
Still not convinced that messaging apps can help businesses? There are tons of case studies that show how these platforms can be used to maximize customer support and streamline workflow. The best thing about these apps is that they are efficient, economical, and expansive—three things that any business owner could ever want.