How to Send Bulk Messages with WhatsApp Business API

• The WhatsApp Business API stands out as a tool for fostering seamless, personalized, and conversational communication with customers for businesses.
• Easily send bulk messages through WhatsApp Campaigns, streamlining the process for WhatsApp Message template approval.
• Bulk Messaging with WhatsApp Campaigns offers expanded reach and enhanced customer communication, builds brand credibility, and contributes to improved overall customer experience.
• Crafting a Bulk Messaging strategy involves understanding the WhatsApp Business API’s capabilities and employing personalized, multimedia, and target messaging.
• Bulk Messaging can be effectively used for promotions, product updates, event notifications, account updates, appointment reminders, and order & shipping updates.
• Leveraging WhatsApp analytics, A/B testing, sequenced campaigns, and interactive content collectively enhances the effectiveness of Bulk Messaging with WhatsApp Campaigns.
• Following WhatsApp guidelines for WhatsApp Message template creation, maintaining version control, and regularly monitoring performance contribute to successful template management.
• Businesses should continuously adapt and optimize messaging strategies based on the patterns of customer engagement, analytics, and the evolving communication landscapes.
• Businesses are encouraged to experiment, analyze customer responses, and refine messaging strategies over time to align WhatsApp Message templates seamlessly with their brand tone and voice.

The WhatsApp Business Platform (API) has enhanced customer engagement for businesses of many industries. Instant messaging continues to establish itself as a primary communication channel for enhanced customer engagement, its real-time nature fosters direct and immediate interactions. Instant messaging and the integration of bulk messaging into marketing strategies has become advantageous and essential for businesses.

Exploring the features, benefits, and strategic implementation of the WhatsApp Business Platform (API) equips businesses with the knowledge to amplify their brand presence and foster more meaningful customer conversations. This strategic integration of the platform into communication strategies further enhances the real-time interactions facilitated by instant messaging, ensuring that businesses stay at the forefront of customer engagement.

The WhatsApp Business Platform (API)

The WhatsApp Business Platform (API) stands as a robust platform facilitating seamless, personalized, and conversational connections, while also enabling the scaling of communications between businesses and their customers. The WhatsApp Business Platform (API)’s features include verified business profiles, two-way messaging, bulk messaging with WhatsApp campaigns, and rich multimedia messaging. Some of the unique features of the WhatsApp Business Platform (API) are interactive messages, chatbots, and support for integrations. These features collectively contribute to creating an engaging communication channel for marketing, sales, and even customer service.

Read our blog on the WhatsApp Business API to learn more about how it compares to the WhatsApp Business App and the best practices!

With Convrs, sending Bulk Messages with WhatsApp Campaigns is easy and simple. Convrs is a business messaging platform that allows businesses to use and maximize the features of the WhatsApp Business Platform (API) along with other messaging applications, helping businesses to meet their customers where they are.

To send Bulk Messages with WhatsApp Campaigns, businesses must use pre-approved WhatsApp Message templates. WhatsApp Message template approval can also be done through the Convrs platform. Check out our WhatsApp Messaging Templates guide to learn more!

After having a WhatsApp Messaging template approved for a campaign, proceed to the next steps:

1. In the Convrs dashboard, go to ‘Campaigns'.

2. Click ‘Create Campaign’.

3. In the ‘Create New Campaign’ window, information such as the following are required:
• Campaign Name
• List of numbers (This can be uploaded through a .txt or .csv file)
• WhatsApp Message Template selection
• Time of message sending

4. Click ‘Create Campaign’.

5. Once ready to send out, click the ‘Start Campaign’ button in the Action column of the Campaigns tab.

Bulk Messaging with WhatsApp Campaigns have made it easier for businesses to reach a wide audience simultaneously while keeping a conversational nature to the conversation and allowing for two-way communication. Businesses can also observe the following benefits:

1. Enhanced Customer Communication

The WhatsApp Business Platform (API) enables businesses to engage in real-time, two-way conversations with customers, enabling businesses to simultaneously convey important information, promotions, or updates to a large customer base. This streamlined communication approach fosters timely interactions and immediate connection, ensuring that customers stay well-informed about events, products, or services. The immediacy and directness of Bulk Messaging with WhatsApp contributes to improved customer communication, strengthening the connection between businesses and their audience.

2. Brand Credibility

Leveraging Bulk Messaging with WhatsApp Campaigns for targeted and personalized communication, businesses can enhance their brand credibility. Delivering relevant content and promotions directly to the customer’s preferred messaging channel demonstrates an understanding of their preferences. Additionally, the WhatsApp Business Platform (API) has an opt-in system that ensures that customers receive messages they have consented to.

3. Improved Customer Experience

Bulk Messaging with WhatsApp Campaigns allows for two-way messaging on top of simultaneously sending messages to thousands of customers. This two-way communication allows businesses to address customer queries and correspondence quickly, enhancing overall customer satisfaction. The direct and interactive approach that the WhatsApp Business Platform (API) allows for businesses lets customers engage with the brand seamlessly. The WhatsApp Business Platform (API)’s support for rich multimedia messaging services (MMS) contributes to enrich customer experiences.

4. Advanced Features

Businesses can leverage interactive messages such as quick repliers, interactive buttons, and call-to-action buttons to enhance the engagement of their messages. This feature allows for automation by setting message flows based on choices offered. The WhatsApp Business Platform (API) makes messages more engaging and streamlines processes leaving no need for constant agent intervention. The automation aspect significantly contributes to scaling messaging campaigns, resulting in more efficient and effective overall communication.

Read more about Bulk Messaging with WhatsApp Campaigns in our blog and learn how to get started with Bulk Messaging in our guide!

Crafting a Bulk Messaging Strategy

Crafting a robust strategy for Bulk Messaging with WhatsApp Campaigns is critical for success. Going beyond compliance with regulations, a well-planned strategy ensures that businesses engage with their customers effectively. This involves an understanding of the WhatsApp Business Platform (API)’s capabilities and user engagement metrics to maximize the effectiveness of messaging marketing.

Read our WhatsApp Marketing guide now!

1. Promotions

Inform customers about ongoing promotions, discounts, or limited time offers with enticing details that highlight the value they would receive. Businesses can craft messages that evoke a sense of urgency and exclusivity for customers.

2. Product Update

Share information about new product launches, updates, and features, giving customers an in-depth look at how these product or service enhancements can benefit them. Messages can include use cases to illustrate the improvements and showcase the value of the updated products.

3. Event Notifications

Keep customers informed about upcoming events, launches, or exclusive gatherings by providing not only the event details but also creating a sense of excitement and anticipation. Describe the unique aspects of the events and how attendance can bring added value to their experience.

4. Account Updates

Update and notify customers about changes in their accounts in a clear and transparent manner. This could be about needing a top-up or if an account has been inactive for a while.

5. Appointment Reminders and Updates

Remind customers and share information on upcoming appointments, include additional information about what to expect, preparation tips, or any necessary documentation.

6. Order & Shipping Reminders and Updates

Share important shipping information such as tracking and delivery information. Include estimated delivery times, courier information, and any additional services associated with the shipping process to enhance the overall customer experience.

7. Educational Content

Provide customers with informative content, such as tips, tutorials, or industry-related updates.

8. Birthday and Milestone Celebrations

Celebrate customers' birthdays and important milestones by sending personalized messages, along with special offers or discounts.

1. Multimedia Messaging

The WhatsApp Business Platform (API) is a platform with rich multimedia messaging capabilities. Incorporating multimedia elements into bulk messaging with WhatsApp Campaigns adds a dynamic and engaging edge to bulk messages. The WhatsApp Business Platform (API)’s capability to send images, videos, audio, and documents can be used to capture attention and convey information effectively.

2. Personalization and Targeting

User data and preferences are powerful tools that can be used by businesses to craft personalized messages that resonate with their audience. Utilizing these features to tailor messages will create a more personalized and meaningful connection with each recipient.

3. Analytics for Improved Marketing Performance

WhatsApp Analytics allows businesses to gather valuable insights into user behavior and campaign performance. Monitoring key metrics such as chat events, session metrics, and drop-out analytics can help businesses make informed decisions, optimize their strategies, and enhance overall marketing performance.

4. Optimization through A/B Testing

A/B Testing is a great strategy for refining and optimizing Bulk Messaging with WhatsApp Campaigns. Experimenting with different message variations, such as content, tone, and call-to-action, and analyzing the results to determine the most effective approach enables continuous improvement.

5. Sequenced Campaigns

Sequenced campaigns using Bulk Messaging with WhatsApp Campaigns allows businesses to convey a cohesive message across multiple interactions. Developing a narrative that unfolds gradually will capture customers’ attention and interest. Sequenced Campaigns are effective for introducing new products, sharing behind-the-scenes content, or nurturing customer relationships over time.

6. Interactive Content

Integrating interactive elements into Bulk Messaging with WhatsApp Campaigns fosters engagement and encourages user participation. Utilize features such as quizzes, polls, and surveys to involve the audience actively. The WhatsApp Business Platform (API) provides features like interactive buttons that allow customers to engage with messages, enhancing the user experience.

Applying these strategies collectively empowers businesses to create resonant messages that go beyond conventional communication. By leveraging multimedia messaging, personalization and targeting, WhatsApp Analytics, A/B testing, sequenced campaigns, and interactive content, businesses can craft compelling and effective Bulk Messaging with WhatsApp Campaigns that leave a lasting impact on the audience.

Building and Managing Message Templates

Message templates on the WhatsApp Business Platform (API) are predefined message formats that businesses can use for common communication scenarios, playing a pivotal role in delivering messages for specific use cases, like order confirmations, appointment reminders, or promotional offers.

To create effective message templates, it’s essential to grasp their WhatsApp structure and content guidelines. WhatsApp enforces specific standards to maintain a seamless user experience and prevent spam. WhatsApp Messaging templates should include placeholders for dynamic content, ensuring personalized interactions while following WhatsApp’s rules.

Make sure to avoid the following when submitting WhatsApp Message Templates:

• Issues with variable parameters (missing/mismatched curly braces, special characters, non-sequential numbering)
• Message template violations: WhatsApp Commerce Policy (goods/services details) WhatsApp Business Policy (sensitive identifier requests), potentially abusive/threatening content
• Duplicate message template submission

Businesses are encouraged to tailor their WhatsApp Messaging templates in a manner that aligns seamlessly with their brand tone and voice. Analysis and experimentation are paramount to gauging customer response, allowing for refining messaging strategies over time. To illustrate the versatility and efficacy of WhatsApp Messaging templates, explore the following examples for various purposes:

1. Order Confirmation

2. Appointment Reminders

3. Promotional Offers

To learn more about WhatsApp Messaging and Message Templates, check out our video and our blog!

The efficient management of templates is key to fostering seamless and effective messaging experiences for customers. Consider the following:

1. Version Control

Implement a robust version control system for WhatsApp Message templates. This ensures that all involved in the campaign are working with the latest and most accurate information. Tracking changes, annotating revisions, and maintaining a version history will prevent errors and miscommunications caused by outdated WhatsApp Message templates.

2. Performance Monitoring

Regularly evaluate WhatsApp Message templates’ performance by analyzing metrics like Chat Events, Session Metrics, and Dropout Analytics. This data can be used to identify high-performing WhatsApp Message templates, tweak underperforming ones, and adapt the overall messaging strategy of the business based on the customers’ engagement patterns.

By incorporating these advanced strategies into your template management approach, your business can not only maintain an organized system but also adapt and optimize messaging strategies for sustained success in the ever-evolving landscape of customer communication.

Conclusion

In conclusion, leveraging the WhatsApp Business Platform (API) for Bulk Messaging with WhatsApp Campaigns has emerged as a powerful strategy for businesses looking to enhance their customer reach and engagement. The WhatsApp Business Platform (API)’s robust features, including two-way conversations, rich multimedia messaging capabilities, and many others, provide businesses with a dynamic toolset for creating personalized and impactful communication channels.

The benefits for businesses are evident, ranging from improved customer communication and brand credibility to an enhanced overall customer experience. Bulk Messaging with WhatsApp Campaigns enables businesses to deliver timely information, promotions, and updates directly to thousands of customers, reinforcing the connection between the business and its audience.

In essence, the integration of Bulk Messaging with WhatsApp Campaigns, coupled with strategic planning and template management, empowers businesses to foster meaningful connections, build brand loyalty, and thrive in the competitive landscape of customer-centric communication.

To learn more about Conversational Marketing, its tools, and possibilities, book a free, no-commitment demo with Convrs today.