Promotional broadcasts on WhatsApp can be a powerful tool to engage your audience, but if not done correctly, they can also get you banned. In this guide, I’ll show you the steps to safely broadcast promotional messages using 100% WhatsApp-approved tools, without risking your account. Let’s dive in!
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Step 1: Create a ManyChat Account
The first step is to create a ManyChat account, a platform I highly recommend for building WhatsApp automations. ManyChat is a versatile chatbot platform, and I use it for nearly all of my clients.
To get started, head over to Manychat, which will direct you to the ManyChat website. Click on “Get Started” and connect your WhatsApp account by following the provided steps. If you encounter any issues, I have a course called the “WhatsApp Automation Starter Pack” that guides you through the process step-by-step. The link is in the description of the video.
Step 2: Verify Your Facebook Business
Before you can send promotional messages on WhatsApp, your Facebook business needs to be verified. Only verified Facebook businesses can use this feature. I have a separate video explaining how to verify your Facebook business, which you can find in the video description.
Step 3: Filter and Select Contacts
Once your business is verified, it’s time to select the contacts to whom you’ll send your message. If you’ve used ManyChat before, go to the “Contacts” section and filter by those who have opted in for WhatsApp. You can either search for specific contacts or use bulk actions to tag them. Tags are helpful later when you send the broadcast.
For example, you might create a tag called “WhatsApp Broadcast” and apply it to the selected contacts. If you’re new to ManyChat, you can also upload a CSV file with the phone numbers of your intended recipients. Ensure the phone numbers are in the international format, and don’t forget to confirm that you have obtained consent to send messages to these contacts.
Step 4: Create a WhatsApp Message Template
The message you send will be a WhatsApp Message Template, a special type of message that needs WhatsApp’s approval before you can use it. To create one, navigate to “Settings” in ManyChat, click on “WhatsApp,” and then on “Message Templates.”
Let’s say you’re an e-commerce store and want to send a coupon code to loyal customers. Start by naming your template, such as “Coupon Code for Loyal Customers.” Choose “Marketing” as the category and select the language. Next, determine the content of the message:
- Header: Can be text, image, video, or file. For example, “Here is your gift.”
- Body: This could say, “Thank you for being a loyal customer of [Your Company]. As a gift, here’s an exclusive 50% off coupon code for your next order.”
- Buttons: You can add interactive buttons like “Yes, give me code” or “No, not interested.”
After crafting your template, click “Send to Review.” WhatsApp’s team will review your template, usually within 1-2 business days. Once approved, you can use this template in your promotional broadcasts.
Step 5: Sending the Broadcast
Once your message template is approved, it’s time to send the broadcast. Go to “Broadcasting” in ManyChat, click “New Broadcast,” and select “WhatsApp.” Choose the approved message template as your first message.
For example, if you created a template that offers a coupon code to loyal customers, you’d select that template. ManyChat allows you to customize the message and schedule the broadcast at your convenience.
Important Tips to Avoid Getting Banned
- Obtain Permission: Always ensure you have permission to send messages to your contacts. Without permission, your contacts might block you, which could lead to your account being banned.
- Use Approved Templates: Only send messages using templates that WhatsApp has approved. This helps avoid any issues with policy violations.
- Segment Your Audience: Use tags and filters to send messages to specific groups, ensuring the content is relevant to them.
By following these steps, you can effectively send promotional broadcasts on WhatsApp without risking your account. Remember, the key to success is obtaining proper consent, using approved tools, and sending relevant messages to your audience.
