Messenger marketing is known as the use of mobile chat applications for marketing purposes. The mobile chat applications are used for connecting with prospects/customers and enhancing business. Messenger marketing is done through applications like Facebook Messenger, Telegram, WeChat, WhatsApp, or more.
This is one of the easiest ways of reaching millions of people across the globe. Regardless of where you are, you can connect with anyone you want. Companies send out marketing messages in multiple forms. It could be texts, audio messages, video messages, images, or set up bots.
That’s how customers get to know what exactly a brand is selling. If it can be implemented in the right way, messenger marketing improves the relationship and increases conversions.
Some statistics on Messenger Marketing
How does Messenger marketing work?
Messenger marketing helps businesses and online marketers to get the audience to subscribe to the campaigns through multiple messaging platforms. Mostly it is done through Facebook Messenger or Telegram.
Once the prospect subscribes, a business can send out marketing messages like videos, images, GIFs. They can also communicate through live chat.
Chatbots are one of the most common ways of interacting with customers. Chatbots act as an instant mode of communication and offer a higher click rate compared to the traditional marketing mediums. It helps the brands in sending out relevant notifications and reminders regarding the upcoming events.
They offer opportunities to re-engage the prospects. Also, they can help your sales & tech support team to answer questions from users, register people, collect orders, and promote the brand.
What are the reasons to use messenger marketing for SMEs in India?
- One of the most obvious reasons why messenger marketing is the future of SMEs is because of the technology itself. Yes, there are chances of phishing or scams, but Facebook is extremely strict on who they allow on messenger. It is constantly improving. The sooner you start a messenger marketing campaign, the better it is.
- Automation has seen a drastic increase in the past few years and it will continue to increase. 85% of the customers engage with businesses through technology, without any actual human interaction. This means 85% of the interactions are automated.
- Another primary reason is, customers want it! It is as simple as that! 77% of the customers said that they want instant responses through chatbots. It is not only the millennials that appreciate the presence of chatbots. 24% of the individuals of the age 40-50 years, appreciate the instant responses of chatbots.
- It is better than emails. Leads don’t have to share sensitive contact information or any other information. Just one click in messenger chat on your website and you can connect. As long as messenger is your default contact option, you can contact anyone that expresses interest in your company online.
- Messenger marketing offers better control of your business dealings. Instead of just hoping that the customer sees the CTA, you can guide your potential customer to find the service that will actually help them. A chatbot will ask questions to find out how to serve them. It makes a campaign more successful.
- It also helps you nurture the “lost cause” leads. By you, we mean the chatbots. Instead of wasting your time to nurture the leads that may not buy, let the chatbots do it. The chatbots can continue to nurture the leads for an indefinite period of time so that you don’t have to.
What are the beneficial aspects of using messenger marketing for SMEs in India?
- First of all, messenger marketing is cost-effective! Yes, you will need a professional to set up the chatbots for you. However, it is still less costly than keeping a few paid individuals for contacting and engaging your customers. You can customize the bots according to your requirements.
- Multi-functionality is another aspect of messenger marketing. The chatbots are flexible to respond to queries that supplement customer experiences in multiple domains. Chatbots can be programmed to do anything.
- You can use a messenger to provide a service. That’s how you add value. Chatbots offer instant response and you patch it through to your live chat if the issue is not resolved. Messengers include additional services like notifying them about their orders, find movies and theaters or watch trailers, and more.
- Customers can pay directly through messengers. In the future, customers will be able to transfer payments through messenger apps. Facebook is already beta testing a payment feature for the messenger. Thus, it means more convenience for customers and more sales.
- Everyone advertises on Facebook. Convert your standard Facebook ad into a click to messenger ad. In this way, you will gain access to their messenger inbox. Thus, you are not just sending customers to your website but you are directly engaging with them right from the start.
- Cart recovery is another benefit of messenger marketing. E-commerce businesses need to watch out for abandoned carts. If customers leave carts, personalized messages can remind them about their abandoned cart.
Messenger Marketing vs. Email marketing
No, we are not here to share the differences between email marketing and messenger marketing. The reason why we want to share this comparative analysis is that a lot of users would think of dodging email marketing and use only messenger marketing. That would not be the right strategy.
From the above statistics, it is clear that messengers are a significant tool for e-commerce platforms to increase user engagement. The average email open rates reach only 16% while the CTR reach is only 7%. Considering this with messenger marketing, a lot of you might think that email marketing is not effective anymore.
This is not true. The two platforms are different and their purposes are different. Email is created for sharing updates, news, and other promotional offers. Mostly it includes a one-way communication. On the other hand, messengers represent two-way communication.
People check messenger inboxes more than the email boxes. If customers have questions regarding any service, they will use a messenger for contacting a brand. In general, we want something quick and easy. This is where a messenger comes in. Email is a bit more formal and takes time.
Both of these channels can be utilized in different ways to reach your digital marketing goals. Keep your customers informed about your products and services and teach them how to use your product through emails. And when they are “warm” offer them to join your brand on messengers.
A few tips on messenger marketing to ensure best practices
- Create and update the chatbot according to the customer feedback
- Send out notifications to the existing customers while keeping a focus on the engagement
- Describe the bot to the customers and prospects using the brand’s marketing material
- Promote the chatbot in different places where the potential leads or prospects might visit
- Customize the bots for more relevant and timely interactions
- Keep things simple by reducing the number of options available
In the end, it can be said that messenger marketing is going to be one of the best ways of digital marketing for multiple businesses, especially e-commerce stores.
The good news is if you are looking for the best ways to create an optimized messenger marketing strategy, get in touch with a professional organization like Skyram Technologies.
