Another new channel with an empty list of subscribers is just as intimidating as a blank page at the beginning of a blog post. Similar to how you've started many other channels from scratch and watched them flourish, growing your WhatsApp community is no different. By the end of this post, your list of WhatsApp subscribers won't be empty for long.
In this post, we're covering the strategies, tactics, and best practices to consider when acquiring new subscribers for your WhatsApp community. The initial WhatsApp Business setup topics aren't covered in detail here, but we share all that you need to know in our Getting Started with WhatsApp guide.
There are 3 main tools for capturing a subscriber's phone number and adding them to your WhatsApp community so you can message them now and in the future.
Through Tildei, you'll be able to generate a link (you can also do this via the WhatsApp Business portal). When a customer clicks the link, it opens WhatsApp with a conversation window started with your brand. The message in the window can be pre-populated based on the link they click. Once the customer sends that message, the conversation has started, and they've opted-in.
Benefits to using a link: pre-populated messages, easy one-click experience, campaigns can be associated with a custom link
When a customer scans the code, it opens WhatsApp with a conversation window started with your brand. The message in the window can also be pre-populated based on the QR code that was scanned.
Benefits to using a QR code: pre-populated messages, used for offline acquisition, campaigns can be associated with custom QR codes
A scannable QR code that will launch a conversation with Tildei in WhatsApp.
Similar to opt-in forms for email or SMS capture, WhatsApp capture forms most often live on your website. With the form, you ask the prospect or customer to share their information and confirm their intent to opt-in to join your WhatsApp community. Once you have their number and their opt-in, you're ready to start messaging them in Tildei.
Benefits to using a capture form: subscribers are familiar with this opt-in experience; easier to capture additional profile data at sign-up
WhatsApp Opt-In Tools: QR codes, Links, and Capture Forms
We recommend using a combination of all three methods. No matter which you use and where you use them, the two most important elements are to ask for explicit opt-in from your subscribers and include information on how you intend to use the channel. Share how many messages you plan to send and the types of messages the subscriber should expect. Both of these actions will help prevent your account from being blocked and also foster engagement with your audience.