In the age of conversational marketing, WhatsApp has become one of the most popular communication methods in the world. People of all ages want to join this new trend that seems to be here to stay. Strategies for selling with Whatsapp.
85% of the sellers said that WhatsApp is "very important to the sales process" (and that it would be much harder to close without it). This means it's already making a huge difference in companies' sales performance.
Part 1: WhatsApp Marketing Is the Key to Selling More
I'll let you in on a little secret. According to a report from Sirena, the 95% mobile numbers buyers give sellers are already associated with a personal WhatsApp account. 😲
This means that all your customers are already there.
Just as you strive to impress the room to close a sale, these tools can help you impress your customers. And generate more sales.
But WhatsApp is not a call, a visit, or a sale…
The first thing you need to understand is that WhatsApp isn't a sales method in and of itself. WhatsApp is a link in the sales chain, and you need to use it optimally in conjunction with the rest of your tools.
As we saw in How to Create a Perfect Sales Presentation, top salespeople always take advantage of customer contact to search for the SNS (Sales Next Step). The exact same thing happens in a chat.
WhatsApp helps you find the next step for sales
Let's try an example ...
Let's say a customer first visits your business website, presses the WhatsApp button, and the salesperson responds immediately. A few days later, the salesperson follows up via WhatsApp and talks to the customer about financing. The salesperson then calls them again and can schedule a meeting. Finally, the salesperson sends them the information via WhatsApp to remind them of the appointment.
Let's check this example of a car sales rep, we might see something like this:
During the sale, the seller contacted the customer 4 times to speed up the closing. On these 4 occasions, the seller found the Sales Next Step that brought him closer to the final resolution: the sale (and their commission, of course
This example helps us understand how WhatsApp is the key to enabling a salesperson to streamline the sales process and move on to the final sale. The important thing is to find that Sales Next Step that will push you toward your goal.
Ok, this was a lot of theory! Now we'll see how you can make sure customers prefer you.
Part 2: getting customers to fall in love with you on WhatsApp
There are stylistic details that will help your customers feel more at ease, and there are also some mistakes to avoid. The goal of this section is to learn some tricks to help customers see you as the best option when it comes time to buy. Strategies for selling with WhatsApp.
Rule No. 1: never ever send SPAM
You can ignore any other rule. But not this one. 😉
WhatsApp, like any other modern messaging service, is designed to detect and block anyone sending bulk advertising. If you send generic texts, visual promotions, or any other message your customers don't want, they'll consider it junk mail (also known as SPAM) and block you.
Avoid sending unwanted messages to your customers via WhatsApp, otherwise they'll quickly block you and you'll miss out on valuable sales opportunities. Use personalized messages that add value to your customer and you'll see the difference. Welcome to the real world.
⚠️ This doesn't mean you shouldn't take proactive steps to sell on WhatsApp! After all, that's what it's all about.
A reminder about a meeting, product information, or a simple greeting are all steps toward a sale. The important thing is that the customer perceives it as something personal.
And speaking of personality…
Rule No. 2: avoid running into a robot
Chats are informal and transparent communication tools.
Consider this: email was probably what you used to communicate with your teachers when you were in school. WhatsApp was what you used to talk to your friends and classmates. See the difference?
This means you need to be warm and open with the customer so they see you as someone who will be helpful and add value during their purchase.
The best way to do this is to speak to the customer as you would to any other contact, always remaining respectful. Be friendly, but not too informal.
Also remember that people don't want to read an encyclopedia every time they receive a message from you! This is a conversation where the other person needs to feel like you're providing value. Just like you would with a friend, keep your messages short and to the point.
Oh, and I almost forgot… please avoid rookie mistakes: use your real name on WhatsApp (“MICHAEL SALE” or “YOUR BEST PRICE” will send your customers running for the hills 🏃). A real first and last name will ensure your customers don’t see you as a robot and know who you are🤖.
People buy from people. 😉
Rule #3: Use a good photo (a picture is worth a thousand words)
Perhaps the most important factor in choosing one supplier over another is the image they present to the customer. Just as you make a good impression when selling in person, the same holds true in the online world.
By the way… which of the following images do you think would generate better results when you contact a customer via WhatsApp? Strategies for selling with whatsapp.
Your photo will appear on your customers' screens every time you send a message. This means it's important to use a high-quality image that's friendly and real. Ideally, smile for the camera. 📸😁
Another common mistake we see is using a photo of a car, a pet, or children. While it may be cute, if you're a seller, please don't do it. A person about to make a purchase wants to see your face so they can trust you.
Unless you want to lose your commission, you need your customer to be able to recognize you, because when they get to the sales floor, they'll need to find you and not some other salesperson! 😉
To create and send an advertising campaign via Whatsapp to all contacts try SendApp.