Are messaging apps the next frontier for communicators?
The technology enables users to send messages back and forth and engage in real-time conversations. Curious communicators have several apps to choose from, and most social media platforms have messaging counterparts like Facebook’s Messenger and the direct messaging functionalities on Instagram and Twitter.
Messaging apps are a great alternative to text messaging, but that only scratches the surface of their potential. Brand managers should pay close attention because these platforms offer an opportunity to bring them closer to their audience, a challenge often faced in the crowded social media marketplace.
Here’s why 2018 should be the year you consider messaging apps in your marketing plan:
1. Your customers are already using them.
Over the past few years, there’s been a hefty rise in the use of messaging apps. In fact, four of the more popular ones—Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, WeChat and Viper—boast more monthly users than the top four social networking sites: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google+.
It’s easy to understand why messaging apps are becoming a key part of social engagement strategies for businesses. Once customers discover the ability to send a direct message to a popular shoe brand and receive a discount code from them, they won’t hesitate to buy.
There’s a good chance your customer base is already using messaging apps in some way, so it makes sense to cater your customer-relations strategy to the preferences of your audience.
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2. Customers want to interact on their terms.
Today’s consumers are smart, independent and informed. They have to be in order to sift through all the brand choices out there.
It’s no surprise that convenience plays a role in deciding who they want to do business with. According to a 2016 Nielson survey commissioned by Facebook IQ, 53 percent of people say they are more likely to shop with a businessthat they can message directly.
Phone customer service can be limiting. With messaging apps, people can engage when they want and where they want without wasting valuable time sitting on hold. Not to mention the amount of time consumers spend online. It only makes sense to stay online when they have a question or want to do business. If marketers place a larger emphasis on customer needs, results will follow.
3. Messaging apps will be for more than conversation.
In 2018, messaging apps will continually evolve their e-commerce capabilities and shift from being solely conversational platforms to multi-purpose business tools. WeChat is a great example of a messaging app ahead of its time. Launched in 2011, the Chinese app has an array of functionality including a digital wallet service and e-payment system.
With the rise of Chatbots, people can easily make reservations, get answers to general questions, place business orders and more. According to a survey by Oracle, 80 percent of businesses will want touse chatbots by 2020. Not surprising since they save money, can be available to customers 24/7 and can have simultaneous conversations with thousands of people.
Maybe robots are taking over.
Megan Snyder is the marketing manager for JConnelly, a New York based PR firm. A version of this article originally appeared on the J Connelly blog.
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