In this article, we will look at how to send a broadcast in WhatsApp. Today, WhatsApp is one of the most popular messengers in the world. Thanks to its simple and convenient interface, millions of people around the world use WhatsApp for personal and business communication. However, one of the most useful features WhatsApp can offer is the broadcast function.
The easiest way is to use the official broadcast connection and connect the WhatsApp broadcast service Chotam.ru
In general, there are 4 fundamentally different ways to send a broadcast:
- Via WhatsApp Business API (legal method)
- pros: personalization is possible (each user can be addressed by their name or, for example, the name of the service they used), you can connect a chatbot and automate communication, low risk of ban, you can send thousands of messages within minutes
- cons: price — about 7 RUB per outgoing message + the cost of the broadcast/chatbot platform — from 500 RUB per month.
- pros — free,
- cons: relatively much manual work, no personalization, those who have not added you will not receive it, no buttons, cannot connect a chatbot
- pros: free
- cons: relatively much manual work, no personalization, cannot connect a chatbot
- pros: relatively inexpensive (depends on the platform), you can connect a chatbot, personalization is possible.
- cons: high risk of ban, you will not be able to send thousands of messages in a reasonable foreseeable period.
Let’s look at them one by one.
How to send a broadcast in WhatsApp LEGALLY — via Business API
WhatsApp Business API is a tool developed for businesses that want to interact with customers via WhatsApp on a “corporate” level.
One of its advantages is the official ability to send broadcasts. Including — with the insertion of buttons, names, or other variables into the broadcast text.
This is the BEST and recommended way to send a broadcast in WhatsApp.
Below are the steps for this process.
Step 1: Get access to WhatsApp Business API
To use WhatsApp Business API, you need to connect your number. This is usually done through the website of a WhatsApp connection partner.
You need to have a Facebook account and a “business” created in Facebook to connect this.
Please note that the approval process may take some time, and WhatsApp usually provides access only to companies that meet certain criteria.
Step 2: Set up your Business API profile
After you are granted access, you need to set up your profile in WhatsApp Business API. Here you can add information about your company, such as name, description, contact details, and logo.
Step 3: Integrate with a broadcast platform/chatbot builder
WhatsApp Business API does not have an interface for creating and sending broadcasts, as in regular WhatsApp. Instead, you need to integrate the API with your customer relationship management (CRM) system or connect a BROADCAST PLATFORM, such as Chotam.ru
This may sound “scary”) but in fact, it is no more difficult than a few clicks and copying/pasting a line with a token. In reality, it takes a couple of minutes, we have a video about this.
You can also develop your own system that will send requests to the API to send messages, but this is extremely expensive.
Detailed documentation on WhatsApp Business API, including information on how to send messages, is available on the official WhatsApp website.
Another important advantage of connecting a broadcast platform or chatbot builder is that you can also use other messengers, for example, Telegram, and also set up automation and a chatbot there, usually — for the same money.
Step 4 (optional): Business verification
If you plan to send more than 250 messages per day, you need to go through so-called “business verification” in Facebook.
To do this, you need to upload two documents:
- Name confirmation — usually OGRN is suitable for this
- Address and phone confirmation — for this, an invoice issued to YOUR organization, where your phone and address are indicated, is usually suitable. They must be indicated exactly as in your Facebook account. We at Chotam provide you with full support in this matter, including helping you upload documents together via Zoom.
Step 5: Create a broadcast template
In WhatsApp, you are only allowed to send approved and moderated messages. Usually, creating such a template is not difficult and is done using the connected platform.
You can also create a template simply in the Facebook business account.
Step 6: Send the broadcast
Upload your recipient list to your platform/sender and send the broadcast.
The process differs from system to system, but in general is not difficult and is described in the system instructions.
Important notes:
- WhatsApp Business API is mainly intended for “notifications” or “alerts”. All broadcasts must comply with WhatsApp’s policy on active communication. For example, all sent messages must be user-initiated (i.e., the user must first write to you or explicitly subscribe to receive messages).
- WhatsApp may impose limits on the number of messages you can send via the API to prevent spam.
- Do not forget to comply with data protection and privacy laws when using WhatsApp Business API.
How to send a broadcast in WhatsApp via the WhatsApp Business app
You can send a broadcast the traditional way — via the app on your phone.
Step 1: Create a contact list
The first step is to create a list of contacts to whom you want to send the broadcast. You can add contacts manually or import them from your phone’s address book.
Step 2: Create a broadcast
Once you have a contact list, you can start creating a broadcast. Here’s how to do it:
- Open WhatsApp Business and go to the “More” or “…” menu in the top right corner of the screen.
- Select “New broadcast”.
- You will see a list of all your contacts. Select the contacts you want to send the broadcast to, then tap “Done”.
Step 3: Write and send your message
Now that you have a broadcast, you can write and send your message. Enter your message in the input field as usual, then tap “Send”. Your message will be sent to all contacts in your broadcast.
Important notes
- Remember that a broadcast in WhatsApp sends individual messages, not a group message. This means that replies to your broadcast will come to you as separate messages, not in one group chat.
- Note that WhatsApp does not allow you to send broadcasts to those who have not added you to their contacts. This is done to protect users from spam.
- Be careful with the number of messages you send, as too much activity may result in temporary or permanent blocking of your account.
In conclusion, broadcasting in WhatsApp is a powerful tool for reaching a large number of people. However, like any other tool, it should be used responsibly and with respect for WhatsApp’s rules and regulations.
How to send a broadcast in WhatsApp by creating groups
Step 1: Create a group.
To start, you will need one group; gradually, you will add more as they fill up.
Step 2: Add subscribers to your group.
You can add up to 256 subscribers to one group.
Step 3: When you need to send something to everyone — a “kind of” broadcast — just make a post in the group.
Step 4: If necessary, create another group, and so on, as they fill up.
How to send a broadcast in WhatsApp via “grey” connection
“Grey” connection is when you connect your WhatsApp to a broadcast platform that “pretends” you are sending the broadcast from your phone “manually”.
This method violates WhatsApp’s terms of use, and if you send a significant number of messages you need to be extremely careful — set up various message randomizations and choose the duration of pauses between them.
We DO NOT RECOMMEND this method and mention it only for informational purposes.
Step 1: Connect your phone to the “grey” broadcast platform. Usually, this is done by “pointing your phone at the QR code on the screen”
Step 2: Depending on the sender’s capabilities — set up the message text and the bot’s reactions to user actions
Step 3: Upload the database with phone numbers, and possibly names.
Step 4: Start the broadcast — remember the need for message randomization and long pauses.
WhatsApp Business API offers greater flexibility and power for companies that want to use WhatsApp to interact with customers. However, this tool requires a more technical approach and compliance with strict WhatsApp policies.
Leave a Reply