10 Apr 2024
WhatsApp broadcast messages have resulted in a 7x increase in response rates and a 65% increase in conversions. Companies using WhatsApp broadcasts generate more sales opportunities and keep customers coming back.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to schedule WhatsApp broadcast messages and create WhatsApp newsletters. From once-off broadcasts to automated campaigns. We'll cover step-by-step instructions for every platform, give you tips for creating engaging messages, and real-world examples.
Why businesses should schedule WhatsApp messages
Timely engagement and improved open rates
Scheduling your WhatsApp messages ensures they get delivered at the best times when your recipients are most likely to see and engage with them. Whether it's during commute hours, lunch breaks, or evenings - you can time your messages perfectly. 41% of customers prefer to receive messages in the morning. This increases open rates and overall engagement compared to sporadic, off-peak messaging.
Automated customer nurturing
With scheduled WhatsApp messages, you can automatically nurture leads and customers over time through WhatsApp. Set up sequences and campaigns that provide educational content, exclusive offers, reminders, and personalised check-ins. This keeps your business top-of-mind and efficiently guides contacts down the sales funnel.
Better marketing campaigns
Got an upcoming product launch, sale, webinar or event? Schedule promotional WhatsApp messages in advance so your customers don't miss a beat. You can also re-share top-performing broadcasts when new audiences join your list. Scheduled messaging ensures your marketing operates like a well-oiled machine.
Timely customer support
Scheduled messages aren't just for marketing purposes - you can also automate account updates, reminders, and personalised check-ins for customer support and success. For example, schedule payment reminders, shipping updates, or quarterly company updates to keep customers at all times.
How to schedule WhatsApp messages on Android and iPhone
While WhatsApp's standard mobile apps don't have built-in scheduling features, there's a workaround using third-party tools. The process differs slightly between Android and iOS:
Android
Install a scheduling app like Skedit.
Open the app and grant the necessary permissions.
Pick a group or recipients, then choose the date and time.
Tap the “schedule” button.
iPhone
Install the Shortcuts app from the App Store. It normally comes pre-installed with your device.
Go to the Automation tab and click on “create personal automation.”
Select the “time of day” trigger.
Now use the timer field to set the time you want the automation to run.
Now set the message frequency by selecting either daily, weekly, or monthly under the “repeat” section and hit “next”.
Hit the “add action” button.
Go to the “Apps” tab, scroll down, choose WhatsApp and choose the “Send Message” action.
Tap the “message” field and type your message.
Click on “recipients” and enter the number of the person you want to message. Or hit the plus icon and choose a contact in your list.
Click “next”, and on the following screen, toggle off the “ask before running” button and choose “don't ask” when prompted.
Finally, hit the done button to save the automation.
While convenient for basic once-off scheduling on a personal level, these workarounds have limits for businesses and take way too long. This begs the question of whether the WhatsApp Business mobile app is sufficient.
How to schedule messages using the WhatsApp Business app
The free WhatsApp Business mobile app doesn’t exactly allow you to schedule broadcast messages, but it does allow basic scheduling for away messages when your contacts message you. Here’s how to schedule away messages using the WhatsApp Business mobile app:
Open the WhatsApp Business app.
Click on “More options” and then “Business tools," followed by “Away message.”
Activate and turn on the “Send away message” option.
Under “Away message”, click on the message section to edit it, then tap OK.
Click on “Schedule” to schedule your away message. There are 3 options:
Always send: Send at all times.
Custom schedule: Send only during the specified period.
Outside of business hours: Send only outside of business hours.
Click on “Recipients” to decide who should get your message. Choose from the following options:
Everyone: Send to anyone who messages you while you have the Away Message feature turned on.
Everyone not in address book: Send only to customers who aren't in your address book.
Everyone except: Send to all customers except those you select.
Only send to: Send only to selected contacts.
Click the save button.
How to schedule WhatsApp broadcast messages using Cue
Cue’s platform makes it easier to schedule WhatsApp broadcast messages by following these simple instructions:
Sign into the Cue platform.
Click on the 'Broadcasts' icon on the left-hand side.
Click on 'Create a broadcast'.
Name your template for internal purposes.
Select the specific template name from the drop-down (these are all of your approved templates).
Upload your list of recipients.
Specify any variables to be used.
Specify any media to be used.
Send or schedule the broadcast.
Using variables in Cue
Your recipient file can also contain additional columns for variables that have been included in your approved WhatsApp template. These variables must be named and ordered per column in your file according to the sequence they appear in the approved template.
If your template has any variables, these will be pulled from your recipient file and will automatically be shown in the template preview.
Variables allow you to insert personalised data into your message templates, adding that extra special touch.
An online clothing store running a promotion could use the following template and variables:
When you upload your recipient list with columns for "customer_name," and "expiry_date," Cue will automatically populate those values into the template for each recipient.
Creating WhatsApp broadcast templates
Creating templates in Cue is simple. Follow our guide on how to create a WhatsApp template. When you create a template with Meta Business Manager and it’s approved, you'll receive a template name.
These template names will automatically be linked to your broadcast tool and will be shown in a drop-down format for you to choose from in the template name field. A preview of the template will also be shown, making it easy to ensure you're using the right one.
Cue makes it easy to create and schedule WhatsApp broadcast messages, but if you ever need a hand, the support team is always ready to help.
WhatsApp broadcast examples
One of the most effective ways to leverage WhatsApp and boost sales and customer support is through broadcast messages. These messages can be sent to a large number of contacts at once, making it an efficient way to share updates, promotions, or important information.
Here are some use cases and scenarios for different industries, along with sample WhatsApp broadcast messages:
Insurance industry
When an insurance company wants to inform its customers about changes in policy terms or remind them about upcoming premium payments, WhatsApp broadcast messages are an effective way to get the word out.
Event marketing with WhatsApp
Did you know that events in South Africa have generated over R90 billion for the country and created over 200,000 jobs? That’s not all. In 2022, the UK had over 1 million events and conferences. Events are a big deal, and WhatsApp makes it easy to get sign-ups and promote the event. Event management companies can use WhatsApp to sell tickets and promote their upcoming music festivals, conferences, workshops, and other events.
Car dealerships
Car dealerships can use broadcasts to inform their customers about the latest vehicle models or special discounts and promotions.
WhatsApp broadcast messaging tips
Create engaging content: Use concise, clear copy, engaging visuals, and clear CTAs.
Segment your audience list: Tailor and create content to specific interests, demographics, and locations.
Don't over-promote: Mix marketing with regular value-adding content. Don’t just use broadcast messages for promotional campaigns.
Stay consistent: Decide how often you want to send broadcasts and stick to the schedule. Whether it’s once a week or once a month.
Offer opt-outs: Don't abuse the intimacy of WhatsApp by forcing messages. Allow customers to opt out of your broadcast list.
Combine channels: Use WhatsApp broadcasts alongside live chat, chatbots, and web widgets for maximum engagement.
Get started with WhatsApp broadcasts
Finding hacks to schedule WhatsApp broadcasts is a tiresome and complicated process. That's where Cue comes in. There’s no hacking required; it’s quick and easy - and with the ability to integrate features like chatbots and live chat, you can get better engagement, more sales and offer better support. Get in touch with Cue for a demo!
