Build your WhatsApp list
Just like building your email list, building a WhatsApp list will take time and it's best to use as many different tactics and approaches as possible. One of the big benefits of WhatsApp is its potential to reach different groups who are less likely to engage with emails, and so it's important to try a range of sign up journeys in addition to any email asks you send.
Our support team is always on hand to think through new ideas or help with technical info on how to set up these journeys and asks - just email support@movement.industries
For the technical information on how the sign up process works, see our help article on the sign up process using emails and direct links or if you collect phone numbers with WhatsApp sign up consents, you can upload a list of supporters into Movement.
Ambient asks
Ambient asks are one of the strongest tools available to grow your WhatsApp list. By including a WhatsApp sign up in your user journey you are reaching people at a time where they are most engaged and you can give them a compelling reason to sign up to WhatsApp to hear urgent and important updates on the action they have just taken.
You will also be reaching the full range of supporters who are taking action with you- not just those who are likely to open a specific email. You can think about having different journeys depending on how the member reached the action, for example having a WhatsApp sign up and post action ask when people come from social shares or social media asks.
- Add a WhatsApp sign up ask to your action form: Think about giving new joiners the option of email or WhatsApp as a sign up route, introduce a WhatsApp sign up ask for existing email subscribers.
- Post-action WhatsApp ask: Personalise the ask based on the action the supporter has just taken and give them a strong reason to sign up, whether that's getting the most urgent news, being the first to take action or social proof. You can also include this ask and sign up link in your thank you emails.
- In-action WhatsApp ask: When you're doing surveys, gathering case studies and personal experiences or organising events or demos, consider including a WhatsApp sign up in the action. Again making the case for sign up using benefits that will feel relevant for the action.
- WhatsApp action: Think about ways to make using WhatsApp part of the action - for example submit a video or photo by signing up and sending through WhatsApp.
One off asks
Making a direct case for WhatsApp with a one off ask is a no brainer. Inviting your most active supporters to join WhatsApp via email is a great start. But don't forget that those people who are your most active supporters now, are active because email is a channel that works for them. So don't cast the net too close and think in depth about how you can reach supporters for whom WhatsApp could be a more favourable channel.
- Develop and email arch where you plan asks that speak to different groups and their preferences, and use all the tools available like social proof, fomo and evidence of impact.
- Think about if you can reach groups who don't open and engage with emails with one off asks too. For example, you could set up social ads targeting people who have taken action more than once via social shares or social ads.
WhatsApp supporters share asks
Just like growing an email list, your existing subscribers are a important tool to help you reach new subscribers. Make sure you include share asks in your WhatsApp comms with a call to action to sign up to WhatsApp to take part in the campaign or action. You can use WhatsApp share links to create a seamless in app journey, or simply take advantage of easy forwarding!
Leverage the strength of peer to peer asks to build your list but also keep the benefits of immediacy and urgency that WhatsApp lends itself to. So as well as straight WhatsApp join shares, use this CTA when running rapid response, celebrating campaign wins, or when your issue is high in the news.
Don't forget to follow through on your sign up pitch promises!
If you're pitching your WhatsApp channel as the best way to get urgent updates or be the first to take action make sure you follow through. It takes only a few minutes to send a WhatsApp, so when running rapid response to news or campaign developments, send out a quick short WhatsApp asap.
In the long run the best way to grow and maintain your WhatsApp list is to give your supporters something they value. Keep your WhatsApp relevant, timely and compelling, and give your supporters new and easier ways to get involved in the causes and issues they care about.