Is WhatsApp Newsletter the same as email newsletter?

No, but the concept is the same, only on a different channel. While email newsletters are sent to users' email addresses, WhatsApp Newsletter is sent directly to users' WhatsApp accounts through the instant messaging app, which has a much higher open rate (>90%) as compared to email (20%).

Is WhatsApp Newsletter free to use?

Yes, but the free version has its limitations. WhatsApp Business itself is a free messaging app, but you only broadcast the newsletter to 256 contacts. There is also a higher chance of getting reported as spam. If you use WhatsApp Business API to send WhatsApp Newsletters through a WhatsApp BSP (Business Solution Provider), there will be subscription and conversation fees. Consult our experts to find out how to create the best WhatsApp Newsletter strategy for your business.

Will my WhatsApp Business account get banned for sending WhatsApp Newsletter?

If your WhatsApp Newsletter violates WhatsApp's terms of service or spam guidelines, your WhatsApp Business account may be banned. To avoid this, make sure you only send relevant and valuable content to users who have opted in to receive your messages, and avoid sending too many messages too frequently. Using the WhatsApp Business API, you can also apply for the WhatsApp Business green tick verification to show brand reliability and prevent users from reporting your account.

Why do people use WhatsApp instead of email?

People use WhatsApp instead of email because it offers instant messaging, real-time communication, and ease of use. It supports features like group chats, voice and video calls, file sharing, and end-to-end encryption, making it more convenient and faster for personal and informal communication compared to email.

Is WhatsApp marketing effective?

Yes, WhatsApp marketing is effective. With over 3 billion active users, it allows businesses to engage directly with customers through personalized messages, high open rates (more than 90%), and real-time communication, making it a powerful tool for customer engagement and conversions.

What is the difference between a WhatsApp group and a broadcast list?

A WhatsApp group is a shared chat where all members can see each other and all messages. A broadcast list allows you to send a single message to multiple people at once, appearing as a private message to each recipient. Replies to a broadcast are sent only to you, not to the entire list.

How do I create a WhatsApp broadcast list?

To create a WhatsApp broadcast list, open WhatsApp and go to the Chats screen. Tap "More options" (three dots) on Android or "Broadcast Lists" on iPhone, then select "New Broadcast." Choose the contacts you want to add to the list and tap the checkmark or "Create" to finalize. Messages sent to a broadcast list are delivered individually, and recipients won’t see each other.

What are the disadvantages of WhatsApp broadcast?

The WhatsApp Business App broadcasts are useful, but they have some drawbacks. You can only include up to 256 contacts in each list, and your recipients must have your number saved in their contacts to receive your messages. Additionally, broadcasts lack personalization since the same message goes out to everyone, and you can't get delivery confirmations for individual recipients or track performance metrics.

What is the maximum number of WhatsApp messages per day?

The free WhatsApp Business App lets you broadcast messages to up to 256 contacts at once. For the WhatsApp Business API, daily message limits depend on your tier, ranging from 1,000 customers per day (Tier 1) to unlimited messages (Tier 4). To move up a tier, maintain a high-quality rating and consistently send a substantial number of messages.

How to Set Up a WhatsApp Newsletter for Your Business

WhatsApp newsletter is becoming increasingly popular amongst marketers, providing them with a great way to reach their customers directly. With 3.14 billion users on WhatsApp worldwide, they offer an unparalleled direct line to your audience.

Sky-High Engagement Rates: WhatsApp achieved a 98% open rate, far surpassing the 20-25% of email. Click-through rates often hit 45-60%, thanks to daily app usage that ensures real-time connection other channels can't match.
A Direct Path to Revenue: High engagement drives sales. 66% of users have made purchases after interacting with brands on WhatsApp, and 69% are more likely to buy when businesses use the platform. Its conversational feel builds trust, while features like product catalogs simplify buying.

whatsapp chat with sleekflow api for support options

WhatsApp newsletter is a type of broadcast message used by businesses to reach out to their subscribers on WhatsApp. It involves sending:

Regular updates and company news
Special offers and promotions
Any other information that might interest your subscribers

Sending a newsletter via WhatsApp is an effective way for businesses to keep their subscribers informed, engaged, and connected with their brand. However, it's important to note that businesses must follow WhatsApp's guidelines and regulations for sending promotional messages to avoid being flagged as spam.

Make sure the subscribers in your WhatsApp newsletter contact list provided your business with their WhatsApp phone number for opt-in. If they report your WhatsApp messages as spam, it will affect the quality rating of your WhatsApp Business account.

Get customer to opt-in on WhatsApp for better quality rating

Combined with automation features such as automated segmentation and drip campaigns, WhatsApp newsletter allows businesses to connect better with their audience. For example, you can:

Create engaging newsletters tailored to your customers' interests.
Track metrics like buttons and media click-through rates.
Use the data you collect to improve engagement over time.

1. Direct, intimate communication with customers on WhatsApp

When a user subscribes to a WhatsApp Newsletter, they are giving the business permission to send them updates, news, offers, promotions, or any other information of interest directly to their WhatsApp account. This creates a direct line of communication between the business and the audience, enabling businesses to reach their audience in a more personal and engaging way.

Also, a WhatsApp newsletter tool takes this a step further by letting you send personalized messages. You can do this by:

Segmenting your audience: Group users based on their interests, demographics, or behavior.
Creating relevant content: Tailor your messages to each segment, making them more engaging.

This makes the message more relevant and engaging, leading to higher engagement rates

2. Wider reach through WhatsApp’s large user base

WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion active users. This makes it an excellent platform for businesses to reach a large audience. With WhatsApp Newsletter, businesses are able to:

Reach subscribers instantly: Your messages arrive in real-time, no matter where your audience is located.
Expand your global reach: It’s an ideal tool for businesses with an international customer base or those looking to expand into new markets.

3. Higher open rates on WhatsApp as compared to email

WhatsApp newsletter has a higher open rate (approximately 99%) compared to email marketing (approximately 21%). This high open rate can be attributed to several factors:

Immediate attention: WhatsApp messages are typically read and responded to almost instantly, making it a powerful way to grab your audience's attention.
No more spam folders: Unlike emails, WhatsApp messages rarely get lost in spam, ensuring your message actually gets delivered and seen.

Coffee++ achieves higher open rates on WhatsApp compared to email with SleekFlow

Coffee++, a Brazilian specialty coffee brand, aimed to democratize 100% Arabica coffee but faced challenges in balancing B2C e-commerce demands with customer engagement.

The lack of a unified, scalable tool to integrate WhatsApp with Shopify and into their CRM strategy hindered personalized customer engagement and campaign scalability.

Coffee++ adopted SleekFlow, allowing segmented broadcast campaigns based on customer profiles and personalizing support, while tracking performance like CSAT and churn rates.

Revenue from WhatsApp doubled in just two months compared to email.
WhatsApp now represents 70% of CRM revenue.
Over 200,000 marketing messages are sent per quarter.

4. Cost-effective marketing solution with WhatsApp Business

WhatsApp newsletter is a cost-effective way for businesses to reach their audience. Here's why it's so budget-friendly:

Zero cost: Unlike traditional marketing channels like TV, radio, or print ads, WhatsApp is completely free to use.
Free setup: All you need is a WhatsApp Business account, which you can set up at no cost.

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Before you start broadcasting your WhatsApp Business newsletter, you must first create the content for it. Here are a few tips to create an engaging WhatsApp newsletter:

Define your goals and audience
Plan your content, make it interesting, informative, and relevant, and keep your content short and concise
Use engaging visuals such as images, videos, or GIFs
Segment your audience and send more personalized messages that resonate with them based on their interests, demographics, or behavior
Provide a CTA (Call-to-Action) such as a quick reply button, a link to your website, or a message to encourage them to share your WhatsApp Newsletter with their friends

The content for your WhatsApp Business newsletter will need to be drafted and sent to WhatsApp for approval. There are rules and guidelines you will need to follow for these WhatsApp messages, and they are called template messages.

Le Dessert broadcast WhatsApp Business newsletter

WhatsApp newsletter can be used for various purposes, including but not limited to:

Monthly promotions for members or loyal customers
Regular news updates about the business/brand
Early access to product launch
Distribution of early bird discounts
Festive wishes to cultivate customer loyalty
Relocation or opening of new branches
Seasonal or limited-time menu of a restaurant

Below are some of the successful WhatsApp Newsletter examples that brands can use as references:

SleekFlow WhatsApp Broadcast for personalized messaging

For those who are still wondering how to send a newsletter to WhatsApp, TKD Lingerie’s campaign is one of the great WhatsApp Newsletter examples. Using an official WhatsApp Business API account, TKD Lingerie, an award-winning GCC retail brand, broadcasted their WhatsApp Business Newsletter to 4,500 customers to promote their 3-for-2 promotion.

A 74% message open rate
78 closed online-to-offline sales attributions
An outstanding 40X return on ad spend (ROAS) in just 7 days

A lot of people prefer being contacted via their mobiles over email. We have seen a better open rate with SleekFlow Broadcasting and a really good return on Broadcasting messages.

Kate Kikano

Founder of TKD Lingerie

Another one of the best WhatsApp Newsletter examples can be found in Bossini, a renowned fashion retailer in Asia, who distributed 10,000 copies of exclusive coupon books through the WhatsApp Business Newsletter.

An 80% message open rate
An over 14% response rate
10,000 coupon books claimed in just five days
18% of membership sales were generated by directing members to physical stores.

The increase in in-store traffic created tremendous sales opportunities despite the pandemic.

Retail selling is all about communication. The messaging data generated by SleekFlow is critical for us to drive lasting sales performance.

Yonnie Wong

Senior Marketing Manager of bossini

Using WhatsApp Newsletter service includes starting business-initiated conversations with customers. The cost for WhatsApp’s business-initiated conversations varies depending on a few factors:

Country/Region: WhatsApp charges different rates depending on the country code of your customer's phone number.
WhatsApp Business Solution Provider (BSP): The BSP you choose to partner with may also affect the overall pricing.

To understand how WhatsApp pricing works, read our WhatsApp Business API pricing blog on the latest pricing for WhatsApp Business.

As more businesses are using WhatsApp for their marketing and customer communication, it is essential to follow WhatsApp's policies to avoid any account suspension or termination.

Get permission with explicit opt-ins

Compliance starts with one simple rule: active user consent. According to WhatsApp’s Business Messaging Policy, a user must explicitly agree to receive messages from you.

This consent must be specific to WhatsApp and cannot be hidden within a general terms-and-conditions document.

Best practice: Include a clear checkbox with simple language indicating the user is agreeing to receive WhatsApp updates.
What to avoid: Never assume consent. Providing a phone number during a purchase doesn’t mean the customer has agreed to receive newsletters.
Respect user control: Always offer a straightforward way for users to opt out or withdraw consent at any time.

Follow content and category restrictions

Before sending that newsletter, make sure it strictly follows WhatsApp’s Business Messaging Policy. This is a requirement to keep your account active.

Prohibited Content: Sending content related to prohibited industries—such as tobacco, alcohol, weapons, or adult content—can lead to immediate account suspension.
Message Templates: Any automated messages sent outside the 24-hour customer service window must use pre-approved Message Templates. These templates are vetted to prevent spam.
No Spam: Remember, "bulk messaging" to users who haven't opted in is considered spam and is strictly forbidden.

Respect data privacy and processing

If your business operates in or targets customers within the European Economic Area (EEA), staying compliant with strict privacy laws like GDPR is absolutely essential.

Legal basis: You need a lawful reason to process user data. For marketing newsletters, this is almost always "consent".
Data minimization: Only collect the data you actually need to deliver your newsletter.
Third-party transfers: Since WhatsApp uses Meta’s global infrastructure, data may be transferred to the U.S. Ensure you have the proper contractual clauses in place to cover these transfers.

Prioritize transparency and consumer rights

Privacy laws like Europe's GDPR and California's CCPA give users specific, legally enforceable rights over their personal data.

Transparency: Just as WhatsApp publishes reports on how they handle data, your business should be clear about how you use subscriber information.
The right to be forgotten: Users have the right to access, fix, or delete their data. If a subscriber asks to be removed, you must immediately scrub their information from your broadcast lists and CRM.

Security: While WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption for message content, they still process metadata (like who you messaged and when). Ensure your internal handling of this data matches your stated privacy policy.

Now, if you’re still thinking about how to send a newsletter to WhatsApp, here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Own a WhatsApp Business account on the free app or WhatsApp Business Platform

To get started with creating a WhatsApp Business Newsletter, the first step is to own a WhatsApp Business account. You can choose between two options:

Free WhatsApp Business app: This is the standard, free version of the app.
WhatsApp Business Platform: Also known as the WhatsApp Cloud API, this option gives you access to more advanced features. To use it, you'll need to partner with a WhatsApp Business Solution Provider (BSP).

Once you have your WhatsApp Business account set up, you'll need to create a contact list to send your newsletter to. On the free WhatsApp Business App, you can only broadcast to 256 contacts.

But if you’re using a WhatsApp Business API, you can broadcast messages to an unlimited number of contacts (since they give you the opt-in permission).

You may also risk losing your WhatsApp Business account if the users report your messages as spam and WhatsApp bans your account. This is why it is critical to ensure that your contacts have opted in to receive your newsletter.

So, how do you get those valuable opt-ins? Here are a few common ways:

Add a call-to-action (CTA) button on your Facebook Business page.
Share WhatsApp QR codes during campaigns or at events.
Run click-to-WhatsApp ads, which allow users to start a conversation with your business directly.

Step 3: Get your WhatsApp Template Messages approved

The next step is to get your WhatsApp Template Messages approved. WhatsApp has strict guidelines for sending messages to users, so it's important to ensure that your messages comply with their policies. From February 2022, a couple of things have changed:

All business-initiated conversations must use template messages.
Meta must approve all your messages before you send them to your clients.

Use variables to set up template messages and ensure that your customers get personalized WhatsApp newsletters.

Once your template messages are approved, you can start sending or scheduling your WhatsApp Business Newsletter. Here’s how you can streamline the process:

Use a broadcast list to send personalized messages to multiple contacts at once. This allows you to reach a large audience quickly without the need to copy and paste messages.
Optimize the process by using a platform like SleekFlow to broadcast your messages efficiently.

After sending your WhatsApp Business newsletter, it is recommended that you analyze its performance and refine your approach. You can use detailed analytics to track metrics such as:

Message delivery rate: How many of your messages successfully reached your contacts?
Open rate: Who actually opened your newsletter?
Click-through rate (CTR): How many people clicked on the links inside your message?

By analyzing these metrics, you can gain insights into how your audience is engaging with your content and make adjustments to improve the effectiveness of your WhatsApp Business newsletter. Refining your approach can help you achieve better results and keep your audience engaged over time.

Find out all you need to know about WhatsApp Broadcast for your WhatsApp Business Newsletter in this WhatsApp broadcast guide

WhatsApp newsletter ready-to-use examples are pre-designed message templates that you can use to send out your newsletters quickly and easily through WhatsApp. They are perfect for businesses looking to streamline their communication with customers and reach them where they are most active. Here are four message templates you can use for your WhatsApp Newsletter:

Distributing discount voucher

Dear [name],

We have a special discount just for you! Use the code 'DISCOUNT10' at checkout to receive 10% off your next purchase. This offer is only valid for the next 48 hours, so act fast and take advantage of this exclusive deal!

Announcing new product launches

Hi [name]!

We're excited to announce the launch of our [new product line]! Our latest product(s), [product name], is/are now available for purchase and we can't wait for you to try it/them out. Check out our website [link] or visit our store to see the full range of products.

Sending back-in-stock alerts

Great news! Our popular product, [product name] was out of stock and is now back on the shelf. Don't miss out on this chance to get your hands on it. Order now before it sells out again!

Hey [name], you’re in luck!

For a limited time only, we're offering a buy-one-get-one-free deal on our best-selling products. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to stock up on your favorites or try something new. Hurry, this offer ends in 24 hours!

SleekFlow platform automation feature for WhatsApp marketing messages

To create a high-performing WhatsApp newsletter, you will need a great WhatsApp newsletter tool, and SleekFlow is perfect for your business!

SleekFlow’s platform has the following features:

Quick and easy onboarding process
Shared inbox for teams to manage conversations simultaneously
Automation features with an easy-to-use interface
Detailed analytics for campaign analyses
Stable, native integration to consolidate customer information from e-commerce stores (e.g. Shopify) to CRM platforms (e.g. Salesforce & HubSpot)
AgentFlow is an AI tool that enables you to create teams of specialized AI agents to qualify leads, recommend products, schedule meetings, and update your CRM without human intervention.

While using the WhatsApp newsletter service is important, it is also essential for businesses to adopt an omnichannel marketing strategy to keep up with consumer needs in today’s digital age. Attending channel-hopping customers with a premium customer experience will allow your businesses to stand out from the crowd.

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WhatsApp Newsletter: Tools for Your Business

1. Direct, intimate communication with customers on WhatsApp

2. Wider reach through WhatsApp’s large user base

3. Higher open rates on WhatsApp as compared to email

Coffee++ achieves higher open rates on WhatsApp compared to email with SleekFlow