How to engage Whatsapp Group Members for conversions?

When you are building a WhatsApp group / community, whether it is for learning, discussion, coordination or networking… It is your job as a group / community owner to make sure that everyone feels valued and inclusive.

Take an example — if I am building a group / community, and If I don’t know my community members even after many months… I may be leaving a lot of value on the table.

And for members, they love being valued… if they are a part of any group / community… they feel valued if the group / community owner knows them.

And depending on the goal of your group/ community, whether it’s to

• Convert warm members to paid members
• Selling courses
• Learning coordination and discussions
• Discussions among fellow professionals

Here is what whatsapp group / community funnel looks like

Acquire → Activate → Engage → Super Active → Advocacy

Warming group members is extremely difficult.

Because that requires 1:1 messaging with group members and it’s too manual on WhatsApp.

Here is what actually works if you want to warm group / community members and achieve the corresponding goals.

1. Personal welcome to everyone who joins the group — Activation
2. Personal reply to active members who post something thoughtful — Engagement
3. Addressing un-answered queries — Engagement
4. Sharing discussion summaries on topics or weekly summaries with members — Activate, Engagement
5. Identifying the segments of members as in Active / Engaged / Passive / Dormant (depending on their activity in the group) and message a common message to all segments
   5.a Convert super active to advocates
   5.b Convert engaged to super actives
   5.c Convert dormants to engaged
6. Regular messaging to all group members in batches of group discussions, opportunities, or updates with always a CTA to save your number.
7. Invite super active and advocate members to conduct / organize some collaborative initiatives for the community

Deeping dive on all of these pointers…

1. Personal Welcome to New Members — Activation

When new members join, give them a warm, personalized welcome. This makes them feel valued and sets a positive tone for their time in the group. A simple welcome message can introduce them to the group’s purpose, highlight key discussions, and encourage them to introduce themselves. This early connection boosts the chances they’ll become active participants.

2. Personal Replies to Thoughtful Posts — Engagement

Engaging with members who share thoughtful content is crucial for building an active community. By personally responding, you show appreciation, spark more discussion, and set the example for others. This not only strengthens the bond within the group but also encourages more members to share their insights, knowing their contributions are valued.

3. Addressing Unanswered Queries — Engagement

Unanswered questions can cause frustration and disengagement. Quickly addressing or directing these queries to knowledgeable members makes everyone feel supported and valued. This keeps conversations active and shows that the community cares about each member’s input, encouraging more participation and contributions.

4. Sharing Discussion Summaries or Weekly Summaries — Activation & Engagement

Regularly sharing summaries of key discussions or weekly highlights keeps everyone informed, especially those who missed conversations. These summaries can reignite interest among passive members, give context to new members, and reinforce important points. This practice helps activate and engage members by showing the community’s ongoing activity.

5. Segmenting Members (Active, Engaged, Passive, Dormant) and Targeted Messaging

Identifying and segmenting members based on their activity levels allows for more personalized communication strategies. By sending tailored messages to each segment, you can address their specific needs and encourage the desired behavior:

- Active Members: Keep them motivated with recognition and new opportunities.

- Engaged Members: Encourage them to contribute even more by highlighting their impact.

- Passive Members: Gently nudge them with content that might reignite their interest.

- Dormant Members: Send reactivation messages that remind them of the group’s value.

5.a Convert Super Active Members to Advocates

Super active members are highly engaged and great candidates to become advocates. Encourage them to take on leadership roles, share experiences, or help with community-building efforts. This strengthens their connection to the group and uses their influence to attract and engage others.

5.b Convert Engaged Members to Super Actives

Engaged members are active but could do more. Offer them small leadership roles, special projects, or opportunities to host discussions to boost their involvement. Recognizing their efforts and giving them more chances to contribute can help them become super active members.

5.3 Convert Dormant Members to Engaged

Dormant members may feel disconnected or lose interest. To re-engage them, send personalized messages about recent updates, remind them of the group’s value, or invite them to simple activities. Offering opportunities related to their past interests can also spark their engagement again.

6. Regular Messaging to All Members with Calls-to-Action (CTA)

Regular updates keep members informed and connected. These messages can share recent discussions, upcoming opportunities, or important news. Adding a call-to-action, like saving the leader’s number or joining a poll, encourages active participation and keeps communication open.

7. Invite Super Active and Advocate Members to Organize Collaborative Initiatives

Super active and advocate members are deeply invested in the community, making them perfect to lead collaborative efforts. Invite them to organize events, host webinars, or create content for the group. This gives them ownership and strengthens the community by involving more members in its growth. Their leadership can inspire others and boost overall engagement.

By implementing these strategies, you can foster a dynamic, engaged, and thriving community where members feel to become ambassadors and advocates.

But doing all of this is next to impossible on WhatsApp.

That’s where Whatlist comes in… it just help you with everything as your “Automation, Analytics and AI Co-pilot” for Whatsapp Groups

Do check out Whatlist, if you are building WhatsApp groups with a business goal attached. It would save you resources and increase outcomes.

Whatlist.io can help you get more from your personal WhatsApp account. Even without an API key.

Note — We have launched a WhatsApp Announcement Group, where we share Whatsapp Tips, Tactics, Automations, other Whatlist features, checklist, guides and How-To’s regularly

Please join using this link

Checkout Whatlist to scale your Whatsapp Groups and Business Outreach using Automation, Analytics and AI

More from me

Here’s some great articles on Go-to-market strategies:

1. Whatsapp Group Hacks — Increase Engagement and Growth
2. Automate “Marketing Funnel” and “Learning Operations” Whatsapp Groups — For EdTech companies

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