It is very common that you already have a database of contacts' phone numbers. If so, you are probably thinking... Can I start writing to them via WhatsApp?
The answer: it depends.
Why is it important to reactivate contacts?
The problem with starting to write to all your contacts without doing a reactivation is that, in WhatsApp, you can be blocked. Even if you have the contacts and legal permission to write to them, the first time you write to a contact on WhatsApp they have the option to block you.
If several contacts block you consecutively, WhatsApp will block your account and you will not be able to use it to write to anyone.
That is why we have developed a method that we call "reactivation process" that allows you to recover those old contacts gradually without the risk of blocking.
🚨 If you are still hesitating and would prefer to start writing to everyone, answer the following 3 questions. Depending on your answers, you can start or you should 100% reactivate.
Quiz: Reactivate vs Start sending
Quiz: Reactivate vs Start sending
Do you have the specific Opt-In for WhatsApp of your contacts and you were already communicating with them through this channel (e.g., if you were using another tool)?
NO: 👇
YES: Go to Importar Contactos
Do you have an Opt-In for marketing and were you communicating with them more than 1/2 times a month by phone (SMS or WhatsApp) with them?
NO: 👇
YES: Go to Importar Contactos
Do you have less than 500 contacts?
NO: 👇
YES: Go to Importar Contactos
How to reactivate contacts
The reactivation strategy consists of dividing all your contacts into small groups and sending a daily message to each group inviting them to sign up to our WhatsApp until everyone has received it.
On average, 20-30% of the contacts sign up.
1. Divide your contacts into small groups
Ideally you will send only 100-300 contacts per day, for as many days as it takes to cover the entire database.
If you have 1,000 contacts, you will need 3-10 business days.
If you have 10,000 contacts, you will need 30-100 business days.
As the days go by and if you do not receive "worsening quality of your WhatsApp account" warnings from Facebook, you can gradually increase the volume of contacts to reactivate.
🚨 If you have > 20,000 contacts to reactivate, you can contact [email protected] and we will help you.
Save all the contacts to reactivate in separate csv files.
You can use this google sheet to prepare them: TEMPLATE: Contact Reactivation
Click File > Make a copy
Fill with 100 contacts
File > Download > csv
Repeat until you have all contacts
2. Prepare a Reactivation flow
This is a stream that we are going to launch through the broadcasts to reactivate your contacts. In the stream we welcome them to the WhatsApp channel and give them the option to subscribe.
This is an example that you can use and customize for your brand:
💡 Here is the copy so you can easily copy and edit it:
Conditional: Non-subscriber
Conditional: Non-subscriber
Opt-In Status = none
First Message (Marketing)
First Message (Marketing)
Body:
Hi {{ firstName }}, I am Niels from Hoola. I am writing to you because I wanted to introduce you to our new WhatsApp VIP Club. We promise not to write more than 2 times a month and only with exclusive offers and very special news!!!
Want to join the Club?
Footer:
Type STOP at any time to leave the Club.
Buttons:
I want to join!
No thanks…
Message Reply (Simple): YES
Message Reply (Simple): YES
Great, welcome to the Club! From now on we will keep you informed of the most exclusive news.
And if you need any help, just write to us 😊
Message Reply (Simple): NO
Message Reply (Simple): NO
No problem, if you change your mind just say so. And if you need help, you can write us by WhatsApp at any time 😊
3. Create a daily broadcast for reactivation
Every day you can make a new broadcast with the same stream you just created and a new file until you have successfully reactivated all contacts.
Go to Broadcasts > "+ Create Broadcast".
Select one of your csv files to create the segment.
Selects the created reactivation flow
Check the campaign to make sure that everything is correct and hit send
4. Repeat the process until you have reached all the contacts.
Now you just have to repeat the same process every day until you complete all the files you have created in point 1).