Nowadays, everyone who knows China and how to do business in this country will tell you that social media platforms like Tencent’s WeChat are the future when it comes to marketing strategies.
In fact, because of this network, every small company using WeChat has become a real competitor. Because they can target a huge percentage of the population.
There are hundreds of millions of people using WeChat, a huge number of potential consumers.
To engage with fans and customers, a company has to know how to maximize business through WeChat.
If you’re still trying to figure WeChat out, I recommend you first watch this video:
Be Innovative on WeChat
On WeChat, everything is possible, and cooperation with Tencent is possible. A hotel may develop a WeChat app-based solution. Smarthotel, for example, is in partnership with WeChat.
WeChat with Caesars Entertainment and Ayla Networks showcase hotel rooms of the future.
Invest in Quality Content (Chinese like it)
Many brands have their personal accounts that people can follow, subscribe to and become a member of their network. There are many verified accounts but also non-verified accounts. A verified account means that WeChat recognizes that the account is official and shares high quality, creative content. When a brand’s account is verified, they can attract audiences by posting high-quality media content with audio messages, videos, photos and text for their fans and followers.
For example ‘Treelabs’, a Bluetooth speaker brand provides a daily playlist of songs from different countries. This way their community can listen to international music. Here’s a playlist for you.
Develop Loyalty Programs for WeChat Users
WeChat allows a company or a brand to convert their followers into members. A business can use a marketing strategy of creating loyalty programmes using geo-location services to locate consumers and offer promotions close to them.
There are three ways to market to consumers on WeChat:
- Offer a VIP card through the app
- Send promotions
- Give e-coupons that they can exchange in stores
Watsons, the largest personal care store in China opened an official WeChat channel. Chinese customers can purchase their products through the WeChat store. In China, the followers also have exclusive access to their services and receive discounts at the nearest Watson’s store by sending their location to the account. Official Account ID: WatsonsMalaysia
020 (Online to Offline) via QR Codes
The companies looking to bring more followers and fans onto WeChat embed a QR Code linked to their account in as many places as they can. The moment someone scans the QR Code, they become a member and follows all the shared content.
Brands put QR Codes on their physical products and entice consumers to scan it with promotions, discounts, lucky draws, souvenirs or a WiFi pass.
Companies also feature their QR Code on their Weibo page or wall posts to grab attention.
For example, you can check the WeChat of the artist, Patrick the Chinese. Every day he publishes funny videos and stories
Offer Incentives to WeChat Users
Through WeChat, you can communicate and advertise directly on smartphones apps. Businesses attract consumers with prizes, promotions or pictures and they will follow. Learn more about WeChat marketing.
Targeting specific communities also a good strategy. Here’s are the top 5 WeChat channels for Wine lovers. Give your new followers a gift that meets their specific likes and needs.
Create Websites inside WeChat
Another WeChat tool allows brands to create small websites to give followers a better brand experience. There are two interacting menus for marketing purposes; this helps one to better manage interaction with fans.
Examples of WeChat marketing campaigns:
McDonald’s WeChat marketing campaign
The international fast food company McDonald’s quickly understood the power of WeChat in their marketing strategy. They have been highly active on the network. They share fun and interactive content through the audio function. The brand also sponsored a contest asking people to record a ‘Big Mac Rap’. This inspired online fans because the campaign was fun and free. Engaging directly with consumers helps to improve the brand’s image and its e-reputation.
Burberry’s WeChat marketing campaign
Burberry is known as one of the most appreciated brands in China, they have used WeChat for the London runway show, audio commentary was offered by Chinese celebrities. They used WeChat for their London runway show, and audio commentary was given by Chinese celebrities. They sent a virtual plaque engraved with the names of all people who sent them a message. It was a way to make followers feel unique and to feel they have a relation with the brand they love. This is a way brands can develop loyalty.
Check out a video of the campaign here:
WeChat has become a lucrative marketing platform with its plethora of different functions. Brands and companies can geo-localize potential consumers, categorize them, and target them effectively.
Further Reading: 5 WeChat Marketing Case Studies You Can Learn From
Hero photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Unsplash
WeChat Marketing FAQs
WeChat lets brands, individuals, and companies to create WeChat Official Accounts to help them promote their businesses. Once they have an account, users can follow them and be notified whenever they post — which is similar to Facebook. Check this WeChat marketing guide to learn more.
There are 2.5 million registered businesses on WeChat. Hence, there is strong competition. To effectively promote your business on WeChat, you need to be creative and innovative, produce quality content, create loyalty programs, promotions, and even incentives for your followers.
There are several ways to get clients on WeChat. You can offer a VIP card to your members through the app, send promotions, and give e-coupons they can use to exchange in stores. However, the key is to actively engage with your followers so you can eventually turn them into customers and make them purchase your items.
WeChat has 1.2 Billion monthly active users as of the third quarter of 2020. Advertising on WeChat means you will be able to reach out to 1.2 Billion potential customers. You just need to think of a creative marketing strategy to effectively promote your brand/business on WeChat.
On September 18, 2020, the US Commerce Department have prohibited Americans from downloading Chinese-owned apps WeChat and TikTok due to the threat to the national security, foreign policy, and the economy of the U.S. Both apps are not available in Apple and Google US app stores anymore.
Hi Oliver! How difficult is it to acquire a Chinese business license so that it is possible to expand your market to the Chinese audience?
Today it is possible without Chinese Business license, take time, complicated but possible.
Thanks for all your valuable info.
You are welcomed Jim :)