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Introducing WhatsApp Campaigns: Send Targeted Messages That Convert

Reach the right customers with personalized WhatsApp messages using smart contact filtering and custom templates

Entagl Team
8 min read

WhatsApp isn't just for customer support anymore. With Entagl's new WhatsApp Campaigns feature, you can turn your contact list into a powerful marketing engine. Send targeted, personalized messages to the right customers at the right time—all while staying compliant with WhatsApp's business messaging policies.

Whether you want to announce a new product, share a special offer, or re-engage inactive customers, WhatsApp campaigns help you reach your audience where they're most active. Let's explore how this game-changing feature works and why it's perfect for businesses of all sizes.

What Are WhatsApp Campaigns?

WhatsApp Campaigns let you send targeted messages to specific groups of contacts from your database. Unlike mass messaging tools that blast the same message to everyone, Entagl's campaigns use smart filtering to ensure you're sending relevant messages to the right people.

Think of it as email marketing, but for WhatsApp—with much higher open rates and engagement. While emails often get lost in crowded inboxes, WhatsApp messages are seen by 98% of recipients within minutes.

Key Features

Smart Contact Filtering

  • Filter contacts by sentiment (positive, negative, neutral)
  • Use custom columns from your contact imports
  • Target specific customer segments
  • Exclude contacts who've opted out

Template Management

  • Create reusable message templates
  • Add personalization with contact data
  • Include images, documents, and links
  • Save templates for future campaigns

Campaign Analytics

  • Track delivery and read rates
  • Monitor responses and engagement
  • Measure campaign ROI
  • Get insights for optimization

Compliance Built-In

  • Automatic opt-out handling
  • WhatsApp Business API compliance
  • Message frequency limits
  • Template approval workflow

Why WhatsApp Campaigns Work

Incredible Reach and Engagement

  • 98% open rate - Almost everyone reads WhatsApp messages
  • 90% read within 3 minutes - Instant visibility for your message
  • 45% response rate - Much higher than email or SMS
  • 2.1 billion users worldwide - Massive potential audience

Personal and Direct

WhatsApp feels personal. When customers see your message, it doesn't feel like spam—it feels like a conversation. This personal touch leads to higher engagement and better customer relationships.

Rich Media Support

Unlike SMS, WhatsApp supports images, documents, videos, and interactive buttons. You can create engaging campaigns that showcase products, share catalogs, or provide detailed information.

Global Reach

Your customers are already on WhatsApp, no matter where they are in the world. No need to worry about different messaging apps in different countries.

Perfect Use Cases for WhatsApp Campaigns

1. Product Launches and Announcements

What it's for: Introducing new products or services to your customer base.

Example Campaign:

  • Target: Customers who bought similar products in the past
  • Filter: Positive sentiment + purchased in category "Electronics"
  • Message: "🚀 New Product Alert! The iPhone 16 is here with amazing features. As a valued customer, you get early access with 10% off. Shop now: [link]"

2. Special Offers and Promotions

What it's for: Driving sales with limited-time offers or exclusive discounts.

Example Campaign:

  • Target: Customers who haven't purchased in 3+ months
  • Filter: Custom column "Last Purchase Date" + Neutral/Positive sentiment
  • Message: "We miss you! 🎁 Here's 20% off your next order to welcome you back. Valid until [date]. Use code COMEBACK20: [link]"

3. Abandoned Cart Recovery

What it's for: Bringing back customers who started but didn't complete purchases.

Example Campaign:

  • Target: Customers with items in cart
  • Filter: Custom column "Cart Status" = "Abandoned" + contacted within 24 hours
  • Message: "You left something behind! 🛒 Complete your purchase and get free shipping today. Your cart: [product details] [link]"

4. Customer Feedback and Reviews

What it's for: Collecting reviews and feedback from satisfied customers.

Example Campaign:

  • Target: Recent buyers with positive experience
  • Filter: Positive sentiment + purchased within 7 days
  • Message: "Hi [Name]! We hope you love your recent purchase. Mind sharing a quick review? It would mean the world to us: [review link]"

5. Event Invitations and Webinars

What it's for: Promoting events, webinars, or workshops to interested customers.

Example Campaign:

  • Target: Customers interested in specific topics
  • Filter: Custom column "Interest" = "Digital Marketing" + engaged recently
  • Message: "📅 Exclusive Webinar: '10 Digital Marketing Trends for 2025' - Join us this Friday at 2 PM. Reserve your spot: [link]"

6. Order Updates and Shipping Notifications

What it's for: Keeping customers informed about their orders (beyond automated messages).

Example Campaign:

  • Target: Customers with recent orders
  • Filter: Custom column "Order Status" = "Processing"
  • Message: "Great news! Your order #[OrderID] is being prepared and will ship tomorrow. Track it here: [link]"

Understanding Your Contact Database

Contact Import with Custom Columns

Before you can run targeted campaigns, you need a robust contact database. Entagl makes this easy with bulk contact import that supports custom columns.

Standard Contact Fields:

  • Name
  • Phone number
  • Email
  • Tags

Custom Columns You Can Add:

  • Purchase History: "Last Purchase Date", "Total Spent", "Favorite Category"
  • Demographics: "Age Group", "Location", "Gender"
  • Behavior: "Website Visits", "Email Opens", "Support Tickets"
  • Preferences: "Interest Areas", "Communication Frequency", "Language"
  • Business Data: "Company Size", "Industry", "Job Title"

How to Import with Custom Columns:

  1. Prepare Your CSV File

    • Include standard fields (Name, Phone, Email)
    • Add your custom columns with clear headers
    • Example: "Name", "Phone", "Last Purchase", "Sentiment Score", "Product Interest"

  2. Upload to Entagl

    • Go to Contacts → Import
    • Upload your CSV file
    • Map columns to contact fields
    • Review and confirm import

  3. Verify Custom Data

    • Check that custom columns appear in contact profiles
    • Test filtering with your custom fields
    • Update contact data as needed

Sentiment-Based Filtering

One of the most powerful features is filtering contacts by sentiment. Entagl automatically analyzes your conversation history to determine how each contact feels about your business.

Sentiment Categories:

Positive Sentiment

  • Customers who had great experiences
  • Left positive feedback or reviews
  • Showed enthusiasm in conversations
  • Made repeat purchases

Neutral Sentiment

  • Customers with standard interactions
  • Asked basic questions without complaints
  • Completed purchases without issues
  • Haven't expressed strong opinions

Negative Sentiment

  • Customers who complained or had issues
  • Left negative feedback
  • Requested refunds or returns
  • Expressed frustration in conversations

How to Use Sentiment Filtering:

  • For promotions: Target positive and neutral customers
  • For win-back campaigns: Focus on negative sentiment customers with special offers
  • For feedback requests: Only ask positive sentiment customers for reviews
  • For new product launches: Test with positive customers first

Creating Your First WhatsApp Campaign

Step 1: Set Up WhatsApp Business API

Before you can send campaigns, you need WhatsApp connected to your Entagl account.

  1. Connect WhatsApp

    • Go to Channels in your Entagl dashboard
    • Click "Connect WhatsApp"
    • Follow the setup process
    • Verify your business account

  2. Get Approved

    • Complete WhatsApp Business verification
    • Wait for approval (usually 1-3 days)
    • Test with a small message to confirm everything works

Step 2: Create Message Templates

WhatsApp requires pre-approved templates for marketing messages. Here's how to create them:

  1. Navigate to Templates

    • Go to Channels → WhatsApp (make sure WhatsApp is connected first)
    • Click on "Templates" tab
    • Click "Create New Template"

  2. Template Creation Process

    Template Name

    • Choose a descriptive name (e.g., "product_launch_promo")
    • Use lowercase letters, numbers, and underscores only
    • Make it memorable for future use

    Template Category

    • Marketing: For promotions, announcements, offers
    • Utility: For updates, receipts, confirmations
    • Authentication: For OTP and verification codes

    Template Language

    • Select your primary language
    • Add translations for different markets if needed

    Template Content

    • Write your message with placeholders for personalization
    • Example: "Hi {{1}}, check out our new {{2}} with {{3}}% off!"
    • {{1}} = Customer name, {{2}} = Product name, {{3}} = Discount
    • Keep it under 1024 characters

    Add Media (Optional)

    • Upload images for visual impact
    • Add documents like catalogs or brochures
    • Use high-quality, relevant visuals

    Call-to-Action Buttons (Optional)

    • Add "Visit Website" buttons with URLs
    • Include "Call Now" buttons with phone numbers
    • Maximum 3 buttons per template

  3. Submit for Approval

    • Review your template carefully
    • Submit to WhatsApp for approval
    • Wait 24-48 hours for approval
    • Approved templates appear in your campaign options

Template Best Practices:

  • Be Clear and Concise: Get to the point quickly
  • Add Value: Every message should benefit the customer
  • Include Personalization: Use customer names and relevant data
  • Strong Call-to-Action: Tell customers exactly what to do next
  • Avoid Spam Words: Don't use excessive caps or multiple exclamation marks
  • Test First: Send test messages to yourself before launching

Step 3: Build Your Campaign

  1. Start a New Campaign

    • Go to Campaigns → WhatsApp
    • Click "Create New Campaign"
    • Choose your approved template

  2. Define Your Audience

    Basic Filtering:

    • Select contacts with phone numbers
    • Exclude contacts who opted out
    • Choose active contacts only

    Advanced Filtering:

    By Sentiment:

    • Positive: Customers who love your business
    • Neutral: Standard customers without strong opinions
    • Negative: Customers who had issues (use carefully)
    • Mix sentiments based on campaign goals

    By Custom Columns:

    • Purchase behavior: "Last Purchase Date" within 30 days
    • Demographics: "Age Group" = "25-35"
    • Interests: "Product Interest" contains "Tech"
    • Geography: "City" = "New York"
    • Engagement: "Email Opens" > 5

    Example Filters for Different Campaigns:

    Product Launch:

    • Sentiment: Positive + Neutral
    • Custom: "Product Interest" = "Electronics"
    • Custom: "Total Spent" > $100

    Win-Back Campaign:

    • Sentiment: Negative + Neutral
    • Custom: "Last Purchase Date" > 90 days ago
    • Custom: "Total Orders" > 1

    VIP Promotion:

    • Sentiment: Positive
    • Custom: "Total Spent" > $500
    • Custom: "Loyalty Status" = "VIP"

  3. Personalize Your Message

    • Map template variables to contact data
    • {{1}} → Contact Name
    • {{2}} → Custom field like "Favorite Product"
    • {{3}} → Calculated field like "Discount Amount"
    • Preview messages with real contact data

  4. Schedule Your Campaign

    • Send immediately or schedule for later
    • Consider time zones for your audience
    • Avoid sending too early or too late
    • Best times: 10 AM - 12 PM and 2 PM - 4 PM

Step 4: Launch and Monitor

  1. Final Review

    • Double-check your audience size (not too big for first campaign)
    • Verify template personalization
    • Confirm message content and timing
    • Test with a small group first

  2. Launch Campaign

    • Click "Send Campaign"
    • Monitor initial delivery status
    • Watch for any errors or issues
    • Be ready to pause if needed

  3. Track Performance

    • Delivery Rate: Percentage of messages delivered
    • Read Rate: Percentage of delivered messages read
    • Response Rate: Percentage of customers who replied
    • Click-Through Rate: If you included links
    • Conversion Rate: Customers who took desired action

Campaign Best Practices

Frequency and Timing

Don't Overwhelm Your Customers

  • Maximum 1-2 marketing messages per week
  • Space campaigns at least 3 days apart
  • Monitor opt-out rates as a warning sign
  • Quality over quantity always wins

Optimal Sending Times

  • Tuesday-Thursday: Best engagement days
  • 10 AM - 12 PM: Morning peak
  • 2 PM - 4 PM: Afternoon peak
  • Avoid Mondays and Fridays: Lower engagement
  • Consider time zones: Send when customers are awake

Message Quality

Keep It Personal

  • Always use customer names
  • Reference their purchase history
  • Mention their preferences
  • Make it feel like a personal conversation

Provide Clear Value

  • Lead with what's in it for them
  • Make offers time-sensitive
  • Include exclusive benefits
  • Solve a problem they have

Make It Actionable

  • Include clear next steps
  • Use action words like "Shop", "Claim", "Discover"
  • Provide direct links
  • Make it easy to respond

Compliance and Ethics

Respect Opt-Outs

  • Honor unsubscribe requests immediately
  • Make opting out easy
  • Don't try to re-engage opted-out contacts
  • Keep clean, updated lists

Follow WhatsApp Guidelines

  • Only use approved templates
  • Don't send spam or irrelevant content
  • Respect message limits
  • Maintain high-quality scores

Be Transparent

  • Clearly identify your business
  • Don't mislead with fake urgency
  • Honor promises made in messages
  • Provide customer service for responses

Measuring Campaign Success

Key Metrics to Track

Delivery Metrics

  • Delivery Rate: Should be 95%+ for good lists
  • Failed Messages: Identify bad phone numbers
  • Template Approval Rate: Track template quality

Engagement Metrics

  • Open Rate: WhatsApp shows 98% average
  • Response Rate: 20-30% is excellent
  • Click-Through Rate: 15-25% for good campaigns
  • Conversation Rate: How many start conversations

Business Metrics

  • Conversion Rate: Customers who bought
  • Revenue per Message: Campaign ROI
  • Customer Lifetime Value: Long-term impact
  • Cost per Acquisition: Marketing efficiency

Optimization Tips

A/B Testing

  • Test different message templates
  • Try various sending times
  • Compare audience segments
  • Test with and without images

Audience Refinement

  • Remove low-engagement contacts
  • Focus on high-value segments
  • Update custom columns regularly
  • Track sentiment changes

Content Improvement

  • Analyze which messages get responses
  • Improve call-to-action clarity
  • Test different personalization approaches
  • Keep messages concise and valuable

Getting Started Today

Ready to launch your first WhatsApp campaign? Here's your action plan:

Week 1: Foundation

  • Connect WhatsApp Business API to Entagl
  • Import your contact database with custom columns
  • Create your first message template
  • Wait for template approval

Week 2: First Campaign

  • Plan a simple announcement or promotion
  • Filter contacts by sentiment (start with positive)
  • Send to a small test group (50-100 contacts)
  • Monitor results and gather feedback

Week 3: Scale and Optimize

  • Analyze your first campaign results
  • Create additional templates for different use cases
  • Expand to larger audience segments
  • Set up regular campaign schedule

Ongoing: Build Your Program

  • Develop templates for different scenarios
  • Segment your audience more precisely
  • Track performance and optimize regularly
  • Integrate campaigns with your overall marketing strategy

Advanced Tips for Power Users

Segment Your Audience Like a Pro

RFM Analysis Integration

  • Recency: When did they last purchase?
  • Frequency: How often do they buy?
  • Monetary: How much do they spend?
  • Create custom columns for each RFM score
  • Target campaigns based on RFM segments

Lifecycle Stage Targeting

  • New customers: Welcome series
  • Active customers: Upsell campaigns
  • At-risk customers: Retention campaigns
  • Churned customers: Win-back campaigns

Behavioral Triggers

  • Website activity: "Browsed but didn't buy"
  • Email engagement: "High email opener"
  • Support interaction: "Recent ticket resolved"
  • Social media: "Follows us on Instagram"

Advanced Template Strategies

Dynamic Content Templates

  • Create templates that adapt based on customer data
  • Use conditional logic for different customer types
  • Personalize offers based on purchase history
  • Adjust messaging tone for different segments

Series Campaigns

  • Plan multi-message sequences
  • Space messages 3-5 days apart
  • Build narrative across messages
  • Increase engagement with each message

Cross-Channel Integration

  • Coordinate with email campaigns
  • Support social media promotions
  • Integrate with SMS marketing
  • Create consistent brand experience

WhatsApp Campaigns represent the future of direct customer communication. With Entagl's smart filtering, custom column support, and easy template creation, you have everything you need to create campaigns that customers actually want to receive.

Start small, focus on providing value, and watch your customer engagement soar. Your customers are already on WhatsApp—now you can reach them there with messages that matter.

Ready to launch your first campaign? Connect your WhatsApp Business API, import your contacts with custom data, and create your first template today. Your customers are waiting to hear from you.

Transform your customer communication with WhatsApp Campaigns. Reach the right people with the right message at the right time—only with Entagl.