We are often asked by our readers and clients on the most effective ways of getting WeChat subscribers. In this post we publish the second part of our list of 30 ways of getting WeChat subscribers.
For the first part of our list of 30 Ways of Getting WeChat Subscribers go to Part I.
30 ways of getting WeChat subscribers – part 2:
#11: PPC campaigns focused on WeChat account
Just like Weibo, major Chinese search engines like Baidu view WeChat as a completion. This means that you can’t directly advertise WeChat account using Chinese search engines. However, it is still possible to run search or display ads which would direct visitors to a dedicated landing page featuring WeChat account details and QR code.
#12: WeChat advertising
WeChat offers its own in-platform advertising in both user Moments as a sponsored content as well as ads in participating accounts. Unfortunately, at least for the now, WeChat own ads are very expensive. The high price and the lack of accurate targeting makes WeChat advertising notoriously ineffective. Presently, only big brands looking for blanket advertising are the main users of WeChat ads.
The good news is that the prices are slowly getting lower and some new changes to WeChat advertising are rumored to be introduced this year.
#13: Offering free Wi-Fi
This method of getting WeChat subscribers works well for restaurants, coffee shops and other businesses with physical location where patrons tend to spend their time at. If setup correctly with WeChat, free Wi-Fi option would appear at the top of the chat session. Selecting free WeChat would require a user to follow the account first, making him/her a subscriber.
#14: On the spot discount or a freebie for following WeChat account
Another trick that is often used by restaurants and coffee shops is asking customers to follow their WeChat account to get X percent discount off the bill or a free item such as a drink or desert. This one should be used carefully to prevent abuse.
#15: WeChat based menu and food ordering system
In one of our earlier posts we covered the new WeChat-only coffee shops in China that have moved menus along with the entire food ordering system online. Using such system would give another incentive for patrons to follow the account.
Posting QR wherever possible is another effective way of getting WeChat subscribers. Here are some ideas on where QRs could be displayed:
#16: Email signatures
This simply means including QR code along with a signature at the bottom of every email that goes out to clients.
#17: Invoices and receipts
Printing QR code on invoices and receipts that customers keep gives them another chance to scan it.
#18: Product packaging
Include QR code on product packaging. It works even better for products that require after sale service which can be delivered via WeChat too (see item #7).
#19: Business cards
Make sure that every employee’s name card has your WeChat account QR code printed on it as prominently as possible (some companies dedicate the entire flip side to it).
#20: Every other printed material
Consider placing QR codes on company prospectus, brochures, datasheets etc. Every QR code placement is another opportunity for someone to scan it giving you another way of getting WeChat subscribers.
Here is the Part III of the list.
