Viber Messaging: A Novel Mobile Marketing Solution for Businesses

As of 2021, Viber Messaging boasts over 30 million users in Vietnam, positioning itself as a compelling channel for businesses to effectively reach and engage with their customers, promote their brands, products, and services. But does Viber still have the vigor to compete with heavyweights like Zalo or Facebook Messenger? Let's delve into the world of Viber and discover how your business can leverage Viber Messages in its marketing strategy.

Viber: A Rising Contender

Viber is a smartphone application that provides free calling and texting capabilities, similar to Facebook Messenger and Zalo. It's compatible with most major operating systems, including Android and iOS.

Although Viber doesn't boast the same vast user base as Zalo (74.7 million) or Facebook Messenger (67.8 million) as of February 2022, it has witnessed notable growth. According to Mr. David Tse, Senior Director of Asia-Pacific Rakuten Viber, the number of Viber users surged by 20%, with a 14% increase in 2022. 

Moreover, approximately 500 businesses have registered business accounts on Viber. Their interest in Viber Messaging is driven by the platform's distinct user base: office professionals and business individuals, primarily concentrated in major cities with high accessibility to new technologies. If your target audience aligns with these demographics, Viber remains a viable channel for brand promotion and customer engagement.

Viber Message: A Potent Mobile Marketing Solution

It's one thing to recognize the potential of Viber; it's another to implement it effectively. This is where Viber Message comes into play.

What Is Viber Message?

Viber Message enables businesses to send messages with their brand name displayed in the sender section, offering a more professional look compared to a regular phone number. Furthermore, this service allows businesses to send messages to customers without requiring them to join the business's group (Viber Community) on Viber.

Benefits of Viber Message in Marketing Strategy

Viber Message offers several benefits for businesses:

• Ample Character Limit: Unlike traditional SMS, Viber Message allows messages of up to 1,000 characters with diverse content, including text, images, links, and Call to Action (CTA) elements, enhancing customer engagement and conversion.
• Cost Efficiency: Charges apply only when messages are successfully delivered to customers, ensuring cost efficiency.
• Simplified Registration: No need for template registration as required for SMS messages.
• Detailed Metrics: Viber Message provides comprehensive reports on customer interactions, including message reception times, read statuses, link accesses, and more. This data empowers businesses to optimize their marketing strategies.

Business Applications of Viber Message

Viber Message is versatile and can be used for various purposes, including:

• Product and Service Promotion: Announcing new products and services to customers.
• Event Invitations: Sending invitations to events.
• Customer Appreciation: Expressing thanks and gratitude to long-term customers and brand partners.
• Personalized Messages: Sending birthday wishes to customers.
• Promotion Notifications: Announcing ongoing promotions.
• Customer Rewards: Sending rewards to eligible customers.

Viber Message finds applications across various sectors, including:

• Finance
• Real estate
• Tourism
• Education
• Fashion

How to Register for Viber Message Service

The process of sending automated messages via Viber Message involves the following steps:

Step 1: Registering Viber Brandname

• Brand names can be marked or unmarked.
• Length should range from 2 to 20 characters, including spaces.
• Brand names can be obtained from a business registration license or website domain name, without the need for a 100% similarity.

Step 2: Setting Up the Messaging System at VietGuys

• Upload the data file containing phone numbers and personalized fields to be sent.
• Fill in the content to be sent to customers, including text, images, CTA elements, and more.
• Configure Failover via SMS (if needed). This feature ensures that if a Viber Message fails, the system will automatically send the message via SMS to guarantee information transmission. To activate this feature, businesses must have previously registered for SMS Brandname service.
• Choose to send messages immediately or schedule messages for later delivery.

Step 3: Launching Viber Message Operations

This completes the process of sending automated messages to customers via Viber. To access detailed reports after implementation, businesses can view the "Report Viber Message" section within the system provided by VietGuys. Reports are updated to the most accurate standards 24 hours after submission.

VietGuys is a Mobile Marketing solutions provider with over 15 years of experience in Vietnam. It's a subsidiary of Accrete Inc., a leading international SMS service provider in Japan. VietGuys has collaborated with numerous domestic and international businesses to implement effective Mobile Marketing campaigns, including Viber Message.

Key Considerations for Viber Message Usage

While using Viber Message, businesses should take note of the following:

• Messages are sent only to customers who have not opted out of receiving messages from the brand in the Viber application.
• Monthly costs are incurred based on the minimum level defined by Viber. If the actual cost for a message is lower than the specified minimum, businesses are still required to pay the minimum fee. The first month incurs the actual charges.
• Currently, there are no regulations regarding the timing, frequency, and sending limits for Viber Messages. This allows businesses to tailor their approach according to their specific needs.

In conclusion, Viber Message is a powerful tool that can significantly contribute to a business's marketing and customer engagement strategies. By adhering to the regulations and best practices for Viber Messages, businesses can harness the full potential of this platform to enhance customer care and brand promotion. To explore more useful insights on Mobile Marketing, visit VietGuys daily.

Note: The statistics provided are based on the state of Viber and other messaging platforms as of the information available up to 2021. Changes in user numbers and platform features may have occurred after this date.