To be honest, WhatsApp can be (and more often than not IS) a big distraction since anyone who sends you anything will know the moment you receive your message, and will expect a response. Even with WhatsApp plus, the pressure to have conversations with people you don’t want to talk to and respond to boring pictures and memes with the usual courteous ‘lol’ or to respond in kind with more memes just to avoid being labelled antisocial is immense and annoying.
There seems to be groups being formed for anything and everything on this six year old app. WhatsApp definitely can be a social networking nightmare. It is worse than online social media platforms because unlike the latter where you log on and off whenever you want to, your phone is constantly buzzing with every message.
But there is enormous potential from an entrepreneurship point of view. The latest trend in Kenyan business has been the use of WhatsApp to disseminate information – from job adverts to marketing. As an entrepreneur, it would be advantageous to spot the numerous opportunities that this app has created. You have unlimited access to thousands of people. By joining about 10 to 20 WhatsApp groups, or more if you need to, you have access to people who you can interact with on a one to one basis. Here are four tips I share with you entrepreneurs:
1. Join as many groups as possible. Any will do! As the days go by and you get a feel for each group, feel free to delete and exit groups that will not add value to you. You may be surprised though how quickly you can get attached and how many virtual friends you’ll make. This is an easiest way for you to find and determine which groups are suitable for your needs.
2. Try making funny memes. These things are spread around like wildfire. From group to group to group. What could be better than this?? Kenyans love humor and the latest news is great fodder for using in the creation of marketing memes. Aromat is a great example of a company that used this strategy, having created their own series of viral memes. This idea was genius! Free advertising at its finest!!
3. After narrowing down on which groups you will participate in, network – WhatsApp is a great way to network with thousands of people on a one to one basis. Though there may be hundreds of ‘silent followers’ on some of these groups, they are there and they pay attention to all the gossip and juicy tidbits being shared on a regular basis. Try not to be one of them though. Talk about yourself and what you do whenever the opportunity presents itself; put yourself out there – your potential clients are waiting on you
4. Take good quality pictures of your products or services in action and share them. Hire a professional photographer if you need to. This is a great way for you to showcase your products and in most cases, people don’t mind. However, you need to be careful about this. Avoid sending too many pictures, too often. Most of these groups are formed for social purposes and they should remain that way. Do not irritate the other group members or risk the wrath of your group admin.
I write articles on entrepreneurship and inspiration.
www.raewangari.com