New Facebook Messaging Tools From Meta

Meta just announced some new messaging tools and lead form features coming to the Facebook family- specifically for small businesses!

Today, we’re going to cover what these new Facebook messaging tools and updates are.

As well as how you can leverage them for improved efficiency in generating and responding to leads. Let’s jump right in!

Facebook Messaging Tools Updates

We know that the parent company, Meta, formerly known as Facebook, owns Facebook, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger.

But not as many people may know that it also owns WhatsApp. 

“WhatsApp is an app that provides fast, simple, secure messaging and calling for free, available on phones all over the world.”

“It uses the internet to send messages, images, audio or video, and the cost is significantly less than texting.”

Facebook cited a statistic that said:

“7 out of 10 people want to be able to communicate with businesses in the same way that they message with friends and family.”

1. Create Facebook and Instagram Ads From WhatsApp

And as a result, Meta wants to make it easier for small business owners to create Facebook and Instagram ads that start a WhatsApp chat.

To do this, they’re making it so business owners can create ads fully from start to finish directly from the WhatsApp Business app. 

They said, “This will make it faster for small businesses looking to find new customers and grow.”

2. Updating the Meta Business Suite Inbox

Currently, business owners can manage any customer messages they get from Facebook Messenger and Instagram in their Inbox.

And now they’ll be able to manage messages from WhatsApp there too. 

There are about 2 billion monthly active users on WhatsApp, which actually outranks Facebook Messenger at 1.2 billion.

So it only makes sense that Meta would centralize communications for business owners and include WhatsApp messages in the Business Suite inbox.

Speaking of Business Suite, check out this post next to learn more about Facebook Business Suite.

3. Opportunity For Customers to Opt-in to Receive Notifications and Messages From Brands

This will then give small business owners the ability to send marketing messages to those who have opted in. 

Meta said, “With this feature, SMBs will have a new tool to drive sales and customer loyalty in Meta Business Suite.”

So this is an example they shared of what it’ll look like.

You can customize your headline, text, button, and link just like you would any other ad, schedule it and send it to a specific audience all in the same place.

Now, Meta also announced that aside from the new Facebook messaging tools, they’re expanding lead generation and customer acquisition tools.

Updated Meta Lead Generation Tools

1. Get Quote Profile Button & Stories Sticker

Instagram is going to release a “Get Quote” profile button and Stories Sticker that businesses can utilize.

Businesses can set up the short questionnaire they want customers to fill out upon clicking that button or sticker.

Thus, hopefully not only increase leads but also the quality of leads. 

2. Lead Filtering Feature for Lead Ads Instant Forms

In this same spirit, Meta is also introducing a new lead-filtering feature for Lead Ads Instant Forms.

They said, “Responses to a multiple-choice question can be used to filter leads that may not be as good of a fit.”

And they’re hoping this will help business owners prioritize the pursuit of higher-quality leads.

3. Instant Forms Customization

You know how important branding your business is. 

But with consistent and well-thought-out branding has a direct impact on sales…

…Meta is “testing a more flexible and personalizable Instant Form, allowing businesses to add visuals and content in the form.”

Now, these final 2 updates they’re making to lead forms we think are huge.

And it will make a serious difference in how small business owners generate leads on the Meta platforms. 

4. Gated Content

They’re allowing what they’re calling “Gated Content” for people who complete your Lead Ad Instant forms. 

They said, “Businesses will soon be able to offer exclusive, relevant content for people who complete the Lead Ads Instant Form. 

For example, businesses will be able to provide additional resources (like downloading a brochure for a car or product pricing)…

…directly from the Lead Ad Form, without redirecting to their website.”

They’re calling it “gated content,” but on this blog, you’ve probably heard us refer to this as using a “lead magnet”.

The general idea is the same where you’re luring leads in with a piece of content that provides value to them. 

And the only way they can obtain that content is by completing your lead form.

Now, why is this huge? 

If you have seen any of our Facebook updates posts…

…then you know it has become increasingly more difficult for business owners to see success with Facebook ads since the iOS update.

We even discussed here the ultimate question of marketers today – are Facebook ads dead?

Read it as we recap everything that’s gone on with Facebook recently and why so many people are finding another platform to market on.

But for those of you who have read it…

…then you know that creating Facebook-centric ad campaigns is about the only way you can see success on Facebook anymore. 

This means that you want to move people down your marketing funnel on Facebook, not from Facebook to your website.

That’s because Facebook can barely track what happens outside of its platform anymore due to the iOS update.

So, all that said, we think Facebook has recognized this.

And that’s why they’re strengthening their lead form tools- to make a Facebook-centric campaign more effective and efficient.

You used to have to send customers from Facebook to a landing page or your website in order to opt-in to receive a lead magnet…

…now you can do it all within Facebook. 

Now, some of you may be thinking, “That’s great, but when I receive leads on my website, it’s all set up to automatically get funneled into my CRM.”

Well, Facebook is trying to account for that too. 

5. Download Lead Info Directly To Your Own CRM

Facebook says “you can now download lead info directly to your own CRM to follow up with potential customers quickly.”

So those are all our latest updates from Meta on their Facebook messaging tools and lead generation tools. 

Where do you stand on Facebook given all of this information? Are you still trying to make things work? Or are you kinda done with Facebook?

So if you want to try other platforms (or even give Facebook another chance), you can check out our social media marketing services here.

See you on the other side!

The post New Facebook Messaging Tools From Meta appeared first on Digital Marketing Blog.