6 Easy Ways to Use Facebook Messenger for Business Communication Optimization

Good relationships mean everything in business. Customers and business people connect in meaningful ways, by using methods they like the most, for example, in-person meetings, through websites, text messages, social media accounts, voice calls, video conferences, etc. As it turns out, the Facebook Messenger platform increasingly becomes one of the most preferable communication methods for businesses and their clients all over the world.

And that is for many good reasons:

• The modern messaging platform can indeed provide multiple functions to the point where it acts as a single communication-hub.
• Facebook Messenger application offers a variety of features for businesses, such as having phone calls, video chats with an individual or a group of people, and sending text messages.
• Despite being a separate application from its parent social media app, the Messenger is automatically integrated with your Facebook account. All your friends are automatically added to the Messenger Contact, yet you can manually upload more contacts from your device.
• Even if some of your Facebook Friends do not use Messenger, you can still send messages which they will receive and read when they log into Facebook.
• Facebook remains the world’s biggest social website with more than 2.4 billion users. As a matter of fact, the company claimed that about 2.7 billion people were using at least one of the main products (Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger, or Instagram) each month during the first reported quarter of 2019, according to Statista.
• With the above in mind, Facebook Messenger has an enormous potential to boost lead generation efficiency and improve a business relationship in general, assuming you know how to use it properly.

Here are 6 easy ways to optimize Facebook Messenger for your business communication.

1) Use a Smart Messenger Name

Messenger does not allow two different users to have the exact same name.

Your Messenger name acts as a Twitter handle to some extent and it even has the same format, which is @someone-username.

In case you already have a Facebook Messenger name for your business, you can find it on your business page, right below the page name. A missing Messenger name means you have not claimed it yet, and you should do so right away before someone else takes the name you are fond of.

If you are using Facebook Messenger for business communication, the username is your true identity. Facebook allows two businesses to use the same account name, but this rule does not apply to Messenger.

For instance, there are two different companies called Super Supper on Facebook, but only one of them can use @super-supper as Messenger’s name.

Just like a Twitter handle, a unique Messenger name makes your business easier to discover and it prevents potential customers from sending a message to another business with a similar name.

But before you rush into claiming a name, you should consider that the best name is the one that is unique and closely related to your business.

Also, in case you don’t like your current user name, consider setting up a new page that you will use exclusively for messaging.

Claiming a new username can be a challenging process, especially if you choose a rather generic one.

When setting up a new page, be mindful of the possibility of the name coming up in the platform’s search function when a user enters relevant products or services.

2) Use a Right Profile Picture

It is a common sense that people associate your profile picture with your business.

Facebook takes your profile picture and uses it as your Messenger Code as well.

The problem is that there is a difference in the shape of the frame: the profile picture is square, yet the Code is round.

And Facebook simply fills it in, what can make your Messenger Code look poorly designed with a cropped logo or a cut-off business name.

Therefore, take some time to choose the appropriate photo for your Facebook business profile so that your customers can associate it with your brand instantly.

3) Install the Messaging Button

Do not expect that every user won’t have any trouble finding your Messenger username or Code.

In many cases, your Facebook business page is where the new customers start communication.

Messaging button is a button on your Facebook page that allows the users to send messages directly from that page.

Make the process easier for your clients by installing the Messaging button:

1. Find and click the Settings button located at the top right corner of your Facebook page.
2. Choose General section and find the Messages option.
3. You should find a checkbox to show Message button. Enable this option.
4. Save changes.

Using Facebook Messenger for business communication is pretty easy. If you know how to use a smartphone, then you’re more than competent to utilize the app to build a business relationship.

4) Set up Your Instant Reply

These are pre-configured messages automatically sent to the users once they contact you via Messenger.

You can access the option to create customized Instant Replies under Inbox, Automated Responses tab.

Write an effective reply that contains a greeting message, contact information, business hours and physical address.

Do not forget to preview your reply after saving the changes.

5) Create an Away Message

Instant replies are not sent when you are in Away status.

For that reason, Facebook Messenger allows you to create another personalized message in order for you to meet the customers’ expectations for a fast response time.

An away message also helps you to maintain your responsiveness rating.

You can find this option in your Inbox/Automatic Responses tab.

If you want to include the information of your business hours, make sure you’ve already configured the information in the Page Info portion of your Facebook page.

6) Create a Messenger Greeting

Facebook Messenger greeting is the message automatically sent to first-time customers.

They will not see this message again unless they delete all the previous conversations or access Messenger using a different account.

The option for the greeting is available on your Facebook page under Settings – Messaging.

To recap

• Messenger does not allow two different users to have the exact same name.
• Consider that the best name is the one that is unique and closely related to your business.
• Facebook profile picture is square, yet the Messenger Code is round, therefore watch out for a cropped logo or a cut-off your business name.
• Install the Messaging button since it allows the users to send messages directly from that page.
• Set up an effective Instant Reply that contains a greeting message, contact information, business hours and physical address.
• Create an Away message to maintain your responsiveness rating.
• Create a Facebook Messenger Greeting to be sent out to first-time customers.

Nowadays you have various options on how to have a conversation with customers. Using Facebook Messenger for business communication is almost as effective as having a direct meeting, if not better, especially in terms of reach and speed. Likewise, since the Facebook Messenger app for business is a cross-platform and free to use as of today, it is a zero-dollar investment every business owner should make.

If you need any help with Facebook Messenger or Facebook Ads, feel free to reach out to BUJOI Media today.