Broadcast with information from an Excel file

This is an elevated version from the previous guide - using variation.

Using WhatsApp API, you will be able to broadcast mass messages to the client's WhatsApp number.

While broadcasting via WhatsApp may seem convenient, it's crucial to stick to to best practices. Your WhatsApp API number remains at risk of being blocked if clients report or block your broadcasts. Avoid spamming clients, refrain from sending inappropriate content, and always provide an option for clients to unsubscribe from your broadcast stream.

1. Preparation

To do a proper broadcast, please ensure that your WhatsApp number is working properly on Botcake. If you do not see your number appear here, please click the "Add new page" button and connect it.

Next, prepare an excel file with the information you would like to broadcast. In this exel file, the first column must always be the client's phone number with the country code.

Finally, head to WhatsApp Manager to create a template with variables. If you do not know how to create a template, please click here for the full guide. Please make sure these variations match the columns you have in the excel file prepared.

For example, in the Excel file above I have 5 different information to be included in the message: last name, Full name, Location, Registration Date, Timeslot. So in the template, I must create 5 corresponding variables. When broadcast in Botcake, you will need to map these variations by their column name (in the next step).

2. Broadcast away!

To create a broadcast campaign, choose “Broadcasts” on the toolbar → “+ New message”

On the “New messages”, delete the default content and choose “Templates”.

Choose the approved template that you prepared from the list. Then, fill the column names in the corresponding parameters (variables). Please remember to copy the EXACT column name, and keep them between two braces {{ }}

Sending templates means opening a new 24h conversation, you’ll be charged once the templates sent successfully, and the fee depends on the type of your template. More pricing details here.

After the setting is complete, it should look like this. Please check the template's content carefully, then click “Settings” or “Next step”

On the Broadcast setting tab, choose the third option and upload the excel file you prepared. Please double check the file to make sure the phone numbers include the country code, and the information you want to broadcast are correct.

The “Number of customers” and “Maximum frequency of sending” sections you can use the default settings.

Finally, choose “Send now” to send mass messages to your customers.

The template will be sent directly to the recipients in the excel file.

Congratulation! You have just completed a broadcast campaign on Botcake!