Your existing subscribers already know and trust your brand. By inviting them to connect on WhatsApp, you open a direct, personal channel for communication. This guide shows you simple ways to convert your email, SMS, and social media followers into WhatsApp opt-ins to boost engagement.
Why you should care:
According to a 2023 report by Salesforce, shoppers now expect retailers to meet them where they regularly engage,including messaging apps. By inviting your existing subscribers to connect on WhatsApp, you’re meeting customers’ expectations for convenience and accessibility, which can lead to stronger relationships and higher engagement.
Introdution: Understanding the E-I-S Framework
Engage – Incentive – Success. This simple Framework helps you capture attention, motivate action, and drive website visitores into your WhatsApp channel. Learn more below!
Not interested in the full Framework or already know it?
👉 Click here to get directly to the step by step guide.
👉 Click here to get directly to the Inspo.
Engage: Capture Attention Instantly
The "Engage" step of the E-I-S Framework focuses on selecting the best “WhatsApp Entry Point” for each of your existing channels, whether that’s email, SMS, or social media. The goal is to introduce WhatsApp in a way that’s clear, appealing, and feels natural to your subscribers, encouraging them to opt in without being intrusive.
Here are a few common Entry points to convert email and social subscribers to WhatsApp Subscribers!
Here are a few common Entry points to convert email and social subscribers to WhatsApp Subscribers!
Dedicated Email:
A dedicated email invites subscribers to join your WhatsApp channel with a clear benefit and a bold call-to-action button, making it easy and appealing to opt in.
Email Section:
Adding a WhatsApp opt-in section to your regular emails ensures subscribers see a simple, mobile-friendly invitation and can join with just one click.
Social Media Story:
An Instagram Story uses eye-catching visuals and a swipe-up link or Link Button so followers can quickly join your WhatsApp channel and get exclusive updates.
Social Media Bio:
Placing your WhatsApp link in your Instagram bio gives followers a constant, easy way to join, just highlight the benefits and keep your call to action clear and short.
Social Media Post:
A dedicated social media post with a striking image or video invites your followers to join your WhatsApp channel, clearly highlights the benefits, and includes a direct link and a strong call to action for quick sign-ups.
Incentive: Motivate Action
The "Incentive" portion of the E-I-S Framework is all about giving visitors a compelling reason to interact with your WhatsApp entry points.
Here are a few common incentives:
Here are a few common incentives:
Discounts:
Offering a discount gives visitors an instant reward for joining your WhatsApp channel, making sign-up more attractive. Make sure that the benefit the users receive differs from the one they got from signing up to the Email Newsletter.
Raffles:
A raffle entry adds excitement by giving new subscribers the chance to win a prize, encouraging quick action. Use the chance to create a Message that Users can send to their friends & family to sign up to your account and join the raffle.
Early Access:
Early access to new products or exclusive content makes visitors feel valued and eager to join your WhatsApp channel. It also helps to differenciate the channel against other Marketing channels.Freebies:
A free resource, such as an ebook or guide, provides immediate value and a helpful reason to opt in. Often Freebies can also be "Plus ones"
Success: Guide to the Desired Outcome
The "Success" step of the E-I-S Framework is about making sure your subscribers have a seamless and positive experience after opting in via your WhatsApp entry points. By guiding them through a clear and engaging WhatsApp Welcome Journey, you can turn new opt-ins into loyal, long-term customers.
Here are a few of our best practices:
Here are a few of our best practices:
Set clear Expectations:
Let users know exactly what will happen next, whether it’s agreeing to marketing, giving an email or other information or receiving a discount code.Keep the Experience Seamless:
Minimize friction by making follow-up steps easy, intuitive, and WhatsApp Friendly. Also make sure to only collect Information that will help you segment later on in order to save the user precious clicks.Acknowledge the Action:
Confirm their subscription or engagement immediately with a friendly message or confirmation page in the pop-up.Deliver on Your Promise:
Make sure the promised incentive or information is sent right away, building trust and satisfaction.Encourage the Next Step:
Create a strong CTA for a relevant follow-up action, like browsing new arrivals, joining your VIP list, or refering a friend!
Step-by-Step Guide:
Success - Create "Entry Point Flows":
Decide on the Entry Points you want to realise and create so called "Entry Point Flows". This will ensure that the conversion results can be attributed to the correct channels.
Incentive & Success - Create a dedicated Welcome Flow:
Decide on the Incentives you wan't to offer to your customers and create a fitting welcome Journey. Keep in Mind to make the Incentive relevant and to ask your customer for all necessary information in the Flow.
👉 For a comprehensive best practice video about welcome Flows, please click here!
Engage - Create the Entry Points:
Finally Create the Entry Points and send them out to your Subscribers!
Here a few links that will help depending on the Entry-Point you are have chosen:Here a few more recources that will help you to create the right Entry Point:
📸 Click here: How to create an Instagram Story.
📸 Click here: How to edit your Instagram Bio.
📸 Click here: How to Create an Instagram Post.
📱 Click here: How to edit your TikTok Bio.
📱 Click here: How to create a TikTok Story.
💌 Click here: How to stick to the 2025 Email best practices.
Best Practices and Inspiration:
To effectively convert your existing email and social media audiences into WhatsApp channel subscribers, focus on clear value communication, frictionless joining, and strategic placements. Below are actionable best practices and inspiring examples for email and social.
Email Best Practice & Inspo:
Clear Call-to-Action (CTA): Use prominent, action-oriented CTAs such as “Join our WhatsApp Channel for exclusive updates.”
Highlight Value: Emphasize unique benefits (e.g., early access to sales, exclusive content, direct support). Maker sure to differenciate the channels to give users a reason to follow your brand on more than one channel.
Personalization: Segment your audience and tailor the invitation based on their interests or previous interactions. Different types of followers will be excited by different of incentives and offers.
Visual Cues: Use WhatsApp icons and branded buttons to increase visibility and click-through rates. These visual elements also set the expectation that clicking the button will automatically open the WhatsApp app.
One-Click Join: Include a direct link Button in the mobile version of the Email and a QR code on the Desktop version, this way you ensure that your customers have the easiest time to join!
Socia Media Story & Post Best Practice & Inspo:
Interactive Stickers and Polls: Leverage interactive elements like polls, quizzes, or question stickers in your Stories to engage users, then use the results or responses as a segue to invite followers to join your WhatsApp channel for more interaction or exclusive answers.
Teaser Content: Share a sneak peek or teaser of content that is only fully available on your WhatsApp channel (e.g., “Want to be the first that gets to see the new collection? Only on WhatsApp!”). This creates curiosity and incentivizes channel subscriptions.
Influencer & Creator Partnerships: Collaborate with relevant influencers or creators to promote your WhatsApp channel in their Stories or Posts. Their endorsement can drive trust and motivate their audience to join your channel.
Gamified Challenges: Host a challenge or contest where participation or entry is exclusive to WhatsApp channel members (e.g., “Join our WhatsApp channel to enter our giveaway!”). Gamification adds excitement and a clear reason to subscribe.
OONIQUE: 15% discount code for WhatsApp signup
UND GRETEL: detailed WhatsApp signup instructions with promise of service and deals
WeLoveFurs: Easy to understand WhatsApp signup with 30€ discount incentive
PREACH: Exclusive access to product drop via WhatsApp signup
