Pat yourself on the back. Seriously, you’ve just made the leap into the world of Manychat. Welcome to the future, where your bot can start building real relationships with your customers.
There are a million ways to communicate with your audience, but let’s be real: Chat marketing is where the magic happens. With a well-designed chatbot, your interactions can go from basic to brilliant. Take a deep breath, toss on your creative cap, and let’s build your Manychat bot.
The power of Manychat
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of bot building, take in the magic of Manychat — designed to create engaging and personalized conversations with your audience. Unlike traditional one-sided methods, such as email marketing, Manychat lets you interact with your audience in real-time, providing an enriching messenger experience that fosters loyalty and trust.
So why should you care about building a bot? With high open rates and quick responses, your bot can help automate your customer interactions and streamline your communication strategy. This means a smoother user experience and happier customers, all without adding to your likely heavy workload.
Defining your goals
First things first: What the heck do you want to achieve? Is it sales? Growing an email list? Booking demos? Understanding your objectives is crucial for building chatbots that align with your brand vision. Define your mission, and let it guide your bot-building journey. Trust us, knowing your goals is like having a chat marketing GPS.
Four Steps to Start Building Your Bot
Ready to roll? Let’s get your Manychat bot up and running!
Step 1: Connect your Facebook page to Manychat
Go to the Manychat site and click Get Started.
Find the page you manage in the list that pops up after connecting your Facebook account.
Select Connect.
This will link your Facebook page to your Manychat account, enabling you to reach your audience where they’re most active — on the social media platform they love.
But wait — before you think about what to do next, take a moment to revel in this small victory. Connecting your Facebook page is your gateway to sending messages that actually matter to users, giving you direct access to their eyeballs and engagement.
Step 2: Create a greeting text
When a non-subscriber reaches out for the first time, you want to knock their socks off with a killer greeting text. This is your chance to shine! Get creative — throw in some emojis, gifs, or whatever tickles your fancy.
Navigate to your Manychat dashboard, click on “Settings,” and locate the Greeting Text box. You’ve got 160 characters to make magic happen. Keep it short, sweet, and memorable. Remember, this first interaction is pivotal in setting the tone for future conversations, so make it count! The goal is to make your audience feel like they’ve stumbled upon a goldmine of information (your bot).
Step 3: Build a main menu
This is the navigation system for your bot, directing users to your main offerings — from services to demos to unicorn sightings (okay, maybe not that last one).
On the left side of your dashboard, click on Automation and select Main Menu.
If you have a free account, you can have two Main Menu items; with a Pro account, you can have three Main Menu items and five submenu items.
Type in your offerings (like services), select your options, and click Done. A well-organized menu enhances the messenger experience for your users, making it easier for them to find what they need.
Step 4: Create a Welcome Message
The Welcome Message is the first message a user receives when they message your page on Facebook. Use this opportunity to set expectations and give your bot some personality.
Consider giving your bot a name or an avatar to make it more engaging. This is also a perfect spot to let users know they can unsubscribe anytime. Keep it short and friendly, and direct them to other parts of your bot or external websites using buttons and quick replies.
To set this up, go to Automation on your dashboard and click on Welcome Message. Start typing out your welcome message and setting actions. A well-crafted welcome message can significantly improve user interaction and establish a rapport right from the start.
Bonus Tips for Building Your Manychat Bot
Embrace creativity
Building a bot is all about creativity! Don’t be afraid to sprinkle in some fun with emojis, images, videos, and GIFs. Just make sure everything aligns with your brand’s voice. Your Facebook user base will appreciate the thoughtfulness and effort you put into creating a vibrant experience.
Test and optimize
So, you’ve launched your Manychat bot into the wild. Congrats! But before you kick back and sip your coffee, let’s talk about the not-so-glamorous side of bot life: testing and optimizing.
Are users actually engaging with your messages, or are they ghosting you like an ex? Are they clicking on links or just scrolling on by? You’ve got analytics tools for a reason. Use them to track user interactions and improve your chatbot flow. Dive in and get the scoop on how your content is performing. If something’s not working, don’t shrug it off — tweak your messaging and flows. Think of it as a makeover for your bot, turning it from “meh” to “OMG, I need this in my life!”
Engage with your audience
The beauty of Manychat lies in its ability to facilitate live chat. Use the live chat feature to interact with your audience like they’re your best pals at a coffee shop. Ask questions, gather feedback, and make sure your subscribers know you’re just a click away.
The more you engage, the stronger those relationships become. You’re the friendly voice that’s always there, ready to help. So get out there and chat like your brand depends on it — because it does.
Stay updated with Facebook features
As the proud admin of your Facebook page, it’s your job to stay on top of the latest and greatest features in Messenger. New tools and capabilities pop up all the time, and you don’t want to be left in the dust.
Embrace those updates. They’re your secret weapon for keeping your bot fresh and engaging.
Keep your bot from being a flop
Watch out for some classic blunders that can turn your bot from a friendly guide into a confusing nightmare. First off, don’t ignore user feedback. If your subscribers aren’t responsive, it’s time to check in and ask what’s working (or what’s not). Simplifying your conversation flows is key — nobody wants to get lost in a maze when they’re just looking for answers. Lastly, don’t let your bot sound like a robot — give it personality! Inject humor, emojis, and a dash of sass to keep the conversation lively and engaging.
You’re Ready to Rock Your Manychat Bot!
Now go out there, get your hands dirty, and start building a bot that’s as lively as your favorite conversation. Your audience is waiting — let’s give them something to chat about! Remember to keep it fun and true to your brand. Throw on your party hat and get to work — because if your bot isn’t the life of the virtual party, what’s even the point?
