Telegram isn’t just for memes, group chats, and funny stickers and GIFs; it’s a fantastic platform for running a business and online marketing, if you know how to do it. From channels and groups to ads, Telegram can help your business reach real customers without breaking the bank. In this article, we take one small step into the ocean of Telegram marketing and explain how TG bots can help your business more than anything and anyone else.
How Marketing on Telegram Works
Think of Telegram as a mix of WhatsApp groups, Instagram Reels, and an email list. It’s like a Swiss army knife for marketers. Businesses use it to:
- Send important news and updates to customers
With Telegram channels, you can send messages to thousands of people at once. The good news is that Telegram has a simple and user-friendly algorithm. Unlike Instagram or TikTok, your posts don’t get buried under an algorithm, so all subscribers see them.
- 1-on-1 chat with customers
Subscribers can contact you in two ways: 1) by clicking on the username that you wrote in the “Description” section. 2) via the group you created for receiving feedback and ideas.
- Create buzz around a new product
People die for exclusive stuff. You can post early announcements, behind-the-scenes content, or limited-time offers. This creates FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and makes them purchase whatever you are selling.
- Run paid ads
Paid ads on Telegram are like magic. Your ad is shown on channels that you choose, and no algorithm blocks your path. It means there will be less competition and ad fatigue than on Instagram or Facebook.
What Are Telegram Ads?
- They show up inside public channels (usually big ones with thousands of subscribers). They look like regular posts, but with a small “ad” tag. Look at the picture below.
- Telegram doesn’t stalk users like crazy (less data than Meta). But you can still target users based on location, interests (channel topic), and device type.
- You pay per thousand impressions, not per click, so it is sometimes cheaper than IG/FB. In other words, you pay when people see your ad, not when they click.
Tip: Remember that even if your ad is not engaging, you should pay for its impressions. So, you must be creative and run ads that actually attract people.
How to Use Telegram Groups and Channels for Marketing
Think of channels and groups as two totally different tools. But when you use them together, your success is guaranteed.
Channels = where you talk & everyone listens!
The merit of channels is that you post, and your followers see, without any distraction. Channels are perfect for announcing:
- Product launches
- Discounts
- New blogs
- Exclusive launches or deals
- Important updates
Groups = where you build trust!
Groups are the best place to chat with subscribers, get feedback, answer questions, and listen to subscribers’ stories and complaints. Also, people can talk to each other and share their experiences. With an active group, you can gain customers’ trust and turn them into loyal fans.
Pro tip: Don’t spam because people will unfollow you within a second. Keep your posts fun, short, and interactive. Use memes, quizzes, UGC content, polls, stickers, GIFs, and other media.
What Type of Businesses Use Telegram in Their Marketing Campaigns?
Some businesses are killing it on Telegram. They don’t use this app as a posting platform. They use all its potential to run marketing campaigns. Here are 5 niches that make the most out of this platform:
- Crypto & web3: They create a channel to share updates and price changes, and a group for discussion.
- E-commerce: Online shops usually have a website and a TG channel. On their channels, they share limited products, early access to new products, and discounts.
- Apps, bots, and SaaS: On the channel, they share tips and tutorials. Once they build trust, they promote their products.
- AI & content creators: Those who know how to write AI prompts or create content use Telegram as their showcase. They share viral content, trending prompts, and similar things to attract subscribers and build trust. Then, they can sell what they are actually pro in.
- Education: Educators share free lessons or tips on a public channel, then ask the students to pay for a subscription. As soon as they make a payment, they enter a private channel where they access high-quality and exclusive educational content.
7 Benefits of Using Telegram Marketing for Your Business
Telegram solves some BIG problems that businesses face on Instagram, Facebook, and even on email marketing. Let’s see what the problems are and how TG helped us with those.
-
Algorithms block the path.
On platforms like Instagram, you might have 10,000 followers, but only like 3000-5000 actually see your post. But on Telegram, anyone who joins your channel receives the message. Of course, your “view rate” depends on how often your subscribers get online and check their Telegram. But with good content, they eagerly open their app to see whether you have posted something new or not.
-
The ad prices are low.
Telegram ads are cheaper than other platforms. Plus, there is less competition between businesses that run ad campaigns on this app.
-
Building a community is easy.
When you build a community, you can enjoy free word-of-mouth marketing. People talk to each other and share their experience with your business. Data shows that people rely more on their friends’ recommendations than on what you say in your ads.
-
Posts go viral very fast.
Telegram has one underrated superpower: forwarding messages on this app is super easy. Stickers, GIFs, and memes spread fast in groups. It means that a good post can reach 10,000 within 48 hours.
-
Bots automate tasks.
Telegram bots help you work less and earn more. They welcome new subscribers, send the rules to users, limit the time for sending messages (for example, from 8 AM to 8 PM), prevent the subscribers from sending links or media, ban those who say the no–no words (like cursing), and more.
If you have a subscription-based business, there is a special bot for that. This bot does all the above-mentioned tasks plus:
- Receiving membership fees.
- Reminding users to renew their subscription.
- Restrict or remove those who don’t renew their subscription.
- Offering different payment methods to users, including bank transfer, paying via crypto or fiat gateways, and using Telegram stars or a wallet.
Need more information about subscription bots on Telegram? Click here.
-
It is used worldwide.
Telegram is an international application. Thanks to its proxies, it can even be used in countries where it’s banned (like Iran and Russia). Therefore, you can expect to reach customers all around the world, especially if you adhere to Telegram marketing principles.
-
There is less competition.
Everyone is fighting to be seen on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. But Telegram? There is still less competition. So, Telegram marketing works with minimal effort.
Extra Tips for Telegram Marketing
If you want the Telegram marketing to be successful, you’d better consider the following tips:
- Use Bots to Save the Day.
Many see the bots as a “good feature”, but they are actually business automation machines. They save you time, energy, and money by being 24/7 online and doing the repetitive tasks (like answering the FAQs). Moreover, some bots collect emails, which can later be used in email marketing. [Need more info?]
- Don’t Rely on Telegram Alone.
Telegram doesn’t magically grow by itself, especially at the start. So, you need to use other platforms to pull people in. For example, write the channel’s username on Instagram bio, at the end of TikTok videos, in the middle of the YouTube description, somewhere in the emails, and in the website popups.
Real example: In Instagram Reels, say, “I share all my secret strategies on Telegram, link in bio.”
- Be a Human and Don’t Sound Like a Robot.
People follow accounts they feel connected to. Telegram is a chat app, not a billboard. If you were in the customers’ shoes, which one would you prefer?
“Dear valued customer, we are pleased to announce…”
OR
“Hey people, new update is finally out….”
No doubt that the second one feels more real and familiar.
Tip: Using AI for creating content can be tricky. It usually uses robot-like words, which are boring and formal. So, ask it to use casual wordings, emojis, and simple structures.
FAQs About Telegram Marketing
1) Is Telegram marketing only for big brands?
No. Small businesses can crush it there, too. All they have to do is have a plan, create high-quality content, and analyze their outcomes.
2) Do Telegram users hate ads?
Fortunately, Telegram ads are non-intrusive. They are shown at the end of a channel’s posts and have a simple layout. Just don’t spam your own channels. A maximum of 5 messages per day is enough.
3) How fast can I grow my Telegram channel?
It depends on content quality, how frequently you post, and how you promote the channel on other platforms. Some grow from 0 to 10k in a few months, while it takes years for some to reach 5K.
4) Can I sell directly on Telegram?
Yes. You can sell products in two ways:
- Introduce the products on the channel and ask the customers to DM you for purchasing them.
- Use a store bot which looks like a website but works within the Telegram app. [more info about TG shop bot]
Other Articles You Might Be Interested In
5 Game-Based Marketing Tools for Businesses
What Are the Best Items to Sell on Telegram
Telegram Botfather: Tutorial, Commands, and Tokens
