In relation to social media platforms, it may be tempting to simply follow the massive names you already know, however nobody desires to overlook out on the subsequent massive factor. And look, we don’t wish to spark your FOMO, however have you ever heard of KakaoTalk?
Whether or not you’re aware of this scorching social messaging app or not, there’s probability you need to begin taking note of it. Not solely is KakaoTalk protected, nevertheless it may be important in your digital advertising and marketing plan.
What’s KakaoTalk?
KakaoTalk (or KaTalk) is a well-liked messaging app in South Korea. It’s a free cell service that gives textual content messaging, voice and video calls, group chats and extra.
Although just like Line or WeChat, KakaoTalk’s really been round for 12 years. However its recognition has exploded lately, with a rise of over 8 million customers worldwide between 2015 and 2021.
Chart through Statista.
You know the way it’s frequent to say “let me Google that” if you’re considering of trying one thing up? KakaoTalk has achieved that degree of ubiquity, with South Koreans usually utilizing “Ka-Speak” as a verb (i.e. “I’ll Ka-Speak you later”).
In keeping with eMarketer, a whopping 97.5% of smartphone customers in South Korea used the app as of December 2020. That’s over 3 occasions the quantity of customers on the second hottest app, Instagram.
Chart through eMarketer.
KakaoTalk has develop into an ingrained a part of South Korean tradition, however you need to use it wherever on the earth. You simply want the app and an web connection. KakaoTalk can be surprisingly well-liked within the Netherlands and Italy, and it’s solely a matter of time earlier than it catches on elsewhere.
The platform can join companies with an infinite base of potential customers worldwide. Your KakaoTalk advertising and marketing marketing campaign may lengthen far past South Korea.
How will you use KakaoTalk for enterprise?
So there’s an entire effectively of untapped potential, however how will you use KakaoTalk for your online business? Whether or not it’s Kakao adverts, Kakao buying, or buyer care, let’s have a look at all the issues you are able to do to leverage your model on the platform.
Instance of a KakaoTalk Channel homepage.
Create a KakaoTalk Enterprise Channel
Free to create and straightforward to keep up, a KakaoTalk Enterprise Channel is a good name for enterprise house owners trying to break into the platform.
With this device, you’ll be able to construct a searchable hub in your model. You may also hold your followers up to date with images, movies and standing updates. Maybe better of all, you employ the built-in sensible chat perform to have real-time communication along with your purchasers.
KakaoTalk’s official chatbot brand.
Replace your purchasers
There are many methods to promote your model on KakaoTalk, they usually’re all value your time. You possibly can ship direct messages to people in your KakaoTalk Enterprise Channel. These can be utilized for all the pieces from model notifications to coupon drops or different particular affords.
Attain new clients
When you’re trying to develop your attain additional, you’ll be able to entry the Kakao BizBoard. This standalone B2B service permits companies to share content material throughout numerous platforms.
With BizBoard, you’ll be able to create extremely focused advert campaigns utilizing Kakao Sync.
Design customized emoticons
Like several social media app value its weight in likes, KakaoTalk has a robust emoticon presence. The primary stars are the extremely lovely Kakao Buddies. They’re so well-liked, they even have their very own branded retail shops all through South Korea.
Kakao Buddies retail retailer through Common Beijing.
Certain, it’s unlikely you’ll have the ability to give you one thing as iconic because the beloved Ryan the lion. However you’ll be able to nonetheless contribute customized emoticons to the KakaoTalk oeuvre. Merely join the Kakao Emoticon Studio to design emoticons that rep your model.
Examples of customized emoticons within the KakaoTalk retailer.
Immediately promote meals (if relevant)
Some manufacturers may profit from utilizing KakaoTalk Order, the app’s tackle well-liked companies like UberEats or Doordash.
The meals ordering service additionally has a sturdy boss middle. It helps retailer house owners handle their menus, create low cost codes and keep in contact with their buyer base.
Find out how to begin utilizing KakaoTalk for enterprise
KakaoTalk is each intuitive and straightforward to make use of. However there are some issues if you wish to open a KakaoTalk Enterprise Channel. Let’s stroll by means of every step for organising your KakaoTalk account.
Obtain the app
Because it’s predominantly Korean, KakaoTalk is probably going tucked away in a deep nook of your app retailer, however you’ll discover it there.
You may discover that there are some damaging evaluations for the app, which are likely to middle on one main takeaway. It’s onerous to vary the telephone quantity or e mail handle related along with your account, so be sure you get it proper the primary time.
Join a private account
KakaoTalk will possible begin along with your telephone quantity. Once more — be sure you use a quantity that you just’ll have for some time, as a result of it may be powerful to vary afterward. It is a private account, so you need to use your individual telephone quantity, add a verified e mail handle and use a profile image in the event you so select. Allow two-step verification to maximise safety.
Create a KakaoTalk Channel
To begin utilizing KakaoTalk’s enterprise options, you’ll wish to create a KakaoTalk Channel (often known as a Kakao Channel). When you’re not fluent in Korean, you’ll wish to let your browser’s translation characteristic do the heavy lifting.
It’s additionally a good suggestion to have Google Translate open in one other window. You may also use the smartphone app, which has a dwell AR translate perform.
When you’re ready, comply with these steps:
- Navigate to the Kakao Enterprise admin web page. You can be requested to register along with your private account and enter your identify. I set 155 as my identify, as a result of that’s the identify of my podcast for which I’m making a channel.
- The following web page might or might not auto-translate, however the yellow button on the backside says “Create a brand new channel.”
- Enter the channel identify, search ID and temporary description in your channel, and add a profile image (really useful: 640 x 640px). You may also choose related classes in your model from the dropdown menus under.
- After they’re first opened, channels are set to non-public. Navigate to the channel visibility toggle in your dashboard and click on it on to set your channel as public. Right here it’s also possible to activate “permit search” and “1:1 chat” to essentially get your identify on the market.
That’s it. You’ve efficiently made a KakaoTalk Channel in your model, and have entry to messaging, analytics, promotional coupons and the flexibility to be discovered within the consumer listing.
Improve to a KakaoTalk Enterprise Channel (non-compulsory)
However wait, there’s extra. When you improve to a KakaoTalk Enterprise Channel, you’ll have the ability to reap the advantages additional with a verified badge, higher placement in search outcomes and entry to the flamboyant BizBoard we talked about earlier.
There are some catches, although — you want a Korean enterprise quantity, a enterprise registration card and an employment certificates for the channel administrator to get to this subsequent degree. And in the event you’re working exterior of Korea, that would require some particular visas and visits to the lawyer.
When you’ve obtained the quantity, then right here’s the way to proceed:
- Click on the “Improve to enterprise channel” button on the dashboard (it could not translate nevertheless it’s circled in pink).
- Click on “Apply” within the prime proper nook.
- Fill in all the fields along with your lacking info.
Functions take three to 5 enterprise days to be accredited, and also you’ll be notified by means of your registered KakaoTalk e mail after they’re full. When you’ve incorrectly stuffed out any fields, your software could also be rejected. When you’re accredited, you can begin utilizing the BizBoard and having fun with the opposite advantages of a enterprise account.
Continuously requested questions on KakaoTalk
With a possible language barrier and the truth that it’s comparatively new to audiences exterior of South Korea, you may need extra questions on KakaoTalk. We’ve obtained you lined with our KakaoTalk FAQ.
Is KakaoTalk protected?
When you use it appropriately, KakaoTalk is certainly protected. The app affords customary security measures like 2-step verification to make sure that it’s not simply accessible to hackers.
Nonetheless, it’s also vital to notice that South Korean legal guidelines do permit the app to share chat historical past with workers, and there have been a variety of libel instances which have included chat information from the app.
For additional safety, you’ll be able to activate end-to-end encryption in the event you toggle the “Secret Chat” mode. You may also use a VPN so as to add extra anonymity to the app.
How a lot does KakaoTalk value for companies?
Whether or not you’re utilizing a KakaoTalk Channel or a KakaoTalk Enterprise Channel, each companies are utterly free.
The latter service boasts way more options, nevertheless it additionally requires customers to acquire a South Korean enterprise license and different documentation.
Some options may require a South Korean telephone quantity. These aren’t unimaginable to get, however might show expensive.
Do KakaoTalk accounts expire?
For safety functions, KakaoTalk typically suspends accounts in the event that they’re inactive for a yr or longer. You may nonetheless have the ability to get it up and operating once more if that occurs, nevertheless it’s not foolproof. Many individuals have complained that they’ve misplaced their total chat historical past, so it’s in all probability not definitely worth the danger.
The place can I get help for my KakaoTalk account?
When you’ve obtained any questions on your KakaoTalk account, they’ve obtained a useful FAQ web page of their very own — and it’s already obtainable in English. You may also attain out to their customer support desk.
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