With regards to social media platforms, it may be tempting to simply keep on with the large names you already know, however nobody needs to overlook out on the subsequent huge 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 sizzling social messaging app or not, there’s an excellent probability you must begin taking note of it. Not solely is KakaoTalk secure, nevertheless it is perhaps important in your digital advertising plan.
What’s KakaoTalk?
KakaoTalk (or KaTalk) is a well-liked messaging app in South Korea. It’s a free cellular service that gives textual content messaging, voice and video calls, group chats and extra.
Although much 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 understand how it’s frequent to say “let me Google that” while you’re considering of trying one thing up? KakaoTalk has achieved that stage of ubiquity, with South Koreans usually utilizing “Ka-Discuss” as a verb (i.e. “I’ll Ka-Discuss 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 instances the quantity of customers on the second hottest app, Instagram.
Chart through eMarketer.
KakaoTalk has turn out to be an ingrained a part of South Korean tradition, however you should use it anyplace on the planet. You simply want the app and an web connection. KakaoTalk can also be surprisingly common 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 unlimited base of potential shoppers worldwide. Your KakaoTalk advertising marketing campaign would possibly lengthen far past South Korea.
How will you use KakaoTalk for enterprise?
So there’s a complete effectively of untapped potential, however how will you use KakaoTalk for your online business? Whether or not it’s Kakao adverts, Kakao purchasing, or buyer care, let’s have a look at the entire 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 take care of, a KakaoTalk Enterprise Channel is a good name for enterprise homeowners trying to break into the platform.
With this instrument, you’ll be able to construct a searchable hub in your model. It’s also possible to hold your followers up to date with photographs, movies and standing updates. Maybe better of all, you employ the built-in good chat operate to have real-time communication together with your purchasers.
KakaoTalk’s official chatbot emblem.
Replace your purchasers
There are many methods to promote your model on KakaoTalk, and so they’re all price your time. You may ship direct messages to of us in your KakaoTalk Enterprise Channel. These can be utilized for every part from model notifications to coupon drops or different particular presents.
Attain new prospects
In case you’re trying to increase your attain additional, you’ll be able to entry the Kakao BizBoard. This standalone B2B service permits companies to share content material throughout varied platforms.
With BizBoard, you’ll be able to create extremely focused advert campaigns utilizing Kakao Sync.
Design customized emoticons
Like every social media app price its weight in likes, KakaoTalk has a powerful emoticon presence. The primary stars are the extremely cute Kakao Buddies. They’re so common, they even have their very own branded retail shops all through South Korea.
Kakao Buddies retail retailer through Common Beijing.
Positive, it’s unlikely you’ll be capable 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.
Straight promote meals (if relevant)
Some manufacturers would possibly profit from utilizing KakaoTalk Order, the app’s tackle common companies like UberEats or Doordash.
The meals ordering service additionally has a strong boss middle. It helps retailer homeowners handle their menus, create low cost codes and keep in contact with their buyer base.
How you can begin utilizing KakaoTalk for enterprise
KakaoTalk is each intuitive and straightforward to make use of. However there are some problems if you wish to open a KakaoTalk Enterprise Channel. Let’s stroll by means of every step for establishing 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 would possibly discover that there are some unfavorable critiques for the app, which are inclined to middle on one main takeaway. It’s onerous to vary the cellphone quantity or e mail tackle related together with your account, so ensure you get it proper the primary time.
Join a private account
KakaoTalk will doubtless begin together with your cellphone quantity. Once more — ensure you use a quantity that you simply’ll have for some time, as a result of it may be robust to vary afterward. It is a private account, so you should use your personal cellphone quantity, add a verified e mail tackle and use a profile image should 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). In case you’re not fluent in Korean, you’ll wish to let your browser’s translation function do the heavy lifting.
It’s additionally a good suggestion to have Google Translate open in one other window. It’s also possible to use the smartphone app, which has a dwell AR translate operate.
When you’re ready, comply with these steps:
- Navigate to the Kakao Enterprise admin web page. You may be requested to register together with your private account and enter your title. I set 155 as my title, as a result of that’s the title 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 title, search ID and temporary description in your channel, and add a profile image (really useful: 640 x 640px). It’s also possible to choose related classes in your model from the dropdown menus beneath.
- Once they’re first opened, channels are set to personal. Navigate to the channel visibility toggle in your dashboard and click on it on to set your channel as public. Right here you may as well activate “permit search” and “1:1 chat” to essentially get your title 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 person listing.
Improve to a KakaoTalk Enterprise Channel (optionally available)
However wait, there’s extra. In case you improve to a KakaoTalk Enterprise Channel, you’ll be capable to reap the advantages additional with a verified badge, higher placement in search outcomes and entry to the flowery 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 stage. And should you’re working outdoors of Korea, that would require some particular visas and visits to the lawyer.
In case you’ve bought the quantity, then right here’s tips on how to proceed:
- Click on the “Improve to enterprise channel” button on the dashboard (it might not translate nevertheless it’s circled in pink).
- Click on “Apply” within the prime proper nook.
- Fill in the entire fields together with your lacking info.
Purposes take three to 5 enterprise days to be permitted, and also you’ll be notified by means of your registered KakaoTalk e mail once they’re full. In case you’ve incorrectly stuffed out any fields, your utility could also be rejected. In case you’re permitted, you can begin utilizing the BizBoard and having fun with the opposite advantages of a enterprise account.
Ceaselessly requested questions on KakaoTalk
With a possible language barrier and the truth that it’s comparatively new to audiences outdoors of South Korea, you may need extra questions on KakaoTalk. We’ve bought you coated with our KakaoTalk FAQ.
Is KakaoTalk secure?
In case you use it appropriately, KakaoTalk is certainly secure. The app presents commonplace security measures like 2-step verification to make sure that it’s not simply accessible to hackers.
Nonetheless, additionally it is essential to notice that South Korean legal guidelines do permit the app to share chat historical past with staff, and there have been quite a lot of libel circumstances which have included chat information from the app.
For additional safety, you’ll be able to activate end-to-end encryption should you toggle the “Secret Chat” mode. It’s also possible to 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 fully 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 might also require a South Korean cellphone quantity. These aren’t not possible to get, however may show expensive.
Do KakaoTalk accounts expire?
For safety functions, KakaoTalk usually suspends accounts in the event that they’re inactive for a 12 months or longer. You would possibly nonetheless be capable to get it up and working once more if that occurs, nevertheless it’s not foolproof. Many individuals have complained that they’ve misplaced their complete chat historical past, so it’s most likely not definitely worth the danger.
The place can I get assist for my KakaoTalk account?
In case you’ve bought any questions on your KakaoTalk account, they’ve bought a helpful FAQ web page of their very own — and it’s already accessible in English. It’s also possible to attain out to their customer support desk.
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