What Is KakaoTalk? The Mobile Messaging App on the Rise

In the case of social media platforms, it may be tempting to simply stick to the massive names you already know, however nobody desires to overlook out on the subsequent massive factor. And look, we don’t need to spark your FOMO, however have you ever heard of KakaoTalk?

Whether or not you’re accustomed to this sizzling social messaging app or not, there’s a great likelihood you must begin listening to it. Not solely is KakaoTalk protected, but it surely could be important in your digital advertising plan.

Although just like Line or WeChat, KakaoTalk’s truly been round for 12 years. However its recognition has exploded in recent times, with a rise of over 8 million customers worldwide between 2015 and 2021.

Chart by way of Statista.

You know the way it’s widespread to say “let me Google that” if you’re pondering of wanting 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 response to 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 by way of eMarketer.

KakaoTalk has change into an ingrained a part of South Korean tradition, however you should utilize it wherever in the world. You simply want the app and an web connection. KakaoTalk can be surprisingly in style in 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 may prolong far past South Korea.

How are you going to use KakaoTalk for enterprise?

So there’s an entire properly of untapped potential, however how will you use KakaoTalk for your business? Whether or not it’s Kakao advertisements, Kakao buying, or buyer care, let’s have a look at all of 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 homeowners seeking to break into the platform.

With this device, you may construct a searchable hub on your model. It’s also possible to preserve your followers up to date with pictures, movies and standing updates. Maybe better of all, you utilize the built-in sensible chat operate to have real-time communication together with your shoppers.

KakaoTalk’s official chatbot brand.

Replace your shoppers

There are many methods to promote your model on KakaoTalk, they usually’re all value your time. You may ship direct messages to people on your KakaoTalk Enterprise Channel. These can be utilized for all the pieces from model notifications to coupon drops or different particular gives.

Attain new prospects

In the event you’re seeking to develop your attain additional, you may entry the Kakao BizBoard. This standalone B2B service permits companies to share content material throughout varied platforms.

With BizBoard, you may 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 important stars are the extremely lovable Kakao Pals. They’re so in style, they even have their very own branded retail shops all through South Korea.

Kakao Pals retail retailer by way of Universal Beijing.

Positive, it’s unlikely you’ll have the ability to provide you with one thing as iconic as the beloved Ryan the lion. However you may 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 in the KakaoTalk retailer.

Instantly promote meals (if relevant)

Some manufacturers may profit from utilizing KakaoTalk Order, the app’s take on in style companies like UberEats or Doordash.

The meals ordering service additionally has a sturdy boss middle. It helps retailer homeowners handle their menus, create low cost codes and keep in contact with their buyer base.

How one 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 way 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 detrimental evaluations for the app, which are likely to middle on one main takeaway. It’s exhausting to vary the cellphone quantity or e-mail deal with related together with your account, so be sure you get it proper the first time.

Join a private account

KakaoTalk will seemingly begin together with your cellphone quantity. Once more — be sure you use a quantity that you simply’ll have for some time, as a result of it may be powerful to vary later on. It is a private account, so you should utilize your individual cellphone quantity, add a verified e-mail deal with 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 need to create a KakaoTalk Channel (also called a Kakao Channel). In the event you’re not fluent in Korean, you’ll need 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 stay AR translate operate.

When you’re ready, observe these steps:

• Navigate to the Kakao Business admin page. You’ll be requested to sign up 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 subsequent web page might or might not auto-translate, however the yellow button at the backside says “Create a brand new channel.”
• Enter the channel title, search ID and temporary description on your channel, and add a profile image (really helpful: 640 x 640px). It’s also possible to choose related classes on your model from the dropdown menus beneath.
• After they’re first opened, channels are set to non-public. Navigate to the channel visibility toggle on your dashboard and click on it on to set your channel as public. Right here you can even flip on “enable search” and “1:1 chat” to essentially get your title on the market.

That’s it. You’ve efficiently made a KakaoTalk Channel on your model, and have entry to messaging, analytics, promotional coupons and the potential to be present in the consumer listing.

Improve to a KakaoTalk Enterprise Channel (non-obligatory)

However wait, there’s extra. In the event 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 fancy 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.

In the event you’ve acquired the quantity, then right here’s easy methods to proceed:

• Click on the “Improve to enterprise channel” button on the dashboard (it might not translate but it surely’s circled in pink).

• Click on “Apply” in the prime proper nook.

• Fill in all of the fields together with your lacking data.

Functions take three to 5 enterprise days to be accepted, and also you’ll be notified by way of your registered KakaoTalk e-mail after they’re full. In the event you’ve incorrectly stuffed out any fields, your utility could also be rejected. In the event you’re accepted, you can begin utilizing the BizBoard and having fun with the different advantages of a enterprise account.

Continuously requested questions on KakaoTalk

With a possible language barrier and the undeniable fact that it’s comparatively new to audiences exterior of South Korea, you might need extra questions on KakaoTalk. We’ve acquired you coated with our KakaoTalk FAQ.

Is KakaoTalk protected?

In the event you use it appropriately, KakaoTalk is certainly protected. The app gives normal safety features like 2-step verification to make sure that it’s not simply accessible to hackers.

Nevertheless, it is usually necessary to notice that South Korean legal guidelines do enable the app to share chat historical past with staff, and there have been various libel cases which have included chat data from the app.

For additional safety, you may flip on end-to-end encryption in the event 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, but it surely additionally requires customers to acquire a South Korean enterprise license and different documentation.

Some options may require a South Korean cellphone quantity. These aren’t unimaginable 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 yr or longer. You may nonetheless have the ability to get it up and operating once more if that occurs, but it surely’s not foolproof. Many individuals have complained that they’ve misplaced their whole chat historical past, so it’s in all probability not value the threat.

The place can I get help for my KakaoTalk account?

In the event you’ve acquired any questions on your KakaoTalk account, they’ve acquired a helpful FAQ page of their very own — and it’s already obtainable in English. It’s also possible to attain out to their customer service desk.

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