In the age of instant messaging, WhatsApp has become a part of our daily routine, from quick check-ins with friends to important business conversations. But like any tool, it comes with a set of unspoken rules. Today, we’re talking about a few key points: Why you should keep your blue ticks visible, why your profile picture matters, how to handle group chats, and how to make the most of WhatsApp Updates for marketing.
Show Your Blue Ticks – It’s About Acknowledgement, Not Pressure
A common concern is that having your blue ticks visible makes people feel like they need to respond right away. That pressure can feel overwhelming for some. But let’s flip the script. Showing your blue ticks isn’t about responding instantly—it’s simply a way to acknowledge that you’ve seen the message. If you’re busy and can’t respond immediately, it’s natural for the other person to assume you’ll get back to them later.
There’s no need to feel pressured into an immediate response. The key is communication: Your blue ticks let people know they’ve been heard, even if you need time before replying. So, don’t feel used or rushed, just keep it transparent. It helps avoid confusion and unnecessary follow-up messages like “Did you see my text?”
Profile Picture: Keep It Clear, Keep It You
While it’s totally fine to want to show off your girlfriend, family, or even your pets in your profile picture, it’s important to remember the purpose of that little image. If you’re in business or client communication, your profile picture should make it easy for others to recognize you at a glance. Multiple faces or a crowded picture often means someone has to “open your profile” to figure out which one is you—making it harder for clients or new contacts to identify who they’re talking to. The more faces in the image, the less clear it becomes.
If you really want to showcase your loved ones, it’s best to do it in a way that doesn’t take away from your own recognizability. Your profile pic is like your digital business card—make sure it’s doing its job well!
Group Chats: Always Ask Before Adding
We’ve all been there—suddenly added to a group chat without any heads-up, and next thing you know, your phone is blowing up with messages that don’t even concern you. This is especially common in business groups. Personally, when I’m designing websites for clients and multiple people are involved, I always make it clear: Don’t add me to the group.
Why? Because it clutters up my WhatsApp with discussions that aren’t always relevant to my role. A lot of the time, business chats involve hundreds of messages going back and forth about things that should be handled in-house before bringing in the external parties. It’s better to have a structured, focused online meeting for that. Groups are great for in-house communication within a company, but when it comes to bringing in someone from the outside, like a freelancer or consultant, always ask first. This avoids the awkward situation of someone leaving the group because it’s not the right place for them.
BONUS TIP: Save Business Names After Last Names for Easy Recognition
Here’s a quick tip for those dealing with lots of clients or business contacts: When saving someone’s number, add their business name in brackets after their last name. It’s easy to forget which company someone is from, especially when you’re juggling multiple projects. By saving contacts as “John Smith (Google)” instead of just “John Smith,” you make it much easier to remember the connection at a glance. This little tweak can save you from scrolling through messages wondering, “Where do I know this person from again?”
Use WhatsApp Updates as a Marketing Tool
WhatsApp Updates (formerly WhatsApp Status) are an awesome way to share what’s going on behind the scenes, promote your work, or just share fun moments with your contacts. I love using mine to show off projects I’m working on or to give a sneak peek into what’s happening behind the scenes. It’s informal, it’s entertaining, and it’s a great way to keep your audience engaged.
Plus, you can easily share these updates to your Facebook stories as well, doubling your exposure with no extra effort. If you’re in business, this is an easy marketing tool to leverage!
Feel free to add me to your contacts if you want to keep up with my stories: +27826974796
