Almost everyone in Sri Lanka is in a few WhatsApp groups: the family group, the school parents' group, the village or apartment group, an old office group. It is tempting to share your products in all of them. Done badly, that gets you muted, removed or quietly disliked. Done well, groups can bring you customers who trust you.
Here is how to do it well.
The golden rule
A group belongs to its members, not to you. People joined it to talk to family, plan school events or share news. You are a guest there with your products. Behave like a polite guest.
Step 1: Ask the admin first
Before you post anything for sale, send the group admin a private message. Many groups have a "no selling" rule, and some allow it on certain days only.
Hi! I've started selling some useful home and kitchen items through MyKade. Would it be okay if I share one post in the group now and then? If the group prefers no selling, no problem at all.
If the admin says no, respect it completely. If they say yes, ask if there is a day or a limit they prefer.
Step 2: Read the room
Some groups are a perfect fit and some are not.
- Good fits: buy-and-sell groups, neighbourhood groups that allow notices, parents' groups where useful items are welcome.
- Poor fits: family groups during a funeral or a celebration, religious groups, work groups, or groups where nobody else ever sells.
When in doubt, don't post. One annoyed group can cost you more than it gives.
Step 3: Post rarely, and post well
In a group, one good post beats ten forwarded ones.
- Once a day at most, often less. In most groups, a couple of times a week is plenty.
- One product per post. Don't paste a list of fifteen items.
- Write it yourself. A clear photo, two or three lines about what it does and the full price.
- Show the full total. "Rs 1,950 + delivery Rs 450, cash on delivery."
A good group post looks like this:
Fridge storage boxes, set of 4. Keeps vegetables fresh and the fridge tidy. Rs 1,950 + delivery Rs 450, cash on delivery, arrives in about 3 days. Message me privately if you'd like one.
Step 4: Move the chat to private
Never discuss prices, addresses or phone numbers in the group. When someone is interested, reply in a private chat. It is polite, it keeps their details safe, and it keeps the group clean.
Hi! Saw you asked about the storage boxes in the group. Happy to help. Would you like the details here?
Things never to do
- Never add people to a group without asking. Creating a "sale group" and adding all your contacts is the fastest way to be blocked and reported.
- Never forward chain messages like "Share with 10 groups and win a prize".
- Never post fake reviews or pretend to be a happy customer.
- Never post late at night in groups where people get notifications.
- Never argue in the group. If someone complains, apologise and take it to a private chat.
- Never use other brands' names or logos.
Your own broadcast list or group, done properly
If you want a place for your regular customers, invite them, don't add them.
Hi! I'm starting a small WhatsApp group where I share one useful product a day. Would you like to join? It's fine if not, I won't add you without your yes.
Only add people who say yes. Let anyone leave without fuss. Keep it to one or two posts a day.
Be helpful first
The sellers people like in groups are the ones who also help. Answer a question about a recipe, share a useful tip, congratulate someone on their child's results. When people know you as kind and helpful, they are happy to buy from you.
Customers pay MyKade, not you
Whenever someone orders, remember: customers pay MyKade, either by cash on delivery or through a secure payment link MyKade texts them. Never ask a group member to send money to your account.
Start with one group
Pick one group where selling fits, message the admin today and make one good post. For more ideas, read selling with WhatsApp Status. Download the MyKade app and start politely.