You don’t have to abandon your email list if you want to start growing your subscribers on Facebook Messenger. The best companies have multiple touch points to reach their audience. A Facebook Messenger chatbot should compliment your email list, not replace it.

Using both channels together

Email marketing and chatbot marketing each have their strengths. Email is great for long-form content and has an established place in your audience’s routine. Messenger has dramatically higher open rates (80%+) and click rates (50%+) because it’s a newer, more personal channel.

The smart strategy is to use both simultaneously. Grow your Messenger subscriber list while maintaining your email list. When you have important announcements, send to both. When you want high engagement on a specific campaign, lead with Messenger.

How to grow both at the same time

Use your existing email list to drive Messenger subscribers by sending a campaign that links to a Messenger opt-in. Use your chatbot’s comment triggers and growth tools to capture leads who may also convert to email subscribers via Zapier integrations.

The best companies use multiple touch points — your audience should be able to find you on email, Messenger, and social media. Each channel reinforces the others and creates a stronger relationship with your subscribers.