Telegram for Business: What Is a Telegram and How to Use It

Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app that focuses on speed and security. It is one of the popular choices amongst many other WhatsApp alternatives. Founded by Russian entrepreneur Pavel Durov and his brother Nikolai in 2013, it is reported that the messaging app has 700 million monthly active users as of 2022 ^[1].  

In this article, we’ll be exploring the basics and necessities of what you need to do to create as well as how to use your Telegram account.  

What is Telegram?

Telegram is a cloud-based messaging app that prioritises security, speed and user experience. Unlike traditional messaging apps, Telegram is known for its open-source API, extensive storage capabilities and versatile features.

It has become a popular platform for both personal and professional communication, supporting multimedia sharing, group messaging and channels that reach large audiences.

Who is Telegram for?

Telegram is an ideal platform for various types of businesses, from startups and e-commerce to established brands and affiliate marketers. Businesses that aim to engage audiences in real-time and foster interactive communities will benefit the most.

With its highly customisable features, Telegram is advantageous for affiliate marketers, content creators, e-commerce stores and service providers, who can tailor the platform to meet their specific communication and marketing needs.

Benefits of Using a Telegram Business Account

Setting up a Telegram business account opens up a wealth of features designed to enhance communication, marketing and customer interaction. Here’s why Telegram stands out for businesses:

Speed and Readability

Telegram’s infrastructure is optimised for fast, secure communication, allowing messages to be delivered directly between devices rather than through central servers. This setup means messages reach their recipients more quickly, with the app’s interface designed for clear, organised presentation, reducing misunderstandings and enhancing engagement.

This fast, readable format allows businesses to connect with audiences in real-time, sharing updates, flash sales, or time-sensitive alerts with assurance that they’ll be delivered securely and promptly.

Broad Organic Reach

With its high organic reach, Telegram stands out from traditional platforms. Posts on Telegram are guaranteed visibility in groups and channels, unlike social media networks where algorithms may limit reach. Public channels are also indexed by search engines, giving your content visibility beyond your Telegram followers.

This extended reach means businesses can easily attract new audiences. For example, a public Telegram channel for a financial service can share market news that’s not only seen by channel members but also searchable online.

Large Group and Message Capacity

Telegram’s platform supports groups with up to 200,000 members, making it ideal for businesses with large audiences or communities. Plus, Telegram can process up to 20,000 messages per second, ensuring smooth communication even in high-traffic channels.

This high capacity makes Telegram perfect for real-time customer support, Q&A sessions and community engagement, particularly useful for sectors that rely on responsive, large-scale interactions like events or online communities.

Various Features to Use

In addition to core messaging, Telegram offers a wide array of features to support business communication and automation, including:

• Cloud-Based Messaging

Telegram uses cloud-based messaging, ensuring that messages, files and chat histories are stored in the cloud. This allows seamless access to all conversations from multiple devices without data loss, allowing you to easily switch between devices without interrupting workflow.

• Secret Chats

For businesses requiring added confidentiality, Telegram offers end-to-end encrypted secret chats that aren’t stored on its servers. Messages in secret chats are device-specific and support features like self-destruct timers for sensitive information.

• Voice and Video Calls

Telegram supports secure, end-to-end encrypted voice and video calls, enabling businesses to connect with customers, clients or teams directly. This feature is particularly useful for businesses needing face-to-face interaction without relying on third-party platforms.

• File Sharing

Businesses can share files up to 2GB in size through Telegram, accommodating large documents, videos or other media files without compromising quality. This makes it easy for businesses in creative fields, for example, to send high-resolution media or large datasets.

Free, Unlimited Storage

Telegram’s free, unlimited cloud storage makes it a cost-effective platform for storing all types of media and message history without limits. This feature allows businesses to store valuable resources, documents or chat histories without worrying about running out of space.

For industries relying on extensive media-sharing, like retail or design, unlimited storage means there’s no need to delete valuable files or limit content sharing.

No Messaging Limits

Telegram has no restrictions on messaging frequency or capacity, meaning businesses can send as many messages as needed without concerns about hitting caps or extra charges. This flexibility is critical for businesses that frequently engage with audiences or provide customer updates, ensuring unrestricted communication flow.

Open-Source API

Telegram’s open-source API lets businesses create custom bots for tasks like customer service, lead generation, or appointment scheduling. Bots can streamline repetitive tasks, helping businesses maintain high responsiveness without overburdening their teams.

Automation via bots is valuable for improving efficiency, particularly for customer service or sales. For example, an affiliate marketer could set up a bot to answer frequently asked questions, freeing up time for team members to focus on higher-priority tasks. 

Integrating Telegram with Other Tools

Telegram integrates well with numerous business tools, making it easy to streamline your communication and workflows. You can integrate Telegram with CRM systems, email marketing software and project management tools. Many businesses use Telegram’s API to connect with tools like Zapier, Slack and WordPress, allowing for automated notifications, real-time updates and smooth task management across platforms.

How to Use Telegram for Business? 

Ready to see what Telegram can really do for your business? Let’s dive into some creative ways you can use this powerhouse app to connect with customers, keep your team in sync and build a buzzing online community.

In order to use Telegram, you first have to install the Telegram app on your mobile device. Here’s a quick guide on how you can install the app on your iPhone and Android:  

1. Open Google Play Store on your android device or App Store for Apple.  

2. Search for Telegram in the search bar. This is what the Telegram app icon looks like  

3. Tap on “Install” or “Get App” once you find the app.  

The app is available for iOS, Android, and desktop devices. But remember that to use Telegram on the web, you must first have a Telegram account. Telegram does not allow you to create an account through the web. Here are some basic steps to use the app:  

1. Download and install the Telegram app on your device.  

2. Open the app and create an account by entering your phone number and the following prompts. You will then need to verify your phone number through a code sent via SMS.  

3. Once your account is set up, you can start using the app to send messages to your contact. Simply select a contact or start a new chat and type your message in the text field to send a message.  

Telegram provides a number of additional features in addition to basic messaging that you can use. As mentioned earlier, you can share media files, start group chats, and automate tasks with bots, among other things. To do so, tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner of the app and choose the desired option to access these features.  

Telegram Bots

Think of Telegram bots as your business’s automated helpers, ready to jump in 24/7 to lend a hand. These bots are perfect for tackling repetitive tasks and making life easier for both you and your customers.

How Bots Can Work for You:

• Customer Support On-Demand: Bots can handle common questions or provide instant help, so your team can focus on more complex issues. Imagine customers getting answers immediately, anytime they need!
• Spread the Word: Use bots to share news, deals or product launches automatically. Keep your audience in the loop without lifting a finger.
• Personalised Recommendations: With some simple setup, bots can recommend products or share content based on each customer’s interests. It’s like having a mini sales assistant in every customer’s pocket.

Got a repetitive task? There’s probably a bot for it. These little helpers can turn Telegram into a real workhorse for your business.

Telegram Groups

If you’re building a community around your brand, Telegram groups are the perfect way to create a space where people can share, connect and get excited together.

How Groups Can Power Up Your Brand:

• Customer Q&A and Support Hub: Create a group for customers to ask questions, share tips or troubleshoot together. Your community can help each other and your team can jump in when needed.
• Gather Your People: Use groups to bring together your most loyal customers, where they can share experiences, offer feedback and interact with your team.
• Event Planning and Networking: Hosting an event? Set up a group to keep attendees in the loop. It’s like having an event chatroom with instant updates and connections!

Creating a Telegram group can feel like building a little online community, where your customers, team and brand fans feel involved and connected.

Telegram Channels

If groups are your community space, then Telegram channels are your business’s personal broadcast studio. Channels let you send messages to everyone who subscribes, without the constant chatter back and forth.

Ways Channels Work for You:

• Sharing Updates: Launches, events, announcements – keep your customers informed with one message reaching all.
• Unlimited Reach: Anyone can join your channel and they’ll all get your message. Telegram’s public channel feature even allows your posts to appear in search engines, so anyone can stumble upon them.
• Show Off Your Expertise: Share valuable insights, tips and content to establish your brand as an industry leader.

Whether you’re launching new products or just want to keep followers in the loop, Telegram channels are a great way to shout it out to the world.

How to Set Up Your Telegram Business Account

How to Create a Telegram Account

Creating a Telegram account is simple and only takes a few minutes. Here is a step-by-step guide: 

1. Make sure you have the Telegram app installed on your mobile device.  

2. Open the app and select the “Create Account” button. 

3. Enter your phone number and select “Next”. Telegram will send a verification code to your phone via SMS.  

4. Enter the verification code and select “Next”. 

5. Choose a username for your account. This will be the name other users will see when you message them.  

6. Set up a profile photo and name (optional). 

7. Review and accept the terms of service.  

That’s it! Your Telegram account is now successfully set up and ready to use. You can start messaging your contacts and exploring the app. 

How to Create a Telegram Bot for Telegram Business Account?

Creating a Telegram bot can significantly enhance your business operations. Telegram bots can automate tasks, manage queries and support marketing efforts. To create a bot, follow these steps:

1. Use BotFather: Telegram’s BotFather will guide you through creating a bot. Simply search for ‘BotFather’ in Telegram, start a chat and follow the instructions.

2. Create a New Bot:

• Send the command /newbot to BotFather.
• Follow the prompts to name your bot and choose a username for it. The username must end with “bot” (e.g., mybusinessbot)

3. Get the API Token: After creating your bot, BotFather will provide you with an API token. This token is essential for connecting your bot to the Telegram API.

4. Set Up Your Bot:

• You can use various platforms and programming languages to set up your bot.
• If you prefer coding, you can use Python with libraries like python-telegram-bot or Node.js with node-telegram-bot-api.

5. Customise Your Bot:

• Define the bot’s functionalities based on your business needs. This can include automated responses, handling customer queries and sending updates.
• You can also integrate your bot with other tools and services to enhance its capabilities.

6. Deploy and Test: Once your bot is set up, deploy it and test its functionalities to ensure everything works as expected.

7. Promote Your Bot: Share your bot with your customers by providing them with the bot’s username or a direct link to start a chat.

Read our blog on the ‘11 Best Telegram Bots to Use in 2024’ to discover how to enhance your Telegram experience with top-performing bots that help you streamline communication and improve productivity.

Creating Effective Telegram Channels and Groups

Creating a Telegram channel or group is more than just opening a chat; it’s about building a lively, engaged community that’s genuinely interested in your brand.

1. Be Clear on Purpose and Rules: Before inviting anyone to your group or channel, define its purpose. Let your audience know what they’ll get out of joining and set some simple ground rules. This keeps things professional and ensures everyone has a positive experience.

2. Keep Content Relevant and Valuable: Telegram users love quick, actionable information. Share insights, tips and updates that bring real value. Whether it’s expert advice, industry news or exclusive offers, make each post count! And remember, content that resonates is what keeps people coming back.

3. Post Consistently but Avoid Overloading: Stay active in your channel or group, but don’t overwhelm your audience with too many updates. Find a posting rhythm that keeps your followers engaged without bombarding them.

4. Encourage Interaction (Especially in Groups): In groups, interaction is key. Ask questions, start conversations and encourage feedback to foster a sense of community. Respond to comments and get involved in discussions to make your group feel like a collaborative space where everyone’s voice is valued. 

For more detailed guidance and managing successful channels and groups, check out our blog titled ‘A Guide to Telegram Group and Channel for your Business’.

How to Create a Telegram Channel  

1. Open the Telegram app on your device and tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner of the app.  

2. Select the “New Channel” option.  

3. Enter a name and description for your channel. You can also set a profile picture and choose whether the channel will be public or private.  

4. Tap on the “Create” button to create your channel.  

After creating your channel, you can start communicating with it by choosing it from the chat list and entering your message in the text box. Any member may view and comment on messages, but only channel administrators are able to post them. 

Remember that channels are not intended for private conversations between users, but rather for broadcasting messages to large audiences. You can start a regular chat or a “Secret Chat” with end-to-end encryption if you want to talk to someone privately. 

How to Create a Telegram Group 

1. Open the Telegram app on your device and tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner of the app.  

2. Select the “New Group” option.  

3. Select the contacts you want to add to the group. You can also add people to the group later on by selecting the group from the chat list and tapping on the “Add Member” button.  

4. Tap on the “Create” button to create the group. 

5. Enter a name and set a profile picture for the group (optional). 

After you’ve created your group, you can start chatting with all participants by choosing the group from the chat list and entering your message in the text field. Group members can also invite their personal contacts to the conversation and participate. 

Remember that groups can have up to 200,000 members. Instead, you can start a Telegram channel if you want to reach a wider audience. Channels do not support conversations between individual users; instead, they are for broadcasting messages to large audiences. 

Use Telegram on your Browser 

All popular browsers, including Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari, and Mozilla Firefox, are compatible with Telegram Web. Since it is platform-centric, any current operating system can access it. 

You need access to a running Telegram session on your computer or phone. If not, you are unable to access Telegram online. 

1. Open Telegram Web on your desktop https://web.telegram.org.  
2. Select your country from the login screen that appears.  
3. Enter your phone number and click on the “Next” button.  
4. A confirmation popup will appear on the screen to confirm if the phone number you keyed in is correct or not.  
5. Click “Ok” if the number is correct.  
6. You will receive a code on your phone, which you will need to enter.  
7. Proceed by clicking “Next”.  
8. You’ll be successfully logged in to your account! 

Using Telegram for Your Business

Telegram’s combination of speed, versatility and innovative features makes it an excellent tool for businesses. By setting up a business account, utilising bots and integrating Telegram with other platforms, businesses can streamline communication, automate tasks and connect with audiences like never before. Start exploring Telegram today to enhance your business reach and engagement. 

That covers everything you need to know, along with a complete guide on how to set up Telegram for your business.

If you’re looking for more educational materials or you want to learn more on how to grow your business, be sure to check out Vantage Partner’s blog and give us a follow on our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Telegram so you don’t miss out! 

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