This is How You Can Build Your own Powerful Communications Channel on Telegram

Two years ago I launched the Innovation and Technology Forum Telegram channel and since then I'm on an empowering and educating journey.

The channel had gained popularity among the Israeli high-tech industry, influenced people and organizations, and taught me a few things about making an impact, connecting people and how Telegram can be leveraged into a super powerful communication tool.

This channel is based on the "Innovation and Technology Forum", an activity I lead in collaboration with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aiming to update and share information about tech delegations that are coming to Israel, putting spotlights on prominent figures in the industry, conferences and events with a global aspect and strengthen the connection within the industry (networking). 

Over time, another goal was added - to increase the general knowledge within the industry itself, which is why I occasionally publish professional books reviews in that channel as well.

We are now with over 1,500 subscribers, and I've already received a lot of direct inquiries from people who are following and learning from this channel, expanding their professional network, meet delegations that visit Israel from different countries, and even got to represent Israel at tech conferences abroad.

Telegram: History

Telegram was launched in 2013 by brothers Nikolai and Pavel Dorov, the founders of the Russian social network VK. LLP Messenger Telegram, a non-profit institution based in Germany runs the system today. 

In March 2018, the network reached 1 million users in Israel and it will launch a digital currency called Gram, soon. Telegram is an Instant Messaging system (IM), emphasizing encryption and privacy. Other familiar instant messaging platforms are WeChat and WhatsApp. 

Compared to WhatsApp (and I purposely put aside WeChat) Telegram comes with some very advanced options, such as: bots, open API, location-based channels, scheduled messages, ability to send photos, videos and files of any type up to 5.1 gigabytes, and of course - setting up Telegram channels. Telegram is also available from browsers.

In addition, Telegram also allows embedding messages outside of it, as well as viewing the full content of public channels without downloading the app or network registration.

Telegram Channels Establishment: Main Features

One-way communication

Telegram channels allow you to build your own place where you can post updates (text, video, voice, image, location, sticker, contact or file) and manage one-way communication - broadcast. What it means is that none of your subscribers can comment, share or like the content you upload there.

In an age where all emphasis is on bilateral communication and all social networks encourage us to take part and respond, the possibility of unilateral communication is a refreshing opportunity, that disable verbal violence or any other negative form of discussion (unless you are yourself send such messages, of course). This is similar to sending a newsletter, just without all the preparation of building the newsletter and its content, and at a much faster pace.

Still, unilateral communication has its drawbacks. To me, the big downside is a subscriber's inability to give immediate feedback on the updates that published up on the channel. In a blog or social networks, like LinkedIn, it is incredibly easy - as a reader you can simply comment, share, like, or just join the discussion, asking what you want and take an active part.

Powerful solution - always give a human address

So, how to overcome this on a Telegram channel? I found a great way - just make sure to give every update a human address that wants to continue the connection, if there are subscribers (readers) that want to engage with the update. 

For example, if I share an update on an upcoming delegation coming from abroad, I will finish the update with a contact person from that delegation, usually with his or her professional title, LinkedIn account and email address. That way anyone can contact them. (Of course, I do make sure to ask for their approval before posting)

Restrictions on number of subscribers

Contrary to known restrictions from groups in WhatsApp, where you can join up to 256 people, in Telegram groups you can gather up to 200,000 people. On the Telegram channels (which this guide deals with) you have no limit to the number of subscribers!

Full channel history

Unlike the well-known groups in WhatsApp, where everyone who joins the group is exposed to messages and content of the group only from the moment he or she joined (meaning he or she has no ability to flip back and watch the history of the conversation), on Telegram channels, all the content that was shared, from the time of establishment of the channel - available to anyone. This is a huge advantage when building a long-term activity.

Statistics and more information

Unlike, for example, LinkedIn groups, it's hard to understand who are your Telegram subscribers really are (meaning - what is their profession, seniority, age, etc.)

You can scroll through and see lots of user names, but if he or she is not on your contact list (someone you know), you don't really have any information about them. However, every message you publish present a live counter of views:

Content

When it comes to content, it is very important to ask yourself the following questions: Which topics will your channel cover? Who are the target audience and what gives them a real value? Do you have a basic knowledge of the subject and do you have the passion to search and look for this content and become the person that feeds updates and make sure to stream them neatly into your channel? 

Please notice: like any valuable activity, Telegram channel management requires time, passion and effort.

How do you know if your content is good? Ask yourself a simple question - would you like to be notified and read this content? Would you find this updated valuable? In fact, the challenge of managing a Telegram channel is twofold. Not only does content need to have a real value, it also has to come in such a way that it does not interfere with the subscriber's day routine, who might get a push-notification as you share something. 

For that matter, if a newsletter can be sent at midnight since the email will wait for the recipient when he/she opens the email app, it is not the case when sending updates on Telegram channels, as many are getting it as push updates.

This is how I summaries some of the updates that were shared on my channel - using video (Hebrew) -

Telegram channel opening - step by step

Ok, let's do this!

Step 1 - Open the Telegram app and click the "New Message" button

Step 2 - Select "New Channel"

Step 3 - Channel details 

In the channel details it is important to give it a name that expresses the content and the goal of your activity, same with the photo (but do try to have a photo that will be prominent enough when viewed among the many channels of your subscribers)

Description - It is important to take advantage of the description option in order to give a slightly broader description of the channel, the number of characters is limited so it needs to be short and clear. In addition, I recommend giving an email or any way to contact you (as the manager of the channel) if your subscriber wants to contribute updates, offer collaborations, etc.

Step 4 - Public or Private? 

If you choose to set up a ‘private’ channel, people will not be able to find your channel in Telegram search, just via a link. If you select the ‘public’ channel option, Telegram users will find you on Telegram search, and you will be able to design a custom URL, and also allow people to view the channel even without a Telegram account.

In the following articles...

In the following posts I will explore the more sophisticated Telegram options, such as: creating surveys on the channel (another great way to overcome the same one-way communication we talked about), using bots, location-based channels, using real-time Telegram channels at conferences, promoting your channel, signing messages, and the relatively new possibility of creating an automated mirror-group to open discussion on your channel. 

Photo by Hu Chen on Unsplash

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