KakaoTalk Open Chat Rooms for Building Community Around Your Brand

As Korea’s most widely used messaging app, KakaoTalk is more than a personal communication tool but also a business lifeline. Among its powerful features, KakaoTalk Open Chat Rooms offer a unique opportunity for brands to build, nurture, and activate loyal communities.

In this guide, we explore Kakao Open Chat community marketing: how businesses can leverage chat rooms to engage users, gain feedback, and turn passive followers into active brand advocates.

What is a KakaoTalk Open Chat Room?

Open Chat Rooms on KakaoTalk allow users to join conversations through a link without sharing their phone number or being personal contacts. This provides a low-barrier entry point for anonymous yet authentic discussions.

For businesses, this means:

• Creating interest-based or brand-centered communities
• Running engagement campaigns directly in-app
• Gathering unfiltered customer feedback
• Offering real-time support or updates

Benefits of Kakao Open Chat for Community Marketing

Kakao Open Chat rooms are a unique blend of accessibility and intimacy. Here’s how they power up your brand community:

• Direct, Ongoing Access – Brands can talk to customers in real time without needing them to follow social media accounts.
• Higher Engagement Rates – Compared to email or social posts, chat rooms encourage back-and-forth conversation.
• Trust and Loyalty – When users can casually interact with a brand, it humanizes the business and deepens brand loyalty.
• Fast Feedback Loop – Whether you’re testing a campaign idea or a product, Open Chat provides near-instant feedback.
• Segmented Communities – Create different rooms for different user types: VIP customers, product testers, event attendees, and more.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Start Kakao Open Chat Rooms

1. Open the KakaoTalk App: Ensure you have the KakaoTalk application installed and logged in on your mobile device.
2. Access the Chat Tab: Navigate to the “Chat” tab, usually located at the bottom of the screen.
3. Initiate a New Chat: Look for a “+” or “New Chat” icon, often found in the top right corner. Tap it.
4. Select “Open Chat”: Among the chat options, select “Open Chat.” This will lead you to the Open Chat creation page.
5. Choose Chat Type: Decide if you want a 1:1 chat or a group chat. For community marketing, select “Group Chat.”
6. Set Up Your Chat Room:
   • Room Name: Give your Open Chat Room a relevant and engaging name that reflects its purpose.
   • Profile Image: Choose a profile picture that represents your brand or the chat’s theme.
   • Category: Select an appropriate category for your chat room to help users find it.
   • Search Tag: Add relevant tags to improve search visibility.
   • Background: Customize the chat room’s background if desired.
7. Set Access Options:
   • Join Approval: Decide if you want to manually approve new members or allow automatic entry.
   • Search Allow: Enable or disable search visibility for your chat room.
8. Create Chat Room: Once you’ve configured the settings, tap “Create” to launch your Kakao Open Chat Room.
9. Share the Link: After creation, KakaoTalk will generate a unique link. Share this link on your website, social media, and other marketing channels to invite people to join.
10. Pin a Welcome Message: Immediately after creating the room, pin a welcome message with guidelines and purpose to set the tone and expectations for your community.

Navigating Kakao Open Chat Community Marketing

Using Open Chat for Feedback

Open Chat Rooms on Kakao offer an exceptional platform for direct, unfiltered interaction with your target audience. This real-time environment allows brands to understand customer sentiment and gather actionable insights. 

• Real-Time Reactions and Immediate Understanding: Beyond mere comments, the platform’s functionality for instant reactions (such as emojis) provides a quick gauge of emotional responses to new campaigns, product updates, or announcements. This immediacy helps brands quickly grasp whether the message resonates positively or negatively. Deeper engagement through comments and direct questions allows for a more nuanced understanding of the audience’s views and concerns.
• Crowdsourced Ideas for Product Development and Improvement: Transform the Open Chat Room into a dynamic brainstorming hub. Actively seek input on desired features, potential pain points, or suggestions for upcoming products. This not only helps to refine offerings but also makes the community feel intrinsically valued and involved in the brand’s trajectory. By addressing real user needs, brands can enhance product relevance and increase customer satisfaction.
• Strategic Use of Polls and Surveys for Data-Driven Decisions: Implement in-chat polls and surveys to gather quantitative data on customer preferences and opinions. This method allows for the quick and efficient collection of structured feedback. Use these tools to validate assumptions, test concepts, or gather data on user demographics. This information can be crucial for strategic decision-making in areas such as product design, marketing campaigns, and customer service strategies.

Example: For example, a fashion brand can poll members on fabric preferences, style details, and sizing options. This data would not only guide final production but also help predict demand and tailor marketing.

Building Loyalty

Building true loyalty within Open Chat Rooms involves creating a strong sense of community and belonging. It’s about recognizing members as valued participants, not just customers. Implement the following strategies to foster lasting relationships:

• Early Access and Sneak Peeks to Foster Inclusivity and Exclusivity: Offer members exclusive behind-the-scenes content, previews of upcoming product launches, or early access to sales. This strategy makes them feel like insiders, strengthening their connection with the brand. Sharing development stages or upcoming collaborations can foster a sense of shared ownership.
• Exclusive Promo Codes and Tangible Rewards: Provide unique discount coupons and special offers accessible only to community members. This tactic incentivizes engagement and makes membership rewarding. Tailor these rewards to match the community’s interests and needs, making them more appealing and impactful.
• Recognition Programs and Personalized Acknowledgements: Acknowledge active users, celebrate milestones, and offer personalized birthday messages. This fosters a supportive community where members feel seen and appreciated. Publicly highlight top contributors or host regular “member spotlights” to further encourage active participation. Small gestures of appreciation, such as sending thank-you messages or surprise gifts, can greatly enhance community spirit.

Example: A beauty brand could host a “Top Contributor of the Month” giveaway featuring its latest product line and a virtual meet-and-greet with the brand founder. This not only incentivizes participation but also gives members direct access to the brand.

Interactive Campaigns

Kakao Open Chat Rooms provide a dynamic space for creative, interactive campaigns that forge stronger user bonds and boost engagement. Consider the following tactics to make your chat rooms vibrant and active:

• Weekly Challenges to Boost Engagement and Motivation: Create weekly challenges related to your brand’s niche, such as fitness goals, artistic prompts, or learning objectives. Encourage users to share their progress and support each other. Track participation and reward consistent engagement. This regular interaction helps keep the community lively and reinforces brand values.
• Influencer Pop-ins to Enhance Credibility and Attract New Members: Invite micro-influencers or industry experts for Q&A sessions, live demos, or themed discussions. Their presence brings credibility and attracts new members. This also allows community members to interact directly with knowledgeable figures, adding value to their experience. Choose influencers whose values align with your brand for authentic engagement.
• Story-Based Campaigns to Drive Participation and Decision-Making: Develop an evolving story or scenario where users vote on the next steps or plot twists. This creates a sense of shared narrative and decision-making, making them feel an integral part of the campaign. Use multimedia like images and videos to enhance storytelling and deepen the immersive experience.

These campaigns serve to build community excitement and foster inclusion, ensuring that members feel valued and actively contribute to the ongoing dialogue and development of the brand.

Kakao Open Chat Community Marketing Strategies

This table categorizes various strategies for using Kakao Open Chat rooms for community marketing. It outlines the categories of room types or engagement tactics, describes their purpose, and provides specific examples. 

Category	Description	Examples
Themed Rooms	Launch rooms around topics customers care about.	– Product Support: “Routine Help” for skincare; – Lifestyle/Interest: “30-Day Wellness Challenge” for fitness; – Event-Based: Exclusive access during a product launch or webinar.
Feedback Collection	Gather real opinions from users.	– Quick Polls on designs, flavors, or features; – Testimonial campaigns for reviews; – Sentiment Tracking with reactions and emojis.
Loyalty-Boosting Perks	Incentivize users to stay active and loyal.	– Exclusive Coupons; – Flash Giveaways; – Early Product Drops.
Micro-Campaigns	Test campaigns on a smaller scale in the intimate setting of chat rooms.	– Interactive Storytelling; – Beta Testing; – User-Generated Content Campaigns with rewards for top contributors.
Multi-Layered Rooms	For brands with a larger audience, segment rooms or create VIP spaces.	– Segmented Rooms by product, interest, or campaign; – Referral-Only Rooms for top fans for intimate interaction.

Best Practices for Managing Open Chat Communities

Building a community takes more than opening a room. Here’s how to make it work:

• Set Ground Rules – Pin a welcome message with community guidelines. This keeps discussions focused and civil.
• Assign Moderators – Empower team members or brand fans to help manage and engage in the chat.
• Maintain a Conversational Tone – Talk like a friend, not a bot. Emojis, informal speech, and humor go a long way in Korea.
• Balance Message Frequency – Be present without spamming. One or two quality interactions per day are ideal.
• Use Data to Refine Strategy – Monitor which posts perform best and when your users are most active.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Being Too Salesy – Overpromotion kills conversation. Focus on building relationships.
• Ignoring Moderation – Spam or toxic behavior ruins trust quickly.
• Lack of Localization – Korean users expect casual, friendly language. Don’t just translate; localize.
• Inconsistent Activity – A quiet room looks abandoned. Maintain regular updates.

How Different Industries Leverage Their Kakao Open Chat Community Marketing

Various industries effectively utilize Kakao Open Chat rooms for community marketing, tailoring strategies to their specific needs and customer behaviors. The following table illustrates how diverse sectors leverage these chat rooms to foster engagement, loyalty, and gather valuable insights.

Industry	Kakao Open Strategies	Industry	Kakao Open Strategies
Beauty & Skincare	Facilitating interactive Q&A sessions, sharing skincare routines, and creating engaging beauty challenges.	Fitness & Wellness	Organizing fitness challenges, forming support groups, and conducting live workout sessions.
E-commerce & D2C Brands	Providing VIP customer service, implementing reward programs, and utilizing audience segmentation for targeted marketing.	Education & EdTech	Offering study assistance, encouraging knowledge sharing among users, and gathering feedback to improve educational content.
Food & Beverage	Enabling users to share recipes, conduct taste tests, and create interactive food-related challenges.	Travel & Tourism	Providing travel tips, sharing itineraries, and fostering community discussions about destinations.

Conclusion: Create a Living, Breathing Brand Community in Korea

Kakao Open Chat rooms provide brands a unique opportunity to engage directly with customers within Korea’s most popular app.

By offering exclusive value, listening in real-time, and maintaining an authentic voice, businesses can turn fleeting attention into meaningful engagement. From feedback collection to loyalty building, Kakao Open Chat community marketing bridges the gap between customer and brand.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get more people to join my Kakao Open Chat room?

To attract more members to your Kakao Open Chat room, actively promote your unique chat link across various platforms. Leverage Kakao’s built-in “Discover” tab to increase visibility, and consider running targeted advertisements on Kakao Story or KakaoTalk. Collaborating with other established Kakao channels or relevant influencers can also significantly expand your reach.

What’s the difference between regular KakaoTalk group chats and Open Chat rooms?

The primary distinction lies in their purpose and privacy settings. Kakao Open Chat rooms are designed for public communities, allowing individuals to join anonymously via a shared link, without revealing their personal contact information. In contrast, regular KakaoTalk group chats are intended for private groups, where members must be existing contacts, and their phone numbers are typically visible to other participants.

Any rules for using Open Chat for business?

Yes, there are important guidelines to adhere to when utilizing Open Chat for business purposes. You must comply with Kakao’s regulations regarding content, commercial activities, and the handling of personal information. It is crucial to regularly consult and stay updated on their official policies to ensure full compliance and avoid any violations.