[Year in Review] Looking Back at 2021's Trends: Our Top 10 Articles of 2021

Happy New Year! OakMega hit many milestones in 2021: our new website and blog both launched, and we've been sharing firsthand insights on Social CRM and tech trends ever since. In 2022, we're giving our product features a major overhaul as we keep building a service that seamlessly connects messaging apps with customer management.

Orange tiger stripes forming "2022" alongside the words Happy New Year, serving as the article's New Year greeting.

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Let's look back at our 10 most popular articles of 2021!

No. 10 |

LINE How-To, Scenarios: How do you auto-reply to friends' messages on LINE?(2021/09/17)

Tired of answering the same customer questions over and over? Spending too much time on live chat? Auto-replies triggered by keywords help your brand respond to friends instantly.

LINE How-To, Scenarios: How do you auto-reply to friends' messages on LINE?Is live customer service eating up your time? Do the same questions keep coming up? Keyword-based auto-replies help you answer friends' questions right away. Today we'll show you how to set up auto-replies in the LINE Official Account Manager (LINE OA).https://oakmega.com/blog/line-auto-response-messages

Article cover using LINE chat bubbles to illustrate auto-replies, labeled with the tutorial topic of how to auto-reply to friends' messages.

No. 9 |

How can a LINE Official Account send automated messages with the Messaging API?(2021/08/11)

When handling customer messages on a LINE Official Account, do you often run into these problems?

Prepared messages often can't cover every question friends ask. To reply precisely, you have to open one-on-one chats, which takes time and effort and means constantly watching the inbox. By connecting LINE to the Messaging API, you never miss a message and can send automated messages based on friends' questions.

How can a LINE Official Account send automated messages with the Messaging API?If you run a LINE Official Account, you've probably run into this when handling customer messages: prepared messages often can't cover every question friends ask, and replying precisely means opening one-on-one chats and answering individually. That takes time and effort, and you have to keep watching the inbox. If you connect the Messaging API through the LINE API, you never miss a message and can send automated messages based on friends' questions.https://oakmega.com/blog/auto-reply-by-messaging-api

Title image showing a phone and message icons for the topic of automated messaging with the LINE Messaging API, introducing the article on automation features.

No. 8 |

Build a branded LINE Official Account with the Messaging API!(2021/06/07)

More and more brands want to use the interactive nature of social channels to connect more directly with friends, so they've started investing in LINE Official Accounts. With the Messaging API from LINE Developers, brands can connect a chatbot to their LINE Official Account for richer one-on-one interactions with friends.

Build a branded LINE Official Account with the Messaging API!More and more brands set up official accounts on social platforms, mostly hoping to use the interactive nature of social channels to connect more directly with friends. With the Messaging API from LINE Developers, brands can connect a chatbot to their LINE Official Account for richer one-on-one interactions with friends.https://oakmega.com/blog/what-is-line-messaging-api

A LINE chat interface next to the Messaging API title, showing how brands use chatbots for one-on-one interactions with friends.

No. 7 |

3 ways to attract users to become friends of your LINE Official Account(2021/07/07)

Growing your friend count is an effective way to boost visibility when an official account is new. And as more and more businesses invest in LINE, having a complete set of channels for gaining new friends is key to standing out.

With the 3 methods below, friends can easily discover your products and services through your official account, so you grow your friend count, boost brand visibility, and lay the groundwork for your LINE strategy going forward.

3 ways to attract users to become friends of your LINE Official AccountStruggling to get customers to notice your official account? When a brand's official account is new, growing the friend count is an effective way to boost visibility, and many brands have made friend growth their first goal when starting out on LINE. As more and more businesses launch their own LINE Official Accounts, having a complete set of channels for gaining new friends is key to standing out from the competition. Below are 3 ways to gain new friends so that, from the very start, friends can easily discover your products and services through your official account. You'll grow your friend count, boost brand visibility, and lay the groundwork for your community on LINE.https://oakmega.com/blog/3-ways-to-acquire-new-users

A team discussing in front of a glass wall and posting sticky notes, echoing the planning of strategies to grow an official account's friends.

No. 6 |

LINE How-To, Basics: How to set up a LINE rich menu(2021/09/16)

The rich menu appears at the bottom of a LINE Official Account's chat window. A good rich menu starts conversations between your brand and customers, drives traffic to your website, serves as an entry point to online campaigns, and builds a strong brand image.

So how do you set up a rich menu in the LINE Official Account Manager?

LINE How-To, Basics: How to set up a LINE rich menuLast time we explained what a LINE rich menu is. When friends open your LINE Official Account's chat, the rich menu is the first thing they see. We believe a good rich menu can drive customers to your website, serve as an entry point to online campaigns, and build a strong brand image. So how exactly do you set one up in the LINE Official Account Manager? Follow the steps below to set up a rich menu in the web version of LINE Official Account Manager!https://oakmega.com/blog/create-line-rich-menus

Tutorial cover reading “How to set up a LINE rich menu” with a mobile menu layout mockup, leading into the setup steps.

No. 5 |

3 things you need to know about target reach on LINE Official Accounts(2021/07/21)

How much do you know about LINE's target reach? How should you read friend adds and blocks? Do you need to track both "target reach" and "message volume" to work out your monthly messaging costs and choose the best plan?

3 things you need to know about target reach on LINE Official AccountsLast time we covered the 3 verification types of LINE Official Accounts and how to calculate messaging costs. Now let's look at another key metric for judging LINE Official Account performance: target reach.https://oakmega.com/blog/3-tips-about-official-account-friends

Article banner with document and magnifying glass icons, labeled with 3 things to know about LINE Official Account target reach.

No. 4 |

What is a subscription model? 5 subscription models you need to know(2021/08/04)

Subscriptions are the dominant business model of our time, and they've transformed how people spend. Take music: people used to buy CDs at record stores, while today they subscribe to Spotify Premium. Or taxis: people used to hail cabs on the street, while today they not only book rides on Uber but also subscribe to Uber Pass for 10% off every ride plus free Uber Eats delivery on orders over NT$199. Opinion leaders of the past mostly shared their views in writing and published books for followers to buy; today's opinion leaders use YouTube, podcasts, and more, and fans subscribe to get their content.

In short, whether you sell physical or intangible goods, subscriptions are everywhere.

What is a subscription model? 5 subscription models you need to knowSubscriptions are the dominant business model of our time. They've transformed how people spend so thoroughly that it's hard to imagine how people “used to” shop. Take music: people used to buy CDs at record stores, while today they subscribe to Spotify Premium. Or taxis: people used to hail cabs on the street, while today they not only book rides on Uber but also subscribe to Uber Pass for 10% off every ride plus free Uber Eats delivery on orders over NT$199. Opinion leaders of the past mostly shared their views in writing and published books for followers to buy, but today's opinion leaders use YouTube, podcasts, livestreams, and more, and huge fan bases subscribe to get their content. In short, whether you sell physical or intangible goods, subscriptions are everywhere.https://oakmega.com/blog/subscription-business-model

No. 3 |

Apple Podcasts subscriptions are officially here! Are you tuned in?(2021/08/12)

Whether you listen to Gooaye to sharpen your gray-area thinking, let the two hosts of Taiwan Tong keep you company on your day off, or lie awake with your head full of zodiac analysis from Tang Yang Chicken Tavern, podcasts have grown for another year. Listener numbers keep climbing and more creators keep joining, making the content ever richer.

Podcast platforms have also seen the market's growth and potential, and launched a subscription business model.

Apple Podcasts subscriptions are officially here! Are you tuned in?Whether you listen to Gooaye to sharpen your gray-area thinking, let the two hosts of Taiwan Tong keep you company on your day off, or lie awake with your head full of zodiac analysis from Tang Yang Chicken Tavern, podcasts have grown for another year. Listener numbers keep climbing and more creators keep joining, making the content ever richer. Podcast platforms have also seen the market's growth and potential, and launched a subscription business model.https://oakmega.com/blog/apple-podcasts-subscriptions

A microphone and pop filter in a recording studio, echoing podcast creation and the year's hot topic of Apple Podcasts subscriptions.

No. 2 |

What is a verified LINE Official Account, and why should you know?(2021/06/01)

In mid-2021, during the pandemic, the government-backed "Taiwan CDC" LINE Official Account shared the latest COVID-19 updates and let people scan a QR code to complete SMS-based contact tracing registration. Its friend count skyrocketed within just a few days.

But fake accounts soon followed, and people started asking: what is a verified LINE Official Account?

What is a verified LINE Official Account, and why should you know?During the pandemic, the government-led SMS contact tracing system let people scan a QR code through the “Taiwan CDC” LINE Official Account and jump straight to an SMS entry. The account's friend count skyrocketed within a day, but fake accounts soon appeared, and people started asking: what is a verified LINE Official Account?https://oakmega.com/blog/line-verifiede-account

Table comparing LINE green-badge and blue-badge verified accounts with gray-badge standard accounts by eligibility, review process, and search status, helping readers tell verified accounts apart.

No. 1 | How to calculate messaging costs

How do you calculate messaging costs for a LINE Official Account?(2021/06/24)

In 2019, when LINE upgraded its official accounts from LINE@ to LINE 2.0, it also overhauled account tiers and messaging fees. The main goal was to lower the barrier for brands on LINE: by opening up more features for free, brands gained more flexibility, which encouraged them to invest and grew the LINE business ecosystem.

More flexibility also means brands need a clearer view of how their account is performing to find the plan that fits them best.

How do you calculate messaging costs for a LINE Official Account?In 2019, when LINE upgraded its official accounts from LINE@ to LINE 2.0, it also overhauled account tiers and messaging fees. The main goal was to lower the barrier for brands on LINE: by opening up more features for free, brands gained more flexibility, which encouraged them to invest and grew the LINE business ecosystem. That flexibility in accounts and plans, however, means brands need a clearer picture of how their account is performing to find the plan that fits them best.https://oakmega.com/blog/line-official-account-new-charging-rules

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Notes:

Data comes from OakMega's Google Analytics, covering 2021/06/18 to 2021/12/31.
The OakMega blog officially launched on 2021/06/18, so the data starts from that date.
Articles are ranked by "Page Views."

Don't miss these: 3 hidden gems

Beyond the top 10, we've hand-picked three more articles to share with you, covering the latest trends and Social CRM applications!

Pick 1 |

How do you do inbound marketing on LINE? These brands drive strong conversions with LINE Official Accounts(2021/11/26)

Can LINE actually deliver inbound marketing results? With LINE's wide range of message formats and its place in friends' daily lives, you can send the right content to the right friends. Over time, this creates a positive cycle and attracts new friends.

See how well-known international brands run inbound marketing on their LINE Official Accounts!

How do you do inbound marketing on LINE? These brands drive strong conversions with LINE Official AccountsAs the user growth dividend fades, limited-time tactics like giving away free stickers for adding a LINE friend no longer work. LINE's official business blog has started urging brands to adopt a long-term approach tied to their brand strategy to build awareness and attract new friends. So how should you improve your current LINE strategy? Try an inbound marketing mindset: enrich your LINE Official Account content, use LINE's many built-in features and its place in customers' daily lives, and send segmented broadcasts to the friends who need them. Over time, this creates a positive cycle. Below, we briefly explain how to do inbound marketing on LINE and share real LINE inbound marketing cases from well-known international brands.https://oakmega.com/blog/line-inbound-marketing

Article key visual showing a marketing strategy desk with the title, introducing LINE inbound marketing and cases of brands boosting conversions with Official Accounts.

Pick 2 |

The no-code era is here! Why are businesses turning to no-code solutions?(2021/11/25)

With technology advancing faster every year and an increasingly uncertain business environment, companies have started looking for low-code / no-code solutions.

Off-the-shelf services may not fit well, and in-house development can require huge investment. No-code solutions offer a more flexible, lower-cost way to get started, so brands can get up and running right away and solve the problems they face.

The no-code era is here! Why are businesses turning to no-code solutions?When a business needs a new system, it usually has two options: buy an off-the-shelf service or build its own. Off-the-shelf services cost less but may not fit perfectly; building in-house costs more but meets every need. In recent years a third option has emerged: low-code / no-code development is on the rise. Research firm Gartner forecast that the global low-code technology market would reach US$13.8 billion in 2021, up 22.6% from 2020. A Research and Markets report goes further, projecting that the global low-code development platform market will reach US$187 billion by 2030.https://oakmega.com/blog/no-code-solution

Code background with the title “The no-code era is here! Why are businesses turning to no-code solutions?” as the key visual for an article on low-code trends.

Pick 3 |

A new relationship with customers: five benefits Social CRM brings to businesses(2021/12/17)

The pandemic accelerated shifts in consumer habits, and digital marketing tools are changing as third-party cookies are phased out, so businesses have started looking for new solutions.

In increasingly complex OMO (online-merge-offline) scenarios, using Social CRM tools to maintain relationships with existing customers and grow their value has become key to whether a brand stands out.

A new relationship with customers: five benefits Social CRM brings to businessesSince 2020, the pandemic has swept the globe. It changed our daily lives dramatically and brought huge changes to businesses, from commuting to the office every day to working from home becoming the norm in many countries. Unable to reach customers the way they used to, many businesses began looking for solutions. Third-party cookies are being phased out and Apple now asks users whether they want to be tracked; these changes have made acquiring new customers seven times more expensive, so maintaining customer relationships has become a critical issue. Social CRM is more than a typical customer relationship system. What difference does adding “Social” make compared with a traditional CRM?https://oakmega.com/blog/what-are-benefit-to-use-social-crm

Social CRM illustrated with customer data and social interaction nodes, showing how it integrates customer relationship management and brings businesses multiple benefits.

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Looking back on 2021, through lockdowns and the upheaval of the post-pandemic era, even those of us who thought we were used to a fast pace had to make adjustments we never imagined. Thank you to our OakMega teammates and to our customers for their honest feedback. With your support, we can keep improving our product and delivering better service. Happy New Year 2022!

You're also welcome to add the OakMega LINE Official Account for more timely, interactive updates on Social CRM and tech trends, plus tips on running a LINE Official Account!