Are you looking to maximize your use of Facebook Messenger within your digital marketing plan?

Whether you want to get more contacts, increase conversions or use automation to scale your growth, Facebook Messenger marketing tools can help - when used the right way.

In this post, I'll outline six tools that I personally use for Messenger marketing, and which could come in handy for your own strategy.

Facebook Messenger Tool #1: Comment Guard Chatbot

Comment Guard is a Facebook Messenger tool which automatically responds to people who comment on your Facebook post.

I know what you're thinking - automated messages are no good, but used the right way, they can be effective. The way to amp up the power of this tool is to post content on Facebook that basically begs for comments.

Here's an example - in one test, I posted a silly math question that had to do with how many animals were going toward the river.

As an extra teaser, I told my audience that I would message them the correct answer if they commented.

The post blew up with hundreds of comments, and everyone who commented and then responded to my Messenger bot went directly into my list. For me, I was just posting on Facebook as usual, but I achieved 10x the level of results, thanks to this one Facebook Messenger tool.

Comment Guard is one of the few ways that I know of to post ridiculously engaging content and simultaneously build your list with red-hot prospects.

Facebook Messenger Tool #2: Click to Messenger Ads

A Click to Messenger ad is, at first glance, a normal Facebook ad. But instead of clicking on the ad and being directed to a landing page, Click to Messenger ads start a Messenger conversation with a prospect.

Research has proven that click to Messenger Ads perform far better than the traditional Facebook advertising methods - as much as five times better, in fact.

Note, however, that, to maximize this option, you do need to use a chatbot to manage the replies and inquiries that you'll (ideally) receive.

Facebook Messenger Tool #3: Send Messenger updates and allow purchases from your eCommerce store

If you run an eCommerce store, then this Facebook Messenger tool is a dream come true.

By integrating Facebook Messenger with your online store, customers can do the following directly in Messenger:

• View product images
• Make purchases
• Getting order receipts
• Receive order confirmations
• Have a notification sent when their order is out for delivery
• Periodic delivery and shipping updates
• Asking questions about orders and delivery
• Rating their customer experience

Messenger is often seen as merely a customer service mechanism, but with bot-powered eCommerce integrations, it can be so much more.

Facebook Messenger Tool #4: Chat blasting

Once you start to collect leads on Facebook Messenger, you then need to turn up the marketing heat (in a good way).

The best way I've discovered to do so is by blasting your contacts in Messenger. Sounds violent, but it's actually as docile as a unicorn.

A chat blast is a bot technique which sends targeted messages instantly to a large group of contacts.

If you're posting in the News Feed hoping to reach your fans - good luck with that. You might get 1% organic reach. With a chat blast, however, you'll score 70-80% open rates, and 20% click-throughs in the first sixty minutes.

It needs to be used in a targeted, considered way, but it's another option to help boost your Messenger marketing performance.

Facebook Messenger Tool #5: Facebook Messenger on a Wordpress Site

Most customers today prefer to live chat with an online business, according to research by J.D. Power.

Using a chatbot is the most cost-effective method of handling most customer inquiries. Thankfully, it's incredibly easy to add chatbot functionality to your Wordpress website.

All you need is the right Wordpress plugin for Facebook Messenger - install the plugin, set it up, and you're off to the races. Customer satisfaction: surpassed.

Facebook Messenger Tool #6: Facebook Messenger Chatbot Templates

Okay, let's be honest - creating chatbots is a lot of work, and that work takes time.

I'd still encourage you to take the time and go do the work and make great chatbots, but you can also do the smart thing and use existing chatbot templates.

Most chatbot providers have ready-made chatbots that you can plug in and flip on (after making the appropriate customizations, of course). Here are some of the most popular chatbot templates for specific businesses:

• Real estate - Enables buyers to view properties, schedule showings, etc.
• Lead generation - Collect a lead's contact information, invite to a webinar, etc.​
• eCommerce - You can feature product galleries, gauge a customer's interests and preferences and facilitate purchases
• Salon - Automate appointment settings, answer FAQs, select specific services
• Automotive - Schedule appointments, get a customer's vehicle information and answer common questions
• Medical Office - Create appointments, and answer common questions about location, office hours, etc.
• Gym - Provide updates about classes, facility information, pricing, membership application, and health evaluation
• Coach - Get detailed information about a client's interests, health needs, or schedule a free consultation
• Restaurant - Provide the menu, update customers about specials, make reservations, place online orders, and even provide a review

Facebook Messenger tools offer a lot of potential - and it's not the kind of ethereal potential that someday-might-sort-of-actually-come-to pass. Facebook Messenger marketing is the real deal, and it's these Facebook Messenger tools that have helped me to scale, automate and grow my presence on the platform.

A version of this post was first published on Inc.com.