The potential to reach your audience through Facebook Messenger with chatbots is huge.

Why? Because messaging use is on the rise, and Facebook Messenger chatbots see sky-high open rates. You can use a chatbot to build your contact list, offer 24/7 customer service, qualify leads, and so much more.

To help get you thinking, here are six actionable ways to leverage your Facebook Messenger chatbot for more engagement.

1. Send chat blasts to your contacts for 8X higher open rates

Did you know that Facebook Messenger chat blasting generates up to 80% open rates? 

Facebook Messenger chat blasting is the new-and-improved email marketing - whatever you can send out on email, you can send out on Messenger - you'll just get 8X better open rates.

2. Use Messenger chatbots to conduct surveys

A new way to collect customer feedback and conduct surveys is through survey chatbots. 

A survey chatbot enables you to send your customers surveys after making their download, purchase, registration, etc. 

A chatbot survey can earn double (or even triple) conversions compared with other methods, like pop-up surveys or email surveys. 

Why? Because chatbots make it easy - users can tap, tap, tap to complete the survey, on an app that they constantly use.

3. Equip your bot to complete purchases

Customers prefer contacting brands through online chat and messaging apps because it's more convenient, and usually faster. 

Equip your Facebook Messenger chatbot to take orders or complete purchases, all without your customers ever having to leave the app. This is a sure-fire way to increase your conversion rate. 

The 1-800-Flowers chatbot, for example, prompts customers to order flowers or talk to support.

Customers can add the recipient's name and address straight through Messenger, and the process is fast and easy - it cuts out extra steps, and customers end up more satisfied as a result. 

4. Send out bite-size content: images, tips, how-to's, etc. 

In addition to chat blasting full articles and customer surveys, you can also use your bot to send out bite-size content.

For example, a yoga brand could send out short mantras or inspirational quotes, or an animal shelter could send out brief animal care tips. 

Think about the kinds of content that would be useful to your audience and deliver it through Messenger.

5. Use a Facebook post autoresponder

Take your organic Facebook posts to the next level with a Facebook Messenger chatbot autoresponder.

When you put an autoresponder in place on a specific post, everyone who leaves a comment on the Facebook post will get a follow-up message from the bot you create. It's a great way to keep the conversation going and get more leverage out of a Facebook post. 

And when the Facebook user responds to your message, they'll automatically be added to your Facebook Messenger contacts, allowing you to send them messages. 

6. Streamline appointments, bookings, etc. 

You can use a Facebook Messenger chatbot to make tasks like booking an appointment fun and intuitive.

For example, Kayak's chatbot enables customers to plan their entire vacation without ever leaving Facebook Messenger. 

Once customers get started, Kayak's bot asks if they are looking to book a hotel or a flight, or if they want to see more options.

The experience is interactive, with the bot asking questions along the way and helping customers plan the perfect trip. 

What kind of tasks do your customers complete when interacting with your business? 

Whether it's making a restaurant reservation, booking a hair appointment, or anything else, you can set up a Facebook Messenger chatbot to streamline the task.

As you can see, there's a range of ways that you can utilize chatbots in your marketing process, and with messaging use on the rise, it makes sense to tap into those trends and reach your audience where they're already engaged.

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