What's The Difference Between Messaging Platforms And Communication Channels?

The concepts “messaging platform” and “communication channel” are often used interchangeably, which can be confusing because they are not the same thing.

A messaging platform is a software application that allows you to create and send messages to your target audience. It can be used to deliver messages through different channels, such as email, social media, or SMS.

A messaging channel is a specific way to deliver a message to your target audience. For example, ads, phone, email, social media, and SMS are all channels.

Here is an example to help you visualize the difference between a messaging platform and a messaging channel:

Let’s say you want to send a message to your target audience about a new product launch.

You could use a messaging platform like High Level to send a message to contacts on your prospect list who have opted-in to receive communications from you. When you send an email message to those contacts, the communication channel is email. If you also send a text message to contacts with valid mobile phone numbers, the communication channel for that message is SMS.

You could also use a messaging platform like Facebook to send a message to contacts on your prospect list who follow you on Facebook. The messaging channel for that message is social media.

In this example, High Level and Facebook are both messaging platforms, but you are delivering the message through different communication channels: email, SMS, and social media, respectively.