How to Set Up Automatic Replies on Xiaohongshu for Better Engagement

Introduction

If you’re using Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) to connect with potential students or clients, responding to messages quickly is crucial. But what if you’re asleep in New York when a parent in China sends an inquiry? This is where automatic replies and private message tools can help. In this post, we’ll cover how Xiaohongshu’s private messaging system works, how to set up auto-replies, and what to do if certain features aren’t available.

Understanding Xiaohongshu’s Private Messaging System

Xiaohongshu’s private messages (私信) allow businesses and educators to interact directly with users. These messages are crucial for building relationships, answering questions, and converting potential students into enrolled learners.

There are two key messaging tools:

• Private Message Quick Menu (私信快捷菜单) – A set of shortcut buttons at the bottom of the chat that lets users navigate to important links, like your course offerings or FAQs.
• Welcome Message (私信欢迎语) – An automatic message sent when someone messages you for the first time, helping introduce your services.

Unfortunately, both of these features are currently disabled on Xiaohongshu, meaning businesses have to manually manage private messages or use external tools. They are temporarily disabled, I will update you when they are working!

What Is the Consultation Score?

Your Consultation Score on Xiaohongshu is a rating that reflects how well you respond to private messages. It’s based on three key factors:

1. In-line reception – How quickly you acknowledge and respond to users.
2. Response effectiveness – Whether your responses are helpful and relevant.
3. User experience – How satisfied users are with your interactions.

A high Consultation Score can increase your chances of receiving official support from Xiaohongshu, making it easier to gain visibility on the platform.

How to Set Up Automatic Replies

Even though Xiaohongshu has disabled some automation features, you can still manually set up auto-replies using these steps:

1. Go to Your Account Settings:
   • Open the Xiaohongshu app and navigate to Professional Account Management.
   • Look for Content Management > Private Message Service Tool.
2. Set Up Your Welcome Message (If Available):
   • This feature allows you to send an automatic greeting when someone messages you for the first time.
   • If available, write a friendly introduction that sets expectations.
3. Use External Automation Tools:
   • If you manage a high volume of messages, consider using a third-party chatbot or browser extension like XHS Auto Reply.

What If Auto-Reply Features Are Disabled?

If Xiaohongshu has disabled Welcome Messages or Quick Menus, you can use these alternatives:

• Pinned messages in group chats – If you run a Xiaohongshu group, pin an FAQ message so users can easily find answers.
• Pre-written responses – Create a set of standard replies you can quickly copy-paste for common questions.
• Manual engagement strategy – Set specific times each day to check and respond to messages efficiently.

Alternative Ways to Manage Messages Effectively

If automatic replies aren’t working, here are a few ways to handle private messages more efficiently:

✅ Set Expectations in Your First Reply: If you’re in New York and responding to messages from China, let users know about your time zone:
“Hi! I’m in New York, so if I don’t reply right away, I might be asleep, but I’ll get back to you as soon as possible!”

✅ Use a Messaging System to Organize Conversations: Tools like multi-account message management can help if you have multiple Xiaohongshu accounts.

✅ Train a Virtual Assistant or Team Member: If you receive a high volume of messages, hiring a part-time assistant to manage inquiries can be helpful.

Final Tips for Better Engagement

• Be personal, not robotic – Even if you use templates, make sure your responses feel natural.
• Don’t push sales too aggressively – Focus on answering questions and guiding users naturally.
• Track common inquiries – Keep a list of frequently asked questions and refine your responses over time.

Conclusion

Even though Xiaohongshu’s automated messaging tools are limited, you can still create a smooth and efficient messaging system using manual replies and external tools. By improving your Consultation Score and responding quickly, you can build better relationships and increase engagement on the platform.

🚀 Need help optimizing your Xiaohongshu strategy? Let me know, and I’ll guide you through it!

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