WeChat Business Etiquette: A Field Guide for Foreigners
"On WeChat, your profile photo is your business card. Treat it with the same care."
Your profile is judged in 3 seconds
Before someone replies, they tap your avatar and scan your moments. A blurry selfie from a bar reads as 'tourist.' A clean headshot with your name (English + a transliterated Chinese name if possible) reads as 'professional.'
Set your WeChat ID to something stable and pronounceable. Avoid emoji-heavy nicknames in business contexts.
Voice notes are normal — but read the room
Older partners and factory bosses prefer voice. Tech founders and Tier-1 city professionals often prefer text. When in doubt, send text first.
Never send a voice note longer than 30 seconds. If it needs to be longer, it should be a phone call.
Hongbao, holidays, and the small rituals
A small red envelope (¥8.88, ¥66, ¥88) on the right occasion — Chinese New Year, the start of a project, after closing a deal — is a powerful goodwill gesture. Never send odd, unlucky amounts (like ¥4 or ¥40).
Greetings on Mid-Autumn, Spring Festival, and National Day are expected from serious partners. A short, sincere message beats a forwarded image.