“A user must first consent to receive messages in WhatsApp by opting into them “
WhatsApp Business explicitly states that users must have complete consent before receiving messages from any business or marketing campaigns. This is necessary to prevent spamming and overwhelming the users with irrelevant messages.
With more than 4 billion users worldwide, and the highest opening rate of 98% for messages, WhatsApp comes in as the most preferred tool for communication and marketing campaigns.
In this article, we will first understand the “opt-in” clause, the ways to obtain opt-in, and subsequently frame the perfect first WhatsApp message. Further, we have provided you with a whole lot of resourceful links down this article that will help you send your first message with confidence.
Before you read this article, you may want to go through
WhatsApp Login: A Simple Guide For Businesses
How To Use APIs To Send WhatsApp Messages: A Practical Approach
What is WhatsApp Business opt-in?
You cannot start sending messages directly to your customers. You will have to receive prior permission from your users before you can send messages on WhatsApp Business. This process of obtaining the permission of users is known as WhatsApp Business opt-in.
Choose an opt-in method that works best for your business. You can gather opt-ins through various channels, such as your website, interactive voice response (IVR) flows, or directly within a WhatsApp thread.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your opt-in process complies with all relevant laws and that you’ve provided the necessary notices and obtained permissions as required.
Make sure your opt-in process meets WhatsApp’s guidelines. This includes:
• Obtaining explicit permission from users to receive messages on WhatsApp.
• Clearly stating your business name so users know who they are opting in to receive messages from.
• Adhering to all applicable legal requirements.
Set clear expectations from the start to minimize opt-outs. Ensure users understand what types of messages they’re agreeing to receive, such as order updates, special offers, or product recommendations.
Additionally, avoid overwhelming customers with frequent messages to reduce the likelihood of them blocking your business due to irrelevant or unsolicited communication.
Try WhatsApp Marketing Campaings by Kenyt
Steps to get opt-in consent from users
There are different ways in which you can get consent for sending marketing or promotional messages to users via WhatsApp Business. The most common and widely used methods are –
- 1. SMS Blast (with consent URL)
- 2. Email Blast (with consent URL)
- 3. Missed Call (Auto trigger a welcome message on WhatsApp)
- 4. Outbound/Inbound IVR
- 5. Physical form (with a backend data entry process to manually call the Opt-In API)
- 6. QR Codes
- 7. POS system entry at the time of checkout
- 8. External Webpage/ web view trigger from within WhatsApp messaging interface
- 9. WhatsApp Chat
These steps are universal and stay similar for different businesses irrespective of their nature of work.
This is where Kenyt.AI comes in as your support. We provide complete help in onboarding and getting the opt-in process completed. While working with us, you will be able to focus on your marketing strategies rather than on other permissions and requirements.
Related content that you will be interested to read –
How To Create Text, Video, And Image Message Templates For WhatsApp Campaigns
How to Build Carousel Template for WhatsApp Campaigns
How To Send Bulk Messages On WhatsApp Without Broadcast And Its Benefits
Crafting the first WhatsApp message
There are a few pointers that you should consider while crafting your fist WhatsApp Business message.
These tips will help you capture the attention of your users and build in trust and loyalty towards your brand.
Be Transparent
Honesty builds trust in WhatsApp Business communication. If your team is experiencing high volumes and response times may be delayed.
let your users know transparency fosters understanding and creates space for authentic interactions, showing your users that you value clear and open communication.
Infuse a Human Touch
Automation doesn’t have to mean impersonal. Avoid overly formal or robotic tones in your greetings. Instead, aim for a conversational style that balances professionalism with warmth, making your communication relatable and human-centered.
Personalization Matters
Craft personalized messages for each user. Use their name or reference prior interactions to create a more personalized experience.
This attention to detail shows users they are valued and fosters a stronger connection with your business.
Keep It Clear and Concise
Ensure your messages are straightforward and to the point. Share essential details like business hours, website links, or service highlights in your greeting.
A concise message respects your users ’ time while delivering key information effectively.
Include a Call to Action (CTA)
A strong greeting should guide users toward the next step. Whether it’s replying with a keyword, visiting your website, or exploring a promotion, a clear CTA keeps the interaction flowing.
You can also leverage tools like Facebook ads with WhatsApp CTAs to encourage engagement.
Ensure Brand Consistency
Your WhatsApp Business message should align with your overall brand tone and style.
Consistency reinforces your brand identity and provides a cohesive experience, ensuring users feel a seamless connection across all communication channels.
Examples of first WhatsApp message
Before we conclude the article, we want to provide you with a few examples of the first WhatsApp message. This will help you get a head start to your marketing campaigns.
Real estate
Examples –
“Hello [Customer Name], welcome to [Real Estate Agency Name]!
I’m [Agent Name], here to help you find your dream home.
Let’s schedule a time to discuss your requirements.”
Healthcare
Examples –
“Hi [Patient Name], this is [Doctor/Clinic Name].
We’re reaching out to confirm your upcoming appointment and provide any information you may need.
How can we assist you today?”
Hospitality
Examples –
“Hi [Guest Name]! Welcome to [Hotel/Resort Name]. We’re excited to host you.
Feel free to reach out for any requests or services during your stay. We’re here to ensure a great experience!“
E-commerce
Examples –
“Hi [Customer Name]! Thank you for choosing [Brand Name].
We’re excited to assist with your order. Feel free to ask any questions or track your purchase here.
We’re just a message away!”
For a detailed list of examples of messages that you can send as your first message, you can refer to our previous articles –
How To Write The Best Greeting Messages For WhatsApp With Examples
How to Write the Best Introduction Message on WhatsApp: Best Practices And Examples
15+ WhatsApp Business Introduction Messages To Create An Impact
All these guides and articles will provide you with the necessary knowledge and repository to craft the first WhatsApp message with confidence.
Conclusion
WhatsApp Business has become one of the most common and widely used tools for communication in modern times. WIth a very high open rate, marketers should use this technology strategically for sending the right information and campaign messages to potential users .
Avoid spamming and follow all the guidelines laid down by Meta for a smooth flow of marketing campaigns. Further, we at Kenyt.AI have a professional team that can help you kick-start your WhatsApp Business API method for marketing. Contact us today for your requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
The first WhatsApp message is similar to the first impression that you create with your users. You should make sure that you craft this message with confidence, establishing trust, and encouraging encouragement. The message should ensure that the user stays on for the next message or takes a suitable action.
When you are trying to send a professional WhatsApp message, you should include a clear introduction of the message and a proper greeting. Include a suitable message body and finish it off with a CTA to make sure that the user takes relevant actions.
A highly engaging first WhatsApp message can be written by focusing on personalization. This can be achieved by asking a question, using a CTA, or hinting at the user to take an action. You can also add relevant emojis to make the user love the message.
The main mistake to avoid is that you should not try to be too formal in the first message.
Also do not try to sell or push your boundaries, as it may result in disturbing the trust of the user on the brand. Always trust on a subtle process.
Aaron Jebin is an enthusiastic SAAS technical content writer interested in writing for new and existing technologies, platforms, and tools. With an experience of over 4 years in technical writing, he is keenly focused on developing articles to provide readers with complete solutions to the common problems that arise in the everyday workplace. His writing mostly focused on team building, work ethics, business analysis, project management, automation, AI, customer and employee engagement methodologies. He has an interest in baking cakes and making stained glass art. He is currently honing his drifting skills.
