Send a manual message in a few steps
If you just need the essentials, follow this:
- To message one person, open Contacts and select a contact
- Send the message in the contact’s Chat window (optionally interrupt a flow)
- To message many people, go to Messages → Broadcasts and click Send
- Select recipients and apply optional filters (recent activity, not in a flow)
- Compose the message and add optional content (attachments, quick replies, topic/template)
- Choose Send now or Schedule, then manage it in Messages → Scheduled
You’re done. Manual messages are outside flows, while broadcasts deliver the same message to all selected recipients at the same time.
Step-by-Step Process
- Go to Contacts.
- Open the contact you want to message.
- In the contact’s Chat window, type your message and press Enter to send.
[CAPTURE: Contact profile page showing the chat window and message input.]
- If the contact is currently active in a flow, you may see a banner above the chat box showing the flow name.
- Sending a manual message may interrupt the flow for that contact.
- If you want to stop the flow immediately, click Interrupt (orange button) when available.
[CAPTURE: Chat window showing a contact in a flow with the “Interrupt” button.]
- Go to Messages.
- Click Broadcasts.
- Click Send (top right).
[CAPTURE: Messages tab with Broadcasts selected and Send button visible.]
- Choose who should receive the message: individual contacts and/or one or more groups.
- (Optional) Filter recipients, such as:
- Only contacts who sent a message in the last X days (default: 90 days)
- Are not currently in a flow (exclude contacts currently in a flow)
- Click Next.
[CAPTURE: Recipient selection screen showing filters and group selection.]
- Select the language.
- Enter your message text.
- (Optional) Add extra content such as:
- Attachments
- Quick Replies
- Facebook topic or WhatsApp template (required when contacts haven’t messaged you in the last 24 hours)
[CAPTURE: Message composer with language selector, text box, and attachment options.]
- Choose when to send the message: Send now or Schedule for later.
- (Optional) Choose repetition: Never, Daily, Weekly, or Monthly.
- Click Create.
- To view or manage scheduled broadcasts, go to Messages → Scheduled, then use the pencil icon to edit or the trash icon to deactivate/delete.
[CAPTURE: Scheduling screen showing date, time, and repetition options.]
[CAPTURE: Scheduled messages list showing edit and delete icons.]
Common Issues & Quick Fixes
Problem: My message didn’t send.
Fix: Check whether the contact is Stopped, Blocked, or Archived. If you’re messaging on Facebook or WhatsApp, confirm the messaging window is valid and use a Facebook topic or WhatsApp template when required.
Problem: I don’t want to interrupt active flows.
Fix: When selecting broadcast recipients, enable Are not currently in a flow to exclude contacts who are mid-flow.
Problem: I need different timing per contact.
Fix: Broadcasts deliver to everyone at the same time. Use a Campaign to schedule messages relative to contact-specific dates.