Task · Bridge

Start a new conversation

Reach a contact for the first time, with the right people and line.

Screen
New chat
Section
Conversations
Steps
6
Getting started
5 of 8
Updated

Also searched as: new chat, write, first message, template, whatsapp, reach out

Markdown version

You opened step 3: Choose the brand (several brands only)

How New chat works

Start a conversation with a contact in a few clicks

New chat opens the conversation right on the Chats screen. Add contacts and teammates, choose the line and how to start, and send the first message: the chat is created when you send it.

  • Contacts and teammates together
  • The line of each brand
  • WhatsApp, Assist, Call or Email
  • The template, ready to send

Steps

  1. Step 1 of 6

    Start a new chat

    New chat is where you connect with a contact for the first time.

    Click New chat beside the title Chats. The new conversation opens on the right with the people search open, and the list shows it as New chat until you send the first message.

    • Click New chat beside the title Chats
    • It opens on the right, with the search open
    • The list shows New chat until you send

    Watch step 1 on the screen

  2. Step 2 of 6

    Add the people

    One field for everyone in the chat: contacts and teammates.

    One field for everyone in the chat. The search finds contacts and Bridge users by name, email or phone; each person you choose goes straight into the field. The X on a person removes them.

    • Search contacts and Bridge users together
    • By name, email or phone
    • Each pick goes straight into the field

    Watch step 2 on the screen

  3. Step 3 of 6

    Choose the brand (several brands only)

    Only for companies with several brands: choose the one you write from.

    This step applies only to companies that run several brands. If yours does, choose the brand and its line you write from: it is required and never preselected, and the chat keeps the brand you chose. With a single brand, Bridge does not ask.

    • Only for companies with several brands
    • Required, never preselected
    • The chat keeps the chosen brand

    Watch step 3 on the screen

  4. Step 4 of 6

    Choose how to start

    Choose how the first contact happens.

    Start with WhatsApp, Assist, Call or Email, in this order. Call and Email appear only when they are enabled, and Assist and Call only in a chat with one contact.

    • WhatsApp, Assist, Call or Email
    • Call and Email only when enabled
    • Assist and Call: one contact only

    Watch step 4 on the screen

  5. Step 5 of 6

    The first WhatsApp message

    The first WhatsApp message to a new contact is always a template.

    A contact who never had a WhatsApp conversation starts with a template. The message box shows the template that will be sent, with Change template to choose another one. Send template creates the chat.

    • The template shows in the message box
    • Change template picks another one
    • Send template creates the chat

    Watch step 5 on the screen

  6. Step 6 of 6

    Name, privacy and discard

    The last details are optional and never stop you.

    With two or more people the chat takes their names; the conversation name is optional and never blocks sending. Private chat is on by default. Discard deletes the draft without creating anything.

    • Conversation name: optional, never blocks
    • Private chat is on by default
    • Discard deletes the draft

    Watch step 6 on the screen