# Start a new conversation > Reach a contact for the first time, with the right people and line. - Type: Task - App: Bridge - Screen: New chat - Section: Conversations - Getting started · 5 of 8 - Also searched as: new chat, write, first message, template, whatsapp, reach out - Open: https://help.bridge.new/bridge/newchat?lang=en - Markdown: https://help.bridge.new/md/bridge/newchat.md 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. ## What you can do - Contacts and teammates together - The line of each brand - WhatsApp, Assist, Call or Email - The template, ready to send ## Steps ### Step 1 · 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 Open: https://help.bridge.new/bridge/newchat/1?lang=en ### Step 2 · 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 Open: https://help.bridge.new/bridge/newchat/2?lang=en ### Step 3 · 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 Open: https://help.bridge.new/bridge/newchat/3?lang=en ### Step 4 · 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 Open: https://help.bridge.new/bridge/newchat/4?lang=en ### Step 5 · 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 Open: https://help.bridge.new/bridge/newchat/5?lang=en ### Step 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 Open: https://help.bridge.new/bridge/newchat/6?lang=en ## Related guides - Previous in Getting started: [Release a conversation](https://help.bridge.new/md/bridge/release-chat.md): Close your session with a contact when you have finished attending them. · Open: https://help.bridge.new/bridge/release-chat?lang=en - Next in Getting started: [Send a message to several contacts](https://help.bridge.new/md/bridge/contacts-send.md): Filter your contacts, select them and send them a message, each one through the right channel. · Open: https://help.bridge.new/bridge/contacts-send?lang=en - More in Conversations: [Get to know your conversations](https://help.bridge.new/md/bridge/chats.md): All your conversations with customers and teammates, in one place. · Open: https://help.bridge.new/bridge/chats?lang=en - More in Conversations: [Release a conversation](https://help.bridge.new/md/bridge/release-chat.md): Close your session with a contact when you have finished attending them. · Open: https://help.bridge.new/bridge/release-chat?lang=en - More in Conversations: [Find a chat](https://help.bridge.new/md/bridge/find-chat.md): Locate any conversation and see what needs your attention. · Open: https://help.bridge.new/bridge/find-chat?lang=en - More in Conversations: [Reply to a customer](https://help.bridge.new/md/bridge/reply-customer.md): Write and send your reply on the right channel, from the chat box. · Open: https://help.bridge.new/bridge/reply-customer?lang=en - More in Conversations: [See the customer’s information](https://help.bridge.new/md/bridge/chat-info.md): Check and correct the customer’s data, see their other chats and everything shared in the conversation. · Open: https://help.bridge.new/bridge/chat-info?lang=en - More in Conversations: [Call or schedule a meeting](https://help.bridge.new/md/bridge/calls-meetings.md): Call a contact on WhatsApp or by phone, or schedule a meeting, without leaving the chat. · Open: https://help.bridge.new/bridge/calls-meetings?lang=en - More in Conversations: [Send a message to several contacts](https://help.bridge.new/md/bridge/contacts-send.md): Filter your contacts, select them and send them a message, each one through the right channel. · Open: https://help.bridge.new/bridge/contacts-send?lang=en