Bulk Messaging

Send messages to multiple contacts simultaneously using Whatify's bulk messaging features.

Overview

Bulk messaging allows you to:

• Send messages to multiple contacts at once
• Target specific groups using tags
• Include personalized content with variables
• Send media attachments to groups
• Track message delivery and status
• Schedule messages for later

Creating a Bulk Message

Step 1: Select Recipients

Navigate to Messaging → Bulk Messages → Create New:

Option 1: Select by Tags

1. Click Select by Tags
2. Choose one or more tags
3. View contact count
4. Click Next

Option 2: Select Individual Contacts

1. Click Select Contacts
2. Use checkboxes to select contacts
3. Or use Select All for all contacts
4. Click Next

Option 3: Import from File

1. Click Import Recipients
2. Upload Excel/CSV file with phone numbers
3. Map columns to fields
4. Click Next

Step 2: Compose Message

Text Message

1. Enter your message in the text area
2. Use personalization variables:
   • {{name}} - Contact's first name
   • {{lastName}} - Contact's last name
   • {{phone}} - Contact's phone number
   • {{email}} - Contact's email
   • {{city}} - Contact's city
   • {{country}} - Contact's country
3. Preview with sample contact data
4. Message length indicator shows character count

Example:

Hello {{name}},

We're excited to announce our new product launch!

Visit our website to learn more.

Best regards,
Your Company

Add Media (Optional)

Attach files to your bulk message:

1. Click Add Attachment
2. Choose attachment type:
   • Image - JPG, PNG, GIF (max 5MB)
   • Document - PDF, DOCX, XLSX (max 10MB)
   • Video - MP4, AVI (max 16MB)
   • Audio - MP3, WAV (max 16MB)
3. Upload file or provide URL
4. Add caption (optional)

Step 3: Configure Settings

Sending Options

• Send Immediately: Start sending right away
• Schedule for Later: Choose date and time
• Rate Limiting: Set delay between messages (recommended: 2-5 seconds)

Advanced Options

• Skip Duplicates: Avoid sending to same number multiple times
• Stop on Error: Pause campaign if errors occur
• Track Opens: Monitor message delivery status
• Save as Template: Save message for future use

Step 4: Review and Send

1. Review recipient count
2. Preview message with variables populated
3. Check attachment (if any)
4. Verify sending settings
5. Click Send Bulk Message

Bulk Message Dashboard

Monitor your bulk message campaigns:

Campaign Overview

View all campaigns at Messaging → Bulk Messages:

• Campaign Name: Custom name for the campaign
• Status: Pending, Sending, Completed, Failed
• Recipients: Total number of contacts
• Sent: Successfully delivered messages
• Failed: Messages that failed to send
• Pending: Messages waiting to be sent
• Created: Campaign creation date

Campaign Details

Click on a campaign to view:

• Message content and attachments
• Complete recipient list
• Delivery status per contact
• Error messages for failed sends
• Sending timeline
• Response statistics

Campaign Actions

• Pause Campaign: Stop sending temporarily
• Resume Campaign: Continue paused campaign
• Cancel Campaign: Stop and cancel remaining messages
• Duplicate Campaign: Create copy for new sending
• Export Results: Download delivery report

Recipient Management

Adding Recipients

Add contacts to ongoing or scheduled campaigns:

1. Open campaign
2. Click Add Recipients
3. Select contacts or tags
4. Click Add to Campaign

Removing Recipients

Remove contacts before sending:

1. Open campaign
2. Find contact in recipient list
3. Click Remove
4. Confirm removal

Note: Cannot remove contacts from messages already sent.

Message Templates

Creating Templates

Save frequently used messages:

1. Compose your message
2. Add variables and attachments
3. Click Save as Template
4. Enter template name
5. Add description (optional)
6. Click Save

Using Templates

Load saved templates:

1. Create new bulk message
2. Click Load Template
3. Select template from list
4. Customize if needed
5. Continue to recipients

Managing Templates

Navigate to Messaging → Templates:

• View all templates
• Edit template content
• Delete unused templates
• Duplicate templates
• Share templates with team

Personalization Variables

Available Variables

Use these placeholders in your messages:

Custom Variables

Add custom fields to contacts:

1. Navigate to Settings → Custom Fields
2. Create new field
3. Add values to contacts
4. Use in messages with {{customFieldName}}

Scheduling Bulk Messages

Schedule for Later

Send messages at optimal times:

1. Create bulk message
2. Select Schedule for Later
3. Choose date and time
4. Select timezone
5. Click Schedule

Scheduled Campaigns

Manage scheduled messages at Messaging → Scheduled:

• View all scheduled campaigns
• Edit schedule time
• Modify message content
• Cancel scheduled sends
• Duplicate for new schedule

Best Sending Times

Optimize delivery times:

• Morning (9 AM - 11 AM): High open rates
• Lunch (12 PM - 2 PM): Good engagement
• Evening (5 PM - 7 PM): After-work hours
• Avoid: Late night, early morning, weekends (unless relevant)

Rate Limiting

Why Rate Limit?

• Prevent being flagged as spam
• Comply with WhatsApp policies
• Ensure better deliverability
• Avoid account suspension

Recommended Delays

Set delays between messages:

• Conservative: 5-10 seconds (safest)
• Moderate: 3-5 seconds (balanced)
• Aggressive: 1-2 seconds (use cautiously)

Daily Limits

Respect these daily sending limits:

Message Status Tracking

Delivery Status

Monitor message delivery:

• Sent: Message delivered to WhatsApp
• Delivered: Received by recipient
• Read: Opened by recipient
• Failed: Could not deliver
• Pending: Waiting to send

Error Types

Common failure reasons:

• Invalid Number: Phone number format incorrect
• Not on WhatsApp: Recipient doesn't use WhatsApp
• Blocked: You're blocked by recipient
• Rate Limited: Sending too fast
• Device Disconnected: WhatsApp not connected

Retry Failed Messages

Retry messages that failed:

1. Open campaign
2. Click Failed Messages tab
3. Select messages to retry
4. Click Retry Selected
5. Or click Retry All

Bulk Message Reports

Campaign Analytics

View detailed statistics:

• Total messages sent
• Delivery rate percentage
• Open/read rate
• Failed message count
• Average delivery time
• Cost per message

Export Reports

Download campaign data:

1. Open campaign
2. Click Export Report
3. Choose format (Excel, CSV, PDF)
4. Select data to include
5. Download file

Report Contents

Reports include:

• Recipient name and number
• Message status
• Timestamp sent/delivered/read
• Error messages (if failed)
• Variables used
• Attachment details

Best Practices

Message Content

1. Keep it Concise: Shorter messages get better engagement
2. Personalize: Use variables for names and details
3. Clear CTA: Include clear call-to-action
4. Proofread: Check for typos and errors
5. Test First: Send test to yourself

Recipient Management

1. Clean Lists: Remove invalid numbers
2. Segment Properly: Use tags for targeting
3. Respect Opt-outs: Honor unsubscribe requests
4. Verify Consent: Ensure permission to message
5. Update Regularly: Keep contact data current

Timing

1. Schedule Wisely: Consider recipient time zones
2. Avoid Spam Hours: Don't send late at night
3. Space Campaigns: Don't overwhelm recipients
4. Track Performance: Monitor best sending times
5. Test Different Times: A/B test for optimal timing

Compliance

1. Get Consent: Have permission to message
2. Include Opt-out: Provide unsubscribe option
3. Identify Sender: Clearly state who you are
4. Follow Laws: Comply with GDPR, CAN-SPAM, etc.
5. Respect Privacy: Protect contact data

Limitations and Restrictions

WhatsApp Policies

Follow WhatsApp Business policies:

• No spam or unsolicited messages
• No prohibited content
• Respect user privacy
• Maintain quality standards
• Provide opt-out mechanism

Account Restrictions

Violating policies may result in:

• Temporary message limit reduction
• Account suspension
• Permanent ban
• Loss of data

File Size Limits

Attachment restrictions:

• Images: 5MB max
• Documents: 10MB max
• Videos: 16MB max
• Audio: 16MB max

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Messages not sending:

• Check WhatsApp connection
• Verify device is connected
• Check message limits
• Review rate limiting settings

High failure rate:

• Validate phone numbers
• Check number format (include country code)
• Remove invalid numbers
• Reduce sending speed

Slow delivery:

• Increase rate limit delay
• Check internet connection
• Reduce batch size
• Verify server status

Variables not working:

• Check variable syntax
• Ensure contact has data for variable
• Use fallback values
• Preview before sending

Next Steps

• Contact Management - Organize your contacts
• Tags Management - Create and manage tags
• Message Templates - Save reusable messages
• Analytics - Track campaign performance