# Send a WhatsApp campaign

In this guide, we'll show you how to set up and send your first WhatsApp marketing campaign.

### What you'll need

* An installed [WhatsApp channel instance](https://docs.bird.com/applications/~/changes/SidqSnOUVNHmcp2wkLG7/channels/channels/supported-channels/whatsapp).
* A [verified WhatsApp Business Account](https://docs.bird.com/applications/~/changes/SidqSnOUVNHmcp2wkLG7/channels/channels/supported-channels/whatsapp/concepts/accounts-and-verification-levels/verified-facebook-business-manager-account#request-whatsapp-business-verification).
* An approved [WhatsApp message template](https://docs.bird.com/applications/~/changes/SidqSnOUVNHmcp2wkLG7/content/message-templates/concepts/whatsapp-message-templates).
* A [list](https://docs.bird.com/applications/~/changes/SidqSnOUVNHmcp2wkLG7/audience-and-contacts/lists-and-segments/concepts/lists) or [segment](https://docs.bird.com/applications/~/changes/SidqSnOUVNHmcp2wkLG7/audience-and-contacts/lists-and-segments/concepts/segments) of customers that have opted-in to receive marketing messages on WhatsApp. 

### Step one: Set up your WhatsApp campaign

1. From the side menu, click **Campaigns**.
2. Click **Create campaign**.
3. In the 'Name' field, enter a name your campaign.<br>

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2F6VHAJz451FgVzVqSLedX%2FScreenshot%202024-03-19%20at%2016.31.00.png?alt=media&#x26;token=d9907b66-46f7-431f-bad1-a420855b6d80" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
4. Select **WhatsApp** as your campaign type.<br>

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FVdqCL39QM3uNfnmIEjDZ%2FFrame%2070637.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c933c13a-c9dc-48f2-b7cf-e6ebd04e9f16" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
5. \[Optional] Add any [tags](https://docs.bird.com/applications/~/changes/SidqSnOUVNHmcp2wkLG7/campaigns/whatsapp-campaigns/how-to/broken-reference) to your campaign.<br>

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FLEkMkieh8BR2dhraOsat%2FScreenshot%202024-03-26%20at%2013.14.11.png?alt=media&#x26;token=27306571-7fcd-4f4f-a157-c2d2ae855a84" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
6. Click **Save and continue**.

### Step two: Choose your recipients

1. From the **Send to** drop-down, select the [list](https://docs.bird.com/applications/~/changes/SidqSnOUVNHmcp2wkLG7/audience-and-contacts/lists-and-segments/concepts/lists) or [segment](https://docs.bird.com/applications/~/changes/SidqSnOUVNHmcp2wkLG7/audience-and-contacts/lists-and-segments/concepts/segments) you want to send your campaign to. You can select more than one list or segment.<br>

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FAmF99YTV6FJ5MUhaQT9I%2FScreenshot%202024-03-19%20at%2016.37.22.png?alt=media&#x26;token=d0296242-af3a-4586-a1d5-9d09a8089054" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
2. \[Optional] If you want to prevent this campaign from being sent to specific customers, use the **Don't send to** dropdown to select the lists or segments that you want to exclude.<br>

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FGV7TeWBq7DlJEMlKBO8D%2FScreenshot%202024-03-26%20at%2013.18.53.png?alt=media&#x26;token=b8578fa0-977c-4b52-9988-0573133d7f66" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
3. Click **Continue to content**.

### Step three: Choose your WhatsApp sender and your content

1. Use the **Send from** dropdown to choose the WhatsApp account that you want to send your campaign from.<br>

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FCXpqeQYA2BjLnh0ZGotq%2FScreenshot%202024-03-19%20at%2016.44.09.png?alt=media&#x26;token=60fb034a-e027-475d-a906-2d70e7e8e838" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
2. Use the 'Select a template' dropdown to choose the [WhatsApp message template](https://docs.bird.com/applications/~/changes/SidqSnOUVNHmcp2wkLG7/content/message-templates/concepts/whatsapp-message-templates) that you want to send as your campaign. You'll be able to see a preview of your message.<br>

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2F23OAPtoM1CaL21pNT80q%2FScreenshot%202024-03-19%20at%2016.45.46.png?alt=media&#x26;token=172ec520-dbb4-49aa-8db2-a18288e0658e" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
3. \[Optional] If your message template is localized into more than one language, choose the language that you want to send it in.
4. If there are variables in your template message, map them in the **Template variables** section.
5. \[Optional] Click to set up [A/B testing](https://docs.bird.com/applications/~/changes/SidqSnOUVNHmcp2wkLG7/campaigns/campaigns/how-to/run-an-a-b-test) for your campaign.<br>

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FBnxXwq8OFgHULFXFHqaQ%2FScreenshot%202024-03-19%20at%2016.52.22.png?alt=media&#x26;token=ef345792-a3ba-4300-9372-74c34456f681" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
6. Click **Continue to preview**.

### Step four: Preview and test your campaign

1. Take a look at the preview of your message.
2. Click the **Simulated contact** drop down and search and select for a contact that you want to send a test message to.<br>

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FUqaMvkVTGas10V2yrkBS%2FScreenshot%202024-03-26%20at%2013.26.51.png?alt=media&#x26;token=15e2d35b-4871-4123-8179-48a50794d9b4" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
3. If the test message recipient has more than one number on their profile, select the number that you want to send to.<br>

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FAow4qIU7npM40fHdUwNX%2FScreenshot%202024-03-26%20at%2013.27.25.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c84899e6-a32a-4d2d-9323-618a4c1f97be" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
4. Click **Send a test message**.

### Step five: Send or schedule your campaign

1. Click **Schedule or send**.
2. To send your campaign now, select the **Send now** optio&#x6E;**,** then click **Send**.<br>

   <div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FEYSGLaaWLN7G1pJHe3D2%2FScreenshot%202024-03-26%20at%2013.29.09.png?alt=media&#x26;token=afbe7945-72c0-4168-966c-3ac4ce43eb93" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
3. \[Optional] Click **Schedule** to [send your campaign at a future date and time](https://docs.bird.com/applications/~/changes/SidqSnOUVNHmcp2wkLG7/campaigns/campaigns/how-to/schedule-a-campaign).

{% hint style="success" %}
You've just sent your first WhatsApp campaign! Time to sit back, relax, and watch the results roll in.
{% endhint %}

### FAQs

#### Can I send bulk messages on WhatsApp?

Yes, with Campaigns, you can send bulk messages with WhatsApp by using an approved message and sending it to a predefined audience or list.

#### Do customers need to opt-in to receive WhatsApp messages from my business?

Yes. If you want to initiate a conversation on WhatsApp (sending a campaign on WhatsApp counts as initiating a conversation,) you must use an approved message template. Customers must have shared their mobile phone number with your business, and explicitly opted-in to receive messages.&#x20;

Customers can start a conversation with your business whenever they like, without having previously opted in.