Create and send a WhatsApp campaign

Video guide

Learn how to start creating effective WhatsApp campaigns to engage your customers through rich, interactive messaging. Follow these steps to set up targeting, add your message with media and buttons, and launch your campaign.

Step-by-step guide

Send engaging marketing messages to your customers on WhatsApp

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.
• A verified WhatsApp Business Account.
• An approved WhatsApp message template.
• A list or segment of customers that have opted-in to receive marketing messages on WhatsApp.

Step 1: Create a WhatsApp Message Template

1. Go to:

   Marketing > Content > Message Templates

2. Click “Create a new message project”

   Choose WhatsApp as the platform.

3. Choose Interaction Type:

   Select WhatsApp Approved (for proactive messaging)

4. Set Up Your Template:

   Choose your WhatsApp business account

   Select Marketing as the category

   Message Type: Choose Image message

   Click Start from scratch

   Name your project and set your locale (e.g., English)

5. Customize Your Template in the Editor:

   Upload a header image (e.g., your logo)

   Go to Settings > Variables > Add new variable

   Name: first name

   Description: Customer first name

   Default: e.g., “there”

6. Edit Message Body:

   Replace “Hey there” with your first name variable

   Add your message:

   “Read our new blog post here” + [shortened blog URL]

7. Enable Link Tracking (optional but on by default)

   UTM parameters are auto-added for analytics

8. Add Footer (optional but recommended):

   Include unsubscribe info for compliance

9. Add Interactive Elements (optional):

   Link button: Add a button like “Read now”

   Quick reply buttons: Allow one-tap replies

10. Click “Publish” to submit your template for approval

    Status will show as Pending

    Approval typically takes minutes but can take up to 24 hours

Step 2: Create and Launch a Campaign

Once your template is approved:

1. Go to:
   **Marketing Hub > Campaigns > Create Campaign
   **

2. Select Channel:
   Choose **WhatsApp
   **

3. Set Campaign Details:

   • Campaign name: e.g., **"Blog Launch – April" **

4. Select Recipients:

   • Choose up to 5 lists to include
   • (Optional) Exclude specific lists
   • Keep “Skip Recently Messaged Profiles” enabled

5. **Continue to Content **

6. Configure Message:

   • Select your WhatsApp sender number
   • Keep “Automatic language matching” enabled
   • Select your approved template from the library
   • Preview and confirm template

7. Match Variables:

   • Map the first name variable to the contact's first name in Bird
   • Default: use **“there”
     **

8. Click Review in the top right corner

Step 3: Final Review and Launch

Review Page Includes:

• Recipients count
• Smart sending settings
• Final message preview

1. Send a Test Message:

   • Highly recommended before launch

2. Choose Launch Option:

   • Send Now: Deliver immediately
   • Schedule Message:
     • Pick date & time
     • Set appropriate time zone
     • Optionally **spread messages gradually
       **

3. Click Launch or Schedule

Step 4: Track Performance

Once live, you’ll see real-time metrics:

• Delivery rate
• Open rate (if tracked)
• Engagement (button clicks, replies)

Use these insights to improve future campaigns.