To introduce yourself on WhatsApp, send one short message that says who you are, how you got their number and why you're writing. For example: "Hello, this is Anita from the accounts team. Priya gave me your number. I'm writing to ask about the training schedule." Keep it polite, keep it brief and finish with a clear question.
Most first messages fail for one simple reason: the person on the other end has no idea who is writing. WhatsApp shows a phone number, and people are wary of unknown numbers. A good introduction removes that doubt in the first line.
The three-part formula
Every good first message has the same three parts. You can say them in two sentences.
- Who you are. Your name, plus your role or company if it helps.
- How you got their number. A mutual contact, a form, a business card, a group or an event.
- Why you're messaging. One clear reason, ideally ending in a question they can answer quickly.
Put those three together and you've got a message that feels respectful rather than random. Skip any of them and you risk being ignored, or worse, reported as spam.
Ten example messages you can copy
These are written in plain English that works for readers in India, the UK and the US. Swap the words in square brackets for your own details, and keep the tone that suits you.
1. Starting a new job
"Hello [Name], this is [Your name], I'm joining the [team] on Monday. [Manager's name] shared your number. I wanted to say hello and ask if there's anything I should read before my first day."
2. Writing to a new client
"Good morning [Name], I'm [Your name] from [Company]. We spoke briefly on the call earlier and you asked me to send the details here. Would it help if I shared a short summary of what we discussed?"
3. Contacting a landlord or letting agent
"Hello [Name], my name is [Your name]. I saw your flat listing for [area] and I'm interested in viewing it. Are there any times this week when you could show me around?"
4. Messaging a teacher or tutor
"Good evening [Title and name], I'm [Your name], [child's name]'s parent in class [section]. The school office gave me your number. May I ask when would be a good time to talk about homework?"
5. Introducing yourself as a group admin
"Hi everyone, I'm [Your name] and I'll be looking after this group. It's for [purpose]. Please keep messages relevant, be kind to each other and message me directly if you need anything."
6. A business enquiry
"Hello, I'm [Your name]. I found your shop through [source] and I'd like to ask about [product or service]. Could you tell me what's available and how ordering works?"
7. Networking with someone new
"Hi [Name], I'm [Your name]. We haven't met, but I enjoyed your talk on [topic]. I work in [field] and I'd love to stay in touch if that's alright with you."
8. Meeting a new neighbour
"Hello, I'm [Your name] from flat [number]. I just wanted to say hi and let you know I'm around if you ever need anything. Welcome to the building!"
9. After an event
"Hi [Name], it was lovely to meet you at [event] today. I'm [Your name], the one who asked about [topic]. I'd be glad to keep the conversation going."
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10. A polite follow-up
"Hello [Name], I wanted to follow up on my earlier message about [topic]. I know you're busy, so there's no pressure. Could you let me know when you've had a chance to look?"
You'll notice that none of these asks for a lot. A short message with one easy question gets far more replies than a long one with five.
Formal or casual: which tone to use
| Situation | Formal | Casual |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting | Good morning, Dear Mr or Ms [Surname] | Hi [First name] |
| Opening line | I hope you're well. My name is... | Hey, it's [Name] here... |
| Ask | Would it be possible to... | Could you let me know...? |
| Closing | Thank you for your time. Kind regards | Thanks! Speak soon |
| Emojis | Rarely, and only a simple smile | Fine, in moderation |
| Best for | Clients, landlords, teachers, senior colleagues | Neighbours, peers, friends of friends |
If you're unsure, start formal. It's easy to relax the tone once they reply, and much harder to repair a first impression that was too casual. If you're curious which emoji suit which mood, my guide to WhatsApp emoji meanings helps you avoid sending the wrong signal.
WhatsApp etiquette for a first message
- Pick a sensible time. Daytime, within normal working hours, is safest. Late at night feels intrusive from a stranger.
- Write, don't call. A call out of nowhere from an unknown number is unwelcome. Wait until they've replied.
- Be careful with voice notes. A long voice note as a first message is hard to listen to. Text works better until you know them.
- Send one message, not ten. Don't send a stream of short messages. One tidy message is easier to read and reply to.
- Don't spam. If someone doesn't reply, send one polite follow-up after a few days and then stop. Never send the same message to hundreds of people.
- Respect a no. If they ask you to stop, stop straight away.
If you run a business, a warm first line makes a big difference. I've shared examples in my guides to a warm WhatsApp Business greeting message and an engaging welcome message for a WhatsApp Business group.
How to start a chat with a number you haven't saved
There are two straightforward ways to message someone whose number isn't in your contacts.
- Save the number first. Add the number to your phone's contacts with a name, open WhatsApp, tap New chat and pick them from your contact list. This is the simplest way, and it also makes your introduction look more natural.
- Use WhatsApp's click to chat link. WhatsApp has an official way to open a chat from a link without saving the number. The steps are in the WhatsApp Help Center, so search there for click to chat.
Include the full number with the country code when you save it, otherwise WhatsApp may not find the person. Menu names can vary between versions, so if a button looks different, search WhatsApp's settings or help for the word chat.
If someone you don't know messages you first, you don't have to answer. You can block them or report them from the chat, and WhatsApp will keep their messages out of your way.
Frequently asked questions
What should I write in my first WhatsApp message to a stranger?
Say who you are, how you got their number and why you're writing, in two or three sentences. End with a simple question they can answer easily.
How do I send a formal message on WhatsApp?
Greet them politely, use their title and surname, state your reason clearly and close with thanks. Avoid slang and keep emojis to a minimum.
Is it okay to message someone on WhatsApp without asking first?
It depends on the situation. For work, a landlord or a school it's normal if you explain who you are. For anyone else, keep it brief and respect their reply, even if it's no.
Can I start a WhatsApp chat without saving the number?
Yes. WhatsApp has an official click to chat link, described in its Help Center. Saving the number as a contact is usually the simplest way.
