# Initiate Conversation

You can start chatting with a customer in BizMagnets if their contact is already added, or you can add their contact first and then send them a WhatsApp Template message.

{% hint style="info" %}
WhatsApp allows you to send only pre-approved template messages to initiate a conversation with a customer. 
{% endhint %}

## Start Chat with Saved Contact in BizMagnets Conversations

To start a chat with a saved contact, follow the below steps.

1. Go to **'Inbox'** from the dashboard.
2. Click to select the contact you wish to start a conversation with. After selecting the contact, the chat window will open. 

<figure><img src="https://789614814-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvCr7uCTpZRGEF8A48OOJ%2Fuploads%2FP4yf2TwaWpY8pmUPSONB%2FScreenshot%202025-09-04%20160813.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a1b8fbf6-6719-46eb-8d0a-9d66a9745b93" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. You need to create your message [templates](https://docs.bizmagnets.ai/template) to initiate the conversation. These templates must be pre-approved by Meta.

<figure><img src="https://789614814-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvCr7uCTpZRGEF8A48OOJ%2Fuploads%2F6MThI48fjdRznlYR5OjY%2FScreenshot%202024-03-21%20155119.png?alt=media&#x26;token=ab999a91-9b73-4ae9-bb01-87ad52067d5b" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Start Chat with Unsaved Contact in BizMagnets Conversations

You can create a [new contact](https://docs.bizmagnets.ai/contacts/add-contact) by clicking on "Add New Contact" and then start the conversation by sending the template message.

<figure><img src="https://789614814-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvCr7uCTpZRGEF8A48OOJ%2Fuploads%2FmJ6sRhwMIeywrrAXzJ4k%2FScreenshot%202024-03-23%20145244.png?alt=media&#x26;token=7a9f2b25-1956-4e2d-89e6-a555b2e21597" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Send a Text to a BizMagnets Contact Individually

If you wish to send a text to a specific contact while browsing through your contacts in BizMagnets, you can do so by clicking on the "send' icon as shown in the below image.

<figure><img src="https://789614814-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvCr7uCTpZRGEF8A48OOJ%2Fuploads%2FvUOt6ba0nsm81mS1Zu8i%2FSending%20message.png?alt=media&#x26;token=7819d5e0-f4fb-4710-b77a-b635e8ba5183" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Replying to a customer's message&#x20;

You can immediately reply when a customer messages you, allowing you to engage in a chat conversation for next 24 hours.