> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.woochat.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.woochat.io/conversations/initiate-a-new-chat.md).

# Initiate a New Chat

### Initiate a New Chat

Learn how to initiate chat with customers using 4 different methods.

You can initiate a Chat with a customer if you have added their contact in WooChat or you can add a contact and then send the customer a WhatsApp Template.

### Initiate chat with Customers in 4 ways <a href="#initiate-chat-with-customers-in-4-ways" id="initiate-chat-with-customers-in-4-ways"></a>

#### Start Chat with Saved Contact in WooChat Conversations <a href="#start-chat-with-saved-contact-in-woochat-conversations" id="start-chat-with-saved-contact-in-woochat-conversations"></a>

Follow the below steps to start a chat with the saved contact.

1. From the dashboard, go to "**Conversations > Inbox**".

   <figure><img src="/files/9148Nx5JdkQuY9A8Ctuy" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
2. Click on <img src="/files/JZ2wJAAQKB88GgAnLlJd" alt="" data-size="line"> to choose the contact you want to start the conversation with. Once you select the contact, the chat window will open.

   <figure><img src="/files/Gmea6eJlBgmGQHeB1fFS" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
3. To start a chat with this contact, choose a pre-approved template you wish to send, fill in the necessary variables, and then click send.

   <figure><img src="/files/Mj081EukKSYNilKREKWJ" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Send WhatsApp Template to Unsaved Contact in WooChat <a href="#send-whatsapp-template-to-unsaved-contact-in-woochat" id="send-whatsapp-template-to-unsaved-contact-in-woochat"></a>

If you want to message a contact who isn't yet saved on WooChat, you can first create the contact and then send a WhatsApp Template as the initial interaction.

Follow the GIF below:

<figure><img src="/files/ORrlg5Gn9nS5CYyZdvAy" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Individually Send Text to WooChat Contact <a href="#individually-send-text-to-woochat-contact" id="individually-send-text-to-woochat-contact"></a>

If you want to send a text to a contact individually while scrolling through your contacts in WooChat, follow the steps shown in the GIF below.

<figure><img src="/files/3fiROyi1Go2YfHaSW59H" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### Responding to the customer's message <a href="#responding-to-the-customers-message" id="responding-to-the-customers-message"></a>

When a customer sends you a message, you can immediately respond and engage in a chat conversation.

<figure><img src="/files/VPUTwICursrsFgxTvJVO" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


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