# 40 WhatsApp openers

Organised by situation, because the situation decides the opener far more than
the wording does. Replace `[brackets]`. Keep them short: WhatsApp is a personal
channel and a paragraph from a stranger reads as an intrusion.

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## Inbound enquiry (1-8)

They wrote first. Do not sell yet, just be fast and human.

1. Hi [name], thanks for reaching out. What are you trying to sort out?
2. Hi [name] - got your message. Tell me a bit more and I will point you the right way.
3. Hey [name], happy to help. Is this for [use case A] or something else?
4. Hi [name], quick question so I do not waste your time: is this for you or the team?
5. Hi [name], I can help with that. What have you tried so far?
6. Thanks [name]. Before I send anything, what does "done" look like for you?
7. Hi [name] - I can answer that in a message or show you in five minutes. Which is easier?
8. Hi [name], got it. When do you need this working by?

## Outbound cold (9-16)

They did not ask. Earn the second message.

9. Hi [name], cold message so I will be brief: we help [type of business] with [problem]. Relevant?
10. Hi [name] - [specific, true observation about their business]. Is [problem] something you deal with?
11. Hi [name], [mutual name] suggested I get in touch about [topic]. Good time?
12. Hi [name], saw [specific thing]. How are you handling [problem] at the moment?
13. Hi [name] - not selling anything today, genuinely curious how you manage [problem].
14. Hi [name], we work with [comparable business]. Same problem, or is yours different?
15. Hi [name], one question: who handles [topic] at [company]?
16. Hi [name] - happy to be told no. Is [problem] worth a two-minute conversation?

## Referral (17-22)

The warmest opener there is. Use the name early.

17. Hi [name], [referrer] said you might be dealing with [problem]. Are they right?
18. Hi [name] - [referrer] passed on your number. They thought [topic] might be useful to you.
19. Hi [name], [referrer] mentioned you. They said you would be the person to ask about [topic].
20. Hi [name], we work with [referrer]. They suggested I say hello.
21. Hi [name] - [referrer] just told me about [thing you are doing]. Congratulations. Related question?
22. Hi [name], [referrer] thought this would land better coming from me than from them. About [topic]?

## Follow-up after silence (23-30)

23. Hi [name], did this get buried? No problem either way.
24. Hi [name] - still worth talking, or shall I leave it?
25. Hi [name], guessing the timing is wrong. Want me to check back later?
26. Hi [name], one more from me and then I will stop.
27. Hi [name] - any thoughts, or has this dropped down the list?
28. Hi [name], I will assume it is a no unless I hear otherwise. No hard feelings.
29. Hi [name] - closing your file. Door is open if [problem] comes back.
30. Hi [name], last one: is this a "not now" or a "not ever"? Either is fine.

## Post-quote (31-36)

31. Hi [name], sent the numbers over. Anything unclear?
32. Hi [name] - did the quote make sense, or should I explain any of it?
33. Hi [name], the price is the price, but the plan is flexible. Want to talk through the options?
34. Hi [name] - what did the team say?
35. Hi [name], is there anything in the quote that is a blocker rather than a question?
36. Hi [name] - happy to hold the pricing until [date] if that helps.

## Re-engagement (37-40)

37. Hi [name], it has been a while. Did [problem] ever get sorted?
38. Hi [name] - we finally built [thing you wanted]. Thought of you.
39. Hi [name], new quarter. Is [topic] back on the list?
40. Hi [name] - saw [their news]. Congratulations. Does it change anything on [topic]?

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## What makes these work

- **Under 25 words.** Long first messages on WhatsApp get read as spam.
- **One question, at the end.** Two questions is a form.
- **Their words, not yours.** Use `[problem]` phrasing you have actually heard
  from customers. Export a won conversation and steal your own best lines.
- **No links, no attachments, no images** in the first message.
- **Two follow-ups maximum.** Then stop, properly.