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Your first text decides two things: whether the lead replies, and whether their phone treats you as a person or as junk. Write it the way you’d text someone you just met in person.

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Dos and don’ts

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Say who you are

Leads get texts from unknown numbers all day. Start your very first message with your name and the reason you’re texting, so they know right away this isn’t spam.
  • ✅ “Hi Maria, it’s Dana from Brightline. You filled out our form about a quote yesterday.”
  • ❌ “Hello! We have an exciting new offer just for you!”
Your name in that first message can help their phone, too. iPhones sometimes pick up a name from a conversation and show it next to an unknown number, for example Maybe: Dana, including when you call.

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Write a question people answer

The goal of a first text is a reply, not a decision. End with one question, and make it easy to answer. Make “no” easy. Ask something where every answer is useful, including no. A yes starts a conversation. A no lets you close things politely instead of chasing someone who isn’t interested, and people who can say no easily reply instead of ignoring you or reporting the text as junk.
  • ✅ “Still working on this, or did you already get it sorted?”
Use their words. Repeat back exactly what they asked about or filled in. It shows the text is a real reply to them, not a mass message.
  • ✅ “You asked about pricing for three people. Is that still the plan?”
Keep the answer thumb-length. Write the question so they can answer in a word or two, straight from the notification.
  • ✅ “Is this still the best number for you?”
  • ❌ “When are you free this week to go over your budget, timeline and requirements?”
Save the bigger questions for after they’ve replied.

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Keep it short

Most people read your text in a notification before they open it. Aim for a line or two; about 80 characters is a good target. If you have more to say, wait for their reply and send it then. A link or attachment from a number someone doesn’t know is one of the most common reasons a text gets filtered or reported as junk. Once the lead has replied, share whatever helps. Blujay enforces this for you. Until someone has replied to that number, a text with a link won’t send, and a photo, video, file or a text over 300 characters asks you to confirm first. Automations and integrations can’t send any of those until the person replies. See Sharing links, photos and videos.

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Write it for this lead

Openers that are copied word for word to many people read as automated, both to the lead and to spam filters. Mention what they asked about, where they found you or something specific to them. When you’re reaching out to a batch of new leads:
  • Vary your wording from lead to lead.
  • Spread your texts across the day instead of sending them all at once.
  • Reply quickly to anyone who answers. Conversations that get going are what keep your number healthy.

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Know if it’s working

Count how many people reply to your first text. Aim for 30–40%. If fewer than 15% reply, change your opener before you send more: make it more specific to the person, and end with an easier question.

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iMessage or text message

You don’t have to choose. Blujay sends with iMessage when the contact can receive it, and as a text message when they can’t. Before you send, the message box shows which one it will be:

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Daily limit for new contacts

To protect your number, Blujay limits how many new contacts each Blujay number can start conversations with each day. The limit grows as your number gets older.
  • Contacts who texted you first never count toward the limit.
  • You can always keep messaging people you’ve already talked to.
If you reach the limit, you’ll see “You’ve reached today’s new-contact limit for this line.” Your draft is kept, and the limit resets the next day.

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Next

Keeping the conversation going

What to do once they reply.

Following up

How often to follow up, and when to stop.