> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.blujay.io/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Your first text to a new lead > Open a conversation that gets a reply and keeps your Blujay number in good standing. 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. ## Dos and don'ts | Do | Don't | | - | - | | ✅ Say who you are and how you're connected | ❌ Open with a sales pitch | | ✅ Ask one question that's easy to answer | ❌ Ask for a call, a time and a budget in one go | | ✅ Keep it to a line or two | ❌ Send a paragraph | | ✅ Save links and photos until they reply | ❌ Lead with a link | | ✅ Write each opener for that lead | ❌ Paste the same opener to every new lead | ## 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. ## 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. ## 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. ## Hold links and photos until they reply 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](https://support.blujay.io/messaging/links-and-media.md). ## 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. ## 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. ## 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: | Message box shows | Sends as | | - | - | | **iMessage** | iMessage, in a blue bubble | | **Text Message • SMS** | SMS text message, in a green bubble | | **Text Message • RCS** | RCS text message, in a green bubble | ## 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. ## Next > [card] [Keeping the conversation going](https://support.blujay.io/messaging/keep-it-going.md) > > What to do once they reply. > [card] [Following up](https://support.blujay.io/messaging/follow-ups.md) > > How often to follow up, and when to stop. This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.