Creating a broadcast in Chatmo is done through a single-page form divided into multiple sections. This guide walks you through each section, from campaign configuration to message delivery.
Before You Begin
Make sure you have these prerequisites in place:
- An active channel device -- At least one WhatsApp (Personal or Business API), Instagram, Telegram, or Facebook Messenger device connected in Chatmo.
- An approved message template (for WhatsApp Business API) -- Templates must be approved by Meta before use. Head to Broadcast Templates to create one if needed.
- A target audience -- A contact segment, a recipient list, or your entire contact database ready to target.
For WhatsApp Business API, broadcasts can use either approved Meta templates or custom messages. For WhatsApp Personal, you can send custom messages directly without a template.
Opening the Broadcast Form
Navigate to Broadcast in the sidebar and click the Create Broadcast button in the top-right corner. This opens the broadcast creation form.
Section 1: Campaign Details
The first section captures the basic information about your campaign.
Campaign Name (required) -- Give your broadcast a clear, internal name. This will not be visible to recipients.
Good naming examples:
Flash Sale - Weekend Mar 2026Appointment Reminder - March BatchNew Feature Announcement - v3.0
Campaign Description (optional) -- Add a brief description to help identify this campaign later.
Campaign Type -- Select the campaign type from the dropdown:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| PROMOTIONAL | Promotions, offers, and discounts |
| NEWSLETTER | Newsletters and periodic updates |
| ANNOUNCEMENT | Important announcements |
| REMINDER | Schedule reminders, payment due dates, etc. |
| SURVEY | Surveys and customer feedback |
| TRANSACTIONAL | Transaction-related messages |
| OTHER | Other campaign types |
Section 2: Channel Selection
In this section, you choose which channel to send the broadcast through.
Channel Type -- Select one:
- WHATSAPP_UNOFFICIAL (Personal) -- A personal WhatsApp number connected via QR code scan. Supports sending custom messages without Meta templates.
- WHATSAPP_OFFICIAL (Business API) -- A WhatsApp Business API number connected through the official integration. Supports Meta-approved template messages and custom messages.
Channel Account -- After selecting a channel type, pick the specific account from the searchable dropdown. The dropdown shows each account's name and phone number, and only displays accounts with ACTIVE status.
Make sure the channel account you select is active and connected. If the account is disconnected, the broadcast will not be sent. Check the connection status on the Device Management page if needed.
Section 3: Audience Selection
Determine who will receive this broadcast. There are three options:
All Contacts -- Send to every contact in your database. The system displays the total contact count and the number of valid contacts.
Segments -- Select one or more segments from the available list. You can pick multiple segments at once (multi-select). Each segment shows the total and valid contact count.
Recipient List -- Select a single recipient list that was previously uploaded. The list shows total, valid, and invalid counts. See Recipient List for how to manage recipient lists.
Segments are the recommended approach for targeting broadcasts. They let you group contacts by relevant criteria so that every message reaches the right people.
Section 4: Message Configuration
Message configuration varies depending on the channel you selected.
WhatsApp Business API
For WhatsApp Business API, you can choose between two modes:
Custom Message -- Write your own message with these tools:
- Text area for composing your message
- Emoji picker
- Formatting tools: Bold, Italic,
Strikethrough,Monospace - Variable insertion for message personalization
- Media upload: attach an image, video, or document
Template Message -- Use a Meta-approved WhatsApp template:
- Searchable dropdown to select a template (only APPROVED templates are shown)
- If the template has a media header, you will be prompted to upload the corresponding file
- Variable mapping: for each variable
{{1}},{{2}}, etc. in the template, specify the data source from a contact field or static text
WhatsApp Personal
For WhatsApp Personal, you write a custom message directly using the same tools: text area, emoji picker, formatting, variables, and media upload.
Variables in custom messages let you personalize each message. For example, insert a name variable to automatically replace it with each recipient's name.
Section 5: Scheduling
Choose when the broadcast will be sent:
Send Now -- The broadcast starts going out as soon as you confirm. Messages are sent gradually to all recipients.
Schedule for Later -- Set a specific delivery time with the following configuration:
- Date -- Select a date using the date picker
- Time -- Select a time in 24-hour format
- Timezone -- Choose from 9 available timezone regions (including WIB, WITA, WIT for Indonesia, and other international timezones)
Broadcasts sent between 9:00-11:00 AM or 1:00-3:00 PM on weekdays tend to get higher read rates. However, know your audience -- some businesses get better responses on weekends.
Section 6: Save or Send
Once all sections are filled in, you have two options:
Save as Draft -- Click the Draft button to save the broadcast without sending. You can return to edit it anytime from the campaign list.
Send / Schedule -- Click the Launch button to send the broadcast. A confirmation modal appears summarizing your entire broadcast configuration:
- Campaign name and type
- Channel and account selected
- Recipient count
- Message preview
- Delivery schedule
Review everything carefully. Once a broadcast is sent, messages cannot be recalled. Confirm once more to begin delivery.
After Your Broadcast Is Sent
Once a broadcast starts, you can monitor its progress from the campaign list:
- Progress bar shows the percentage of messages sent, updated automatically every 30 seconds
- Status badge changes from SENDING (pulsing blue) to COMPLETED (green) when delivery finishes
- Available actions include viewing details, duplicating the campaign, or stopping an in-progress send
If any recipients reply to the broadcast, their responses appear in your Inbox as new conversations that you can follow up on.
Tips for Effective Broadcast Messages
Lead with value. The first line of your message should make it immediately clear why the recipient should care. "20% off your next order" is more compelling than "Dear valued customer, we are pleased to inform you..."
Keep it concise. WhatsApp messages are read on mobile screens. Long paragraphs get skimmed or ignored. Stick to the essential information and use line breaks for readability.
Include a clear call to action. Tell people what to do next. "Reply YES to claim your discount" or "Tap the button below to book" -- make the next step obvious.
Personalize beyond the name. Using a name variable is table stakes. If you can reference something specific -- their last purchase, their location, their membership tier -- the message feels much more relevant.
Test with your team first. Before sending to your full audience, send a test broadcast to a small segment containing yourself and a few team members. Read the message on your phone as a customer would.
You can duplicate high-performing campaigns using the Duplicate action in the campaign list, then adjust the content and recipients for your new campaign.
What's Next?
- Recipient List -- Manage recipient lists for your broadcast campaigns.
- Broadcast Templates -- Create and manage the message templates your broadcasts use.
- Broadcast Analytics -- Track how your broadcast performed after it is sent.
- Broadcast Overview -- Return to the broadcast feature overview.