> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.vendschat.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Broadcasts

> Send one approved WhatsApp message to a segment from Broadcast → New broadcast. Labels, CSV, 24-hour window, Growth plan.

Send one approved message to a whole segment — product launches, appointment reminders, win-back campaigns.

<Info>
  **Live path (Sep 2026):** sidebar **Broadcast** (`/broadcast`) → **New broadcast**. Campaign name, channel, Existing contacts or New numbers (CSV), then **Create & compose**. Older notes that said the Broadcast page was unwired are **out of date**.
</Info>

<Frame caption="Broadcasts">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/vendocker-llc/8CzbwqbLov2i2QJ1/images/broadcasts.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=8CzbwqbLov2i2QJ1&q=85&s=de2daece24a06886f2871fda71d1d80d" alt="Vendschat Broadcasts page with New broadcast and a table of campaign name, status, channel, progress, and recipient count." width="2038" height="1238" data-path="images/broadcasts.png" />
</Frame>

<Warning>
  WhatsApp’s 24-hour session window is real. Inside it you can send a session message. Outside it you must use a Meta-**Approved** template. Most campaigns go out as templates.
</Warning>

## How to send a broadcast

<Steps>
  <Step title="Prepare the segment">
    Apply a label in **Chat** while you work (`VIP`, `Appt-Mon`, `Newsletter`). Or keep a CSV of numbers that already consented.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Approve the template">
    **Templates** → WhatsApp channel card → **Create New Template**. Wait for Meta **Approved**. Drafts are not saved — finish the form in one sitting. See [Creating WhatsApp templates](/templates/creating-whatsapp-templates).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open New broadcast">
    **Broadcast** → **New broadcast**. Name the campaign for history and analytics (not a random date stamp). Pick the WhatsApp channel.

    <Frame caption="New broadcast">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/vendocker-llc/8CzbwqbLov2i2QJ1/images/new-broadcast.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=8CzbwqbLov2i2QJ1&q=85&s=8cb5babe06ecf6546b08e953704e46b8" alt="Vendschat New broadcast dialog with campaign name, channel, WhatsApp capabilities callout, Existing contacts, New numbers CSV, and Create and compose." width="2038" height="1238" data-path="images/new-broadcast.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose recipients">
    **Existing contacts** — target people already in Vendschat (labels you applied in Chat). **New numbers** — CSV upload when the list is not already in the workspace.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create & compose">
    Pick the approved template, map variables, send now or **schedule (UTC)**. Dry-run an internal test number first.
  </Step>
</Steps>

The green callout on the dialog is the rule: approved templates to any contact, or session messages only inside the 24-hour window.

**Plan:** reminder and marketing broadcasts need **Growth**.

## Example: BloomBox Flowers

Mother’s Day — 400 past buyers should get the same offer.

| Step | What BloomBox did                                                    |
| ---- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| 1    | Labeled repeat buyers `MOM-2025` during April chats                  |
| 2    | Created WhatsApp template `mothers_day_15off` (image + button)       |
| 3    | **Broadcast → New broadcast** → Existing contacts → label `MOM-2025` |
| 4    | Scheduled Sunday 10 AM UTC                                           |
| 5    | Watched **Analytics** next morning for delivered / read / failed     |

Replies land in **Chat**. Staff a `MOM-2025-reply` label.

## Example: Metro Clinics reminders

Sunday 5 PM UTC to everyone labeled `Appt-Mon`, template `appointment_reminder` + **Confirm** button. Never put lab values in the template. Full playbook: [Clinics & appointments](/use-cases/clinics-and-appointments).

## When to use broadcasts

| Use case             | Template idea                   |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| Sale announcement    | Image header + shop link button |
| Appointment reminder | Date variable + Confirm button  |
| Back in stock        | Product name + “Order now”      |
| Win-back             | “We miss you” + discount code   |

## After send

* Watch **Analytics** — delivered, read, failed
* Staff **Chat** for replies
* Honor stop requests — label `Do-not-broadcast`
* Pause the next campaign if failure rate spikes (bad numbers, variable mapping)

## First broadcast checklist

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Before you click send">
    * Template **Approved** in Meta
    * Label (or CSV) is the list you intend
    * Test send to an internal number
    * Agents briefed on reply volume
    * **Analytics** bookmarked for the next morning
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related

* [Templates in Chat & broadcasts](/templates/templates-in-chat-and-broadcasts)
* [Shared inbox & labels](/inbox/shared-inbox-and-labels)
* [Channel performance](/analytics/channel-performance)