WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps, with over 2 billion users worldwide. When you get a new contact on WhatsApp, knowing how to properly introduce yourself and start a conversation can help make a good first impression.
Say Hello Informally
For casual conversations with new contacts, a simple “hi” or “hello” is often a good way to start. This gives them an opening to respond back in a similarly friendly, informal way. Some examples of informal greetings you can use are:
- “Hi there!”
- “Hello!”
- “Hey, how’s it going?”
- “What’s up?”
An informal greeting sets the tone that you are open to casual small talk. It also takes some of the pressure off starting a serious conversation right away with someone new.
Introduce Yourself
It’s polite when messaging a new contact to introduce yourself, so they know who you are. Keep it simple at first by just stating your name:
- “Hi, this is John.”
- “Hello, my name is Emily.”
You can also explain briefly how you got their contact:
- “Hi Matt, this is Amy – we met at the conference last week.”
- “Hey! It’s Jessica from the yoga class on Tuesday nights.”
Providing this context helps remind them of where they know you from and jogs their memory when speaking to a new contact among many on their WhatsApp.
Be Direct but Friendly
When messaging a new work contact or someone you don’t know well, it’s often best to be direct yet still friendly. Get straight to the point of why you are contacting them, while letting your tone convey openness to continue the conversation. Some examples are:
- “Hi Sarah, this is Robert with ABC Company. I wanted to follow up on that sales proposal I sent over.”
- “Hello Mr. Jones, this is Hannah from the finance department. I’m contacting you about the quarterly budget.”
- “Hi Juan, I got your number from Miguel. I wanted to talk to you about possibly working together on the upcoming project.”
This helps establish a purpose for your initial outreach on WhatsApp while leaving room for further dialogue. The recipient can easily respond and know what your message is regarding.
Ask How They Are
It’s thoughtful when starting a chat on WhatsApp to ask how the other person is doing. This shows concern for them as more than just a contact, but also as a real person with their own life and experiences. Simple greetings that inquire about their well-being are:
- “Good morning! How are you today?”
- “Hi Brenda, hope you’re having a great day so far!”
- “Hey Tom, how’s your week going?”
You can ask more specific questions if you already know a little info about what’s been going on in their life lately, such as a big work presentation or a vacation they recently returned from. This personal touch helps strengthen new relationships on WhatsApp.
Use Emojis and GIFs
Emojis and GIFs are a fun way to liven up a WhatsApp greeting. They add visual flair and convey tone and emotion. Some examples are:
- “Hi there! “
- “Hey girl! How was your weekend?”
- “Happy Monday! Ready to take on the week?”
Use emojis and GIFs sparingly and make sure they fit the context. With new professional contacts, it’s safer to hold off on these until you establish a conversational rapport.
Follow Up After Connecting In-Person
If you got someone’s WhatsApp number in person at an event, meetup, or gathering, follow up with them afterwards saying it was great to meet them. This helps nurture the new connection you’ve made:
- “It was so nice to meet you the other night! This is Jessica – let me know if you’d ever like to get coffee.”
- “Hey Kyle, I enjoyed meeting you at Liza’s party. Would love to continue our conversation about starting a book club.”
Following up in a timely manner makes it more likely they will remember you and be open to further contact.
Break the Ice with Humor
Using humor can be an engaging way to start a chat with someone new on WhatsApp. Keep it light-hearted and inoffensive. Some examples are:
- “Knock knock! “
- “Hi Matt, did you hear the one about the wifi that got married? The reception was excellent!”
- “Hey! I heard you like puns. Want to trade some awful ones back and forth?”
This works best once you already have an established rapport with someone. Use caution and avoid humor that could be misunderstood over messaging.
Have a Clear Reason for Messaging
It’s helpful when reaching out to a new contact on WhatsApp to have a clear purpose or reason for messaging them. This way they immediately understand why you are starting a conversation and how they can help. Some examples are:
- “Hi Amy, Mark gave me your number and said you could help with my job search. Do you have time for a quick call tomorrow?”
- “Hello Sarah, this is John Smith – we worked together at Acme Corp about 5 years ago. I have an office space for rent and thought you may be interested since you were looking for a new location.”
- “Hey Sam, I got your WhatsApp from Pam because she said you have experience building Chatbots, which I could use some help with for a new project.”
Having an agenda makes the reason for connecting clear. It also shows that you respect their time by getting straight to the point.
Reference a Mutual Connection
Mentioning the mutual friend, colleague, or acquaintance who connected you is useful when messaging a new WhatsApp contact. It establishes why you are now reaching out to them specifically. Some examples are:
- “Hi Matt, Jake gave me your number and mentioned you DJ on weekends. I’m looking for a DJ for an upcoming event.”
- “Hey Anna, this is Justin – we both know Sam from Acme Company. Sam thought we would hit it off since we’re both looking to get into yoga instruction.”
- “Hello! We haven’t met yet but Kelly from book club gave me your number. She said you’re also interested in true crime podcasts.”
Mentioning who referred you helps build legitimacy and provides a starting point to explain your reason for contacting them.
Send a Warm but Professional Greeting
When messaging new work contacts or less casual acquaintances, keep greetings warm yet still professional. You want to start conversations politely while maintaining a business tone. Some examples are:
- “Good morning Ms. Brown, this is Alicia with XYZ Corp. Please let me know if you received the contract I sent over.”
- “Hi James, I hope this email finds you well! This is Robert from ABC Company following up on the sales proposal I shared last week.”
- “Hello Dr. Smith, I enjoyed your presentation at the medical conference. This is Alex Johnson – I wanted to get in touch regarding a potential research collaboration.”
Professional but friendly greetings help set an appropriate tone for business communications.
Inquire About Their Interests
If you already know some of the new contact’s hobbies or interests, ask about those when you message them. This shows you did your research and want to start the dialogue off on a personal note.
- “Hi Lily! Ashley said you recently rescued a new dog – hope he’s settling in well with your other pups.”
- “Hey Tom, I heard through Allen you’re a baseball fan. Did you catch the game last night?”
- “Hello Zachary, Chris mentioned you enjoy chess – I’d love to play a match together sometime.”
Asking about a shared interest helps establish common ground and a basis for continuing the conversation.
Compliment Their Work
If you are reaching out professionally, compliment something specific about their work, business, or reputation. People enjoy receiving genuine praise from new contacts. Some examples are:
- “Hi Margaret, your law firm comes highly recommended for its top-notch client service.”
- “Hello Mr. Chen, I admire the beautiful craftsmanship of your furniture company’s products.”
- “Hey Zoe! Heard great things about the social media marketing strategies you developed for ABC Company.”
Sincere compliments are an encouraging way to make a new connection and start constructive conversations.
Use Proper Grammar and Spelling
With any new WhatsApp contact, it’s important your message is clear and understandable. Use proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling to make a good impression. Some tips are:
- Capitalize the first letter of sentences
- Use commas, periods, and question marks appropriately
- Avoid abbreviations like “u” instead of “you”
- Read your message aloud before sending to catch errors
Proper writing style, especially with professional contacts, promotes effective communication.
Ask Open-Ended Questions
Pose open-ended questions to a new contact that spark conversation and can’t be answered with just one word. This invites them to provide thoughtful responses. Examples include:
- “How did you get started in your field?”
- “What do you enjoy most about your job?”
- “Where did you go for your last vacation?”
- “What are your goals for this year?”
Questions that require detailed answers help get a dialogue flowing with a new connection.
Conclusion
Making a great first impression by warmly and clearly greeting new WhatsApp contacts helps nurture positive relationships, both personal and professional. Consider the context and your intentions when reaching out to tailor how you say hello in a way that sets the stage for meaningful conversations to come.
| Type of Contact | Example Greetings |
|---|---|
| Casual friend or acquaintance | “Hi there!” “What’s up?” “Hey, how’s your week going?” |
| Professional connection | “Hello Mr. Jones, this is Emily from XYZ Company.” “Good morning! I wanted to follow up on that project proposal.” |
| Referral from a mutual friend | “Hi Anna, Jake gave me your number and said we should connect.” “Hey! Susan mentioned you’re also a Crossfitter – I’d love to join you for a workout.” |
| Met recently at an event | “It was great meeting you at the conference. Let’s stay in touch!” “Hi Kyle, this is Jessica from the trade show last week.” |
The table above summarizes examples of greetings tailored to different contexts when messaging new WhatsApp contacts. Consider who you are talking to as well as how you met or got their contact information when deciding the best opening line to start conversations off right.
With the wide use of WhatsApp around the world, being able to properly say hello and introduce yourself on the messaging platform is an important communication skill. Start conversations effectively and make memorable first impressions.