WhatsApp Broadcast Campaigns

What Is It?

Send one-time WhatsApp broadcasts to a contact list or segment — the same Campaigns tool you already use for Email and SMS, with WhatsApp as a third channel. Pick a list, pick an approved message template, send now or schedule for later.

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Requirements Before You Can Send

1. A connected WhatsApp Business integration — Settings → Integrations → WhatsApp. This is the same connection used for 1:1 WhatsApp conversations in your inbox.

2. An approved message template — WhatsApp (Meta) requires every business-initiated message outside an active conversation to use a pre-approved template. You cannot send free-form text as a campaign. Submit and approve templates in your Meta Business Manager; Velaro's campaign editor only shows templates Meta has already approved.

3. Both WhatsApp and Campaigns enabled on your plan. WhatsApp broadcast campaigns require BOTH your WhatsApp channel access AND your campaign-management subscription — having one without the other won't unlock this feature. Contact your account manager if you see "WhatsApp campaigns not enabled for this account."

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Why Templates Are Required (Not a Velaro Limitation)

This is a WhatsApp/Meta platform rule, not something Velaro restricts. Outside a 24-hour window after a customer messages you, WhatsApp only allows pre-approved templates — this prevents spam and protects recipients. Your template can include up to a handful of {{1}}, {{2}}-style variables (e.g., first name, order number) that Velaro fills in per recipient from your contact list fields.

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Sending a Campaign

1. Go to Campaigns → Broadcast Campaigns → New Campaign.

2. Choose WhatsApp as the channel.

3. Pick a contact list or segment (must have phone numbers).

4. Select an approved template from the picker — refresh if you just approved a new one in Meta Business Manager.

5. Fill in any template variables.

6. Send now, or schedule for later.

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Compliance — Opt-In Matters

WhatsApp requires recipients to have opted in to receive messages from your business. Don't import a purchased list or send to numbers that haven't interacted with you. Velaro automatically respects suppression rules and any unsubscribe/opt-out signals already on file for a contact.

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Tracking Results

Campaign results (sent, failed, delivery status) appear on the campaign detail page, same as Email and SMS. If a send fails, the most common causes are: the template was not yet approved at send time, the recipient's number isn't a valid WhatsApp number, or the WhatsApp integration's connection expired (reconnect under Settings → Integrations → WhatsApp).