WhatsApp sales scripts: 20 messages for every deal stage

A WhatsApp sales script is a short message you reuse at a set point in a deal, with gaps for the customer’s own details. This guide gives you 20, from the first reply to a new enquiry through to payment and reviving a lead that went cold. Each one is one to four sentences and asks for one thing.

Replace everything in square brackets. Where UK and Nigerian wording differ (quote and quotation, “Hi” and “Good morning”), both versions are shown.

Rules for a message that gets a reply

1. Keep it short. One to four sentences. If the customer has to scroll, the message belongs in a document or a call.
2. Ask one question. Two questions tend to get one answer, usually to the easier one. Send the second question after the first is answered.
3. Use their words. Say a buyer at Delta Freight writes “we keep losing track of pallets”. Your reply says “losing track of pallets”, and leaves “inventory visibility” out.
4. Name the next step. End with what happens next and who does it: “I’ll send the quote by 15:00” or “Which day suits you?”.
5. Send at a sensible hour. Write during the customer’s working day, in their time zone. If they message you at 21:40, reply then, because they are clearly at their phone. Do not start a new conversation at that hour.

One WhatsApp rule to know first

If your team sends through the WhatsApp Business Platform (the API, which is what CRMs and shared inboxes connect to), WhatsApp’s Business Messaging Policy lets you reply in your own words within 24 hours of the customer’s last message. After that, and whenever you start the conversation yourself, you need an approved message template. Checked on 2 October 2026.

On cost, Meta’s own pages disagree. On 2 October 2026 its main pricing page said “All non-template messages are free”, while its page on pricing for non-template messages said replies inside the window are charged per message from 1 October 2026. Budget for the charge until your WhatsApp provider confirms otherwise, ask for its rate card and check your first October invoice.

The ordinary WhatsApp Business app on a phone works differently. Meta’s developer documentation says messages sent from the app are not subject to that window.

On either product, the customer must have opted in to hear from you. Meta’s opt-in guidance asks you to state clearly that they are agreeing to receive WhatsApp messages and to name your business. Our guide to the WhatsApp 24-hour rule for sales teams has the detail. Below, scripts that usually fall outside the window are marked “template needed on the API”.

First reply to a new enquiry

The first reply shows a person has read the message, then asks one question that moves things forward. Speed matters here, and our source-checked lead response time statistics set out the evidence.

1. Within minutes of a new enquiry (UK wording)

Hi [first name], thanks for your message. This is [your name] at [company]. So I can point you to the right option, what do you need [product or service] for?

1. Within minutes of a new enquiry (Nigeria wording)

Good morning [first name], thank you for contacting [company]. My name is [your name]. To guide you properly, kindly tell me what you need [product or service] for.

2. When the enquiry arrives outside working hours

Hi [first name], thanks for getting in touch with [company]. We are closed until [time], and [your name] will reply by [time] on [day]. If you tell us what you need now, [your name] can prepare before replying.

3. First message to a lead from a web form or event sign-up (template needed on the API)

Hi [first name], this is [your name] from [company]. You asked about [product or service] on [our website or the event name] on [day]. Is WhatsApp a good place to send you the details?

Only send script 3 to people who gave you their number and agreed to be contacted on WhatsApp. For leads that arrive from adverts, see our guide to following up click-to-WhatsApp ad leads.

Qualifying questions

Qualifying means finding out whether you can help and how. Ask these one at a time, and reply to each answer before sending the next.

4. To understand the need

Thanks, [first name]. What made you start looking for [product or service] now?

5. To understand the size of the job

That helps. How many [people, units or sites] is this for?

6. To find out who decides

Understood. Apart from you, who else will be involved in choosing a supplier?

7. To ask about budget without making it awkward

So I recommend the right option, do you have a budget range in mind? A rough figure is fine.

Here is how that works in practice. Say the bursar at Atlas Schools messages Baobab Foods asking for a price for school lunches. Tolu replies with script 4, learns the school needs a new caterer from January, then sends script 5.

Sending the price

State the price plainly, say what it includes, and ask one question. Do not apologise for the number or bury it under a paragraph of explanation.

8. When they ask “how much?” before you know what they need

Happy to give you a price, [first name]. It depends on [the main factor], so which is closer to what you need: [option A] or [option B]?

9. Giving the price in the chat (UK wording)

Hi [first name], for [scope in their words] the price is £[amount] plus VAT, which includes [what is included]. Delivery is [timeframe]. Would you like that as a formal quote?

9. Giving the price in the chat (Nigeria wording)

Good afternoon [first name]. For [scope in their words], the price is ₦[amount], which covers [what is included]. Delivery is [timeframe]. Should I send a formal quotation?

10. Sending the quote as a document

Hi [first name], quote [quote number] is attached. The total is [amount] and it covers [scope in one line]. Is there anything in it you would like changed?

What you send after the quote matters as much as the quote. Our guide to WhatsApp follow-up messages after a quotation has 15 templates and a day-by-day schedule.

For more messages like these, 30 WhatsApp Sales Messages is a free download of templates your team can copy and adapt.

Handling “let me think about it”

“Let me think about it” is a reasonable thing for a buyer to say. Your job is to find out what they are thinking about and agree when you will speak again. Do not argue with it.

11. Straight after they say it

Of course, [first name]. So I can help, is it the price, the timing or something in the offer that you would like to think over?

12. To agree when you will speak again

No problem at all. Shall I check in on [day], or would you prefer to message me when you are ready?

13. When they need to ask someone else

Understood. Would a short summary you can forward to [decision-maker] help? I can send it today.

Booking the call or visit

Offer two specific times. “When are you free?” gives the customer work to do, and two options take one word to answer.

14. To book a call, a demonstration or a site visit

It would be easier to go through this on a [call or visit], [first name]. I am free on [day] at [time] or [day] at [time]. Which suits you?

15. The day before the appointment (template needed on the API if they have been quiet for 24 hours)

Hi [first name], confirming our [call or visit] tomorrow at [time] at [place or link]. If that no longer suits you, reply with a better time and I will move it.

Give times in the customer’s time zone. Lagos and London share the same clock time during British Summer Time and are one hour apart in winter. Nairobi is two or three hours ahead of London, depending on the season.

Closing and payment

Asking for the order and asking for payment are ordinary parts of the job. State the facts (what was agreed, the amount, the date) and name the next step.

16. To ask for the decision

Hi [first name], we have agreed [scope], delivery by [date] and a price of [amount]. Are you happy for me to raise the invoice?

17. Sending the invoice and payment details (UK wording)

Thanks, [first name]. Invoice [invoice number] for [amount] is attached, with our bank details at the bottom. Once it is paid, I will confirm here and book [next step] for [date].

17. Sending the invoice and payment details (Nigeria wording)

Thank you, [first name]. Invoice [invoice number] for [amount] is attached, with our account details. Kindly share the transfer receipt here once payment is made, and I will confirm and schedule [next step] for [date].

18. A polite reminder when payment is late (template needed on the API)

Hi [first name], a reminder that invoice [invoice number] for [amount] was due on [date]. Could you tell me when to expect it, so I can keep [delivery or start date] in the diary?

Send account details as text the customer can copy, and repeat them on the invoice itself. If your bank details ever change, tell customers by phone as well as in writing.

Reviving old leads

A lead that went quiet months ago did not necessarily say no. Remind them who you are and what you discussed, then ask one easy question.

19. A lead that went quiet some weeks or months ago (template needed on the API)

Hi [first name], it’s [your name] from [company]. We spoke in [month] about [their need, in their words]. Is that still something you are working on?

20. When something has changed since you last spoke (template needed on the API)

Hi [first name], when we spoke in [month], [the obstacle, in their words] was the difficulty. We now have [what has changed]. Would it be worth a fresh look?

Here is script 19 filled in, as an example: “Hi, it’s Amaka from Kite Travel. We spoke in June about group fares for your staff conference. Is that still something you are working on?”

If there is no reply, send one more message a week later and then stop. Our guide to how many follow-ups to send before giving up covers when to stop.

What not to send

• “Hello” on its own. It makes the customer wait for the real message. Put the question in the first message.
• “Just checking in.” It gives the customer nothing to answer. Add a question or a new piece of information.
• “Did you see my message?” It reads as a complaint. Send a new, useful message.
• Invented deadlines. “Price goes up tomorrow” only belongs in a message when it is true and you can say why.
• Three messages in a row. Write one complete message. A buzzing phone feels like pressure.
• Prices in a voice note. Numbers need to be in text so they can be checked and forwarded.
• The same broadcast to your whole contact list. People who never agreed to hear from you may block the number, and WhatsApp’s policy requires opt-in.
• A very long message. If it needs more than four sentences, send a document and a one-line summary.

Frequently asked questions

What should my first WhatsApp message to a lead say?

Thank them, say who you are and ask one question about what they need. Script 1 does this in three sentences. Leave the price list, brochure and company history for later, once you know what they are looking for.

How long should a sales message be?

One to four short sentences, readable on a phone without scrolling. Anything longer belongs in a document, a call or two separate messages sent after the customer has replied to the first.

Should I send text or a voice note?

Text by default, because it can be read in a meeting, searched and forwarded. A voice note of under a minute suits a customer who is already replying and needs something explained. Always put prices, dates and account details in text.

How do I ask for payment politely?

State the invoice number, the amount and the due date, then ask when to expect payment. Script 18 does this. There is no need to apologise or to add pressure, because a clear reminder with the facts is already polite.

Can I send the same script to everyone?

Use the same structure, and change the details. Fill every bracket with the customer’s own words, product and dates, so the message could only have been written to them. On the API, an approved message template goes out with the wording Meta reviewed, so the personal detail goes into its variables.

Sources

• WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy (Meta), checked 2 October 2026
• Getting opt-in for WhatsApp (Meta for Developers), checked 2 October 2026
• Onboard WhatsApp Business app users (Meta for Developers), checked 2 October 2026
• Templates overview (Meta for Developers), checked 2 October 2026
• Pricing on the WhatsApp Business Platform (Meta for Developers), checked 2 October 2026
• Pricing for non-template messages (Meta for Developers), checked 2 October 2026