> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.getskara.ai/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Send Outbound Chat to the Contact You can start a chat conversation with the contact using the outbound chat message feature. This feature enables you to initiate and engage in real-time conversations directly with your contacts. > [!NOTE] > > **Note:** > > * Please note that this feature is a part of Unified Conversation Inbox. > * A User with appropriate rights can perform this action Skara allows to initiate the Outbound Chats via, * [Skara Chat](#salesmate-chat) * [WhatsApp Chat](#whatsapp-chat) ### Skara Chat To initiate the Skara Chat, * Navigate to the **Contacts Module** from the left bar accessing to the **Listing View** ![Contacts module navigation](https://mintcdn.com/salesmate/aO_HXIaHSYKHRI5z/chats/working-with-salesmate-chats/images/073-contacts-module-navigation-50983949230233.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=aO_HXIaHSYKHRI5z\&q=85\&s=f89b9a5e48a5b0c151ccd5340b4c6768) * Select the Contact that you wish to send a chat and open the Contact in the Detail View. \* Click on the **Start Chat** Icon and select **Skara Chat.** ![Start Salesmate chat](https://mintcdn.com/salesmate/aO_HXIaHSYKHRI5z/chats/working-with-salesmate-chats/images/074-start-salesmate-chat-35541097344025.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=aO_HXIaHSYKHRI5z\&q=85\&s=654d8375a5d6a45eeadc651a0393a2d0) **Or**  * Head over to the three dots on the top right and click on the Start Chat option * Select the **Skara Chat** ![Start Salesmate chat](https://mintcdn.com/salesmate/aO_HXIaHSYKHRI5z/chats/working-with-salesmate-chats/images/075-start-salesmate-chat-35509221424281.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=aO_HXIaHSYKHRI5z\&q=85\&s=d86e5a3513e7e6789dc530ebfe3a16c8) A pop up will appear to choose the following options, * **To:** This will display the contact's name that was selected to send the message. * **From:** This will display the Users name who is initiating the chat. * **Message Type**, * **Message:** You can choose this option to send it as a regular small message. * **Post:** You can choose this option when you want to send a large message that appears in a big post form like chat journeys, for example sending an announcement or product updates. * **Message:** Enter your desired message to send. > [!NOTE] > > **Note:** The outbound chats can only be sent to the verified customers. Furthermore you can choose to select the following Actions, * **Preview:** Select this option to preview the message to see how it will appear. * **Send and Close:** Select this option to send the message and mark the conversation as closed. * **Send:** Select this option to send the message to the contact immediately. * **Cancel:** Select this option to discard the message and close the popup window. ![Send Salesmate chat](https://mintcdn.com/salesmate/aO_HXIaHSYKHRI5z/chats/working-with-salesmate-chats/images/076-send-salesmate-chat-35514345465625.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=aO_HXIaHSYKHRI5z\&q=85\&s=0ab2e79bd14de86eaa1237d5d0642a1d) ### WhatsApp Chat To initiate the WhatsApp Chat, * Navigate to the **Contacts Module** from the left bar accessing to the **Listing View** ![Contacts module navigation](https://mintcdn.com/salesmate/aO_HXIaHSYKHRI5z/chats/working-with-salesmate-chats/images/077-contacts-module-navigation-35514641180825.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=aO_HXIaHSYKHRI5z\&q=85\&s=27d9d12d30a78623cea6c51e67d8ea96) * Select the Contact that you wish to send a chat and open the Contact in the Detail View * Click on the **Start Chat** Icon and select **WhatsApp Chat** ![Start WhatsApp chat](https://mintcdn.com/salesmate/aO_HXIaHSYKHRI5z/chats/working-with-salesmate-chats/images/078-start-whatsapp-chat-35515028171417.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=aO_HXIaHSYKHRI5z\&q=85\&s=770daed6e9c0eefb41f78d858a9ac0a4) **Or** * Head over to the three dots on the top right and click on the Start Chat option * Select the **WhatsApp Chat** ![Start WhatsApp chat](https://mintcdn.com/salesmate/aO_HXIaHSYKHRI5z/chats/working-with-salesmate-chats/images/079-start-whatsapp-chat-35515028885273.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=aO_HXIaHSYKHRI5z\&q=85\&s=814433500366e424409d602475815e29) A pop up will appear to choose the following options, * **To:** This will display the Phone Number of the Contact you are sending text to. * **From:** Select the WhatsApp number of the provider (Twilio or Vonage ) from which you want to send the text. * **WhatsApp Template:** Select a template that you want to send. * [Learn More about Sending WhatsApp Template.](https://support.salesmate.io/hc/en-us/articles/29644774950937-Sending-WhatsApp-Message-Template) * **Message Preview:** This will display he preview of your selected template. * You will get a Next button if the template contains variables. * [Learn More about variables](https://support.salesmate.io/hc/en-us/articles/You%20will%20get%20a%20Next%20button%20if%20the%20template%20contains%20variables) ![WhatsApp template selection](https://mintcdn.com/salesmate/aO_HXIaHSYKHRI5z/chats/working-with-salesmate-chats/images/080-whatsapp-template-selection-35515967715481.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=aO_HXIaHSYKHRI5z\&q=85\&s=9035e6dce8a0abe15e078c580aea0278) * Select the appropriate variables. Furthermore you can choose to select the following Actions, * **Send and Close:** Select this option to send the message and mark the conversation as closed. * **Send:** Select this option to send the message to the contact immediately. * **Cancel:** Select this option to discard the message and close the popup window. ![Send WhatsApp chat](https://mintcdn.com/salesmate/aO_HXIaHSYKHRI5z/chats/working-with-salesmate-chats/images/081-send-whatsapp-chat-35516622689689.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=aO_HXIaHSYKHRI5z\&q=85\&s=84e9a8646c33ca5bb4a847211e59a3bb) This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.