Before You Begin - Access to the BotSailor dashboard and Chatbot Manager.
- A connected WhatsApp bot and a trigger, such as a button click or keyword.
- A Meta-approved message template for any sequence message sent after the 24-hour window.
- The intended delivery timing and time zone for the sequence.
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What Is a WhatsApp Message Sequence? A WhatsApp Message Sequence schedules messages to go out automatically over time after a subscriber clicks a button or types a keyword. Common uses include multi-day welcome series, drip-style onboarding, and scheduled follow-up campaigns. |
Part 1: Open and Create a Follow-up Sequence
Step 1: Open Follow-up Sequences Log in to BotSailor and follow this path: Chatbot Manager > Select your bot > Automation > Follow-up Sequences |
Step 2: Create a New Sequence Click Create. BotSailor opens the Flow Block for the new sequence. |
Part 2: Configure the Sequence Campaign
Step 3: Name the Campaign and Set Delivery Details Enter a campaign name, then open the New Sequence Campaign block on the Flow Block. For messages scheduled outside the 24-hour window, choose the preferred delivery time and time zone. Configure the re-entry option only when subscribers should be allowed to enter the sequence again after completion. |
Sequence campaign details, delivery schedule, re-entry rules, and connected delay blocks
Good to Know - Inside 24h (Send Regular Message):Use a regular WhatsApp message that must be delivered within 24 hours of the subscriber's last interaction.
- Anytime (Send Template Message):Use a Meta-approved template for messages sent after the 24-hour window.
- Maximum delay:Each Send Message After block can schedule a message up to 30 days from the trigger or subscription event.
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Part 3: Configure Each Sequence Message
Step 4: Choose the Scheduling Mode Open a Send Message After block and choose the message type for that step. Select Inside 24h for a regular message, or Anytime for a template message. When you select Anytime, choose an existing approved template or create one. |
Message type, schedule, approved template selection, and optional condition settings
Step 5: Set the Delay and Compose the Message Set the Send Message After delay to control the gap between this message and the previous step. Add the message content required for the sequence. Text, media, and template messages can be used according to the selected scheduling mode. |
Part 4: Connect, Save, and Test the Sequence
Step 6: Connect the Message Steps Connect the Start Bot Flow block to the New Sequence Campaign block, then connect the campaign to each Send Message After block. Add as many timed message steps as the campaign requires and confirm that every block is connected in the intended order. |
Completed follow-up sequence with messages scheduled after 2, 4, and 6 hours
Step 7: Save and Test the Sequence Save and deploy the flow. Trigger the sequence yourself once to confirm that the message timing and order are correct before it goes live. For faster testing, use a short interval such as 1 minute. Sequence timing otherwise runs in real time. |
Verification: Confirm the Sequence Works
Run a Test Subscription Activate the configured trigger, such as the keyword or button connected to the sequence. Confirm that the subscriber enters the sequence and that each message arrives according to its Send Message After delay. |
Common Troubleshooting
Error: A message scheduled after 24 hours is not sent
• Fix:Make sure the sequence step usesAnytime (Send Template Message)and that a Meta-approved template is selected.
Error: The sequence timing does not match the plan
• Fix:Review everySend Message Afterdelay. For messages outside the 24-hour window, also confirm the preferred delivery time and time zone.
Error: Testing the sequence takes too long
• Fix:Timing runs on real hours. During testing, temporarily set a short interval such as1 minuteand restore the intended timing after the flow is confirmed.
Error: A delay longer than 30 days is required
• Fix:A single Send Message After block supports a maximum delay of30 days from the subscription event. Adjust the sequence plan to remain within that limit.
Next Steps
Use Follow-up Sequences to continue building WhatsApp automation for:
- A multi-day welcome series for new subscribers
- Drip-style onboarding content
- Scheduled customer follow-up campaigns
- Reminder or re-engagement messages using approved templates when required
Sequence Ready Your WhatsApp follow-up sequence is ready after the trigger, timing, message order, and template requirements have been tested successfully. |
More You Need to Know
- How to Send Sequence Messages on WhatsApp by Using BotSailor
A complete walkthrough of creating timed WhatsApp sequence campaigns for follow ups, onboarding, promotions, and lead nurturing.
Read the Article - WhatsApp Sequences Using Template Messages
Learn how to use approved WhatsApp templates in sequence campaigns, especially when sending follow up messages outside the 24 hour messaging window.
Read the Article - Sequence Triggering Options: Tags, Time, and More
Explore different ways to start a sequence using keywords, buttons, timing rules, and other automation triggers.
Read the Article - How to Use Custom Field Data in WhatsApp Follow Up Messages
Learn how collected customer information such as names, preferences, and other custom field values can be reused to personalize follow up messages.
Read the Article - Managing Unsubscribe and Resubscribe Logic for WhatsApp Sequences
Learn how to unsubscribe, resubscribe, and restart sequence delivery when managing subscribers or troubleshooting sequence campaigns.
Read the Article
This order is intentional: basic sequence setup → template messages → sequence triggers → personalization → subscriber and sequence management.
