How to get started with Facebook Business Messaging?

Every Facebook page includes access to Messenger. If you don’t have a business page yet, learn how to create one here.

1. Make sure Messenger is enabled
Facebook Messenger should already be enabled when you create a business page. But here’s how to double-check:

• Go to your page’s General Settings.
• Next to Messages, make sure “People can contact my Page privately” is checked on.
• Option to enable Messenger in General Settings

2. Create a Facebook Messenger username and link

You Facebook Messenger link is basically m.me/ in front of your page’s username. To find it, go to the Messaging tab under General Settings. Add this link to your social bios, website, email, or anywhere else you’d like.

If you’d like to change your username, here’s how to do it.

3. Add a Send Message button to your Page

Next, you’ll want to add a button to your page with a “Send Message” call to action.

How to add a Send Message button to your Facebook Page:

• Click + Add a Button under your page’s cover photo. If your page already has a button, you can click Edit Button to make changes.
• Select Contact You then hit Next.
• Under Step 2, select Messenger, then click Finish.
• “Add a button” button on a Facebook Page

4. Write a greeting

A Facebook Messenger greeting is a customizable message someone receives when they open a message thread. It appears before they send their first message.

How to write a greeting on Facebook Messenger:

• Go to your page’s General Settings and select Messaging.
• Scroll down and turn Show a Messenger Greeting on.
• To edit the greeting, click Change.
• Select Add Personalization. This way your greeting includes elements such as your customer’s name, your Facebook page link, your website, or your business phone number.
• When you are done, click Save.
• Facebook Messenger greeting that says: “Hi! Thanks for getting in touch…”

5. Set up Instant Reply

You can use Instant Reply to create an automatic first response for new messages. This message can be used to share the timeframe someone can expect a response in. Or, you can simply thank someone for getting in touch.

How to set up Instant Reply on Facebook Messenger:

• Go to your page’s General Settings and select Messaging.
• Scroll down and select Set up automated responses.
• Click on Instant Reply.
• Press edit to customize your message.
• Make sure Messenger is checked off under Platform. You can also select Instagram to use an Instant Reply there, too.
  Note: Instant Replies are not factored into your page’s response time.
• Facebook Messenger “Instant reply” turned on

6. Create responses for frequently asked questions

These responses can be created to help you answer common questions easily.

How to create responses for frequently asked questions on Facebook Messenger:

• Select Inbox at the top of your page.
• In the left menu sidebar, select Automated responses.
• Click Frequently asked questions.
• Select Edit.
• Add a question and then fill out your response.
• Optional: Select Add Image to include your logo or image of your choice. You can also add a call-to-action button such as “Learn More” or “Shop Now.”
• Select Add Personalization to add details such as your customer’s name, the admin’s name, a link to your Facebook page or website, or your phone number.
• Save your reply.
• Editing Frequently Asked Questions and responses for Facebook Messenger

7. Schedule automatic Away Messages

If your business is closed or social media manager will be away, you can create Away Messages. Think of these as out of office emails, but for Facebook Messenger. Use these messages to let customers know when you’ll return or reopen.

How to create Away Messages on Facebook Messenger:

• Go to your page’s General Settings and select Messaging.
• Scroll down and select Set up automated responses.
• Select Away Messages.
• To edit the message, select Edit. Write the message you would like your customers to receive.
• Set the schedule you will be away for and hit Save.