Getting people to fill in their availability is often a two-step process. First you collect the data from those who have responded. Then you chase up the ones who have not. The second step is the one that usually slows things down because it requires switching apps, composing a message, and manually pasting the link.

WhosFreeWhen has always had a "Copy nudge message" button that generates a personalised, context-aware chase-up message. The WhatsApp and SMS share buttons take that a step further by removing the copy-paste-switch workflow entirely.

How It Works

On the event page, below the response progress bar, the organiser sees a row of sharing options for the nudge message. Two new buttons sit alongside the existing "Copy" option:

WhatsApp button. Tapping this opens WhatsApp with the personalised nudge message pre-filled in the compose window, ready to send. You choose the contact or group, tap send, and you are done.

SMS button. Tapping this opens the device's native SMS or iMessage app with the same message pre-filled. On iOS it opens iMessage. On Android it opens the default SMS app.

Both buttons use exactly the same personalised nudge content as the Copy button: if there is a date where all current responders are free, that date is named in the message. The message is always consistent regardless of which sharing method you use.

The Difference in Steps

Before:

Tap "Copy nudge message"
Open WhatsApp or iMessage
Find the contact or group
Long-press in the text field and paste
Tap send

After:

Tap the WhatsApp or SMS button
Tap send

The two-step path is not a minor convenience improvement. For many people, switching apps and pasting is enough friction to cause them to put off sending the chase-up until later. Later often becomes tomorrow. Tomorrow sometimes becomes never. Removing those steps means more nudges get sent, and more nudges mean faster responses.

Personalised Content in Every Channel

The personalisation in the nudge message is the same regardless of which button you use. If Tom and Sarah have not yet responded and there is a potential date where everyone else is free, the message names both of them with their specific dates:

"Hey, still waiting on a few responses for 'Book club planning'! Tom: if you respond, Saturday June 14 could be perfect for everyone. Sarah: if you respond, Sunday June 15 could be perfect for everyone."

This message goes into WhatsApp or SMS pre-filled, word for word. You do not need to adjust anything before sending unless you want to.

On Mobile vs Desktop

The WhatsApp button works on both mobile and desktop. On mobile it opens the WhatsApp app directly. On desktop it opens WhatsApp Web in the browser.

The SMS button works best on mobile, where it opens the native messaging app directly. On desktop it may open a link that not all computers can handle, depending on whether you have an SMS-capable app configured.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit the message before sending it via WhatsApp? Yes. When WhatsApp opens with the message pre-filled, you can change anything in the text field before tapping send. The pre-filled text is a starting point.

Does the WhatsApp button open a group or an individual? It opens WhatsApp without a pre-selected recipient. You choose who to send it to once WhatsApp is open, which lets you send it to a group, an individual, or multiple contacts as appropriate.

What happens if WhatsApp is not installed? On mobile, the button links to the WhatsApp app scheme. If the app is not installed, the device may open WhatsApp Web in the browser instead. The experience depends on the device and operating system.

Do the buttons show if everyone has already responded? No. The nudge message buttons, including WhatsApp and SMS, only appear when there are outstanding non-responders. Once everyone has filled in their availability, the sharing row is hidden.

One Less Reason to Put It Off

The WhatsApp and SMS share buttons are a small friction reduction that removes a genuine barrier to sending a timely, personalised chase-up message. Less friction means more sends, and more sends means faster responses and a confirmed date sooner.

Next time you are waiting on responses and want to follow up, open the event on WhosFreeWhen and try the WhatsApp button.

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WhatsApp and SMS Share Buttons: Send Your Nudge in Two Taps