Answer five questions before you start
This guide is for a restaurant owner or marketing manager preparing their first WhatsApp campaign. The aim is not to reach hundreds of people on the first attempt. It is to understand whom you should contact, why, and how to assess the campaign's result.
For example, if a new lunch menu launches on Friday, identify the relevant guest audience, consent records, approved template, destination link and person responsible for answering guest questions before sending.
1. Segment your audience
In Rezervem Connect, you can create a segment from guest records, tags and list membership—for example, recent visitors or guests interested in tasting menus. Connect does not require Rezervem Manager or another reservation system. Records can be created without a reservation using Join's QR flow or drawn from existing permission-based guest lists; the lawful use and permissions for third-party lists must be assessed separately.
Start with a small, relevant audience. Having a large list of phone numbers does not by itself authorize a marketing campaign.
- Guests with valid permission who are likely to be interested in the new menu
- People who have expressed interest in a specific event
- Previous visitors who agreed to receive this type of communication
2. Check ETK, İYS and WhatsApp permissions
Under Türkiye's commercial electronic communication rules, the required ETK permissions and opt-out records must be considered in light of recipient type and any applicable exemptions. İYS is the central system for managing commercial messaging approvals and refusals. Making a restaurant reservation once does not automatically authorize marketing messages.
KVKK privacy notices, consent where required, and Meta's WhatsApp opt-in requirements are distinct obligations. Exclude contacts without verifiable permission or whose permission has been withdrawn. The İYS, ETK and WhatsApp campaign checklist provides more detail.
3. Choose a Meta-approved marketing template
Business-initiated WhatsApp campaigns on the WhatsApp Business Platform use Meta-approved message templates. The category must match the message's actual purpose. Do not present a new menu, promotion or event invitation as an operational reservation notification.
Simple example: 'Hello {{1}}, we'd like to share details of our new tasting menu. You can explore the programme and make a reservation using our link.' This is sample copy only and cannot be used for a live campaign without the appropriate permissions and Meta template approval.
4. Perform a final check before sending
Review the segment, approved template and scheduled sending time together. Confirm which records were excluded for consent reasons, and capture the campaign's objective in one sentence so that the outcome can be assessed later.
Use a small, permission-based test group to verify that template variables contain the correct names, the link or button works where present, and the message comes from the intended business.
- Is the campaign objective clear?
- Did the guest list pass the valid consent and opt-out filter?
- Has Meta approved the template and message category?
- Are the date, menu and link current?
- Did the test send produce the expected result?
5. Send or schedule the campaign in Connect
In the Rezervem Connect mobile app, choose the audience and template, then send the campaign or schedule it for an appropriate time. If Manager is also used, campaign and template summaries may be viewed in its web panel; Connect does not depend on Manager. Account quality, Meta messaging requirements and sending errors may affect delivery.
Do not assume that every message was delivered just because a bulk send has completed. Decide how unreachable numbers, error records and opt-outs will affect the next campaign list.
6. Review results and improve the next invitation
In Connect, review delivered, read and undeliverable messages by campaign and guest. If a template includes quick-reply choices, you may also observe the replies. Do not report reads or replies as sales or newly created reservations; that requires a separate, verified attribution method.
For the next campaign, review which segment engaged more, whether the timing was appropriate and how often guests opted out. Improving the content and audience can be more useful than simply increasing sending frequency.
7. How can you collect permissions from new guests?
Rezervem Join lets guests create their own profile through a QR code at the table. Privacy information, KVKK consent where necessary, and ETK approvals are handled separately for their respective purposes. Where the restaurant's İYS details are configured correctly in Rezervem, the relevant ETK permissions can be transferred to İYS through the supported flow.
Existing guest lists do not become permission-based simply because Join is available. Verify the sources of new and historical records separately. Rezervem Join supports collecting guest details and permissions; Rezervem Connect manages campaigns.
Has your first campaign actually finished?
Starting a campaign is not the same as completing and evaluating it. Record the selected audience size, eligible recipients, sent messages, deliveries, reads and replies separately. Examine errors and opt-outs before using the data in a future campaign.
If the template language and parameters, sender identity, link and communication choices have been tested with a small, genuinely permission-based group, you have a basis for learning from the first campaign. The 30-day planning approach helps organize the next steps.
What should you read after your first campaign?
Start with is sending a WhatsApp campaign difficult? for the concepts. The WhatsApp Business API setup checklist covers technical prerequisites, while five campaign scenarios offers ideas.
Verify current platform conditions against Meta's WhatsApp policy and Türkiye's İYS obligations against the Ministry of Trade. This guide is not legal advice.
