One of the most important parts of winning shipments on CitizenShipper is reaching out with a strong introduction message. Many successful transporters rely on a pre-written, proven template they send to prospective customers. But doing this manually can be repetitive: find a shipment, open messages, copy your template, paste it, go back, and repeat. On mobile, it can feel even more time-consuming.
That’s where the Intro Message comes in!
This feature lets you save your template message and send it with a single click, right from the feed or the shipment page. Feel your productivity go up already? Follow along, there’s more!
How Intro Messages work
To message a customer, you’ll first need to place a bid. Once your bid is submitted, your Intro message is sent automatically. After that, you will be able to continue the conversation with follow-up messages.
You can also customize your Intro to better match different shipment types.
Note: Your Intro message is sent only once per shipment. Even if you update or retract your bid and submit again, the message will not resend.
Why quick messages win more customers
Speed matters. In fact, 56% of booked shipments receive an Intro message within the first hour of being listed.
Why? Because customers are actively looking for a solution. Reaching out quickly shows responsiveness and helps build trust early. If you wait too long, they may already be speaking with other drivers.
A strong Intro gives customers a reason to consider more than just your price, it highlights your experience, communication style, and reliability. Not only that, but many customers need to connect with and develop trust with their potential transportation provider.
Get personal with a dynamic customer name tag
A simple way to improve response rates is to use the customer’s name. You can do this automatically in your Intro message. In the message field, type @ and select “first name” from the menu. This inserts @first_name into your message.
When the message is sent, it will automatically replace the tag with the customer’s actual name.
How do I edit my Intro message?
To create or update your Intro:
- Click the Settings icon in the top right corner
- Select Intro from the dropdown menu
- Write your message in the editor
Your message must be at least 200 characters, but we recommend writing a few complete sentences for best results. Don’t forget to click Save when you’re done.
Sending Intro messages
You can fire off your intro message to a potential customer by submitting your bid.
In the Recommended shipments feed, you will see the summaries of the shipments listed:
Click on the View Shipment button to review the details of the shipment and place your bid.
Best practices for Intro Messages
Great intros are part art and part science. Follow these best practices to write messages that feel personal, professional, and compelling:
Be Fast
Customers often receive multiple bids, so sending your intro quickly increases your chances of engagement.
Be Positive
Keep your tone upbeat and friendly. Avoid negativity, comparisons with other drivers, or worst-case language — positivity builds trust.
Share Relevant Experience
Tell shippers why you are a good fit. Highlight transportation experience, relevant certifications, or any skills that put them at ease.
Ask for a Response
Encourage the customer to reply or confirm details so you can plan next steps. You can also briefly outline what you’ll do next if they book with you
Sample Intro Messages
You can use these as inspiration when writing or saving your own intro template:
Experienced Pet Transporter
Hey @first_name, I’m Tom, and I’d love to help with your shipment! I’m fully insured with a clean driving record and have completed 200 shipments on CitizenShipper. I specialize in pet transport and take regular breaks, send GPS updates, and share photos throughout the trip. If you have any questions or special needs for this job, let me know! I’d be happy to help! Looking forward to hearing from you.
New Transportation Provider
Hi @first_name, I’m Mary. I’ve been driving professionally for 2 years and carry full insurance. I’m new to CitizenShipper but committed to great service and competitive pricing. I’ll provide regular updates and GPS tracking. Please let me know if you have any questions! I hope to work with you!
General Cargo or Vehicle Transport
Hello @first_name, this is John. I’m available for your transport job and have the proper equipment and experience to handle it safely. I’ll keep you updated along the way with photos and GPS tracking. Let me know your timeline and any special requests so I can plan accordingly!
If you have any additional questions, you can always contact us directly at support@citizenshipper.com.
What to read next
For more communication advice, see our articles on talking to customers (2-min read) and the benefits of staying on-site (1-min read).
For more on our recent updates and releases, see the Help Center's Announcement section.
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