# Message Your Brands

Use the *Messages* feature to quickly and easily communicate with both the managers of the programs you have joined and programs you'd like to join. The feature offers you a range of uses, such as streamlining your onboarding with a program, contacting a brand about special arrangements, resolving issues, and more.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Important:** Refer to impact.com's [Messaging Terms of Use](https://impact.com/terms-of-use-messaging/?_gl=1*j1tga9*_ga*MTI3MTM3MzE1Ni4xNjUyNjkzMjk1*_ga_MDF55NMH0F*MTY2MjAyMTAzMC4zODAuMS4xNjYyMDIxMjk1LjAuMC4w*_ga_MHKLSZ6DR4*MTY2MjAyMTAzMC4zNzcuMS4xNjYyMDIxMjk1LjAuMC4w) to ensure that you stay within messaging guidelines.
{% endhint %}

#### Find messages

You can access *Messages* in 2 ways:

1. From the top navigation bar, select ![](/files/HKrLr3lgA0MBOZEgTw7K) **\[Chat]**.
   * A slide-up will appear, letting you start a conversation with the manager of any program you select.
2. On the *Inbox* screen, select ![](/files/aN4GsqaufqHU8S2rxaOh) **\[Compose]** and use the ![](/files/UtRJFdjmzq4JXmuHsnuw) **\[Search]** option on the right to find a program with whose manager you want to chat.

   <div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="/files/Xup5rpL0v2RFkMuDG5zG" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

#### View received messages

1. Messages you receive will appear in both your ![](/files/HKrLr3lgA0MBOZEgTw7K) **\[Chat]** widget and your [*Inbox*](https://app.impact.com/secure/mediapartner/fr/impact-message.ihtml?u=%2Fmessaging%2Finbox).
2. Continue the conversations you've left off by selecting an existing message thread.
3. To start a thread with a different program, select ![](/files/aN4GsqaufqHU8S2rxaOh) **\[Compose]** and search for the program.
4. You can also attach files to your messages by selecting ![](/files/CWFJWqilErRUpfZsnIsM) **\[Attach]**. The following file types are supported: CSV, PDF, JPEG, PNG, GIF.

   <div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="/files/bUttoz3Px9cbbtBvqhM6" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

#### Set message thread status

You can manually mark a message thread as *Unread* or *Spam*:

1. On the ![](/files/HKrLr3lgA0MBOZEgTw7K) **\[Chat]** widget, open up a thread and select ![](/files/tVi8JFAtGxeIbgSMOTGm) **\[More]**.
   * Select **Mark as unread** to reset the message notification.
   * Select **Move to spam** to no longer receive notifications from the message thread.
2. On the [*Inbox*](https://app.impact.com/secure/mediapartner/fr/impact-message.ihtml?u=%2Fmessaging%2Finbox) screen, open up a thread and, from the top of the screen:

   * Select ![](/files/BiWtHRqZOC8Za8z0a9BO) **\[Mail]** to mark the message as unread and reset the message notification.
   * Select ![](/files/XqZJlFzasOW4sDm7QaHe) **\[Exclamation]** to mark the message as spam and no longer receive notifications from the thread.

   <div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="/files/pGk4jjj9bUuAGl3WNITE" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

#### Search for message threads

1. On the ![](/files/HKrLr3lgA0MBOZEgTw7K) **\[Chat]** widget, search for a specific message thread by inputting a keyword from the program's name in the search bar.
2. On the [*Inbox*](https://app.impact.com/secure/mediapartner/fr/impact-message.ihtml?u=%2Fmessaging%2Finbox) screen:

   * You can search for a specific message thread by inputting a keyword from the program's name in the search bar on the left.
   * Alternatively, use the ![](/files/7N7LmXjqLCWSxTl31N2O) **\[Filters]** to surface programs based on your **Relationship** status with the program and the thread's message **Status**.

   <div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="/files/eelQBp1aXKeeLxcWM8Ho" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

#### Make your account appear offline

To configure business hours or set yourself as offline, you need to work on the *Inbox* screen.

1. In the upper-left of your inbox screen, select ![](/files/i7BcYDhNyNpMlXCX4W2k) **\[Settings]**.
2. Select ![](/files/AVLA6djTvSqRShX5oJKI) **\[Toggle on] Business Hours**.
3. Use the drop-downs to set your business hours, outside of which your account will appear *Offline*.

   * By default, your account will appear *Online* 24/7.
   * Optionally, input an **Away Message** to inform brands when you'll be back.

   <div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="/files/ud0vr8s8kfbI1Snl7IWK" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

#### Best practices for communicating with brands

* Regularly check your impact.com dashboard and [notifications](/partner/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/platform-features/dashboard/configure-platform-and-email-notifications-for-partners.md).
* Pay attention to [newsletters](/partner/what-would-you-like-to-learn-about/account-management/account-settings/connect-media-properties/connect-a-newsletter.md) and email updates. Brands often send out newsletters with new promotions, product launches, or changes to their program.
* Unsure what the brand is talking about? Learn more about the industry [terminology](https://impact.com/glossary/).


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