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How to set default messages when sending documents to clients

A step-by-step guide for setting default messages when sending proposals, contracts, and invoices to your clients.

Understanding default messages

Whenever you send a proposal, contract, or invoice to a client via email, Bonsai automatically includes a default message. This message can be customized to:

  • Match your brand voice

  • Include important client information

  • Standardize communication across your team

  • Improve consistency in customer interactions

We allow you to configure separate default messages for:

  • Proposals

  • Contracts

  • Invoices

Here's an example of the messaging that is pre-filled when sending an invoice:

This messaging appears in the email the client receives.

Updating your default messages

Instead of retyping your preferred messaging each time you send a document, you can save a default version in your settings.

To do that:

  1. Select your profile icon in the top-left corner of Bonsai.

  2. Click Company Settings

  3. Select Defaults

  4. Open the Messages tab

Add and format your default messaging

When editing your default messages, click into the desired text field to access the formatting toolbar.

You’ll also see a "+" Quick Insert option, which allows you to insert additional formatting elements such as:

  • Video

  • Table

  • List

  • Unordered list

  • Ordered list

  • Horizontal line


Save your changes

Once you finish editing your messaging:

  1. Click the Save Changes button

  2. Confirm your updates have been saved

Your new messaging will now automatically pre-fill whenever you send:

  • Proposals

  • Contracts

  • Invoices

Current Limitations

At this time, default messages do not support:

  • Variables

  • Smart fields

  • Dynamic placeholders

  • Personalized auto-filled fields

This means information such as:

  • Client names

  • Invoice numbers

  • Dates

  • Project names

  • Payment amounts

cannot automatically populate inside your saved default messages.

Any personalized information will need to be added manually before sending the document.

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