Messaging Other Members

Updated 2026-07-09 · Member

You can message anyone in your Contacts or recent Matches directly, even before a first message has been sent, through direct 1:1 conversations. There's no group chat or channel feature.

Messaging on Genius Networking is direct and one-to-one. There's no group chat or channel feature. Every conversation is just between you and one other member, which keeps things simple and personal.

Starting a new conversation

You don't have to wait for someone to message you first. You can start a conversation with anyone in your Contacts (people you've saved as connections) or anyone from your recent Matches, even if you haven't exchanged a single message with them yet.

  1. Open Messages and use search to find the person you want to reach.
  2. Look for them in your Contacts or recent Matches. They'll be labeled so you know how you're connected.
  3. Select their name to open or start the conversation.
  4. Send your message.

How you'll recognize people in search

These labels are there so you know how you're connected to someone before you say anything, useful context when you're reaching out to someone you matched with but haven't formally met.

The conversation header

At the top of a conversation, you'll either see "Met at [Event Name]", if the two of you connected at a specific event, or simply "Direct chat" if the connection didn't come from a shared event. This is a quick way to recall the context of how you know someone.

There is no group chat or channel feature. If you need to loop in more than one person, you'll need to message each of them individually.

Frequently asked

Can I message someone before they message me?

Yes. If they're in your Contacts or among your recent Matches, you can start the conversation yourself at any time.

What does the "Match" label mean in message search?

It means this person came from a recent match. It shows up even if the two of you haven't exchanged a message yet, so you know the connection before you reach out.

Why does my conversation say "Direct chat" instead of naming an event?

That means the connection isn't tied to a specific event you attended together. When it is, the header will show "Met at [Event Name]" instead.

Is there a way to message a group of people at once?

No. Genius Networking messaging is direct 1:1 only. There's no group chat or channel feature.

Related articles

Next in Messaging & Notifications: Blocking & Reporting From Chat