Telegram bot: setup and working with clients

Setup takes about 3-5 minutes. Once connected, the bot can:

• send clients class reminders;
• show their remaining classes;
• notify them when a membership is running out;
• collect "Will come" and "Won't come" replies;
• update attendance in Abonio automatically.

Step 1. Create a bot in Telegram

1. Open @BotFather

   In Telegram find @BotFather and tap "Start". This is Telegram's official bot that creates all other bots.

2. Send the /newbot command

   Type /newbot and follow the prompts.

3. Choose a name

   Set the bot's name - for example, FitClub Assistant. Clients see it in the chat.

4. Choose a username

   The username must be unique and end in bot - for example, fitclub_helper_bot.

5. Copy the token

   BotFather sends a token like 123456789:AAHxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. Copy it in full - you'll need it in the next step.

Step 2. Connect the bot to Abonio

1. Open settings

   In Abonio go to Settings -> Integrations and find the Telegram bot card.

2. Paste the token

   Paste the copied token into the bot field.

3. Click Connect

   Abonio validates the token and connects the bot - its name and a "Connected" status appear.

Done 🎉 Your bot can now send notifications to your clients.

Link clients to the bot

For a client to receive messages, their Telegram has to be linked to their card once - it takes a couple of seconds.

1. Open the client card

   Find the Telegram connection in the card - Abonio shows a QR code and an invite link.

2. Hand the QR or link to the client

   The client scans the QR or opens the link - your bot opens with a Start button.

3. The client taps Start

   Their Telegram is linked to the card, and the bot replies: "Done! You will receive notifications from the studio."

Message your clients

Once a client is linked, you chat with them in the Chat tab:

• message a client directly - text or a photo goes to their Telegram;
• anything a client writes to the bot lands in Chat, so you can reply;
• send broadcasts to all clients, to a single group, or to your team.

Optional: make the bot look nicer

You can skip these steps and come back later. In @BotFather open /mybots and pick your bot.

Bot picture

Open "Edit Bot -> Edit Botpic" and send an image. Works best with:

• a square image;
• your club's logo;
• a size of 512×512 px or larger.

Description

Open "Edit Bot -> Edit Description". It shows on the bot's profile. Example:

I help FitClub clients get class reminders, check their remaining classes and keep an eye on their membership.

Short description

Open "Edit Bot -> Edit About". This line shows in Telegram search and the chat list. Example:

Reminders and training management at FitClub.

If the bot doesn't respond

Check that:

• the token is copied in full;
• the bot is connected to only one service;
• the bot is active in Abonio.

If it still doesn't work, disconnect and reconnect the bot. One Telegram bot can work with only one integration at a time.

What's next

• Build your client base so you have people to link to the bot.
• Set up memberships and payments so remaining classes and membership reminders work with real data.