How to use Membo messaging | How to contact job postings and how to identify postings that should be contacted on the original site.

1. Conclusion first: Messages are one-on-one. However, some postings do not allow messaging.

When you find a member recruitment post on Membo and think, "I'd like to contact them," the next thing you might wonder about is how to contact them. Where do I tap to send a message? How will the recipient see what I send? Where can I read their reply? Even small things can be worrying for someone using it for the first time.

The Membo app has a messaging function for users to communicate with each other. This article will explain how to use it, following the names that appear on the screen. I will also state the most important point in this article upfront.

There are two types of member recruitment posts: those written by app users themselves, and reference information gathered from other websites. The app's messaging system cannot be used for the latter. If you see a button that says "Visit Source Site," it's the latter type. Communication should be done through the original site. This article has a separate section to prevent users from continuing to search for the messaging button without understanding this difference.

This article is based on my observations of the Membo app's screen layout and the text displayed. It is not a record of testing each button on an actual device. Any information I was unable to verify is included in the chapters and the final chapter.

First, here is a quick reference guide for the whole group.

The first thing to keep in mind is that "you can't take back what you've sent." Therefore, rereading your message before sending it is the most effective approach. In the latter half of this article, I've written about general guidelines on what to write in the first message and how to proceed with the exchange.

2. There are three ways to start a message.

There are three ways to start a message. All of them involve joining a call or meeting through another user's profile.

To describe the process step-by-step, starting from finding a recruitment post, follow these steps: Search for posts under "Recruit Members" in the footer, and open any posts that interest you. Below the details screen, you'll see "Message to Post" and "Message." How to find recruitment posts is explained in the first article in this series, "How to Find Band Member Recruitment Posts ."

You cannot start a message from the music venue map or search screen. The only places to initiate a message are the recruitment details and the profile. You cannot use it to send a message to the manager of a studio or live house that you found on the map. Instructions on how to use the map can be found in the fifth article in this series.

Please note that all three of these entry points require registration and login. The scope of content viewable without registration is described in the fourth article in this series , which summarizes whether or not it can be used without registration .

3. What is the difference between "Message to Post" and "Message"?

The two buttons displayed in the job posting details have similar names. Although they operate on different internal mechanisms, there is almost no difference visible to the user. In this article, we will consider both as "one-on-one conversations" and clarify their usage so that you don't get confused.

• "Message to Post" : This is a conversation related to the recruitment post. It perfectly fits situations where you want to contact someone after seeing their post.
• "Message" : This is a conversation between people addressed to the poster. It has a paper airplane icon.

No matter which you press, a conversation screen will open, and you'll be talking to one person. If you want to ask about the details of the job posting, select "Message to Post," and if you want to contact the person who posted it, select "Message." With these guidelines, you shouldn't have any trouble choosing. If you're unsure, I think it's natural to start with "Message to Post" to express your interest in applying for the job.

At the top of the conversation screen, from the applicant's perspective, a summary of the original job posting (image, title, first 200 characters of the text, poster's name, date, prefecture, and location) is displayed. Tapping it will return you to that job posting. This design makes it easy to later check which job posting the conversation was about.

4. You cannot send messages to job postings imported from other sites.

This is the main point of this article.

There are two types of member recruitment posts on Membo . One type is a recruitment post written by an app user themselves. The other type is a post that has been gathered from information on other recruitment sites as a reference.

When you open the details of the latter job posting, the order of the buttons changes.

It's easy to tell the difference. If the job posting details don't have a message button and instead say "Visit Source Site," then it's a job posting gathered from another site. Another indicator is a warning at the bottom of the screen stating that it's reference information automatically collected from an external site.

Please consider these postings as an entry point to make the information easier to find. If you find a posting that interests you, click "Visit Source Site," read the details on the original site, and contact them using the method specified by the original site. You cannot contact them via app messages.

There's one thing I want to mention here. This article hasn't verified whether there are actually any job postings collected from other sites that only contain information from one of the sources. In terms of the screen's design, job postings that include both the original site name and the original page information are treated this way. For everyday use, it's sufficient to remember, "If there's no message button, contact them through the original site."

5. What to keep in mind when contacting the original site

When contacting someone through the original website, the messaging rules of the app do not apply. The method of contact and the speed of responses depend on the website and the person who posted the ad. I will write some general advice on what to keep in mind.

1. Read the original site's instructions first : Contact methods (forms, email, dedicated messaging functions, etc.) vary from site to site. Please contact them using the method specified.
2. Check the application date : Older applications may already be closed. I will contact you after checking the date listed.
3. Don't panic if the reply is delayed : the speed at which you receive a reply varies depending on how the website is run.
4. Don't reveal too much personal information from the start : It's not too late to share your contact information and real name once you're sure you can trust the other person.
5. Follow the site's terms of service : The original site has its own rules.

What should you look for in a band recruitment post, and what are the signs to avoid? This article on how to read band recruitment posts is useful because it applies to both app-based and other website postings. Reading it before contacting them will clarify what you need to check.

6. When you receive a message on your post

From the perspective of someone who has created a recruitment post on Membo , the messaging system is slightly different. In the details of your own post, only the "Message to Post" button is displayed. The "Message" (Direct) button only appears on other people's posts, not on your own.

When you click "Message to Post" on your own post, a list of applicants opens instead of the conversation screen. Each person who sent a message is listed on a separate line. Following the line will take you to a conversation with that person. An indicator (showing unread messages) will appear above the button if there are unread messages.

How to select and proceed with applications is explained in the article titled "How to Select Applications ." For how to handle situations where communication ceases, please refer to the articles titled "Communication Suspended, Withdrawal, and Absence on the Day ."

7. Send a message from their profile.

Tapping on the person who posted the recruitment ad will open their profile. At the top and bottom of the profile, there are "Message" buttons. Pressing them will open a chat screen with that person.

There are two situations where you should be careful.

• When I click on my own profile , it says: "You cannot send a message to your own post." I cannot send messages to myself.
• If the other person's information could not be retrieved , you may see the message: "Information required to send a message could not be retrieved." Messages sent from a profile use information obtained by tracing the other person's posts. If the information could not be retrieved, try opening the "Message" section in the details of the post again.

How your Membo profile looks and how to write it are explained in the third article in this series on creating a profile . It's polite to read someone's profile before sending a message. Having a well-organized profile also gives others a clue to learn about you.

8. How to view the message list: The "Messages" tab on My Page

You can find sent and received messages in "My Page" in the footer at the bottom of the screen. When you open "My Page," you will find the "Messages" tab, which has an envelope icon, at the top of the submenu.

This tab contains three filters.

When you open the tab, the first thing you see is "Direct." If you want to see the applicants who responded to your job posting, switch to "My Posts." If you want to find the messages you sent to other people's job postings, select "Other Posts." If you can't find a particular conversation, try opening the three filters in order, and you should be able to find it.

Each row in the list displays the time of the exchange. There is no on-screen option to switch the sort order. This article does not verify the actual order in which the entries are sorted.

How unread items appear

Unread messages will appear in three places.

• The red dot in the "Messages" tab of My Page
• The unread badge (number of items) in the list.
• The unread message indicator above the "Message to Post" button in the recruitment details.

If you see a red dot, first open the "Messages" tab. Once in the tab, start reading from the line with the badge. Following this order will reduce the chances of missing important messages. I haven't verified the finer details of the visuals on an actual device.

9. How to view the conversation screen

Membo 's chat screen uses speech bubble shapes, similar to LINE. Your messages appear on the right, and the recipient's messages appear on the left. The recipient's icon is displayed next to their message. Messages are separated by date, and the time is displayed next to each message.

At the very bottom, there is an input field where you can write multiple lines, and a send button with a paper airplane icon. The input field has the words "Type a message..." faintly displayed.

Here are the key points to remember when using the conversation screen, in order.

• Recruitment summary : The original recruitment information will appear at the top of the applicant's screen. Tap to return to the recruitment page.
• Speech bubble layout : The right bubble represents you, and the left bubble represents the other person. This design makes it easy to determine who is speaking.
• Date separator : Even if the exchange spans multiple days, you can see when each statement was made.

10. What can and cannot be sent

What can be sent: Text only

Messages can only be sent as text. There is no function to attach images or files on the screen. If you want to share photos or audio files, you will need to place them elsewhere and describe the location in the message. However, you should only include personal information or your contact details in your conversations after observing the other person's reaction.

How to send: Press Enter to send, Shift + Enter to create a new line.

On a computer keyboard, pressing the Enter key sends the message. To create a new line, press the Shift key while pressing Enter. If you accidentally press Enter while writing a message, the unfinished text will be sent. When writing long messages, it's safer to write them in a text editor like Notepad first and then paste them.

This article does not verify whether pressing Enter to confirm a conversion in Japanese input will send the message. When converting, please carefully check the position of the send button (paper airplane icon) and the behavior of Enter the first time you do so.

Read receipt will appear

When the recipient reads a message you sent, it will show as "read." Even if you don't receive a reply immediately, the "read" status lets you know the message has been seen. On the other hand, there is no indication that the recipient is typing a reply. The system is designed so that you cannot tell if the recipient is writing a reply or not.

Undoing, editing, or deleting is not possible.

You cannot recall a message once you've sent it. There are no editing or deleting options on the screen. Therefore, please always reread your message before sending it. The following table provides guidelines for rereading.

If sending fails, an "Error" message will appear. At this time, any previously displayed speech bubbles will disappear. The system will then attempt to send the unsent message again, assuming it was unsent.

11. How to be notified of new arrivals

There are three ways to be notified of new arrivals on Membo .

1. In-app indicators : the red dot in the "Messages" tab on My Page, and the unread badge in the list.
2. When the conversation screen is open : New messages will automatically arrive while the screen is open. You don't need to refresh the screen to see the other person's reply.
3. Push notifications : When the recipient has notifications enabled, a notification will be sent to their device when you send them a message. The subject line will be "You have a message from [Name]", and the beginning of the message will appear in the body.

The settings for receiving push notifications can be found on the "Notification Settings" screen. One of the types is "Message Notifications" (notifies you when you receive a chat message), which you use to turn on or off. Receiving notifications may also require permission for notifications from your browser. For instructions on how to configure browser permissions, for example, in Chrome, you can refer to the notification-related guide in Chrome Help .

This article does not verify how far notifications actually reach different PCs and smartphones. If you don't receive a notification, it's a good idea to get into the habit of checking the app's indicator (red dot or badge) to reduce the chances of missing one. Instructions on how to add apps to your home screen are explained on the app usage page .

I haven't checked whether you receive new notifications via email in this article, so I haven't included that information.

12. About Translation

Membo 's chat screen has a feature that translates the other person's message into the language on your screen. This is useful when you and the other person are speaking different languages.

1. Location : It's the globe icon in the upper right corner of the conversation screen. No text is displayed. When you press it, it says "Translation enabled," and when you press it again, it turns OFF.
2. Initially OFF : It is initially OFF. You can turn it ON yourself when you want to use it. The ON/OFF setting is remembered by the browser of the device you are using, so you will need to select it again on a different device.
3. Only received messages are translated : Messages you receive from others are translated and displayed in the language shown on your screen. Messages you send are not translated and are delivered to the recipient exactly as you wrote them.
4. The original language is automatically detected : you don't need to choose what language the other person wrote it in.
5. If translation is not possible, the original text will be displayed as is : If the translation is unsuccessful, no error message will appear, and the received original text will be displayed as is.

The language to be translated is the display language on the screen. The Membo screen can be displayed in five languages: Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean.

Only logged-in users can use the translation feature. You can translate up to 100 messages per hour. Messages exceeding this limit will be displayed in their original language. Opening a busy conversation with translation enabled can easily reach 100 messages. Also, long messages exceeding 1,000 characters will not be translated and will appear in their original language.

Since this is a machine translation, subtle nuances in wording and important details such as dates, times, prices, and locations may be inaccurate. When deciding on the studio date, time, and cost, it's a good idea to confirm with each other after reading the translation using a short sentence like, "Is the date and time correct?" If the other person is not fluent in Japanese, writing in short, clear sentences yourself will also help ensure a more accurate translation.

13. What to write in your first message

From here on, these are general guidelines that apply not only to Membo but to everyone. Your first message is your first impression before you even meet the other person. It's more important to convey "who is contacting you and why" than to give a long self-introduction.

Including the following five things in your first message will make it easier for the other person to reply.

1. Start with a greeting and mention which job posting you saw : "I saw your job posting for [job title] and wanted to contact you."
2. My role and past experience : briefly mentioning my instrument, part, and the length of my activities. I'll leave a more detailed self-introduction to my profile.
3. What kind of music do you want to make ? Please describe your favorite genres and the direction you're aiming for in one sentence.
4. How often and when can you participate ? How many times a week and at what times are you available? If this doesn't match, it will cause problems later.
5. Ending the conversation in a way that makes it easy for the other person to respond with "yes" or "no" is best, such as: "I would be happy to at least have a chat first."

I believe that shorter texts are easier to read. A good guideline is that the main points should fit within the first screen of a smartphone. How to structure your self-introduction is explained in the article on writing self-introduction statements for those wanting to join a band .

Here is just one example of the initial message.

Hello. I saw your recruitment post and decided to contact you. I play bass. My favorite genres are rock and funk. I can participate in practice on weekend evenings. First, I would appreciate it if you could tell me about your activities. Thank you.

This example is a sample sentence created as a writing guide. It is not a sentence that someone actually sent. Please rephrase it in your own words before using it.

There are also writing styles that you should avoid.

• Sending only "Thank you in advance" (The message is unclear and makes it difficult to respond)
• Suddenly, they try to decide on a date and time to meet, and discuss money.
• List your contact information in a long list from the beginning.
• Write bad things about other bands or complain about previous recruitment attempts.

14. How to proceed with the exchange: What to do if you receive a reply, and what to do if you don't.

When I get a reply

Once you receive a reply, first answer the other person's questions. If there are multiple questions, numbering them will make it easier to read. If your preferences seem to align, the next step is to look for a way to meet and talk. If you're meeting for the first time, it's best to choose a well-lit, crowded place and keep the meeting time short to feel more comfortable.

The things that someone who has been invited should confirm before responding are listed in the article "What to confirm before responding when invited to join a band ." This can be used when deciding whether to participate, which is a passive decision.

If I don't get a reply

Sometimes you don't get a reply right away. The other person might be busy, or they might not have noticed the notification. First, check if the message has been marked as read.

• The message hasn't been read : The recipient hasn't seen it yet. I'll wait a few days.
• The message has been read, but there's no reply : It's unclear whether they're still thinking about their answer or have decided to pass. I'll avoid sending multiple messages in a row and leave some time between messages.
• Send a brief follow-up message : After a few days, send a short message such as, "Regarding the matter from the other day, how is your schedule?"
• If there's still no response : I'll look for the next available position. The other party has their own reasons.

Not receiving a reply doesn't necessarily mean there's something wrong with your personality. The person who posted the ad may have already decided on someone else. While articles on how to react when communication stops are written from the perspective of the person posting the ad, they can offer clues to understanding the reasons behind a lack of response.

Etiquette when continuing an exchange

• Don't send multiple emails in a row late at night or early in the morning.
• Don't blame them for being slow to respond.
• When declining, keep it brief and polite (you can't take back the refusal message, so reread it before sending it).
• If you make plans to meet, confirm them right beforehand.

The overall process of finding band members can also be found in the Complete Guide to Finding Band Members .

15. Reporting, Blocking, Guests, and Groups

Reporting: Not a message, but a post.

In Membo , there is no reporting function for message conversations. You can only report other people's posts. In the post details, there is a small report button, and when you press it, you enter a reason and press "Submit Report". A message will appear stating, "The reporting content will be reviewed by the operations team."

The report button will not appear in the following cases:

• My Posts
• Recruitment information gathered from other sites (from the original site)
• Guest (not registered or logged in)

If you encounter an interaction that makes you feel uneasy, it's best to stop it. If necessary, you can report the other party through their recruitment post. The rules for using the service are outlined in the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy .

There are no blocks.

There is no function to block messages from a specific person. There is also no option on the screen to hide a user. If you want to cut off contact with someone, you simply have to stop replying to their messages.

Guests need to register and log in.

If you click "Message to Post" or "Message" while viewing as a guest without registering, a confirmation dialog will appear. The title will be "Login Required," and the body will say "Registration or login is required to use this feature," with "Sign up/Login" and "Cancel" buttons. Guests are also asked to log in when opening the poster's profile. To send a message, registration or login is required. You can view posts without registering if you only want to browse.

Group discussions are currently being prepared.

Message conversations are one-on-one. Both conversations linked to posts and conversations between people have only two participants. There is no function to create a conversation with multiple people. A function similar to a group is being prepared as "My Group," but the screen displays "This feature is coming soon." It is not yet at a stage where we can say "it's possible." At present, it is not possible to use the app to communicate with all band members by creating a single conversation.

16. Things that "cannot be done" in the message and things that have not been confirmed in this article

Things you can't do with messages

Based on the screen's design, I know that the following is not possible:

• Messages for job postings gathered from other sites : Clicking "Visit Source Site" will open the original site.
• Messages from spots and maps : The only entry point is the recruitment details and profile.
• Sending images/files : Text only
• Undoing, editing, or deleting sent messages : Not available.
• Conversations with 3 or more people : Conversations are one-on-one.
• Display of opponent's input : Not displayed
• Blocks : None
• Reporting the message itself : None (Reports are made to the post)

Things not confirmed in this article

• Actual display on the device : Button positions, colors, and the appearance of speech bubbles are based on the screen layout. This is not a record of actually pressing buttons on the device.
• I haven't checked the character limit or the number of messages that can be sent . I don't know what happens with long messages or consecutive messages.
• The behavior of the Enter key when confirming Japanese input : Not verified.
• List sorting order : Not checked. The time of the interaction is displayed on the screen.
• Searching for conversations : Not currently available on this screen.
• Whether push notifications actually arrive on the device : Not verified.
• New message notification via email : I haven't checked, so I won't write about it.
• The "Messages" tab appears empty for first-time users : Not verified.

The information written here may change with app updates. Please check the news page , help page , or user guide for the latest information.

17. Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I can't find the message button.

There are three possibilities. The first is that the recruitment was gathered from another site. If "Visit Source Site" is displayed, contact will be made on the original site. The second is that it is your own post. The "Message" button will not appear, and a list of applicants will open from "Message to Post". The third is that you are in guest status. A registration/login dialog will appear.

Q. Which should I press: "Message to Post" or "Message"?

Both are one-on-one conversations. If you want to respond to the request, use "Message to Post." If you want to contact the person who made the post, use "Message." If you're unsure, "Message to Post" is sufficient.

Q. I sent the wrong message. Can I undo it?

This cannot be undone. It cannot be edited or deleted. If you notice a mistake, please send a correction message. Keep it short and calm.

Q. Can I send photos or audio files?

It cannot be sent. Messages are text-only.

Q. Can three or more people participate in one conversation?

No, it's not possible. Conversations are one-on-one. Group sessions are currently being prepared.

Q. How can I find out if I've received a reply?

You can tell by the red dot in the "Messages" tab on your My Page or the unread badge in the list. If you have notifications enabled, you may receive a notification on your device.

Q. Can you tell if the other person has read it?

When the recipient reads a message you've sent, a "read" notification will appear.

Q. What do you do if you receive an unpleasant message?

There is no blocking function. Don't reply and wait and see. If necessary, report the user through their recruitment post.

Q. Can I send messages without registering?

You cannot send a message. Registration or login is required. You can view the postings without registering.

Q. Where can I read the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy?

It's a good idea to read the terms of service and privacy policy , including how messages are handled and how personal information is managed, to ensure your peace of mind.

18. Summary: Read it again before sending.

This article organizes how to use Membo messages, following the names of the screens.

1. The entry points are "Message to Post" and "Message" in the recruitment details, and "Message" in the profile : all are one-on-one conversations.
2. You cannot send a message to job postings that say "Visit Source Site" : This is reference information gathered from other sites, so please contact us on the original site.
3. The list is accessed through the "Messages" tab on your My Page : "My Posts," "Other Posts," and "Direct Messages." The first one you open is "Direct Messages."
4. Only text can be sent : Press Enter to send, Shift + Enter to create a new line. Once sent, it cannot be undone or edited.
5. A "read" notification appears when the recipient reads the message ; however, no indication of typing is displayed.
6. Reports are made against posts. There is no blocking : Guests need to register or log in.
7. The first message should be concise and to the point : include five elements and reread it before sending.

Your first message can be short. Just make it clear who saw the post, what they want to do, and you'll get to know each other through your exchanges. The first message is for finding posts, the second for favorites, the third for profiles, the fourth for guest scope, and the fifth for maps. Reading this article along with the previous articles in this series will give you a good grasp of how to use Membo 's basics. For information about writers, please see the page about writers .