diff --git a/src/bot/utils/messaging.ts b/src/bot/utils/messaging.ts
index 3873ee6..7d66200 100644
--- a/src/bot/utils/messaging.ts
+++ b/src/bot/utils/messaging.ts
@@ -14,13 +14,10 @@ if (!API_URL || !INSTANCE_NAME || !API_KEY) {
 // Send a message with optional mentions
 export async function sendMessage(phone: string, message: string, mentions: string[] = []) {
   try {
-    const payload: any = {
-      number: phone,
-      text: message,
-    };
-
-    // Add mentions if provided
+    let payload: any;
+    
     if (mentions.length > 0) {
+      // Format with mentions
       payload = {
         number: phone,
         options: {
@@ -36,6 +33,12 @@ export async function sendMessage(phone: string, message: string, mentions: stri
           text: message
         }
       };
+    } else {
+      // Simple message format
+      payload = {
+        number: phone,
+        text: message
+      };
     }
 
     await axios.post(`${API_URL}/message/sendText/${INSTANCE_NAME}`, payload, {