How long should my message be?
Long enough to share a little of yourself and explain how to report a find. A few sentences can be enough; there is no required length.
What to write in a message in a bottle
You are writing to someone you have not met, on a day you cannot predict. A short, personal note can give that person a reason to pause, smile and tell you where the bottle arrived.
Start with four simple things
- A greeting: say hello to whoever finds the bottle.
- A moment: describe the day, the starting place or the reason you are writing.
- A question: give the finder something easy to answer.
- A next step: include the website, bottle number and a request to report the discovery.
Example: a hello from today
“Hello, finder! Today the wind is loud enough that we have to talk over it. We are writing this at the end of a walk, wondering what your day will be like when you read it. What can you hear from where you found this bottle?”
Add your own date, a starting place you are comfortable sharing, and the reporting instructions. The details should sound like you; there is no need to make them dramatic.
Example: a family question
“Hello from our family! We each picked a question. What is your favourite thing to do on a rainy day? What animal would you most like to see? And what made you laugh this week? We would love to know which question you chose.”
Let each person sign with a first name, nickname or small drawing. Keep a copy of the note to look back on if a discovery is reported.
Example: a small time capsule
“Today is a day we want to remember. We are celebrating a new beginning and have written down one hope each. By the time you read this, some things may have changed. Is there something you are looking forward to?”
Use an occasion that matters to you: a birthday, a visit, a reunion or an ordinary day worth keeping. Date the message so a future finder has that piece of its story.
Finish with an easy next step
For a bottle registered with this service, you could write: “Please visit YourMessageInABottle.com and report where you found this bottle. Its number is [your bottle number]. Follow the verification instructions included with the bottle.”
Replace the placeholder with the actual number. Use personal details you are comfortable sharing with a stranger. These examples are original writing prompts, not accounts of real discoveries.
Your questions, answered
Should I include my address or telephone number?
You can direct the finder to the bottle’s website record instead. Choose which personal details you are comfortable sharing with someone you have not met.
What if I have found a bottle and want to reply?
Start by reporting the find with its bottle number. Describe where you discovered it and respond to something in the original note.