diff --git a/telegram_bot/src/messages/index.ts b/telegram_bot/src/messages/index.ts
index c869cfb..d383a2a 100644
--- a/telegram_bot/src/messages/index.ts
+++ b/telegram_bot/src/messages/index.ts
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ export const messages = {
   // ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
   errors: {
     userNotIdentified: '❌ Could not identify user.',
-    startFirst: '❌ Please start the bot first with /start',
+    startFirst: '❌ Hold on! Before using this command, initiate a private chat with me (@LightningLottoBot).',
     generic: '❌ An error occurred. Please try again.',
     startAgain: '❌ An error occurred. Please try again with /start',
     systemUnavailable: '❌ The lottery system is temporarily unavailable. Please try again soon.',