diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 6e51a55..752104a 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -3,11 +3,13 @@
 
 ## Usage
 
-This GitHub Action pins an issue based on a specified label. 
+This GitHub Action lets a prospective contributor assign themselves to an issue, and optionally leaves a comment on the issue.
 
 
 ## Setup
 
+This GitHub Action requires a GITHUB_TOKEN and can be optionally configured with a message to the prospective contributor.
+  
 ```yaml
 # .github/workflows/take.yml 
 name: Assign issue to contributor
@@ -23,4 +25,6 @@ jobs:
       uses: bdougie/take-action@main
       env:
         GITHUB_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}
+      with:
+        message: Thanks for taking this issue! Let us know if you have any questions!
 ```
diff --git a/action.yml b/action.yml
index 3b35f8c..bb3fbeb 100644
--- a/action.yml
+++ b/action.yml
@@ -5,6 +5,11 @@ branding:
   icon: 'thumbs-up'
   color: 'white'
 
+inputs:
+  message:
+    description: 'Message to prospective contributor'
+    required: false
+    default: ''
 
 runs:
   using: "composite"
@@ -20,5 +25,11 @@ runs:
           echo "Assigning issue $ISSUE_NUMBER to $LOGIN"
           echo "Using the link: https://api.github.com/repos/$REPO/issues/$ISSUE_NUMBER/assignees"
           curl -H "Authorization: token $GITHUB_TOKEN" -d '{"assignees":["'"$LOGIN"'"]}' https://api.github.com/repos/$REPO/issues/$ISSUE_NUMBER/assignees
+          if [[ ! -z $INPUT_MESSAGE ]]; then
+            jq -n -r --arg body "$INPUT_MESSAGE" '{body: $body}' > payload.json
+            curl -X POST -H "Authorization: token $GITHUB_TOKEN" --data @payload.json https://api.github.com/repos/$REPO/issues/$ISSUE_NUMBER/comments
+          fi
         fi
       shell: bash
+      env:
+        INPUT_MESSAGE: "${{ inputs.message }}"