diff --git a/signal_webhook/signal.py b/signal_webhook/signal.py
index e7a529f..d8c754e 100644
--- a/signal_webhook/signal.py
+++ b/signal_webhook/signal.py
@@ -19,4 +19,4 @@ def signal_send(recipients: list[str], message: str) -> None:
     }
     with socket.socket(socket.AF_UNIX, socket.SOCK_STREAM) as signal_json:
         signal_json.connect(configuration.SIGNAL_SOCKET)
-        signal_json.send(json.dumps(payload))
+        signal_json.send(json.dumps(payload).encode("utf-8"))