WebSMS - New SMS (Broadcast)

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WebSMS - New SMS (Broadcast)

 

Overview

 

Create a new SMS broadcast order.

 

 

 

 

 

Click the 'SMS' tab at the top of the interface to open the WebSMS(+) menu.

 

Click 'Send a New SMS Broadcast' to open the 'New SMS Broadcast' screen and compose a new order.

 

 

 

Description

 

New SMS Broadcast

 

 

Summary

Provide a short Name and Description to the SMS Broadcast.

 

 

 

 

 

The above is a sample summary of a Broadcast Order. This provides an extensive look as to how the Order is performing in the real world especially when the order caters to large scale audience. This in-turn provides valuable analytic information to Users.

 

Name

 

A word or number used to identify the order in summaries and reports (not visible to message recipients).

 

Created By  / Last Modified By

Provides information on which User created / last modified the Order.

Created At / Last Modified At

Provides information on when the Order was created / last modified.

Description

 

Type/paste any extra descriptive information which might be useful.

 

Labels

An add-in license is required to use this feature.

 

If you've created labels to help distinguish order types, you can assign them here.

 

The label will be visible in the 'Labels' column of summaries and reports, and can also be used as a search filter.

 

 

 

Destinations

 

 

To

 

There are 2 methods for selecting your message recipients:

 

Option 1

 

Type 3 (or more) sequential numbers/letters of the destination mobile device or contact/list/group (if known):

 

e.g.

 

For number '61490123456' type '614';

 

For group called 'Group1' type 'Gro'.

 

 

Any possible matches will be displayed in the drop-down list at the bottom of the field. Select an item to add destination.

 

If no matches appear, type/paste the number in full then press 'Enter' or 'Tab'.

 

You can paste a selection of multiple numbers (but not contacts/groups/lists) simultaneously. Numbers should be entered in international format.

 

 

Option 2

 

Click and browse groups, lists or contacts to find your recipients. Search browser will pop-up with two options to help you filter results:

 

 

 

 

Please Select                  - Drop-down shows the option of Lists, Contacts & Groups.

 

 

Created/Modified within   - Allows three options - Last week, Last 30 days & Last 180 days.

 

 

Click to select. You can select multiple items by holding 'Ctrl' key while selecting.

 

•How to personalize using Mail Merge (click to expand)

 

You can type/paste extra personal information on each line which will let you customize the message for every individual recipient.

 

Type/paste each piece of information on the same line as the recipient's mobile number, separated by commas.

 

e.g. 12912345678,John,Smith

 

Later, when you create the message text in the 'Message' tab, each of these entries can be swapped for a number, in braces (curly brackets).

 

e.g. 12912345678 = {1}; John = {2}; Smith = {3}

 

So, if you want to send a message to 2 recipients which reads: ' Hello <Firstname> <Lastname> welcome to the club', you would include the first name and last name on every line, separated by commas:

 

e.g. 12912345678,John,Smith

12912345679,Bob,Woods

 

More on Mail merge :

 

•How to personalize using Mail Merge

 

Lists

 

If you have set up mail merge fields for your recipients in a list (see 'Destinations' section), you can swap each entry for a number, in braces (curly brackets), to merge those fields with your message.

 

e.g. if you have set up the following entries in the 'To' field (Destinations tab):

 

12912345678,John,Smith

12912345679,Samantha,Jones

 

and you want each individual SMS to read:

 

Hello "Firstname" "Lastname" welcome to the club.

 

your message text should look like this:

 

Hello {2} {3} welcome to the club.

 

Each new comma-separated entry can be swapped for its numerical equivalent:

 

12912345678,     John,     Smith

        {1}           {2}      {3}

 

 

Contacts

 

When you set up a Contact, there are a number of fields where you can store various pieces of personal information (e.g. First Name, Last Name, Phone, Email, etc).

 

 

 

 

If your message destination is one or more contacts, these fields can be mapped into a message using special variables ('$' + field name).

 

e.g. if you want each individual message to read:

 

Hello "First Name" "Last Name", we are confirming that your phone number is "Phone Number" and your email address is Email.

 

your message should look like this:

 

Hello {1} {2}, we are confirming that your home phone number is {3} and your email address is {4}.

 

The end message will look something like this on the recipient's handset:

 

 

 

 

Not all contact fields can be mapped - the available options are listed below:

 

•{1} represents First Name

 

•{2} represents Last Name

 

•{3} represents Phone Number / Mobile Number

 

•{4} represents Email

 

Other variables you may use are :

 

•$address - Note: maps 'Work' street address from contact details

 

•$city

 

•$country

 

•$postcode

 

•$fax

 

Make sure these variables are part of the list User's upload. Use the right column number ( {5}, {6} etc. )

 

 

 

Anytime, a User enters an invalid mobile number, they are provided with a warning message prompting the User to re-enter a valid mobile number.

 

 

 

Message

 Message Type

 Text Message

 

For Example:

 

 

 

Message Type

There are 8 potential message types (some may not be visible due to license restrictions). You are able to create text messages. Click the radio button next to the required message type.

 

Click a message type below to view more information.

 

 

Text

 

Message

Type/paste your message text. The maximum length for a single SMS is 160 characters - an extra SMS will be sent every time this limit is exceeded.

The text box supports special characters, enabling highly personalized broadcasts.

 

 

Message (if Destination tab has ONLY one list chosen)

 

When the Destination tab has a single List chosen, the Message tab receives a field called "Column Title".

There are two scenarios depending on the type of List chosen.

 

Note: This option is available if ONLY one List is chosen.

 

 

1. Lists without column Headers

 

When a list is chosen that has no column headers then the screen above is visible. Hence as per the sample message above, column {1} would contain the names of the customers and {3} would contain the address details. Upon selection of any title from column drop down title, the system automatically inserts the column title in message text area with curly braces as {<column name>}.

The default option in the Column Title is "None".

 

2. Lists with Column Headers

 

When a list is chosen with column headers defined like names, phone numbers etc. While typing a personalized message, the options available in the "Column Title" are populated with the names of the available headers. Upon selection of any title from column drop down title, the system automatically inserts the column title in message text area with curly braces as {<column name>}.

The default option in the Column Title is "None".

 

 

Short URL

 

 

When creating SMS Orders, if Users want to send out custom URLs to their customer base, Users simply enter their URL in the default text field and (If enabled under SMS preferences) the system automatically converts this into a short URL. This enables a cleaner look at the receiver's handset instead of long broken links.

Begin entering the default long URL in the space as shown below.

Clicking outside this space, automatically changes this into a short URL.

 


 

HTML

 

HTML allows you to create an HTML message page (by means of drag-and-drop elements) which is stored on the LDAP (Active Directory) Plug-in server and displayed in the mobile device's browser when the message recipient clicks on a link sent to their mobile device via SMS.

 

HTML allows you to harness the rich media options of a website or email and deliver it in the convenient, high engagement format of SMS. A unique URL is generated for each recipient, allowing tracking of the open rate of your HTML message. MailMerge capabilities in both the SMS and HTML portions of the message gives you control to personalize the message to your recipients.

 

 HTML Message                                                                                                                                

 

Text Part (Message)

 

Type/paste your message text. The maximum length for a single SMS is 160 characters - an extra SMS will be sent every time this limit is exceeded. You must include the variable $url at the point in your message where you would like the link to the HTML content to appear. If this variable is not included then the link to your content will not be included in your message.

HTML Part

 

A HTML WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor to help you build your message. The editor will open with some sample content elements already pre-loaded. You may change, rearrange or remove these elements as required.

 

Clicking on the just outside the editor field will activate the controls for the editor and pull up a number of elements to choose from.

 

Template Element Browser - Clicking on the pencil on the right hand side of the screen will open a scrolling menu with different template elements (called snippets) that are available to be added to your message. To use an element, drag and drop it into the main editor window, positioning it where it is to appear in the final message. The element may then be edited as required.

 

The HTML editor provides several templates to drag-and-drop:

 

Pure Text Content

Pure Text Content
Line Break Elements

Line Break Elements
Text with Pictures

Text with Pictures

 

Other Picture Templates

Other Picture Templates

 

Video Elements

Video Elements

 

Map Elements

Map Elements

 

Above are some, amongst the other available elements.

 

Template Element Controls - These controls activate when you click on a template element and provide the following functionality:

Hovering over / clicking on any of the elements within the editing space brings up the below view.

 

 

 

Move the element to another location in your message.

View and edit the element's HTML code.

Create a duplicated copy of the element.

Delete the element.

 

Note - elements cannot be resized.

 

Text Attributes Menu - The Text Attributes Menu appears at the top of the screen when the element being edited is text. Choose options from this menu to change the appearance of the text in the element being edited.

 

The text editing options are (L-R): Bold; Italic; Underline; Strikethrough; Text, Background and Block Background color; Font Size; Restore to default format (must select text first); Heading Style; Font Style; Justification; Bullets and Numbering; Add Hyperlink (must select text first); Remove Hyperlink (must select text first).

 

Picture Options - the Picture Options appear when the mouse is hovered over an image in the template element. The following functionality is provided:

Add a hyperlink to the picture.

Upload a new image to replace the current picture.

 

Link Options - Some template elements include icons, buttons or embedded objects (eg - Maps or YouTube videos) which link to an external source. These items will display a "Change Link" option to allow for customization.

 

 

Subscribe / Un-Subscribe

Reply Subscription Management (only HTML Method)

 

The dedicated button labeled Publish Subscription Form, allows Users to create custom links to separate subscribe and un-subscribe links.

 

 

 

Once this box has been checked, Users must choose appropriate pre-configured lists for each scenario ; Subscribe and Un-Subscribe.

 

Publish Subscription Form

 Visible in 'HTML' view. Tick check box to enable adding Subscribe/Unsubscribe URLs to your message.

Subscribe List

 Select from the drop-down menu. Recipients who click 'Subscribe' link will be added to this list.

Unsubscribe List

 Select from the drop-down menu. Recipients who click 'Unsubscribe' link will be added to this list.

 

 

 

Click on the button in the HTML builder to create links for Users to either Subscribe or Unsubscribe from emails. Begin by choosing the appropriate Subscribe and Unsubscribe List. Once chosen, click the button to display two options .

 

Clicking on Subscribe link creates a link that says To Subscribe, click here allowing Users to use this link to Subscribe to emails and clicking on Unsubscribe Link creates a link that says To Unsubscribe, click here allowing Users to un-subscribe from emails.

 

 

 

As Users receive and click on the subscribe / un-subscribe links present in the email they are automatically added into the opt-in or opt-out lists respectively.

 

 

Output on Mobile Phones

 

Once the HTML message is sent to mobile phones, a link preview is visible on their devices.

This helps user view a small "preview" of the incoming message before they open the actual link.

 

 

Using Mail Merge

 

To use Mail Merge in your HTML message, please refer to the Mail Merge section of the Text Message topic. Mail Merge is enabled in both the Text part and the HTML part of the message.

 

 

Content Feed

Message

Use this section of Broadcast messages to upload RSS Feed messages.

 

Content

Once Users have configured the RSS Feed information from the Configure RSS Feed, the feed details can be called via the drop-down option here.

 

 

Flash

 

Message

Type/paste your message text. The maximum length for a single SMS is 160 characters - an extra SMS will be sent every time this limit is exceeded.

The text box supports special characters, enabling highly personalized broadcasts.

 

 

Message (if Destination tab has ONLY one list chosen)

 

When the Destination tab has a single List chosen, the Message tab receives a field called "Column Title".

There are two scenarios depending on the type of List chosen.

 

Note: This option is available if ONLY one List is chosen.

 

 

1. Lists without column Headers

 

When a list is chosen that has no column headers then the screen above is visible. Hence as per the sample message above, column {1} would contain the names of the customers and {3} would contain the address details. Upon selection of any title from column drop down title, the system automatically inserts the column title in message text area with curly braces as {<column name>}.

The default option in the Column Title is "None".

 

2. Lists with Column Headers

 

When a list is chosen with column headers defined like names, phone numbers etc. While typing a personalized message, the options available in the "Column Title" are populated with the names of the available headers. Upon selection of any title from column drop down title, the system automatically inserts the column title in message text area with curly braces as {<column name>}.

The default option in the Column Title is "None".

 

 

Short URL

 

 

When creating SMS Orders, if Users want to send out custom URLs to their customer base, Users simply enter their URL in the default text field and (If enabled under SMS preferences) the system automatically converts this into a short URL. This enables a cleaner look at the receiver's handset instead of long broken links.

Begin entering the default long URL in the space as shown below.

Clicking outside this space, automatically changes this into a short URL.

 


 

Interactive Messaging

Note: This is a licensed feature. Get in touch with help@sopranodesign.com for more information.

 

Message

Use this section to create rich Interactive Messages to create engaging posts to User's target audience.

 

Message Button

 

When in the Messages tab, choose the "Interactive Messaging" option.

 

 

 

Messaging Options

 

The section below is the default view of Interactive Messaging. The default screen below highlights all the possible options available.

 

Interactive Messaging Type

Response: A message to be submitted along with the HTML form requesting a response from the audience.

 

Interactive: A message containing one or more Interactive elements. May or may not include a Response element.

 

Response Form

 

If Users created a Response element, it can be dragged into this section ot be included in the Interactive Message.

 

Google Analytics Tracking ID

GSMS generates a Google Analytics code that can be viewed in the HTML output page.

Webhook URL

 

Add pre-designed custom Webhook URLs here. Refer to the link Webhooks, for more information.

 

Ping Webhook URL

 

Once Users enter a valid Webhook URL, it can be tested via this button.

 

Text Part

The Text Part is a space to enter any relevant text to be sent along with the URL, sent via the $url format. This provides some context to the overall Interactive Message.

 

Use Search Field to manually search for any field

 

HTML Builder Space

 

 

 

Consent

 

 

 

 

Outbound Filter Type

The options in this drop-down menu are:

 

•NONE

 

•BLACKLIST - Messages will only be sent to numbers that do not appear in the chosen list (see 'Outbound Filter List' field). If you need to comply with Spam Act requirements then you would most likely choose 'Blacklist'. From the drop-down list, select the blacklist or whitelist list you wish to use as your filter. Multiple lists can be configured within GSMS to enable the user to choose the most appropriate one.

 

•WHITELIST - Messages will only be sent to those numbers that are contained in both your destinations and the chosen whitelist.

 

The lists are filtered to present only 'Text' type lists and not 'Upload' or 'Automatic'.

 

Outbound Filter List

Select a list from the drop-down menu. This is the blacklist or whitelist that will be used to filter messages.

 

Consent Profile

Choose a consent profile from the drop-down menu (if available). For more information about Consent Management, click here.

 

 

Append

Opt-out

Message

 

Send messages with an opt-out option (recipients can reply with a 'Stop' keyword to be removed from the current list and added to the chosen blacklist).

 

Note: if this check box is ticked, you cannot specify a different source address in 'Delivery Options'. See below for more details.

Add to

Blacklist

Select a blacklist or whitelist from the drop-down menu. If a recipient replies with the 'Stop' keyword, they will be automatically added to this list.

 

Note: If New Users are added to the system, three new lists are created by default namely DEFAULT_SMS_OPTOUT, DEFAULT_MMS_OPTOUT and DEFAULT_EMAIL_OPTOUT.

Append

Opt-out

Message

 

Send messages with an opt-out option (recipients can reply with a 'Stop' keyword to be removed from the current list and added to the chosen blacklist).

 

Note: if this check box is ticked, you cannot specify a different source address in 'Delivery Options'. See below for more details.

Add to

Blacklist

Select a blacklist or whitelist from the drop-down menu. If a recipient replies with the 'Stop' keyword, they will be automatically added to this list.

 

Note: If New Users are added to the system, three new lists are created by default namely DEFAULT_SMS_OPTOUT, DEFAULT_MMS_OPTOUT and DEFAULT_EMAIL_OPTOUT.

 

 

 

If a 'Source Address' has been defined in the 'Company SMS Preferences':

 

•The 'From' address for messages will match the 'Source Address';

 

•'Append Opt-Out' check box on 'Consent' tab will be un-ticked;

 

•'Opt-out' list will be disabled;

 

•All 'Source Addresses' will be displayed.

 

If a 'Source Address' has NOT been defined in the 'Company SMS Preferences':

 

•'Append Opt-Out' check box on 'Consent' tab will be ticked;

 

•'From' addresses will be disabled and show 'NONE';

 

•'Opt-out' list will be enabled.

 

 

Replies

 

 

Reply to Address Type

Select from the drop-down menu for each message type. If a recipient replies to your message, this is the method by which it will be received.

 

•EMAIL - Reply is sent to both a nominated email address and directly into AT&T GSMS.

 

•INBOX - Reply is received directly into AT&T GSMS platform - not email inbox. Received messages can be viewed in Messages section.

 

•MOBILE - Reply is sent to both a nominated mobile number and directly into AT&T GSMS.

 

•URL - Reply is sent to both a nominated web address and directly into AT&T GSMS.

 

Reply to Address

Type/paste the reply email address, phone number, or URL for each message type. If 'INBOX' is your Reply to Address Type, this field is not required (replies will go straight into the messages inbox within AT&T GSMS.

 

 

 

Delivery Options

 

 

Delivery Frequency

Select from the drop-down menu. This is how often your message will be sent.

 

•BI-WEEKLY - Every 2 weeks

 

•DAILY - Once per day.

 

•HOURLY - Once per hour.

 

•IMMEDIATE - Once.

 

•MONTHLY - Once per month.

 

•ONCE - Once (at a future date and/or time).

 

•WEEKDAY - Once per weekday.

 

•WEEKEND - Once each weekend day (usually Saturday/Sunday however this may be configured differently for different nationalities).

 

•WEEKLY - Once per week.

 

•LIST_TRIGGER - Automatically sent upon retrieval of a list.

 

•CONTENT_TRIGGER - Automatically sent upon the retrieval of new content from a specified feed. More information about content feeds.

 

 

If a recipient opts-out from receiving messages after an order has been scheduled, the scheduled message will NOT be sent to them.

 

 

Start Date

Click icon to select a date. Your message will be sent for the first time on this date, and recurring messages will be scheduled based on this date.

 

e.g. if 'Delivery Frequency' is 'MONTHLY' and 'Start Date' is '01/09/2012', the message will be delivered on the first day of each subsequent month (01/10/2012, 01/11/2012, 01/12/2012 etc).

 

Start Time

Type/paste the time when you would like the message to be sent. If your message is recurring, it will always be sent at this time of the day.

 

 

End Date

Click icon to select a date. Your message order will be sent for the last time on this date.

 

End Time

Type/paste the time when you would like the final message to be sent (format HH:mm).

 

Validity Period

Select from the drop-down menu. Queued messages will not be sent after this amount of time.

 

Options:

 

•1 Day

 

•1 Hour

 

•12 Hours

 

•14 Days

 

•2 Days

 

•2 Hours

 

•30 Days

 

•4 Hours

 

•7 Days

 

•8 Hours

 

•Always Valid

 

Priority

Select from the drop-down menu. If you are running more than one campaign at the same time, this field determines the order in which they will be launched.

 

e.g. 'Order 1' is assigned priority '1', and 'Order 2' is assigned priority '2'. Both orders are launched at the same time. 'Order 1' messages will be sent first.

 

Timezone Open Hours

Select from the drop-down menu. Click here for more information.

 

Handset Profile

Select from the drop-down menu (if enabled) or choose 'NO'. Click here for more information.

 

Registered Delivery

Click check box to receive confirmation that a message has reached its destination(s).

 

The delivery receipt message will be delivered to the platform inbox.

 

This field can be pre-populated by flagging the 'Registered Delivery' check box in Company SMS Preferences (Customer Administrators only).

 

Source Address

 

Allows user to present any of their available addresses or alpha-tags as the broadcast sender.

 

This field is not active if the 'Append Opt-Out Message' check box is ticked in the 'Consent' tab. This prevents any conflict if an alpha-tag is selected as the source address, since replies can not be sent to an alpha-tag source.  

 

 

 

Note: If you select monthly, and the start date is the last day of the month, then the platform will launch subsequent orders on the last day of the given month, regardless of the date.

 

e.g. Start date - 31 January 2019

       Next monthly delivery date - 29 February 2019

 

 

Note: The service checks for, and executes new orders in 5 minute intervals.

 

 

Batch Options

 

 

This feature allows you to control the rate at which messages are delivered.

 

e.g. if your message contains a prompt to call a phone number, you may want to stagger the delivery of the messages so that your phone system is not overloaded with calls.

 

Batch Size

Edit the batch size here. The default is 500 (i.e. 500 messages per batch)

 

Batch Interval

Edit the interval between batches here. The default is 10 seconds.

 

Maximum Messages

This feature is useful if you are not sure how many recipients there are in a list but you want to limit the number of messages sent so that you don’t exceed your campaign budget.

 

The default is 100,000 messages.

 

 

 

Once all required fields are complete:

 

 

 

Store changes and exit without sending or scheduling.

 

 

If 'Delivery Frequency' is 'IMMEDIATE', this button launches the order.

 

 

If 'Delivery Frequency' is 'ONCE', or a recurring value (e.g. 'DAILY'), this button activates the order so that it will be sent at that time (and/or frequency).

 

 

Undo any changes and exit.

 

 

Store order content as a template for later use.

 

 

Statistics

Once SMS Broadcast orders are executed, summary statistics are returned for the broadcast.

 

 

Bounced

SMS Broadcast messages with a 'Bounced' status are determined from the message status.

The following statuses are grouped together as 'Bounced' messages:

 

•Message was undeliverable

•Invalid source address

•Invalid destination address

•Message expired prior to successful delivery

 

Filtered

The following status will cause a message to be viewed in "Filtered" Status:

 

•Filtered by outbound blacklist

 

On The Handset

Once you've successfully sent out the Broadcast to Users, it is received on handsets in a intuitive HTML link with a handy preview, providing Users a visual hint of the incoming message.