This FAQ will show you how to send a single SMS text message in Yabber. Note that there are more effective ways of sending a single real-time message, such as connecting your mobile phone to your PC. Each text message incurs a cost, so outside of targeted group text campaigns, sending single messages should be avoided unless compliance obligations requires it.
Single text message are obviously automatically managed as part of your lead nurturing program.
Telstra Application: Usage of Yabber's SMS and MMS Campaign modules requires that we set up a Telstra SMS Application in your company name. Texts are charged to you directly from Telstra - Yabber simply provides the automation and interface for the messaging. Telstra was chosen for Yabber because it provides local oversight and a high degree of security.
Locating the SMS/MMS Module
The text messaging module is found by first Selecting the 'Marketing' module. Select 'SMS", and then select 'Send'. Other text messaging options are shown in the Settings menu (such as your Telstra application Keys, messaging reply email, notification email, and number registration etc.).
Pictured: The text messaging module is found by first Selecting the 'Marketing' module. Select 'SMS", and then select 'Send'. Other text messaging options are shown in the Settings menu (such as your Telstra application Keys, messaging reply email, notification email, and number registration etc.).
The 'Send' panel returns a single panel for sending a single message. You won't use it very often... but it's there if you need it.
Pictured: The 'Send' panel returns a single panel for sending a single message. You won't use it very often... but it's there if you need it. Select the 'From' number, enter your recipient's phone number and message, and optionally schedule.
Each 160 characters is equivalent to a single text, and charge is applied by Telstra for any single text message sent. Once sent and received, an email will be returned to you as a 'Delivery Notification'.
Features and tools integrated into the panel include the following:
- Scheduled. The schedule panel will show current time by default, but you may schedule the single message for any time in the future.
- From Number. The SMS may come from any of those virtual or BYO mobile numbers linked to your account.
- Recipient. You may search for a recipient via the text box. Search via name, phone number, address, or any other field. Alternatively, you may provide a single destination phone number.
- Telstra Tags. Telstra tags are used in reporting provided by Telstra (and available for download from Yabber). Up to 10 tags may be used, and each tag must be less than 60 characters.
- Voicedrop. You may optionally include a voicedrop into your outgoing text - this turn it into an MMS with additional fees.
- Send Message Immediately? The standard methods of sending SMS or MMS messages is that they are queued, so the system might wait around 30 seconds before sending your message. To bypass the queue and send immediately, select this option.
Task? If enabled, you may create a task for the user. - SMS Categories. SMS Categories are Yabber categories. At least once category is required when sending. Typing any tag will return any matching tags you might choose to use.
Other features are pending, such as the inclusion of a VCF (contact) or PDF file into your MMS message. Those on early release systems have that feature now.
Logs and Statistics
Full logs and statistics are maintained for all messages sent and/or received.
TIP: A useful feature might be to provision a phone number that only ever accepts incoming texts. This could be attached to a real phone (so the message is delivered to an actual handset), or it might be a virtual phone number that sends an email notification to a number of recipients or logs into a CRM system. There's no limit to the features you might introduce with the SMS system... although very few of them are very useful when sending a single text.
Statistics and logs are returned via the 'Statistics' panel.
SMS Quick Send
Whoever you see a small 'speech bubble' icon in a submenu, selecting it will return a modal to quickly send a text message.
Pictured: Whoever you see a small 'speech bubble' icon in a submenu, selecting it will return a modal to quickly send a text message.
Text Messaging is a Big Module
The text messaging module is quite large, and it's tightly integrated with about a dozen other systems. Text replies are also part of the webhook system, and they're all tracked for compliance. If you're part of our 'Experimental AI' program, texts will be manufactured on your behalf (although compliance obligations obviously won't allow us to send an unvetted message... yet).
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SMS Marketing FAQs
The SMS Marketing module is quite large and includes dozens of features. Review additional functionality below.
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