Comms Hub: How do I send a text message (SMS) using a template?

Overview

This article explains how to use a template to quickly send a text message (SMS). Using a template can significantly simplify composing frequently sent text messages with the same content, for example, an unauthorised absence notification.

Prerequisites

You must have:

  1. Been granted permission to send text messages (SMS) by a user with the following roles / permissions: Account owner, Account Admin or Full Edit.
  2. Created an SMS template for the message you want to send (see Comms Hub: How do I create a text message (SMS) template?)
  3. Enough SMS credits to send the message to your recipients (see Comms Hub: How many SMS credits do I have? for further guidance).

Instructions

  1. Either
    • Select Communications, then select Templates.
    • Or select Choose Template when composing a message.
  2. View the templates, and locate the template you want to select. Select Use template:

    The Compose New Message window opens. The SMS field is visible and populated with the template contents. Category, Subject and Send Via are also populated.
  3. Select your recipients:
    1. To add one or more pupils (or pupil-related contacts as recipients), select Add pupils and/or contacts:
      • Select one or more Pupils / Groups.
      • Select Next.
      • Select one or more recipients (Contacts) for the selected pupils:
        • Parental Contacts - send to contacts with parental responsibility.
        • Non-Parental Contacts - send to contacts without parental responsibility.
        • Emergency Contacts - send to contacts who should be contacted in the case of an emergency (sometimes referred to as P1s).
        • Include pupils as recipients -  send to the selected pupils (if you have a record of their email address).
      • Select Continue.
    2. To add a member of staff, select Add staff:
      • Select one or more members of Staff.
      • Select Continue.
  4. Select Send.

Outcome

  • Your SMS will be sent to the pupils, contacts, and/or staff you selected, reducing your SMS balance for each successful recipient.
  • The number of credits deducted will be determined by the SMS length (for further guidance see Comms Hub: Do I pay for emails or texts?).
  • If a recipient doesn't have a mobile telephone number recorded, the message will not be sent to them, and your SMS balance will not be reduced. 
  • The status of sent messages can be viewed in Sent items (see Comms Hub: How do I know what I've sent?).

Related information

Updated

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