{"id":2451,"date":"2021-12-13T10:25:40","date_gmt":"2021-12-13T10:25:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/helptest.mainbrainer.com\/knowledge-base\/how-to-send-an-sms-campaign\/"},"modified":"2022-09-01T04:39:50","modified_gmt":"2022-09-01T04:39:50","slug":"how-to-send-an-sms-campaign","status":"publish","type":"ht_kb","link":"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/sms\/send-sms\/how-to-send-sms\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Send an SMS Campaign"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"aricle_container\">\n<h2>Step 1 &#8211;&nbsp;Navigate to the SMS Sending Screen<\/h2>\n<p>Using the <strong>Main Menu<\/strong> on the left, expand the <strong>Send<\/strong>&nbsp;menu and click <strong>SMS<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 14px 0;\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2248 size-full\" title=\"SMS sending screen menu\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/send-sms-menu.png\" alt=\"SMS sending screen, send menu. SMS is highlighted\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 20px 0;\"><\/div>\n<p>On the subsequent screen, enter a name and description for this sending. Enter a relevant name and description, something that will make the sending identification easier in the future. This name and description will also be used to display the list of scheduled sendings on your dashboard.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"elevio-box-warning\"><p>If you choose not to enter a name for the sending, MainBrainer assigns a default name to the SMS Sending with the following structure:<\/p>\n<p><strong> &lt;SMS&nbsp; &nbsp;Sending date&nbsp; &nbsp;Sending time&gt;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>For example:<\/strong> SMS 30.07.2021 10:00:00<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div style=\"padding: 14px 0;\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2250 size-full\" title=\"SMS sending name and description\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sms-sending-name-description.png\" alt=\"SMS campaign sending, set Name and description\"><\/p>\n<p>Click <strong>Continue<\/strong> and proceed to <strong>Select Recipients<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 14px 0;\"><\/div>\n<h2>Step 2 &#8211;&nbsp;Choose Your SMS Recipients<\/h2>\n<p>The <strong>SMS Recipients<\/strong> Section displays all the <a href=\"\/hc\/a-z-guide\/contact-list\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">contact lists<\/a> created in your account to date along with their constituent <a href=\"\/hc\/a-z-guide\/segment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">segments<\/a>. Use this section to <a href=\"\/hc\/sms\/send-sms\/sms-campaign-recipients\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">select the contacts you would like to send the campaign to<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 14px 0;\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1377 size-full\" title=\"SMS Recipients list\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/sms-sending-recipients.png\" alt=\"SMS Recipients list. List of contacts is visible\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 24px 0;\"><\/div>\n<h2>Step 3 &#8211; Compose Your SMS<\/h2>\n<p>Use the area shown in the screenshot below to enter the SMS content and sender details:<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 14px 0;\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2253 size-full\" title=\"Name and describe your SMS\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/name-description-sms-sending.png\" alt=\"SMS campaign sending. Name and describe the SMS\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 20px 0;\"><\/div>\n<p>In this section, use the fields:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle;\">\n<li><strong>Sender Name<\/strong> to select the sender name for this campaign sending. This name helps the SMS recipients identify who the sender of the SMS is. Use the option <strong>Create New<\/strong> from the dropdown menu to create a new sender name.<\/li>\n<li><strong>SMS Content<\/strong> to select the type of content that you want to send in this sending.<\/li>\n<p>In the subsequent fields as you type-in\/ select the SMS content a <strong>preview<\/strong> area opens on the right side <em>(as highlighted in the screenshot below).<\/em> This area displays the SMS as it would appear in your recipients\u2019 inbox.<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 14px 0;\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2254\" title=\"SMS campaign preview\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sms-campaign-preview.png\" alt=\"SMS campaign sending. Preview of the SMS\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 20px 0;\"><\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle;\">\n<li>\n<h4>Merge Codes<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<p>A list of available merge codes is displayed on the right side <em>(visible under the <strong>Preview SMS&nbsp;<\/strong>section as shown in the screenshot above).&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 14px 0;\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2255 size-full\" title=\"SMS campaign merge code\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sms-text-merge-codes.png\" alt=\"SMS campaign sending, merge codes section. Personalize the SMS with first name\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 20px 0;\"><\/div>\n<p>Merge codes allow you to add dynamic content to your SMS text. Drag and drop the required merge code(s) into the SMS text field as required. The merge codes will get dynamically replaced by the corresponding CRM data at the time of SMS sending.<\/ul>\n<blockquote class=\"elevio-box-info\"><p><strong>Note<\/strong>: The list of available merge codes depends on the list of SMS recipients chosen in Step 2. Only the merge codes corresponding to the common data fields of these lists would be available for use.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<ul style=\"list-style-type: circle;\">\n<li>\n<h4>Add Unsubscribe<\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<p>Click <strong>Add<\/strong> if you wish to add an unsubscribe option to your SMS. In the menu that subsequently opens up <em>(see screenshot below)<\/em>, specify if you would like to add the link to an <strong><a href=\"\/hc\/a-z-guide\/sms-email-unsubscribe-template\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Unsubscribe Form<\/a><\/strong> or if you would like to add an <strong>Unsubscribe SMS Shortcode<\/strong> to the text.<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 14px 0;\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2256 size-full\" title=\"SMS unsubscribe option\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sms-campaign-unsubscribe-option.png\" alt=\"SMS campaign sending. The add unsubscribe section\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 24px 0;\"><\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Step 4 &#8211; Send Options<\/h2>\n<p>Now that you have composed the perfect SMS, click the <strong>Send Test<\/strong> button to send yourself a test SMS and double-check all the details.<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 14px 0;\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2257 size-full\" title=\"SMS send options\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sms-campaign-send-options.png\" alt=\"SMS campaign sending, send options. The send test button is highlighted\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 20px 0;\"><\/div>\n<p>As you click <strong>Send Test<\/strong>, the following section appears, wherein you can specify the mobile number where you wish to receive the test SMS. You can add up to five mobile numbers for receiving test SMS(s).<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 14px 0;\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2258 size-full\" title=\"Send test SMS options\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/send-test-sms-campaign.png\" alt=\"SMS campaign sending, send test SMS options. Select country\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 20px 0;\"><\/div>\n<blockquote class=\"elevio-box-info\"><p><strong>Note:&nbsp;<\/strong>The test SMSs sent will also count towards the account&#8217;s SMS consumption.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"elevio-box-info\"><p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Though highly recommended, sending a Test SMS is optional, and you can straight away send out the campaign to your recipients if you wish to.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Once you have double checked all the details, and wish to send your campaign out to your recipients, use the section highlighted in the below screenshot to specify if you would like to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>send your SMSs immediately, or<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/hc\/sms\/send-sms\/schedule-sms-sending\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">schedule your SMS sending for a later time\/date<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"padding: 14px 0;\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2259 size-full\" title=\"Schedule SMS sending\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/sms-schedule-sending.png\" alt=\"SMS campaign sending, send options. Send now or schedule for later\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 24px 0;\"><\/div>\n<h2>Step 5 &#8211; Set Goals For SMS Sending<\/h2>\n<p>In case you would like to specify the desired end goal for this SMS sending, click <strong>Set Your Goals<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 14px 0;\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2260 size-full\" title=\"SMS campaign sending goals\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/sms-campaign-sending-goals.png\" alt=\"SMS campaign sending goals. The set your goals button is highlighted\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 20px 0;\"><\/div>\n<p>The subsequent screen displays KPIs for the different <a href=\"\/hc\/a-z-guide\/goal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">goal<\/a> types. Enter the intended goal rate for the KPIs that you wish to monitor.<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 14px 0;\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2261\" title=\"SMS campaign KPI goals\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sms-distribution-kpi-goals.png\" alt=\"SMS campaign sending, goals overview. List of KPIs\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 20px 0;\"><\/div>\n<blockquote class=\"elevio-box-info\"><p><strong>Note<\/strong>: Although this step is optional and can be skipped using the button <strong>Skip Goal Settings<\/strong>, we highly recommend that you always <a href=\"\/hc\/sms\/sms-goals\/setting-goals-sms-sending\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">set goals for your campaign sendings<\/a>. Doing so makes your work easier when it comes to campaign performance analytics. Just a glance at our insights section helps you see which <a href=\"\/hc\/sms\/performance-insights\/how-to-sms-goal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">sendings met their intended goals<\/a> and which ones didn\u2019t.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote class=\"elevio-box-info\"><p><strong>Note:&nbsp;<\/strong>In case you decide to skip goal setting at this stage, you can always <a href=\"\/hc\/sms\/sms-goals\/how-to-set-sms-sending-goals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">set goals for the sending later<\/a> at your convenience.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div style=\"padding: 14px 0;\"><\/div>\n<h2>Step 6 &#8211;&nbsp;Send Your SMS Campaign<\/h2>\n<p>The subsequent screen displays the summary of your SMS campaign along with a preview of how the associated landing page would appear on a mobile screen.<\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 14px 0;\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2262\" title=\"SMS summary page\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/send-sms-summary-page.png\" alt=\"SMS campaign sending, SMS summary. The send SMS button is highlighted\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 20px 0;\"><\/div>\n<p>Double-check to ensure that all details are correct. Once you are sure, click <strong>Send SMS<\/strong> to send out your campaign!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<blockquote class=\"elevio-box-warning\"><p><strong>Note<\/strong>: In case you attempt to send more SMSs than are permitted in your subscription plan, and you have insufficient funds in your account to pay for the additional SMSs, the sending will not be executed. In such cases, add the requisite amount of funds to your MainBrainer account to reattempt the sending.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<div style=\"padding: 14px 0;\"><\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2263\" title=\"SMS insufficient funds\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sms-sending-insufficient-funds.png\" alt=\"SMS campaign sending, insufficient funds. Payment method options\"><\/p>\n<div style=\"padding: 20px 0;\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"aricle_container\">\n<blockquote class=\"elevio-box-info\"><p><strong>Suggested Reading<\/strong>: <a href=\"\/hc\/account\/billing\/buy-more-resources\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">What happens when you need to use more resources than your subscription quota?<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<style>\n  .aricle_container p,.aricle_container li{color: rgba(0,0,0,.8)!important}<br \/>\n  .aricle_container span{color:#0070ba!important}<br \/>\n  .aricle_container li,.aricle_container blockquote{font-size:18px!important;font-weight: 400;}<br \/>\n  .aricle_container a{font-size:18px!important;color: #0070BA!important; text-decoration:none!important;background-image:none!important}<br \/>\n<\/style>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A step-by-step guide to sending out SMS campaigns in MainBrainer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"ht-kb-category":[230],"ht-kb-tag":[],"class_list":["post-2451","ht_kb","type-ht_kb","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","ht_kb_category-send-sms-campaigns"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb\/2451","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/ht_kb"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2451"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb\/2451\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11601,"href":"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb\/2451\/revisions\/11601"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2451"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"ht_kb_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb-category?post=2451"},{"taxonomy":"ht_kb_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mainbrainer.com\/hc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ht-kb-tag?post=2451"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}