Keywords and Groups
Understanding keywords and groups is crucial to understanding how to effectively use the SimpleTexting application.
The purpose of creating a keyword is to build a list of customers’ phone numbers. A list of phone numbers is created automatically when a customer texts the keyword to the phone number 555888 (called a “short code”). The customer is said to be “opting in” or “subscribing” to the list. For example, a marketer might solicit subscribers to a list by adding the following to displays in the client’s location, to traditional advertisements, and more:
Text Pizza to 555888 for great deals from Lou’s Pizza!
The customer texts “Pizza” to 555888 and they’re on the list.
In the SimpleTexting application, a subscriber list is referred to as a group. When a person subscribes, they become part of that keyword’s group.The only way to add people to a group associated with a keyword is for them to text the keyword to the short code 555888.You can also create groups that allow you toadd contacts manually one at a time, by importing via CSV file, and through Web sign-up forms.
When you send a text message, you can select any and all groups of contacts (whether or not they are associated with a keyword).
Adding and Managing Keywords
A keyword is used in conjunction with our shortcode 555888 to invite people to subscribe to a business’s subscribers list.
Your billing plan includes a set number of keywords. You can buy additional keywords under your plan or you can upgrade your plan to both add keywords and increase the number of messages you can send each month.
Visit the “Change Billing Plan” page to upgrade your plan.To see your current plan, go to the “Billing” link under the “Dashboard” tab. To add a keyword to an existing plan, see Subsection 4.2, “Buying More Keywords,” below.
Adding Keywords and Assigning Them to Groups
Step 1. Under the “Keywords” tab, select the “Add a Keyword” link.
Step 2. On the “Add a Keyword” page, type a word in the “Keyword” field. The SimpleTexting application will tell you whether the word is available.
Note: Keywords are limited to 20 characters. You cannot usepunctuation, symbols, or spaces.
Step 3. Click the “Continue” button.
Step 4. On the “Configure Keyword” page in the “New group to assign to keyword” field,enter a new group name, if you wish. Assigning the keyword to an existing group is only possible if the created group hasn’t been used yet.
Step 5. Type a message to send to contactswhen they opt in.The character-count line below the text box tells you how manycharacters you are entering.
Note: Below the character count line is a line showing the opt-out text (“rply Stop2Stop”) that is automatically added to these text messages. The number of characters in this line has already been subtracted from the 160 characters, leaving 145.
Step 6. In “Forward Opt-ins via email,” you have the option of entering your email to receive a notification for every contact who subscribes (opts-in) to your keyword.
Step 7. Click the “Save” button. The screenshot below illustrates the process:
Buying More Keywords
Your plan includes a limited number of keywords, but you can buy more.
Step 1. Under the “Keywords” tab, click “Add a Keyword.”
Step 2. The page says you have 0 keywords remaining. Type in a keyword anyway to check its availability.
Step 3. Click the “Continue” button. The amount you will be charged for each additional keyword is detailed in your billing plan. If your credit card is on file, you will not need to enter it again.
Editing and Deleting Keywords
To manage your existing/bought keywords, access the “Keywords” tab in the menu. You are able to:
Edit the keyword: You can edit both theauto-response message that is sent when someone opts inand the forwarding email address.
Delete a keyword: Deleting a keyword will not delete thegroup to which it was assigned. You will still be able to send messages to your existing subscribers and can assign a new keyword to a new group.
Note: You cannot use the same keyword for a group once you delete the keyword.