Creating Templates
Setting up your most commonly used messages as templates in touchSMS, will save you time and avoid any errors. Here’s how it’s done;
1. Navigate to SMS > Templates
2. Here you have the ability to Create Templates or manage/edit templates you have already created.
3. To create a new template, click Create Template.
4. Name your template, select your default Reply Path option and Compose your message.
Tip: One message allows up to 160 characters. touchSMS will allow for you to exceed this amount and the message will be received as one part but you will be charged 1 credit per 160 characters. Keep an eye on your character count below your message text box.
5. If you are planning to use this template to send SMS to saved Contacts or Groups, click the checkbox to enable “Include Merge Fields” to personalise your message.
Tip: If a merge field is used in a message, and the recipients do not have the relevant details saved in touchSMS, the merge field will simply be skipped.
6. When you have completed composing your template, click Save.
Send using a Template
1. Navigate to SMS > Send SMS
2. Enter or paste numbers in the Enter Numbers, select contacts or groups.
Tip: Number format can be any of the following; 044700555, 61447000555, +6144700555. touchSMS will also automatically remove any spaces
If you would like to manually enter multiple numbers, you can separate with a comma(,), colon(:), semicolon(;) or simply enter to next line before entering each new number
3. When you click away from the Enter Numbers box, your recipient’s mobile numbers are added to the Recipients List tab.
Here, you can view and remove recipients.
4. Confirm Campaign Name
Tip: Using the Campaign Name option is great when sending frequently. You will be able to quickly and easily identify your campaign when viewing your reports.
5. Select the Template drop-down to choose a template you prepared earlier or compose your own SMS Message.
Tip: If you send the same type of message regularly, setting up templates is a great way to save time and avoid errors. Click here to find out how to Set Up SMS Templates.
6. Use the switch to set Replies ON or OFF and select your Sender ID
Tip: Your reply settings affect the available Sender ID options:
Replies ON: Choose to get replies sent to the Web Inbox/ Your Email or to your verified Mobile Number (Own Number)
Replies OFF: Select from your verified list of alphanumeric Sender ID’s. Recipients are not able to reply to these messages.
7. When sending to Contacts you will be able to select from a range of merge fields for message personalisation.
Tip: Insert First Name into your message using the available merge fields to add an element of personalisation to your message.
8. Type your message in the SMS Message text area, if you haven’t already selected a template.
Tip: One message allows up to 160 characters. touchSMS will allow for you to exceed this amount and the message will be received as one part but you will be charged 1 credit per 160 characters. Keep an eye on your character count below your message text box.
9. Click Send Campaign for your message to be sent immediately or select Schedule Campaign if you would like your message to be sent at a later time.
See article Scheduling Messages for details on how to use this function.
10. A pop-up window will appear. Agree to the Terms and Conditions then click Send Campaign.
It is very important that you adhere to the privacy rules. The three key steps you should follow are:
Consent – Only send commercial electronic messages with the addressee’s consent – either express or inferred consent
Identification – Include clear and accurate information about the person or business that is responsible for sending the commercial electronic message
Unsubscribe – Ensure that a functional unsubscribe facility is included in all your commercial electronic messages. Deal with unsubscribe requests promptly
Tip: It is important to take a moment to also double check that you are happy with the number of messages that are about to be sent.
Your message has now been sent and will arrive at the handset shortly.