SMS Text Messaging Overview

Click here to view the SMS Overview ebook.

VoterVoice provides SMS (text messaging) as a powerful, direct option for broadcasting advocacy alerts and other critical communications. Successfully using this feature involves three key areas: compliance, contact sign-up, and message sending.

Prerequisites: SMS Carrier Registration

Important: Due to carrier requirements (AT&T, Verizon, etc.) for security, any group sending SMS broadcasts must complete a registration process. This must be done before sending your first text alert.

Process:

1. Go to the Settings menu.
2. Choose SMS Carrier Registration.
3. Complete all fields in the three-step process.

Note: Approval of all steps by the carriers will take time. Please handle this registration proactively.

Adding Contacts to Receive Text Messages

Contacts must explicitly opt-in to receive SMS alerts. There are three primary ways advocates can subscribe to your text messages:

Method 1: Keyword Opt-In (Most Popular)

Advocates text a specific "Keyword" to the VoterVoice short code (50457).

• The keyword is configured by our team and should be kept short and easy to remember (e.g., your organization's name).
• Upon texting the keyword, the user receives a confirmation text and is successfully signed up.
• You can set the keyword to direct users to a specific campaign or any actionable item in the system.

Method 2: Registration Form

Users enter their mobile number directly into the text box provided on your VoterVoice registration form.

• Upon entering their mobile number and continuing, the user receives a text confirming their subscription to alerts in which they must continue to complete their registration. 
• These users are automatically added to your list of text message Recipients.

Method 3: Bulk Upload (With Strict Compliance)

If you have a spreadsheet of users whose mobile numbers are confirmed to be previously opted-in from a previous SMS carrier, you may upload them.

Compliance: During the upload process, when the Mobile Number field is mapped, you will be required to agree to three compliance checkboxes. All contacts MUST be previously opted-in to be accepted. You are not permitted to upload contacts who have not previously opted-in to SMS messaging.

Sending Text Message Broadcasts

Once you have opted-in contacts with mobile numbers in your Default List, you can send an SMS Broadcast:

1. Start a New Broadcast: Go to Messaging > Broadcasts and choose to create a new broadcast.
2. Select Purpose: Choose one of the following two options, as both allow for text messages:
   • Drive my contacts to my action center (directs users to a specific campaign or action).
   • Just send information to my contacts (sends general info to everyone in your list).

3. Select Communication Method: At the bottom of the page, locate the "Method of Communication" section.
4. Check the box next to "Text Message". Continue to the next page.
5. Define Recipients: On the Recipients page, you will see a preview of your available text recipients. Most groups select the default "Send to entire list", but you may use advanced search to filter your audience if needed.

6. Compose the Message: On the "Compose" page, use the blank text box to enter your message.
7. Insert Campaign Link (If Applicable): If your message is a Call to Action, you must manually include the link within the text of the message.
   • Click the "Insert Action Center Link" dropdown below the text box.
   • Select the appropriate campaign.
   • A pop-up will show the link destination. Set the link text to whatever you would like (e.g., "Take Action Now!"). The link will direct advocates to your action center.

That is the complete process for sending out an SMS Broadcast through the VoterVoice system.

Note: SMS carriers measure usage by segments. One SMS segment can contain up to 160 standard characters (or 70 characters if special characters or emojis are used). If your message exceeds this limit, it will be split into multiple segments. For example, a longer message may use 2–3 segments, which means it will count as 2–3 texts toward your messaging limit.

Please note that 3 segments is the maximum limit for a single text message. Messages that exceed this limit will need to be shortened before they can be sent.