Ascent360 now offers SMS text message marketing. This in-platform feature allows you to seamlessly add another channel into your marketing mix. For a video walk-through, view a demo here.
Getting Started
Here are the basic steps involved in getting started:
- Phone number provisioning — Fill out this form and we'll start the phone number provisioning process. This can take up to 10 business days. If you have an existing number that you want to migrate to Ascent360, please contact us.
- Upload your opt-in list (if applicable) — If you have an existing list of SMS opt-ins, please request a data load here. If you're starting from scratch, that's ok!
If you're using a conversational texting platform such as Ikeono, you likely do not have marketing SMS consent. Read more about permissions here.
- Create an SMS Signup Form — from the Landing Pages area, create a new form to gather SMS opt-ins. Here are some ways to use this form!
- From an email --> Entice your email subscribers to sign up for texts by linking out to this from within an email. Do this by clicking 'special links' in the email builder.
- QR code --> Create a QR code to display at check-out or at events using this form URL.
- Pop-up --> Embed this form into a pop-up on your website. This usually works best with an offer, such as $10 off.
- Check your privacy policy — having the right disclosure language is very important. At minimum, we recommend you update your SMS Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Double-check that you meet the best practices outlined here.
- Design your first text — Spend some time building 1-2 messages in the composition tool. It's easy to send yourself test messages. For some designer help, click here.
- Once your number is provisioned... Send your first text message — We suggest first setting up a welcome text for new opt-ins. Then you can get started on an ad hoc campaign or a recurring campaign (such as a 'service reminder' or a 'pre-arrival' message). We're happy to assist you during your ramp-up using the SMS tool!
SMS Pricing
Pricing is based on credits. Credits cost approximately $14 per thousand, but with volume-based pricing this may be slightly higher or lower. Simple SMS messages under 160 characters = 1 credit, while MMS messages = 3 credits. Learn more about credit usage here.
Our cost per credit includes the cost of setting up and maintaining your provisioned phone number. We do not have any hidden fees or extra line items to get started.
SMS Features
- SMS design library & composition tool
- SMS sending workflow
- Send a test or a 'live' message
- Send immediately or schedule delivery
- Automate texts on a daily/weekly/monthly/annual schedule - such as a pre-arrival text, birthday text, etc.
- SMS permission processing
- Text to join as well as keyword handling to opt in or out of message preferences
- List send (emergency text send)
- SMS reporting pages to monitor key KPIs and credit usage
- An in-platform link shortener (similar to Bitly)
- Landing pages for SMS Opt-ins
- And a support team to help you get the most out of this new feature!
Submit a List of SMS Opt-ins
- Make sure you know if your file contains opt-ins only, or a mixture of opt-ins and opt-outs.
- When submitting your data load request, you must specify if everyone in the file is opted-in or if the permission is within the file itself.
- While your file can have just one column of phone numbers, this is not great for "matching" to existing records in your database. Please try to include these fields:
- Mobile Number (required)
- SMS Permission
- Opt-in Date
- First Name
- Last Name
- Submit your upload request here.
Helpful SMS Resources
- Blog: Top Campaigns to Jumpstart Your SMS Marketing Strategy
- Guide to Texting Compliance
- How to gather SMS opt-ins
- Create a text message using the SMS editor
📣 IMPORTANT REMINDER: Explicit opt-ins for SMS Marketing are always required when sending text messages via Ascent360. There is no such thing as implied consent when it comes to this channel.
More Information
If you'd like more information, here are some resources for you:
