This area allows a Communications Director to manage texting settings. From here, you can update your outgoing opt-in message that invites users to receive text communications. You can also configure Phone Number Selection Priority and manage message Templates for different texting scenarios.
Accessing Communication Settings for Texts
- Click the Settings gear icon on the navigation bar.
- Select Communication Settings.
- Click the Texting tab at the top of the page.
Customize the Texting Opt-in Message and Phone Number Selection Priority
The first section allows you to customize the message that goes out to people invited to opt in to receive texts from the church. Simply type the message you would like to appear.
Below that, the Phone Number Selection Priority determines which phone number is used when sending messages to recipients who have multiple phone numbers on file.
How It Works
- Assign priority numbers to phone number types.
- When sending a message, the system will:
- Use the highest-priority phone number available.
- Automatically move to the next priority if the preferred type isn’t available.
- When sending a text, users can always:
- Review selected numbers.
- Modify priority settings.
- Adjust individual recipient selections.
Communication Templates
Communication templates allow you to quickly create text messages while personalizing each message for individual recipients before sending. You can predefine content that automatically appears when creating a text message. This is useful for:
- Standard messaging language
- Frequently repeated content
- And to add a placeholder that will insert each recipients first name and/or last name into the message if desired
Default Template Categories
- Announcement
- Invitation
- Prayer Request
- Reminder
- You can also use the "Add New Template" option at the top of the list to create your own custom template.
Editing a Template
- Click the Edit (pencil icon) next to the desired template.
- Use the editor to add your default text.
- If you wish to include each recipient's name, click the "Placeholder" option in the toolbar.
- Select Recipient First Name or Recipient Last Name as desired.
- If using both first and last name, be sure to include a space between placeholders as you would when typing a recipient's name.
- Add any other standard content that should appear every time the template is used
- If you wish to include each recipient's name, click the "Placeholder" option in the toolbar.
- Click Save when the template is complete.
Using Templates When Sending Texts
When composing a new text:
- Select a template.
- The saved content will automatically populate the message.
- Simply add or adjust message-specific details before sending.