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How to Enroll Users to Receive SMS Notifications

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Haley S.
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Summary: This guide explains how to enroll individuals and groups for SMS notifications through the People product, detailing the required consent, the process for mass enrollment via an initial text, manual enrollment via a profile, and how to use the SMS Enrollment filter to manage subscriber status.

Before You Begin

  • Consent is mandatory; the administrator is responsible for obtaining consent before sending any text messages. Obtaining Consent to Send SMS Notifications
  • Any member with a mobile number in their profile can receive texts.
  • The automatic welcome message is: “{Name of church} wants to send reminders & alerts. Msg & data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Msg frequency is as needed.”

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sending Initial Text and Enrolling Users in Mass

  1. Go to your People section.
  2. Select the people you want to enroll (use checkbox at the top, filters, or manual selection).
  3. Check the box confirming you have obtained necessary consent (this activates the Send button).
  4. Compose your message.
  5. Click Send. [The opt-in message is sent first, immediately followed by your intended message. Users are then "Enrolled."]

 

Enrolling from a Member's Profile (Manual)

  1. Login and navigate to a member's profile.
  2. Locate the mobile number. If not opted in, you'll see a prompt: "Enroll to Receive Text Messages."
  3. Select the prompt. [A system message is sent to the recipient to complete the enrollment.]

Managing SMS Enrollment Status in Mass

  1. Navigate to People.
  2. Click the Filters button.
  3. Locate the SMS Enrollment section.
  4. Choose your filter(s):
    • Not Enrolled: Individuals who haven't received an initial text.
    • Opted-In: Individuals who have received a text.
    • Blocked: Individuals who have opted out.
  5. Click Done to apply the filter. [Use this list to plan targeted outreach or export the data.]

Troubleshooting & FAQs

  • Can I customize the opt-in message? No, the opt-in message is standardized for compliance reasons.
  • How can a user opt out? They can reply "STOP" to any text message received from your church or to the shortcode 87447.
  • What if a member didn't receive the opt-in text?
    • Confirm their number is correct in their profile.
    • Have them text START to 87447 to unblock shortcode messages.
    • Note that some budget carriers (Mint Mobile, Visible) may block shortcodes by default.
  • Will I be charged for the automatic opt-in message? No. Automated opt-in (or opt-out) messages are not counted against your SMS billing.
  • If a member blocks messages, can I re-send them? No, the "Blocked" status is tied to the phone number; messages cannot be sent to that number via ANY person's profile until the user manually texts START to the shortcode.

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