SMS Auto Reply

Engage people any time with two-way SMS. Our AutoReply wizard allows you to build a 24/7 SMS autoresponder without writing a single line of code. People can access information on demand by sending a keyword and the system will automatically reply with the information you specified.

Setting up the engagement takes only a few minutes: Create a pre-written content, get a local phone number, set it up using our SMS AutoReply wizard and now you can trigger an SMS response based on a specific keyword sent.

Advertise your local phone number to the public along with what keywords to send through radio, television, flyers, websites, billboards, newspapers, posters or other media for a successful campaign run.

Reports are real-time to immediately track the results and get valuable insights. You can also check your SMS Inbox to quickly read the latest thousand text messages received.

 

3-Step SMS AutoReply Wizard

❶ Content
  • Decide on easy-to-remember and less-prone-to-typo keywords that people will text in and enter it into the first textbox. Separate multiple keywords with commas. On the second textbox, enter the SMS content that the system will automatically send to people who did text in the keywords. Do the same for the succeeding set of textboxes.
  • Click  + Add More Keywords  to enter more keywords and the corresponding automated responses.
  • For bulk entry, you may click the button  upload a keyword file to easily add hundreds of keywords and responses using an Excel or CSV template.
  • Download the templates to learn how to format your keywords and responses for uploading. The download links can be found at the bottom part of Step 1 or click to download ↓ Excel template here  or  ↓ CSV template here. 
  • Personalize the SMS by inserting the recipient’s dynamic data such as the first name—click the Personalize option if you have their contact information uploaded into the system.
  • Optional: Send an SMS primer to existing contacts—click Add a Question button at the beginning.
  • Add only a Keyword Prefix if you have multiple 2-way engagements using the same phone number.
  • Don’t forget to name your engagement at the top part.
❷ Contacts  

  • Normally this step is being skipped, just click the  Continue  button to proceed to Step 3. This is only available if you set an SMS primer or entered a message into Add a Question text box on Step 1 – Content.
  • Note: Do not select any option in the Missed Call or SMS Opt-in tab because they are not needed for this type of engagement; otherwise, errors may be encountered.
  • More about Step 2 »

 
❸ Confirm  

  • Select the Local Phone Number to use for sending and receiving SMS or link the Android Phone.
  • The engageSPARK Network cannot be selected because the AutoReply engagement requires a local phone number (an SMS virtual number or via Android relay app) for contacts to send in the keywords.
  • Set the Start Time and End Time of the engagement which defaults to “Immediately” and “never (only if I stop this engagement)”, respectively.
  • Click Launch to set the engagement live or click Save as draft  to continue working on it later.
  • More about Step 3 »

 

 

 

Sample Uses

The SMS AutoReply engagement can be useful is a variety of ways, including the following:

  • Promo redemption: Run a promotional campaign and have discount offers redeemed via SMS. Customers text in the promo code and they’ll get a verification message which can be shown on the store counter for redemption.
  • Increase brand awareness: Grow your customer database by collecting their contact information or phone numbers so you can later reach out for product announcements and ensure they don’t miss out on great offers. This can be essential for increasing brand awareness.
  • Database query via SMS: Community healthcare staff in the field can send the name of a disease and receive a list of symptoms and treatment.
  • Office or store location SMS lookup: Voters can send an SMS with the name of their town and receive voting locations.
  • Product pricing inquiry: Farmers can send a crop name and receive the current market price and learn the best place to sell them.
  • SMS bookings: Confirm bookings by letting customers send the booking code via SMS and let the system send back an automated confirmation message.
  • Product verification: Buyers can verify products purchased are not counterfeit by sending the authentication code via SMS.
  • Events marketing: Community organizers can easily confirm attendees for their upcoming events or seminars via SMS registration process.

 

Learn more about our SMS features »

Have questions or need a little extra help?