One message to a category, and the replies that come back.
Read the transcript
Need to reach a group of people fast? With text messaging in CMS, you can send one text to a whole group, and every reply comes right back to you. Let's text our Chanukah volunteers. Under Messaging, open Send SMS. There are three steps: who to text, a look at the list, and the message itself. First, choose who gets it. Search the family categories, and check Chanukah Volunteers. You can pick several categories, exclude one instead, or use member categories. The count at the top updates as you go. Step two shows exactly who will get the text, with their mobile numbers. Anyone who opted out, or is marked Do not send text messages, is left off automatically. Now, Compose. Start by saying who you are, so people know the text is from you. Then use Insert field to add each person's first name. Every text is personal, so it reads like you wrote it just for them. Below the box, CMS counts the characters and segments. The line, Reply STOP to unsubscribe, is added to every text for you. Texts are paid from a prepaid balance. Your balance and the estimated cost are right here, and Add funds tops it up. Want to see it on your own phone first? Type your number, and click Send Test. When it looks right, click Send SMS. The confirmation shows how many people will get it, what it costs, and sample messages with the names filled in. Click Confirm and Send. CMS sends the texts in the background, and opens SMS History. Each mass text is listed on the left, with how many were sent, and how many replied. Choose All from the View menu to see everyone who got it, with each person's delivery status. When people text back, their replies land right here. The Needs a reply view shows who's still waiting to hear from you. Click a name to open the conversation. Rachel can come early to help set up. Type your answer, and click Send. The whole conversation stays on record. If you already answered another way, like a phone call, click Mark answered, and it leaves the list. And if someone replies STOP, they're opted out automatically, and they won't get your future texts. Text messaging puts your whole community a tap away: one personal message to a group, with every reply tracked in one place.