SMS Broadcasting
Newfies-Dialer supports SMS broadcasting, sending text messages through many commercial SMS gateways and providers. Because you connect your own SMS provider, you pay their rates directly, and you can send the same campaigns by voice, by text, or both.
The dialer sends text messages in two ways:
- As bulk SMS software, with a dedicated SMS broadcasting campaign to a list of contacts.
- As part of a voice campaign, where a text message is sent to the contact’s phone from the IVR, for example after they press a key.
How SMS broadcasting works
- Connect your SMS gateway. Add the account of your provider, such as Twilio, Plivo or Telnyx.
- Upload your contacts. Import a list with phone numbers and any custom fields you want to use in the message.
- Write the message. Personalise it with tags, for example the contact’s name, an appointment time or an amount due.
- Choose the sender. Set the SMS caller ID, with the same rotation and random options as voice campaigns.
- Send and track. Start the campaign and follow its progress in the reports.
Newfies-Dialer can send tens of thousands of messages per minute, as a standalone text campaign or during a voice broadcast.
Use cases
- Appointment reminders: reduce no-shows with a text before each appointment.
- Debt collection: remind customers of payments due, with the amount and a number to call.
- Personalised marketing: offers and promotions for each customer.
- Mass emergency broadcasting: alert a whole community by voice and text at the same time.
- Extra information during a voice broadcast: send a link, address or reference number the contact can keep.
Supported SMS providers
Read more about our integration with Plivo in send bulk text messages with Plivo, or with Twilio in SMS broadcast with Twilio.
Features
- Standalone SMS campaigns and SMS from voice IVRs
- Personalised messages with contact data
- SMS caller ID with rotation
- SMS billing per message on multi-tenant systems
- API to manage contacts and campaigns from your own applications
Compliance
Text messages are regulated like calls. In the USA, for example, the TCPA generally treats marketing texts like automated calls and requires prior express written consent, and carriers apply their own rules for application-to-person messaging, such as registering your brand and campaigns. In the UK and the EU, marketing texts generally require prior consent under PECR and GDPR, and every message should include a way to opt out.
Include an opt-out in your messages and keep your contact lists clean. You are responsible for consent and for your provider’s messaging rules. Please check the regulations that apply to you with a legal advisor. This page is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do you provide the SMS gateway?
No. You use your own SMS provider account, so you get their rates and coverage. We can help you choose and set one up.
Can I send SMS and voice to the same list?
Yes. Run a text campaign and a voice campaign on the same contacts, or send a text from inside the voice call.
How fast can messages be sent?
Newfies-Dialer can send tens of thousands of messages per minute. The actual rate also depends on the limits of your SMS provider.
Can each text message be personalised?
Yes. Any field uploaded with the contact, such as first name, appointment date, amount or reference number, can be inserted into the message, so every recipient gets a text written for them.
Can I charge my customers for SMS?
Yes. On multi-tenant systems with billing, each SMS can be charged to the tenant’s balance.
See the plans and pricing, or read about bulk SMS software.