Texting is now part of your Workflow. You can add an Action Step that sends a text message to your Contact automatically, at the right moment in a Project. No more remembering to send the text yourself.
Here is the part that keeps you compliant: the text only goes out to Contacts who have opted in to text messaging. For Contacts who have not opted in, or who opted out, you can choose to create a to-do instead. That way you are reminded to reach out another way, and no one falls through the cracks.
Before you get started
Texting must be active on your account. If you have not set it up yet, start with Getting Started with Texting in 17hats and complete the setup and compliance steps first.
Know who is opted in. Your Contacts control their own opt-in and opt-out status, and that status decides whether the Action Step sends a text or creates a to-do if enabled.
Decide where in the Workflow the texting action step belongs.
How to set up a Texting Action Step
From your Workflow Templates: Open the Workflow you want to add the text to.
Add a new Action Step and choose the Send Text option.
Add an already created Texting Template or create a text template from the step.
Set the timing for the Action Step as well as other step settings.
For Contacts that have not opted in, you can enable an automatic to do creation. This option creates a to-do to remind you to reach out a different way. Leave this option turned off you want the Action Step to simply skip the sending of the text message for not opted in Contacts.
Save the Workflow.
Once your template is saved, add the Workflow Template to a Project and test your new Workflow Action Step. Remember, adding a step to a Workflow Template will NOT update active workflows.
FAQs
Who receives the text?
Only Contacts who have opted in to text messaging. Anyone who has not opted in, or who has opted out, will not receive it.
What happens to Contacts who are not opted in?
That is your choice. Turn on the to-do option and 17hats creates a to-do reminding you to reach out another way. Leave it off and the Action Step skips them.
Do I need Texting turned on before I can use this Action Step?
Yes. Complete your Texting setup and compliance steps first.
Where do the sent texts show up?
Texts stay attached to the Project and can be viewed in the contact's project.
Can I use the same Action Step in more than one Workflow?
Yes, you can add one or more Texting Action Steps to your Workflows.
How do I get my contacts to opt in?
Add an opt in question to lead capture forms, online scheduling, and questionnaires to allow contacts to opt themselves in.