How to send SMS texts from AMS+

Overview

If your AMS+ account has a phone number in our VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) platform, you can send SMS text messages to schedule appointments and send other reminders to Agent, Individual, and Sales contacts.

Note: You need a phone number in our VoIP platform to send and receive SMS texts through AMS+. Your AMS+ subscription includes 1 free local phone number. Learn how to add and set up your number for texting.

IN THIS ARTICLE

How to send SMS text messages

The FCC requires that you have permission to send SMS messages, so you will need to have a valid opt-in to text them. You should also check your state regulations as well. Once you've obtained their consent, document it in a custom field or analytic field, and put the person’s cell phone number in the ‘Cell’ field of their record.

Text messages are not sent to phone numbers in the ‘Phone’ field. If the recipient replies with ‘STOP’, they will stop receiving Automated Workflow text messages and direct ones, effective immediately.

You have several options for texting:

• Direct text messages from an Agent or Individual Record
  On Agent and Individual Records, there's a Detail tab with a Contact Info section. If the record has a Cellular number in the Contact Info section, select the arrow icon to show a dropdown menu. Choose the 'Send Text Message' option to initiate a text.
  
• Direct text messages from a Sales Record using the “SEND TEXT” button
  Inbound and outbound text messages will be displayed on the Sales Record’s ‘Notes’ Tab. You can also create text templates for frequently used messages such as “Here’s my calendar to choose from #AGENTCALENDARLINK# -#AGENTNAME# in TEMPLATES.” Learn more.
  
• Automated Workflows
  You can create Automated Workflows to send text messages when something happens in AMS+, such as a Sales Record’s status changing or a lead turning 26 or 65. Learn more.
  

Please keep in mind that you can only send texts to Agents, Individuals, and Sales contacts that have valid cell phone numbers on their records.

Recipients can opt out of text messaging by replying with any of the following keywords: STOP, STOPALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END, or QUIT. You should include verbiage like, "Reply STOP to Unsubscribe" in your text messages so recipients know how to opt out. They can opt back in using the keywords START, YES, or UNSTOP.

Character limits

Each SMS message is limited to 160 characters. Messages longer than 160 will be split into multiple messages, called segments. Messages that include emojis and other special characters will automatically use multiple segments.

See the table below for some examples.

How to test your SMS text messages

When testing text messages, DO NOT TEST with your own cell number because it will confuse the system if you have your cell number in your agent details and in an Agent, Individual, or Sales Record. If you're sending a test text to a family member, colleague, or friend, write them a realistic message.

Example:

“Hi #FIRSTNAME#, Hit me back when you get this message. Thanks! #AGENTNAME#”

Note: If you write something like, "TEST" or "SAMPLE", the recipient's carrier might mark it as spam and block it.