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Send a Quick SMS to a Group or Segment

Learn how to quickly send an SMS message to an entire group or segment of contacts directly from the Segments page.

Overview​

The quick SMS feature allows you to instantly send a text message to all contacts within a specific segment or group without needing to create a full campaign. This is perfect for time-sensitive announcements, urgent updates, or simple communications to targeted audiences.

Accessing Segments and Groups​

  1. Navigate to Audience from the left-hand sidebar
  2. Select Segments or Groups from the submenu

You'll see a list of all your segments and groups with the following information:

  • Name (on the left)
  • Total contacts
  • Verified contacts
  • Subscribed contacts
  • Opted in SMS contacts
  • Subscribed SMS contacts
  • Sendable Email contacts
  • Sendable SMS contacts
Column Visibility

You can toggle these columns on or off using the controls at the top of the list to customize your view.

Sending a Quick SMS​

Step 1: Locate Your Target Segment or Group​

Find the segment or group you want to send an SMS to from the list.

Step 2: Click the SMS Button​

On the far right of each row, you'll see several action buttons:

  • Edit/View
  • SMS
  • Settings cog

Click the SMS button for your target segment or group.

Step 3: Compose Your Message​

The SMS Contact modal will open with the following options:

Text Message​

  • Enter your message in the main text box
  • Keep in mind SMS character limits (160 characters for standard SMS)

From Number​

  • Select which phone number to send from using the dropdown
  • This will be one of your configured business phone numbers

Media Attachments​

  • Upload Asset: Attach Images or other media files from your asset library

Quick Replies and Templates​

  • Quick Reply: Select from pre-saved quick response messages
  • SMS Template: Choose from your saved SMS templates to populate the message

Step 4: Send Your Message​

Once you've composed your message and configured all settings:

  1. Review your message for accuracy
  2. Confirm the recipient count shows the expected number of contacts
  3. Click Send Message to deliver the SMS to your entire segment or group

Best Practices​

Message Content​

  • Keep messages concise and clear
  • Include a clear call-to-action if needed
  • Consider time zones when sending to large audiences

Timing​

  • Avoid sending during late night or early morning hours
  • Consider your audience's location and typical active hours
  • Be mindful of business hours for professional communications

Compliance​

  • Ensure recipients have opted in to receive SMS messages
  • Include opt-out instructions when required
  • Follow local SMS marketing regulations

Troubleshooting​

SMS Button Not Available​

  • Verify the segment/group has contacts with valid phone numbers
  • Check that contacts have opted in to receive SMS messages
  • Ensure your account has SMS sending capabilities enabled

Message Not Sending​

  • Confirm your from number is properly configured
  • Check that the message doesn't exceed character limits
  • Verify you have sufficient SMS credits in your account