You don't need to be technical
If you can send a WhatsApp message, you can send a bulk SMS. Here is the whole process, start to finish.
Step 1: Create your account (2 minutes)
Sign up with your phone number and verify it with the code we send you. Pick your country when you register so you see the right currency and prices.
Step 2: Top up (2 minutes)
Buy some SMS credit with mobile money. You don't need to buy a lot for a first campaign. Remember that a larger bundle gets a lower price per SMS, so buy more when you know you'll use it.
Step 3: Prepare your list (3 minutes)
Put your contacts in a simple spreadsheet with one phone number per row, then save it as a CSV file. Use the format for your country, for example 0966XXXXXX or 26096XXXXXXX in Zambia. Remove duplicates and anything that isn't a phone number. A clean list is the single biggest thing that protects your money.
Step 4: Write your message (2 minutes)
Keep it short and clear. Say who you are, what you want, and what to do next. For example:
Hello Mary, your school fees balance of K450 is due on 15 May. Pay by mobile money. Thank you. – St Mary School
A good message has your name or business, one clear point and, if it needs one, one call to action.
Step 5: Send a test first (1 minute)
Before you send to everyone, send the message to your own number. Check how it looks, whether the sender name is right and that there are no spelling mistakes. It takes a minute and saves real embarrassment.
Step 6: Send
Upload your list, review the cost shown to you, and send. Afterwards, check your delivery report to see what was delivered and which numbers failed.
Mistakes to avoid
- Sending without testing first
- Pasting numbers in different formats and not checking them
- Writing a long message that costs more than one SMS (see our guide to SMS length)
- Sending at night or at a time people don't expect it
That's it. Your first campaign really can take ten minutes.
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