Business SMS: Blasts

Blasts allow you to send a single message to a large group of contacts at one time. This feature is commonly used for announcements, promotions, appointment reminders, service updates, emergency notifications, and staff communications.

By utilizing Contact Lists, you can target specific groups of recipients while maintaining organized and efficient communication.

What Is a Blast?

A Blast is a bulk text message sent to multiple contacts simultaneously. Instead of sending individual messages, you create a single message and Business SMS distributes it to the selected recipients.

Common uses include:

• Appointment reminders
• Office closures
• Staff notifications
• Event announcements
• Promotional campaigns
• Customer updates

Creating a Blast

1. Navigate to the Blasts section.
2. Click Send New Blast.
3. Complete all required fields.
4. Select the recipients or contact list.
5. Enter your message.
6. Configure the blast status.
7. Save or schedule the blast.

Blast Status Options

Draft

Draft status allows you to save the blast without sending it. This is useful when preparing messages that require approval or future edits.

Send Now

Send Now places the blast into the sending queue and begins delivery within several minutes.

Schedule

Schedule allows you to select a future date, time, and time zone for delivery.

This option is useful for appointment reminders, promotions, and planned announcements.

Using the Compliance Footer

The Compliance Footer is automatically appended to your blast message and helps ensure recipients understand who is contacting them and how to opt out.

A typical compliance footer should include:

• Your organization name
• The purpose of the message
• Opt-out instructions

Example Compliance Footer

Buehler Wellness. You are receiving this message because you requested communication from our office. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.

Scheduling a Blast

1. Select Schedule as the blast status.
2. Select the appropriate time zone.
3. Choose the delivery date.
4. Select the delivery time.
5. Save the blast.

The blast will remain in Scheduled status until the designated delivery time.

Editing a Draft or Scheduled Blast

Blasts that have not yet been sent can be modified.

1. Open the Draft or Scheduled tab.
2. Select the blast.
3. Make your desired changes.
4. Save the blast.

Deleting a Blast

Draft and Scheduled blasts can be deleted before delivery.

1. Open the blast.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the editor.
3. Click Delete Blast.
4. Confirm the deletion.

Note: Once a blast has begun sending, it cannot be canceled or recalled.

Compliance and Consent Requirements

Before sending marketing or promotional messages, you should ensure recipients have provided appropriate consent to receive text communications.

Recipients who have opted out by replying with keywords such as STOP, END, CANCEL, QUIT, or UNSUBSCRIBE should not receive automated marketing communications.

Failure to follow applicable messaging regulations may result in message filtering, delivery issues, or carrier restrictions.

Blast Best Practices

• Send messages only to recipients who have provided consent.
• Keep messages concise and relevant.
• Identify your organization clearly.
• Always provide opt-out instructions.
• Avoid excessive capitalization or punctuation.
• Review all recipients before sending.
• Schedule messages during appropriate business hours.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

• Sending messages without consent.
• Using misleading or deceptive language.
• Sending messages too frequently.
• Using URL shorteners when possible.
• Sending messages containing prohibited content.

Need Help?

If you need assistance creating, scheduling, or managing Blasts in Business SMS, please contact Nextgen Solutions support.