From within the MessageBird Dashboard, you can send SMS to a single contact or multiple contacts in one go, using our integrated SMS sending options. Upload data into your account and start building campaigns, or send SMS directly by utilizing data from an excel/CSV file. In this article, we will cover the differences between Campaign Builder, Quick Send and Bulk Messages.

Campaign Builder - This feature allows you to send personalized messages with variables, use templates and schedule campaigns to one or more recipients at the same time.

Quick Send - The Quick Send feature is particularly useful when sending to a number without using templates or variables.

Bulk Messaging - By sending SMS directly from an Excel/CSV file, Bulk Messaging is useful when you prefer not to store data in your Dashboard. It can be used to send different content to a list of recipients.

How to use Campaign Builder

* Note that you must use your own originator. Messages with a 'MessageBird' originator will be blocked.

Go to the left-hand side of your Dashboard and click on SMS → Campaign Builder. Did you know that we also offer a new version of the Campaign Builder (in Beta)? Click here to learn more. 

1. Creating the Message

The first step in setting up your Campaign is creating the Message.

Type or paste your SMS message in the white box. Alternatively, select one of your previously saved templates from the drop-down menu on the right. For more information on Templates click here. Check the corner of the Message box to see how many characters your message consists of and for how many SMS parts you will be billed.

You can personalise your message by adding variables such as First Name, Last Name and Custom 1-4. Make sure to include these variables when uploading Contacts. 

If the message you set up looks like this: "Hi [First_Name]!", the message will be displayed on the customer's phone including the variable added to the contact, for example, "Hi Sarah!".

2: Adding Originator & Recipients

* Note that you must use your own originator. Messages with a 'MessageBird' originator will be blocked.

Select an originator: The originator is the name or number from which the message is sent. Learn more about originators in this article here.

• If you use a name or personal number as the originator, add this in the first field.
• If you would like to receive messages from your customers in the Dashboard, select one of your MessageBird virtual mobile numbers (VMN) in the second field (or include the VMN in the body of the text).

Select one or more recipients A recipient is a contact who will receive the message. Please note that you can send campaigns up to 20,000 contacts. To add recipients you can choose between:

• Manually add a number: Type a name or number to add a contact from your phonebook quickly.
• Contacts from phonebook: Select specific contacts from your phonebook.
• Groups from phonebook: Select specific groups from your phonebook.
• Submit your own numbers: Add up to 300 mobile phone numbers manually.
• Import single-column CSV file: Import a file that contains just the recipient numbers. 

3: Verify and schedule your message

Verify

Check your message to make sure it's exactly what you want: Are all the settings correct? Any typos or missing spaces? Did you select the right originator? Have the proper recipients been added?

Additionally, you can choose to receive a copy of the campaign via email or you can create a template based on this campaign.

Schedule

If you don't want to send the message right away, click on 'Schedule' in the bottom-right corner. Select the date and time you would like to send the message. If needed, you can also set the frequency and the end date.

If you need to make any changes, you can go back without losing any previously entered information. Keep in mind that the scheduled start time will use the same time zone which you’ve set up your account.

How to use 'Quick Send'

Go to the left-hand side of your Dashboard and click on SMS → Quick Send or click here.

* Note that you must use your own originator. Messages with a 'MessageBird' originator will be blocked.

Add the recipient number in the top-left box, the originator in the top-right box and the text in the Message field below. Ready to go? Click 'send SMS'. 

Within Quick Send it's not possible to personalize, schedule or verify your message. The message is sent out directly. Therefore, make sure you check originator, recipient and message content before clicking on 'send SMS'.

How to use 'Bulk Messaging'

Go to the left-hand side of your Dashboard and click on SMS → Bulk Messages.

1. Choose file

Click on the 'Choose file' button and upload a pre-formatted .xls, .xlsx, .csv or .txt file.

Your file needs to contain at least the recipient, originator and message content. Additionally, you can add a schedule date and time. The file needs to be stripped entirely from any data/formulas that are not required for the send. Here's an example excel file:

* Note that you must use your own originator. Messages with a 'MessageBird' originator will be blocked.

Select the delimiter, schedule and validity and click on 'next'.

2. Choose columns

On the next screen, you can select from the drop-down menus which data values belong to which column. When you're done, hit 'Next'.

3. Batch import

Before sending the SMS, make sure to verify the information. Check if the country code was recognized correctly, if you have enough balance in your account and if the scheduled time is setup correctly.