SMS Blast Marketing – FAQ

General Information

1. What is the SMS Blast feature?
The SMS Blast feature enables you to send mass text messages to multiple recipients simultaneously. It's ideal for marketing campaigns, promotions, announcements, or updates, allowing businesses to engage customers efficiently.

2. Where can I access the SMS Blast feature?
Log in to your Markate account and navigate to the Marketing section. There, you'll find the SMS Blast option.

Creating an SMS Campaign

3. How do I create an SMS campaign?
To create an SMS campaign:

• Log in to your Markate account.

• Go to Marketing > SMS Blast.

• Click on Create SMS Blast and follow the prompts to set up your campaign.
  
  

4. Who can I send SMS blasts to?
You can send SMS messages to:

• All customers with Phone Number.

• Specific customer groups.

• Individual customers.
  
  
  

5. Can I exclude some customers from an SMS Blast?
Yes. You can exclude specific Customer Groups while sending to all customers with a phone number.

6. How much does an SMS blast cost?
The cost for sending SMS blasts is: a $10 flat fee to use the service + $0.05 per SMS (per segment) sent.

7. Can I personalize my SMS campaigns?
Yes! Markate allows you to personalize messages using smart tags, enabling you to include customer names, business details, and other personalized information in your messages.

8. How do I customize my SMS content?
While composing your message, you can:

• Use placeholder tags to insert specific customer information.

• Ensure your message is concise, as SMS messages have character limits (135 characters per segment or 270 characters per SMS).

Scheduling & Sending

9. Can I schedule the SMS campaign?
Yes, you can set a specific date and time for sending your SMS campaign. But it must be at least 24 hours after creation. 

10. How do I finalize and send the campaign?
After reviewing all details of your campaign, click on Purchase to complete the payment process and send the messages.

Tracking & Compliance

11. Can I track the campaign performance?
Markate provides real-time analytics for your SMS campaigns, including metrics such as message delivery status and customer responses in terms of Subscribed/Unsubscribed, helping you assess campaign effectiveness.

12. Why is my SMS campaign in "Pending Review"?

All SMS campaigns go through an approval process before being sent to ensure compliance and quality.

13. How long does the approval process take?

The approval process typically takes 1-3 hours during business hours. If you submit your campaign for approval during the weekend, it will be reviewed and approved on Monday. 

14. Are there any compliance considerations when using SMS Blast?
Yes, when using SMS Blast, it's important to ensure compliance with 10 DLC SMS regulations, such as obtaining customer consent for receiving messages and providing opt-out options.

15. What should I watch out for when sending SMS blasts?
Here are a few important guidelines to ensure your messages are successfully delivered and not blocked by carriers:

• Avoid emojis: Some carriers may block messages containing emojis.

• Limit or avoid links: Excessive or shortened URLs can trigger spam filters.

• Use plain text: Keep your message clear, professional, and to the point.

• Avoid using ALL CAPS or excessive punctuation!!!