General Entrance SMS Concepts

Concepts

Claims

Overview: Claims are assignments of specific tasks or channels to users within your workspace, allowing for organized management of responsibilities.

• Key Actions:
  • Claim Channels: Assign channels to users for monitoring and response.
  • Manage Claim Limits: Set the maximum number of claims a user can have.
  • View Claim History: Track past and current claims for auditing purposes.

Conversations

Overview: Conversations are the exchanges of messages between your workspace and contacts, forming the basis of your communication strategy.

• Key Actions:
  • Start/Continue Conversations: Engage with contacts via SMS.
  • Manage Conversation Threads: Organize and track message threads.
  • Set Automated Responses: Configure auto-replies based on keywords and triggers.

Sending Numbers

Overview: Sending numbers are the phone numbers used to send messages to contacts. They can be managed to ensure effective communication and compliance.

• Key Actions:
  • Rent/Unrent Numbers: Manage the acquisition and release of numbers.
  • Monitor Performance: Track the delivery and response rates of messages.
  • Cycle Numbers: Rotate sending numbers to maintain high deliverability rates.

Campaigns

Overview: Campaigns are structured communication initiatives aimed at achieving specific goals, such as marketing or outreach.

• Types:
  • Single Blast: Send a one-time message to a list of contacts.
  • Burst: Send messages in batches over a period of time.
  • Scheduled: Plan messages to be sent at specific times.
  • Hook: Trigger messages based on specific actions or conditions.
  • Personal: Personalized messaging tailored to individual contacts.
• Key Actions:
  • Create Campaign: Set up a new campaign with relevant details.
  • Manage Campaigns: Edit, pause, or stop active campaigns.
  • Track Campaign Performance: Monitor delivery, response rates, and engagement.

Message Segments

Overview: Message segments refer to parts of a message, especially when messages exceed a certain length and are split into multiple segments for delivery.

• Key Actions:
  • Set Segment Limits: Define the maximum number of segments per message.
  • Monitor Segment Usage: Track the number of segments used in campaigns.
  • Optimize Messaging: Adjust message length to minimize segmentation and costs.

Additional Concepts

1. Users

Overview: Users are members who have access to your workspace. Each user can be assigned specific roles and permissions to control their access and capabilities within the workspace.

• Roles and Permissions: Define what actions users can perform. Common roles include Admin, Senior, and User.
  • Admin: Full access to all settings and actions.
  • Senior: Elevated permissions for managing users and campaigns but not full control.
  • User: Basic access for performing limited actions.
• Key Actions:
  • Add a User: Invite new users by entering their email, name, and phone number.
  • Edit User: Update user information, roles, permissions, and claim limits.
  • Remove User: Delete users from the workspace.
  • Manage User Groups: Organize users into groups for easier management.
  • NB Connections: Link users to NationBuilder for seamless integration.

2. Workspace Flags

Overview: Flags are tags used to categorize and manage channels and messages, helping organize communication effectively.

• Key Actions:
  • Add Flag: Create a new flag by specifying its name and selecting a color.
  • Edit Flag: Modify existing flag details.
  • Remove Flag: Delete unnecessary flags.
  • Assign Flags: Use flags to categorize and filter channels and messages.

3. Numbers

Overview: Numbers are the contact points used for sending and receiving messages in your campaigns.

• Types:
  • Rented Numbers: Numbers you subscribe to for a monthly fee.
  • Unrented Numbers: Numbers that are not in use.
  • Cycled Numbers: Numbers rotated to maintain optimal performance.
• Key Actions:
  • Subscribe to Numbers: Add new numbers to your workspace.
  • Unrent Numbers: Remove numbers from your workspace.
  • Cycle Numbers: Rotate numbers to ensure they remain active and effective.
  • Manage Number Pools: Organize numbers into pools for targeted messaging.
  • View Delivery Statistics: Monitor the performance of each number.

4. Blocked Numbers

Overview: Blocked numbers are contacts that you have restricted from sending messages to your workspace.

• Key Actions:
  • Add Blocked Number: Enter a number to block it from sending messages.
  • Remove Blocked Number: Delete a number from the block list.

5. Billing

Overview: Billing involves the management of financial transactions, including subscriptions and usage costs.

• Components:
  • Numbers: Manage costs associated with rented numbers.
  • Current Period: Track your current billing cycle.
  • Current Usage: Monitor your usage and associated costs.
  • Invoices: View and download past invoices.
  • Billing Reports: Generate reports on billing activity.
• Key Actions:
  • Add Payment Source: Enter payment information to handle transactions.
  • Review Billing Summary: Monitor overall billing status.
  • Manage Subscriptions: Adjust your subscription plan as needed.
  • Download Invoices and Reports: Keep records of your billing activities.

6. Settings

Overview: Settings control various aspects of your workspace, including user permissions, campaign configurations, and claim management.

• Workspace Settings:
  • Create Subscriber Lists: Allow users to create and manage subscriber lists.
  • Shortlist Management: Configure the size and decay of shortlists.
  • Claim Settings: Enable/disable claims and set filters.
• Security Settings:
  • Hide Contacts: Prevent users from viewing contacts.
  • Edit Users: Allow seniors to edit user information.
  • Two-Factor Authentication: Enhance security by requiring two-factor authentication.
• Email Notifications:
  • Notify User/Admin: Set up daily email notifications for users and admins.
• Message Time Restrictions: Set limits on when messages can be sent.
• Manage Messaging:
  • Message Segment Limit: Set maximum segments for messages.
  • Manual Blast Number Limit: Limit the number of manual blasts.
  • Cooldown Times: Prevent spamming by setting cooldown periods.
  • Channel Locking: Control the ability to lock messaging channels.
  • Segment Budgeting: Set user-level segment budgets.
• Call Forwarding: Configure call forwarding settings for missed calls.
• Manage Claims Filtering: Set filters for auto-archive and stop settings.

7. Message Management

Overview: Manage the content and flow of messages within your campaigns to ensure compliance and effectiveness.

• Components:
  • Campaign Text Filters: Block specific words or phrases in messages.
  • Incoming Message Keywords: Set keywords for incoming messages to trigger notifications.
• Key Actions:
  • Add/Remove Filters and Keywords: Control the language used in outgoing and incoming messages.
  • Set Email Notifications: Alert admins when specific keywords are detected.

8. API

Overview: API (Application Programming Interface) allows you to integrate external applications and automate workflows within your workspace.

• Components:
  • API Keys: Unique keys for accessing the API.
  • Webhooks: URLs for receiving and tracking messages.
• Key Actions:
  • Generate/Regenerate API Keys: Create new keys or refresh existing ones.
  • Set Up Webhooks: Configure URLs to receive messages and status updates.
  • Manage API Access: Control which users have API access.

9. 10DLC

Overview: 10DLC (10-Digit Long Code) is a system for sending high volumes of SMS messages using a standard 10-digit phone number.

• Key Actions:
  • Register for 10DLC: Increase message sending volume and rate.
  • Manage 10DLC Settings: Update company information, business address, and sample messages.
  • Compliance: Ensure adherence to carrier regulations for SMS messaging.

10. Integrations

Overview: Integrations enable you to connect your workspace with third-party applications for extended functionality.

• Key Actions:
  • Set Up Integrations: Link your workspace with external apps.
  • Manage Integration Settings: Configure and update integration preferences.

11. Logs

Overview: Logs provide a record of all activities within your workspace, including user actions, campaign events, and system changes.

• Components:
  • Campaign Logs: Track creation and management of campaigns.
  • Call Logs: Monitor call activities and forwarding.
  • Channel Logs: Record channel claims and actions.
• Key Actions:
  • View Logs: Access detailed records of workspace activities.
  • Filter Logs: Sort logs by type and date for easy auditing.
  • Export Logs: Download log records for offline review and compliance.

By understanding these in-depth concepts and their key actions, you can manage your workspace more effectively and optimize your communication strategies. This guide serves as a comprehensive reference for all major components and functionalities within your workspace.