SMS is one of the most effective ways to engage with supporters, particularly during time-sensitive campaigns. With Social Sync, you can integrate SMS directly into your campaigns to keep registrants updated, share reminders, and encourage action at the right moments. This guide walks you through the steps to set up SMS on your account and outlines key information about how it works.
Your step-by-step guide
Step 1: Let us know you’d like to use SMS
To get started, simply reach out to a member of the Social Sync team. We’ll take it from there and ensure your SMS integration is set up properly.
Step 2: We’ll create your SMS number and set up the integration
Our team will create a dedicated number for your organisation using Twilio, our trusted SMS partner. We’ll then connect this number to your Social Sync account, ready for you to use.
Note: Our team will let you know once your integration has been set up
Step 3: View your integration
Once your SMS number has been created, you can view it within your Social Sync account. Go to Account Settings > Integrations to check your setup.
Step 4: Add credit to your SMS account
To send SMS, you’ll need to add credit to your account.
Head to Account Settings > Integrations and click Manage Integration next to your SMS setup.
A pop-up will appear where you can enter your card details and top up your balance.
The minimum top-up amount is £50.
Step 5: Choose between auto top-up or manual top-up
You have two options for managing your SMS credit:
Auto top-up (recommended): Your card will be charged automatically when your credit runs low. This ensures your SMS campaigns continue without interruption.
Manual top-up: You can add credit whenever you choose. However, if your credit runs out mid-campaign, scheduled SMS messages will stop, and supporters may miss important updates.
Important notes on SMS messaging
Character limits:
Standard SMS: 160 characters = 5p per SMS
SMS with emoji: 70 characters per part = 15p per SMS
Opt-out feature: You can add opt-out wording at the end of your messages. This text counts toward the 160-character limit.
Opt-out replies: Supporters who reply to opt out will not incur a charge.
2-way SMS: If you’d like to enable two-way messaging (so supporters can reply), let a member of the team know. Replies will be charged and can be managed in the Stewardship Centre within Social Sync.
For more information on SMS character limits and pricing, see Twilio’s article.
By setting up SMS integration in Social Sync, you can connect with your supporters quickly, directly, and effectively. Whether it’s sending reminders, sharing updates, or building momentum during a campaign, SMS helps ensure your message gets seen. If you’d like to enable SMS or have any questions about managing your credit and settings, please get in touch with the Social Sync team—we’re here to help.