Depending on which options you have turned on, the following will give you a breakdown of the number of credits you will use. Credits are based on 160 characters or less. 1 text message sent that is 160 characters or less = 1 credit used.
The Recipient Texts your keyword to your number:
This costs 1 credit
First Message:
Because we are not waiting on a reply from the recipient, the first message and the name capture (or first data capture option you have turned on will always be sent as a combined message). If the first message plus the name capture message combined is less than 160 characters, it will "cost" 1 credit. If they are more than 160 characters combined, it will cost accordingly (50 characters = 1 credit, 160 characters = 1 credit, 161 characters = 2 credits, 320 characters = 2 credits, etc.)
*Pro Tip: You can leave the first message blank and use the name capture as the "first message" and "name capture" combined.
Recipient replies with their Full Name
This costs 1 credit
Email Capture (if turned on):
This message is sent after the recipient responds back with their full name. Same rules as above apply (50 characters = 1 credit, 160 characters = 1 credit, 161 characters = 2 credits, 320 characters = 2 credits, etc.). This step typically uses 1 credit.
Recipient replies with their Email address
This costs 1 credit
Address Capture (if turned on)
This message is sent after the recipient responds back with their email address. Same rules as above apply (50 characters = 1 credit, 160 characters = 1 credit, 161 characters = 2 credits, 320 characters = 2 credits, etc.). This step typically uses 1 credit.
Recipient replies with their Address
This costs 1 credit
Birthday Capture (if turned on)
This message is sent after the recipient responds back with their address. Same rules as above apply (50 characters = 1 credit, 160 characters = 1 credit, 161 characters = 2 credits, 320 characters = 2 credits, etc.). This step typically uses 1 credit.
Recipient replies with their Birthday
This costs 1 credit
Last Message (if turned on but we recommend using it)
This last message is sent after the recipient responds back with their birthday. Same rules as above apply (50 characters = 1 credit, 160 characters = 1 credit, 161 characters = 2 credits, 320 characters = 2 credits, etc.). This step typically uses 1 credit.
Please note:
If the person is already in the system (meaning you have their contact information), and this is the first time they are texting that keyword, they will receive the first (LEFT) message, the name, email, etc (RIGHT) messages, and the last (LEFT) message altogether since we are not waiting for a reply, and we do not need to capture their information. Remember you can leave the right messages blank to skip the data capture messages.
If the person is already in the system (meaning you have their contact information), and this is NOT the first time they are texting that keyword, they will receive the first (RIGHT) message, the name, email, etc (RIGHT) messages, and the last (RIGHT) message altogether since we are not waiting for a reply, and we do not need to capture their information. Remember you can leave the right messages blank to skip the data capture messages.
If the person is already in the system, but is missing information - like email - we recognize that and will send the LEFT message for any area that is missing information.
Tips: Short and sweet and a little general is best. Not using name merge fields until the last message (except on the right side of the name capture) will help with the flow too.
An example of a good basic flow is this:
First Message:
Name Capture:
Email Capture:
Address Capture (not recommended if using integrations):
Date of Birth Capture (Not recommended if using integrations):
Last Message:
The best way to make sure your data capture is as smooth sounding as possible is to read the messages through for each possibility.
Using the example above, and with only the recommended name, and email capture, here is how each would read:
New contact - first time texter (read only the left messages - pausing after name and email, etc to wait for their replies with the last message at the end). "Welcome to First Baptist Church! We are so glad you are here! Please reply with your first and last name." (WAIT FOR REPLY), "We would love to stay in touch! What's the best email address to reach you at? (We promise not to flood your inbox with emails)" (WAIT FOR REPLY), "We'll send you an email soon with more info about First Baptist Church and some upcoming events. We look forward to getting to know you more! Have a great weekend!" (END OF CONVERSATION)
Existing contact - first time texter - ALL messages are sent together as one (Read first (left) message, with right side data capture messages, with last (left) message. "Welcome to First Baptist Church! It's nice to see you again [First Name]. We'll send you an email soon with more info about First Baptist Church and some upcoming events. We look forward to getting to know you more! Have a great weekend!" (END OF CONVERSATION)
Existing contact - not first time texter - ALL messages are sent together as one (Read first (right) message, with right side data capture messages, with last (right) message. "Welcome to First Baptist Church! It's nice to see you again [First Name]. "Thanks for being here today! Have a great weekend!" (END OF CONVERSATION)
Existing contact - missing information - Most commonly, it is the email address, address or DOB that is missing. This one can get tricky and although, it is rare that this happens, it can happen occasionally. You can read the messages to see how it would flow if they received the right message of name capture, with left message of email, etc. For example - existing contact, but missing email: "Welcome to First Baptist Church! It's nice to see you again [First Name]. We would love to stay in touch! What's the best email address to reach you at? (We promise not to flood your inbox with emails)" (WAIT FOR REPLY), "We'll send you an email soon with more info about First Baptist Church and some upcoming events. We look forward to getting to know you more! Have a great weekend!" (END OF CONVERSATION).
Summary:
If you use:
First message, Name capture, email capture, and last message (most common combination), and all messages are under 160 characters, it will use 6 credits per person that texts.
First message, Name capture, Email capture, Address capture, and last message, and all messages are under 160 characters, it will use 8 credits per person that texts.
First message, Name capture, Email capture, Address capture, Birthday capture, and last message, and all messages are under 160 characters, it will use 10 credits per person that texts.