A data capture (FKA autoresponder) is used with groups. It's the essential part of a good relationship and the core module we used in our famed DigitalConnectTexts.com. Besides keeping the conversation going, a data capture is a great way to collect data. At the moment, PastorsLine can capture the texter’s name, email, and birth date.
Here's how a data capture works:
A first-time guest joins a small group.
The data capture which you previously set up acknowledges their signup and welcomes them to the fold.
It then interacts with them to capture their contact information.
Pro tip
If you have already created a group with a keyword (recommended), in the edit group screen, instead of clicking "save", clicking "Save and Collect More info" will automatically create a new data capture linked to this group and keyword.
If using this method, jump to step 5 below.
UPDATES
2023.12.10 -- VIDEO FILE PICKER
In line with our new addition of a video library (see this update for more details), we have added a video file picker.
Click on this and the Videos pop-up box will display. This box will show you all the videos listed in your video library (if any) and allow you to upload a new video.
Creating a NEW Data Capture from scratch:
To edit an existing data Capture, follow this article HERE.
Written walkthrough follows this video.
The video below shows another way to get to a new contest campaign page. However, once you are there, the create process is the same.
WRITTEN WALKTHROUGH
| After you log in to PastorsLine...
Step 1 Click on Create New (top item in left-hand most column). The Create New box will open.
Step 2 By default, you will be in the All tab. You can search for your campaign type here OR... |
| Step 3: Click on the Campaigns tab. This will narrow down your options for easier selection.
Step 4: Click on Data Capture. |
The Add New Data Capture page will open.
STEP 3:
Name this campaign:
STEP 4:
Select the already created group you want to use with this data capture from the list (see red circle in image below) or choose to create a new group (see red arrow in image below):
Note...
 | Only groups which have NOT already been linked to a Data Capture will appear in the dropdown menu. |
STEP 5:
Keyword settings
Click "Add Keyword(s)" to expand your options.
As you can see in the screenshot below, you have two options - you can send via your local, 10-digit PastorsLine number (or one of them if you have several), or our PastorsLine shared short code. *if you choose the short code option, you must request the keyword you want to use before setting this up.
Step 5 Option I: Sending via a local number
1. Make sure Local Numbers is purple. Toggle on the Turn on the keyword option for this tab button (will turn purple). The following form will open up.
2. Choose the number you wish to send from. This is for display only - whatever number they text the keyword to is the number the messages will be from.
3. Type in the keywords you wish to use.
4. Set your first message for new users in this group (left-hand side) and "repeaters" (right-hand side). [For more information about new user vs "repeater", please click here.]
Use a template or compose a message. Our message might be, ‘Welcome to our church. We are glad you visited with us today.’
*For those returning subscribers ("repeaters"), type a different, more personal message. Perhaps ‘Welcome back. You are already connected to the group.’
Step 5 Option II: Sending via the PastorsLine shared short code (not recommended)
1. Make sure Short code (77411) is purple. Toggle on the Turn on the keyword option for this tab button (will turn purple). The following form will open up.
2. Click in the "Assign short code keyword(s) you own" field and a list of the Keywords you have purchased or requested from PastorsLine will show (IF they are not already in use on your account). [For more information about free vs short code keywords, please click here.]
3. Set your first message for new users in this group (left-hand side) and "repeaters" (right-hand side). [For more information about new user vs "repeater", please click here.]
Use a template or compose a message. Our message might be, ‘Welcome to our church. We are glad you visited with us today.’
*For those returning subscribers ("repeaters"), type a different, more personal message. Perhaps ‘Welcome back. You are already connected to the group.’
STEP 6: Editing the first Message
For additional information on how the left and right sides of the data capture work, check out this article HERE.
For a "Ninja Trick" on leaving the first message blank (it is also mentioned in the video at the top of this article), check out this article HERE.
The LEFT side of the first message:
This is the message a "NEW TO THE GROUP" person will receive. ex. "Thanks for signing up to receive our Church updates texts!"
The RIGHT side of the first message:
This is the message a "ALREADY IN THE GROUP" person will receive. ex. "You are already listed to receive our Church updates texts! Thanks for making sure!"
Leave these blank to skip sending a message here.
You might see these icons a lot. Here is what they mean:
Templates - you can create and use templates to insert messages you might want to use multiple times. This saves you from having to type them over and over again.
Merge Fields - you can use these to insert the person's information like first name, last name, email, phone number, DOB, or address. This makes the message more personal feeling.
Link / URL shortener- Add shortened links or reuse links you have shortened previously. ONLY use this if the from number is the short code.
Pictures - add pictures to your message
Attachments - add files like PDF, .csv, Excel, etc to your message
Character counter - this counts the number of characters your message is (this updates live as you type)
SMS parts - this is an ESTIMATE of how many parts your message might be delivered in - this varies by carrier and out of our control.
Total credits - this is how many total credits your message with "cost" to send. This could vary depending on merge fields used and length of names, emails, etc, that are inserted into the message.
STEP 7: Editing the Capture messages
NOTE: The left-hand side of these messages cannot be left blank. If you leave one of them blank and try to save, you will get an error message: "Ensure that there are no blank LEFT hand messages in any data capture step. Please doublecheck your messages. Note that the first and last messages do not need to meet this requirement.
Scrolling through the data capture template will show where there are blank messages.
Restore the PastorsLine default by clicking on the purple Restore Default option.
RIGHT... Let's continue...
Name, Email, Address and / or Birthday capture. The process is the same for all four of these options. Decide which you want to use and toggle that section to "On". Then click to expand the section to edit the messages. *Only phone number, first and last name and email info will sync with any of the ChMS programs we integrate with.
For additional information on how the left and right sides of the data capture work, check out this article HERE.
The left and right sides for all of these sections work the same way:
The LEFT side of the capture message:
This is the message a contact who is missing the requested info will receive. ex. If you are on the name capture step- this is the message that will be sent to the person IF you do not already have their name on file. Same with email, address, and birthday. "We would love to put a name to a number! Please reply with your first and last name"
The RIGHT side of the capture message:
This is the message a contact who is NOT missing the requested info will receive. ex. If you are on the name capture step- this is the message that will be sent to the person if you DO already have their name address on file. Same with email, address, and birthday. "Nice to see you again, [First Name]!" OR leave this blank to skip sending a message to them at all.
Always leave this right side message "ON" unless you want the left side to be sent EVERY time someone goes through this data capture - this should only ever be turned to "OFF" if you are wanting people to give you updated info which will override any existing info you have in your database for them already. Ex. Directory update campaign:
STEP 8: Editing the Last Message.
We do recommend turning this on - it acts as a final, closing message that ends the conversation naturally after they have replied with their email address.
Last message works the same as the first message. For additional information on how the left and right sides of the data capture work, check out this article HERE.
The LEFT side of the first message:
This is the message a "NEW TO THE GROUP" person will receive. ex. "Thanks again for signing up to receive our church update texts! We will be reaching out soon!"
The RIGHT side of the first message:
This is the message a "ALREADY IN THE GROUP" person will receive. This is the message someone will receive if they have texted before, or were already in the group before they texted again. In most cases, the same message from the right side can and would apply to the left side.
You can either turn the right side "OFF" so the left message is sent every time:
or copy and paste the message from the left into the right side (or of course tweak the message for the returning texters):
STEP 9: What do you want to do next?
This is your opportunity to automatically add these people who have gone through the data capture into an automated message campaign (AMC) you have already created.
Toggle this "ON" if you want to add them to an AMC. If you do not want to add them to an AMC, skip to Step 10.
Then choose from two choices:
Send immediately for new contact (not recommended) - Use this option only IF you want to send these contacts into your AMC IMMEDIATELY - before they have completed the date capture responses. In most cases, this is not recommended since they may not finish the data capture before they start receiving messages from the AMC. Also, if you are using merge fields, their name would not be used in the AMC messages if it was not already in the database.
Send after getting contact information - Use this to add them to the AMC after they have completed all the data capture messages. This ensures you have all the correct information before adding them to the AMC.
Next, choose the AMC you want to add these people to (the AMC must already be created to select it from this list):
STEP 10: Click SAVE
