What is the Messaging System?
The messaging system is your communication hub for reaching out to contacts. Whether you need to send a quick email to a member, blast a promotion to all leads, or schedule a reminder for tomorrow, the messaging system handles it all.Key Features
Message Composition
- Rich text editor with formatting, images, and links
- Plain text option for simple messages
- Template integration for consistent messaging
- Recipient selection with contact filtering
Message Types
- Email messages for detailed communications
- SMS messages for quick updates and reminders
- Scheduled messages for future delivery
- Draft messages for saving work in progress
Recipient Management
- Contact filtering by type (members, leads, staff, contacts)
- Bulk selection with “Select All” functionality
- Individual recipient selection from contact list
- URL-based pre-selection for targeted messaging
Template System
- Pre-built templates for common messages
- Custom templates for your specific needs
- Template categories for organization
- Template variables for personalization
Message Tracking
- Delivery status (sent, delivered, opened)
- Read receipts showing who opened messages
- Reply tracking for conversation threads
- Message history with full audit trail
How It Works
1. Compose a Message
- Click Compose in the messaging section
- Select your recipients from the contact list
- Choose message type (email or SMS)
- Write your subject and content
- Optionally select a template
- Send immediately or schedule for later
2. Use Templates
- Go to Templates to manage your message templates
- Create new templates with placeholders
- Organize templates by category
- Use templates when composing messages
- Edit or copy existing templates
3. Track Messages
- View all messages in the Message List
- See delivery status and read receipts
- Track replies and conversations
- Resend failed messages
- Delete draft or failed messages
4. Schedule Messages
- Enable scheduling when composing
- Set date and time for delivery
- Save as draft if needed
- Messages send automatically at scheduled time
Message Statuses
- Draft - Saved but not sent
- Sent - Successfully delivered to recipients
- Delivered - Confirmed delivery
- Opened - Recipients have read the message
- Failed - Delivery failed (can be resent)
- Replied - Recipients have responded
Best Practices
Message Content
- Keep subjects clear and descriptive
- Use templates for consistency
- Test messages before sending to large groups
- Personalize content when possible
Recipient Selection
- Filter by contact type for targeted messaging
- Use bulk selection for efficiency
- Verify recipient lists before sending
- Respect contact preferences and opt-outs
Scheduling
- Schedule during business hours for better engagement
- Consider time zones for global audiences
- Use scheduling for promotional campaigns
- Save drafts for complex messages
Getting Started
- Set up your first template in the Templates section
- Compose a test message to a small group
- Explore recipient filtering options
- Try scheduling a message for later
- Check message tracking to see results