Subscribe with Inbound SMS

Goal​

To allow new contacts to subscribe to a Mapp Engage group with an incoming SMS to the group.

Background Information​

New contacts can subscribe to a Mapp Engage group with an inbound SMS message. Contacts can subscribe to the group with an email address, mobile telephone number, or both.

One Mapp Engage group cannot handle both subscribes and unsubscribes via SMS because these processes require two different reply handling methods. Each Mapp Engage group can only have one reply handling method. If you want to allow both subscribes and unsubscribes via SMS, see SMS Program With Multiple SMS Groups​.

You cannot use the ​Initiate Event-based Automation​ reply handling setting for subscribes via SMS. The ​Message Reply Received (C)​ automation event only starts if the Mapp Engage recognizes the mobile number that sends the inbound SMS. Mapp Engage ignores incoming SMS messages from unregistered mobile numbers.

Prerequisites​

SMS messaging is an extra feature of Mapp Engage. Before you can send SMS messages, you must do the following.

1. Work with your account manager to register the necessary codes and keywords for SMS messaging. For more information, see ​SMS Code Types​.
2. Create one or more dedicated groups for SMS sendout. For instructions, see ​Create a New Group​
3. In the group settings, define the inbound mobile ID, outbound mobile ID, and reply handling. For instructions, see ​Define the Inbound Mobile ID​.

Inbound SMS Format​

Contacts can subscribe to the group with an email address, mobile telephone number, or both.

• ​Mobile:​ To subscribe to a mobile number, the inbound SMS does not need to have a special format. However, if the group uses a shared short code and keyword, the inbound SMS must contain the keyword. Mapp Engage subscribes to the mobile number that sends the incoming SMS message.
• Email:​ To subscribe to an email address, the incoming SMS must have the correct format. The format depends on the type of code or number you use. See the table for details.

To change their address and profile information in Mapp Engage, an existing contact must have the necessary permissions:

• Permission 208

• Permission 212

Example: You are a member of a group that is called Email_Newsletters. You are identified in the group with the email address joe12345@domain.com. You see an offer to text the word SALES and your email address to 88888 for discounts by SMS and a newsletter. You text "SALES joe12345@domain.com" to the mobile number 88888. In response, Mapp Engage adds your mobile number to your existing profile. For Mapp Engage to add the information, you must have guest permissions 208 and 212. If these permissions are not in place, Mapp Engage ignores your inbound SMS. For more information, see ​Contact and Guest Roles​.

Procedure

1. In the ​main navigation​, click ​Audience > Groups​.
2. In the ​Actions​ column, click the symbol.
3. Click the ​Reply Handling​ tab.
4. Expand the ​SMS​ area.

5. From the​ Replies ​drop-down list, select how Mapp Engage handles SMS replies.

    Details

   SMS Reply Handling Method	Description
   ​Treat as Mobile Subscribe Request​	Adds the mobile sender to the group and sends the system message ​SysMsgWelcomeToGroupPasswd​ via SMS. For more information, see ​Subscribe with Inbound SMS​.
   ​Treat as Email Subscribe Request​	Adds an email address to the group. You can use this setting to allow your contacts to subscribe to the group via email. ​Add Contact:​ ​With Notification:​ The added contacts are sent a confirmation message. This method conforms to single opt-in standards for email ​Without Notification:​ The added contacts are not sent any confirmation or welcome message by email. ​Invited:​ The added contacts are sent an invitation immediately after import. Contacts must accept the invitation by clicking a link in the email. Recipients who do not reply within 14 days are automatically deleted from the group. Recipients who have not yet accepted membership to the group are given ​Pending​ status. Pending recipients do not receive messages in the group. This method conforms to double opt-in standards for email. ​Store Mobile Number​ ​Yes:​ Stores the mobile number and the email address in the profile of the contact. This option is only possible when the mobile number is available. If you opt to store the mobile number and the email address, Mapp Engage sends the contact an additional confirmation message by SMS. Mapp Engage uses the ​SysMsgMobileEmailSubscribeSuccess​ system message. This system message is sent in addition to the notification or invitation that Mapp Engage sends via email. If you do not want to send a confirmation via SMS, suppress this system message. ​No:​ Stores only the email address in the profile of the contact. For more information, see ​Subscribe with Inbound SMS​.

   

   System messages for SMS must be enabled on your system. For instructions, see ​System Messages via SMS​.

    System Messages for Subscription by Inbound SMS

   Reply Handling Method			Sent to Contact by Email	Sent to Contact by SMS
   ​Treat as Mobile Subscribe Request​			–	SysMsgWelcomeToGroupPasswd
   ​Treat as Email Subscribe Request​	​Add without Notification​	Store email & mobile	–	SysMsgMobileEmailSubscribeSuccess
   		Store email only	–	–
   	​Add with Notification​	Store email & mobile	SysMsgWelcomeToGroup	SysMsgWelcomeToGroupPasswd AND SysMsgMobileEmailSubscribeSuccess
   		Store email only	SysMsgWelcomeToGroup	–
   	​Invite​	Store email & mobile	SysMsgInviteToGroupPasswd	SysMsgInviteToGroupPasswd AND SysMsgMobileEmailSubscribeSuccess
   		Store email only	SysMsgInviteToGroupPasswd	–

   

   If you opt to store the mobile number and the email address, Mapp Engage sends the contact an additional confirmation message by SMS
   (​SysMsgMobileEmailSubscribeSuccess​). This message is sent in addition to the notification or invitation that Mapp Engage sends via email. If you do not want to send a confirmation via SMS, suppress this system message.

6. Click Save. 

Related Topics​

​SMS Messaging​
Set Up SMS Messaging​
SMS Program With Multiple SMS Groups​