Send a Text Broadcast
What is a text broadcast?
A text broadcast sends the same message to multiple contacts simultaneously through Text-Em-All's platform. This feature allows businesses to reach dozens to thousands of people instantly with announcements, reminders, alerts, or promotional content.
Text broadcasts achieve a 98% read rate and deliver within seconds, making them highly effective for urgent communications, marketing campaigns, and operational notifications. Recipients receive your message as a standard SMS on their mobile phones, creating direct, personal connection at scale.
How do I prepare before sending my first text broadcast?
Organize your contact information before creating your broadcast to streamline the process and ensure message accuracy. Having contacts ready saves time during setup and reduces the chance of sending errors.
Contact preparation options:
- Add contacts individually to your permanent contact list
- Upload a contact file with spreadsheet or CSV format
- Prepare phone numbers in a document for quick copy and paste during broadcast creation
Quick option: You can add contacts directly during broadcast creation for one-time messages without saving them to your permanent contact list.
How do I create and send a text broadcast?
Text broadcasts follow a four-step creation process that guides you from initial setup through final delivery. Each step builds on the previous one to ensure your message reaches the intended recipients successfully.
Step 1: How do I configure my broadcast settings?
Set the basic parameters that control how your broadcast behaves and when it delivers to recipients.
- Click the green Create Broadcast button in the top navigation bar
- Select Text Only as your message type
- Alternative options include Voice Only and Voice & Text broadcasts
- Choose your broadcast type:
- Announcement: Standard one-way text messages for updates or information
- Survey: Interactive messages that collect responses from recipients
- Set your delivery timing:
- Immediately: Sends as soon as you complete the setup process
- Schedule for the future: Choose a specific date and time for automatic delivery
- Enter a broadcast name for internal organization (recipients do not see this name)
- Select your Text Number if you have multiple phone numbers configured
- Click the blue Continue button to proceed to recipient selection
Step 2: How do I choose my broadcast recipients?
Select the contacts who will receive your text message using the method that best fits your current workflow and contact organization.
| Method | Best for | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Add from Contacts | Regular communications | Select from phone numbers saved in your Contacts section |
| Paste from Clipboard | Quick one-time messages | Copy and paste phone numbers directly from other applications |
| Upload a File | Large lists or new imports | Import spreadsheet or CSV files with contact information |
| Add Individually | Small groups or testing | Type phone numbers manually using the provided form |
After selecting your recipients, click the blue Continue button to move to message creation.
Step 3: How do I create my broadcast message?
Compose your text message content using clear, actionable language that tells recipients exactly what they need to know or do. Keep your message concise while including all essential information.
Message composition guidelines:
- Write directly and personally to your audience
- Include specific details like dates, times, or contact information
- Place links at the end of your message for clarity
- Stay within character limits to control message costs
Optional enhancements:
- Attach images: Add photos, logos, or graphics to create MMS messages
- Save as template: Store your message as a reusable template for future broadcasts
- Use saved messages: Access previously created content from your message library
Click the blue Continue button when your message content is complete.
Step 4: How do I review and send my broadcast?
Verify all broadcast details before delivery to prevent errors and ensure successful message delivery. This final review step catches mistakes before your message reaches recipients.
Review checklist:
- Recipients: Confirm the correct contacts are selected
- Message content: Check spelling, grammar, and accuracy
- Delivery timing: Verify immediate or scheduled send time
- Sender information: Confirm the correct phone number is selected
- Character count: Ensure message fits within your plan limits
Complete your broadcast by clicking:
- Send Broadcast for immediate delivery
- Schedule Broadcast for future delivery at your specified time
What happens after I send my text broadcast?
Your broadcast enters the delivery queue and begins sending according to your timing settings. Text messages typically deliver within seconds and appear in recipients' standard SMS applications.
Monitoring your broadcast:
- Track delivery status in real-time through your account dashboard
- View detailed delivery reports showing successful sends and any failures
- Monitor recipient responses and engagement through the inbox feature
- Access comprehensive analytics including read rates and response metrics
- Handle opt-out requests automatically through built-in compliance features
Your completed broadcast appears in your account history for future reference, reporting, and analysis purposes. You can use this data to improve future messaging campaigns and track communication effectiveness over time.
What should I know about message limits and costs?
Understanding Text-Em-All's credit system helps you plan broadcasts effectively and manage messaging costs. Different message types and lengths consume credits differently.
Credit consumption rules:
- Standard texts: Charged in 160-character segments
- Monthly plans: Include 320 characters per message, expandable to 960 characters with Enhanced Text Messaging
- Pay-as-you-go: Maximum 1,600 characters per message
- MMS messages: Require additional credits for images or multimedia content
Plan your message length to optimize costs while delivering your complete message effectively.