Adding a new opt-in path message

An opt-in path message is an initial conversation between your company and mobile users who may be interested in receiving further messages from you. Use opt-in path messaging to build a subscribers list.

Start with an opt-in path message in order to:

Obtain consent from the mobile user to receive messages from your company.
Qualify a mobile user on the basis of age, by setting minimum age requirements of 13, 18, or 21 years.
Qualify a user on the basis of location, by filtering mobile users based on home ZIP code.

Tip: For information on the requirements for contacting prospective users, see Obtaining written consent.

For opt-in path messages:

Create an opt-in path message
Review opt-in path settings
Clone an opt-in path message
Edit an opt-in path message
Deactivate an opt-in path message

For more information, see Working with opt-in path messages.

Creating an opt-in path message

To create a new opt-in path message:

Select Text Messaging in the left pane, and then select Campaigns.

Tip: The default short code is listed in the title bar.

If you have questions about the short code to use, contact your customer success manager.
Locate an existing campaign in the Campaigns table, and then select the campaign name link.

The Campaign Details page opens.
To review existing opt-in path messages, select the Opt-in paths tab at the bottom of the page.

The Opt-in paths table displays the opt-in paths available for the selected campaign. You can identify phone opt-in paths in the Type column.
Select Actions at the top of the page, and then select New opt-in path.

The New Opt-In Path form opens to Step 1, Details.
Enter a descriptive name for the opt-in path message.

Note: Even though this name is available to internal users only, take the opportunity to assign a descriptive name that is meaningful to your organization.
Under People will opt-in by, select Texting a keyword to your shortcode (shortcode) from their phone.
When you are done, select CREATE & CONTINUE.

The New Opt-In Path form opens to Step 2, Keywords.
Type a unique keyword or keyword phrase (between 2 and 20 characters) that users will text to opt in to the campaign.

Note: Keywords are not case sensitive.

As you type, the keyword is validated. In the text input field, type your desired keyword. As you type in the input field, the system should initiate a check to verify the availability of the keyword. If the keyword is available, a green labeled text “AVAILABLE” appears. If the keyword is taken, the red labeled “TAKEN” appears. If the system is still checking, it should show a blue labeled text “CHECKING” appears.

Note: You cannot add a keyword while it is in the “CHECKING” state.
Select the message type available for the keyword:
- SMS & MMS: Includes simple text messages (limited to 160 characters) and longer text messages (limited to 1600 characters) or attachments.
- SMS: Includes simple text messages only.
- MMS: Includes longer text messages or attachments.
Select ADD.

The keyword is added to the Keywords table. You can continue to add as many keywords as you need.
- To delete a keyword, select Delete icon at the end of the row.
  
  You can create an opt-in link to grow your list by using the Opt-in Link toggle option when creating a new Opt-in Path. Selecting this option displays all the fields you need to configure your opt-in link such as short URL, select keyword, message to go along with your opt-in link.
  
  Notes:
  - Short URL is not editable.
  - You cannot deactivate a created Opt-In Link.
  - The "Opt In Link" toggle appears only when the user selects "Texting a keyword to your short code from their phone" radio option in the Details stepper.
  - You must add at least one keyword to enable the Opt-in Link radio option. For the Opt-In Link, keyword is mandatory to enroll users into the campaign. Keywords are editable.
  - The following restrictions apply to the SMS/MMS dropdown in the Keyword stepper:
  - User cannot add an MMS keyword.
  - Only SMS keywords are allowed.
  - For SMS & MMS, the system will only consider SMS. The reason is that the keyword is sent as an MO, and MMS requires the user to add an MMS file on their end.
  - Engagement Link cannot be added within the Opt-In journey as the system allows users to create the Opt-In Link directly in the journey. The keyword is already associated, and when recipients click the link, their device is pre-filled with the keyword. Engagement Links can be sent via Broadcasts and added in the Conversation stepper of the broadcast journey using the Insert Link option.
  Short URL Dropdown
  - Displays list of available shorteners. You can select any one option.
  Select Keyword Dropdown
  - Displays all keywords available for this opt-in path. You can select only one keyword.
  Message Box: What message should go along with your opt-in link? The message has a maximum limit of 160 characters, and the character counter updates in real time.
  
  Insert Emoji : Enhance tone with emojis. To add an emoji, select  Insert Emoji. Scroll through the emoji library and select an emoji image to use. You can also use the search bar in the emoji picker to quickly find the emoji you need, making it easier to browse and insert emojis within the editor. Click the selected emoji to attach an emoji to the message.
When you are done, select CONTINUE.

The New Opt-In Path form opens to Step 3, Conversation. The opt-in path status is .

For more information on further steps, see Working with opt-in path messages.

The message is now active and available on the selected short code. Messages will be sent after users text the keyword to the short code.

Reviewing opt-in path settings

After you add an opt-in path, you can review the opt-in path settings.

Select Text Messaging in the left pane, and then select Campaigns.
Locate an existing campaign in the Campaigns table, and then select the campaign name link.

The Campaign Details page opens.
Locate the opt-in path in the Opt-In Paths table, and then select the opt-in path name link.

The Opt-in path page opens.
In the Opt-In Paths Actions panel on the right, select Edit Opt-in Path. The page opens to Details stepper where you can review the settings.
When you are done, select SAVE & CONTINUE.

Cloning an opt-in path message

You can also create an opt-in path message by making a copy of an existing opt-in path message.

To clone an opt-in path message:

Select Text Messaging in the left pane, and then select Opt-In Paths.
Locate the opt-in path message to copy in the Opt-In Paths table, and then select the opt-in path name link.

The Conversation page opens.
In the Opt-In Path Actions panel on the right, select Clone.

mCommons creates a copy of the opt-in path conversation.

The message is now active and available on the selected short code.

Editing an opt-in path message

To make changes to an opt-in path message:

Select Text Messaging in the left pane, and then select Campaigns.
Locate the campaign to edit in the Campaigns table, and then select the campaign name link.

The Campaign Details page opens.
Locate the opt-in path in the Opt-In Paths table, and then select the opt-in path name link.

The Conversation page opens.
In the Opt-In Paths Actions panel on the right, select Edit Opt-In Path.
Make your changes to the Details, Keywords, and Conversation steps.
When you are done, select SAVE.

Note: You cannot modify the campaign name.

Deactivating an opt-in path message

To deactivate an opt-in path message:

Select Text Messaging in the left pane, and then select Campaigns.
Locate an existing campaign in the Campaigns table, and then select the campaign name link.

The Campaign Details page opens.
Locate the opt-in path in the Opt-In Paths table, and then select the opt-in path name link.

The Conversation page opens.
In the Opt-In Paths Actions panel on the right, select Deactivate Phone Opt-in Path.

If you later decide to re-use the opt-in path message, you can reactivate it. For more information, see Reactivating an opt-in path message.