How to Create an SMS Triggered Send Definition

(Click the banner to go to the related Docs.Code.ExactTarget.com page.)

Before you can create an SMS triggered send definition, you must create a publication list and a data extension as well as create the SMS content in the content tab.

NOTE: When conducting an SMS send, you must specify both a publication list and a data extension. If you include subscribers on both the publication list and the data extension, all of those subscribers will receive the triggered send. To ensure that only the intended subscribers receive your SMS triggered sends, determine where you wish to store your SMS subscriber information (publication list OR data extension) and leave the other required element blank. For example, if you choose to store SMS subscriber information on a data extension, create and select a blank publication list to use as part of that send.

NOTE: You cannot see the subscribers on a publication list through the application interface. You can request a report that contains the subscribers on a publication list.

After you complete these procedures, you can initiate the SMS message send manually in the ExactTarget application or with the API.

Use the following steps to create the triggered SMS interaction.

1. Click the Interactions tab on the navigation bar.
2. Click Messages.
3. Click SMS.
4. Click Triggered.
5. Click the Create button from the toolbar.
6. Select the send type:
   • Send to single subscriber - Indicates that this SMS send goes to individual subscribers in response to a subscriber behavior. If you select this value, you do not select a data extension of subscribers to be the audience of the send. Use this send type for API triggered sends.
   • Send to a list of subscribers - Indicates that this SMS message goes to the subscribers on the data extension as well as those subscribed to the publication list.
7. Complete the information in the Properties section:
   • Name - The name of the SMS interaction. You use this name to identify the SMS interaction in the application. Subscribers cannot see the name.
   • External Key - A value you choose that uniquely identifies the SMS interaction. You use this value to identify the SMS interaction when using the API.
   • Description - The description of the SMS interaction. You use this description to further help identify the SMS interaction within the application. Subscribers cannot see the description.
   • Send Classification - The send classification the system uses for this interaction.
   • Destination Type - The data extension to receive the SMS message. This field appears only if you select Send to a list of subscribers.
   • Publications - The publication list that categorizes the message content. Subscribers who have opted in to the publication list will receive your SMS message, in addition to subscribers in the data extension. Subscribers who have opted out of this publication list or out of all publication lists will not receive your SMS message, even if the subscriber appears in the data extension.
8. Select message content in the Select New Content window. You can preview this content in the Preview window.
9. Click Save.

Follow the instructions below to initiate the send:

1. Click the checkbox next to the triggered send definition you wish to start.
2. Click Send.

If your normal workflow only adds subscribers to publication lists instead of data extensions, you can choose to use AMPscript to add information to a data extension. You can paste AMPscript into the success message of the field of the Send SMS interaction, using the sample below as a model:

%%[UpsertData("DataExtensionName",1,"SubscriberKey",MOBILE_NUMBER,"Phone",MOBILE_NUMBER)]%%Thank you for opting into our alerts. Approx 4msgs/mo, Msg&data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for help.

You can also choose to send to a blank data extension and retain all subscriber information on the publication list. If you wish to later remove the subscriber from the data extension, you can use the following AMPscript:

%%[DeleteData("DataExtensionName","Phone",Mobile_Number)]%%

This page was last updated by Ryan Williams on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:23:56 GMT.

If you require assistance with the ExactTarget application, please contact Global Support. If you wish to send Ryan direct feedback, fill out the form below:

Was This Page Helpful?
Suggestions or Comments:
Name (optional):
Email Address (optional):
Enter 16685 backwards: