MemberX SMS blasts
Overview
MemberX → SMS blasts sends a text message to members who opted in, either everyone or one interest group, now or at a scheduled time. Blasts are sent from your connected Twilio SMS number, and every blast ends with "Reply UNSUBSCRIBE to stop these texts." Owners and Admins can use this page.
Steps
Send or schedule a blast
- Go to MemberX → SMS blasts.
- Type the Message. The counter shows the length including the unsubscribe footer and how many SMS segments each member receives.
- Under Send to, pick All opted-in members or an interest group. The recipient count updates as you choose.
- Set Send at in your club time zone. Leave the default to send within a minute.
- Click Schedule blast.
Change or cancel a scheduled blast
- In the list, click Edit on a Scheduled blast, change it, and click Save changes.
- Or click Cancel. Once a blast starts sending it can't be changed.
Check delivery
After sending, the Delivered column shows how many texts went out. Click Recipients to see each member and any error.
If sending is interrupted, for example while the service restarts, the blast stays Sending and picks up again automatically within about five minutes. Members who already got the text aren't texted again. A member whose text was being handed to Twilio at the moment of the interruption is marked failed with "delivery outcome unknown" instead of risking a second text.
Tips
- Recipients are active members with a mobile number and Receives SMS blasts ticked. The list is taken when the blast sends, not when you schedule it.
- Members who text UNSUBSCRIBE or STOP are switched off automatically. Twilio also blocks further texts to numbers that sent STOP.
- Emoji and some special characters shorten each SMS segment from 160 to 70 characters, which raises your Twilio cost.
- If the page warns that no Twilio SMS number is connected, add one under Chat → Channels.