Personalise your SMS invitations

This article explains how to customise the text message and style of your SMS invitations

Personalising your SMS invitations is a great way to increase conversion rates. Customers are more inclined to interact with your invites if they feel familiar and match your brand tone of voice.

Follow the links below to learn more. 

How to pre-write your own message templates

How to change the message in a Single or Bulk invitation

Changing the style of the buttons in your invitations

Tips and things to remember when personalising your SMS invitations

Example SMS messages

How to pre-write your own message templates

Creating a custom message is easy. You can write and save up to 5 custom messages that can be used in future sends. 

1. Login to your betterbunch account.

2. Head to Settings on the bottom left of your dashboard.

3. From there, navigate to the Invitations tab.

4. Click Select Template and navigate to Custom 1 from the dropdown box.
5. Type your custom message into the text box. Don't forget to check out our tips first, though.
6. Select Update default SMS template to save.
7. We recommend sending a test invitation to check that you're happy with the change before sending your next invites.
8. If you're feeling creative, you can pre-write more messages for the Custom 2 template and beyond by repeating steps 4 to 7.

How to change the message in a Single or Bulk invitation  

If you are sending a single invitation to one customer or uploading a bulk invitation to a list of customers, you can edit the message used.

1. Begin sending your feedback invitation using the single invitation method or bulk invitation method.

2. Before hitting send,  select Edit Invitation.

3. Click Select a template and choose a pre-written template from the dropdown that best reflects this customer's journey.
4. Alternatively, if you want to write your own custom template, select one of the Custom templates from the dropdown and type your message into the textbox.
   Don't forget to check out our check out our tips first! 
5. Click Update for this send only to save your changes. 
6. Or, if you've had a change of heart and want to use this message for all future invitations, select the dropdown arrow and click Update for all sends going forward.
7. Review your invitation by checking the phones on the right of the screen, then Send Invitation. It's that easy!

Changing the style of the buttons in your invitations

Your customers are more inclined to interact with your invites if the style of the invitations matches your business brand because it will feel familiar.

Check out this article to learn how to update the style of your invitation buttons. 

Tips and things to remember when personalising your SMS invitations

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you're writing your custom messages.

• We suggest pre-writing up to 5 invitations to suit different customer segments. For example, one customer may have paid for your service, and another customer might have requested a quote for works. Personalising the message to address their customer journey can positively impact interaction. 
• Pro subscriptions include 250 SMS credits per month, and starter subscriptions include 100 credits per month.
  A 160-character message is equal to 1 SMS credit.
  If your message is between 161 and 320 characters, then it will use 2 credits (and so on).
  If you expect to reach your invitation limit, then we recommend keeping your SMS character count to 160 or less to avoid exceeding your monthly SMS limit. 
  If you expect to send less than 50% of your credits, then go for gold. We recommend you craft a custom template using 320 characters. 
  You can learn more about SMS credit limits here.
• Note that an email invitation does not have a character count. Therefore, if you want to send long, detailed feedback invitations to your customers, we recommend sending your invitations via email. 
• If you are struggling to keep within 160 SMS characters, consider abbreviating your business name to keep the message sharp. Think betterbunch rather than betterbunch Limited.
• Unfortunately, 160 SMS characters include your betterbunch URL/link and the unsubscribe message. 
• Reply stop to unsubscribe is a requirement of the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Act 2007, which means it has to stay.
• Remember, we need to adhere to Google's Prohibited and restricted content guidelines. This means your custom message can not contain incentives such as free services or vouchers in exchange for Google reviews.
• The highest converting messages are personalised messages that come from real people. Phrases like "your feedback really helps us learn and grow" are great. Phrases like "WIN a $100 voucher" are more likely to receive a click on the unsubscribe button.

Example SMS messages

Feel free to copy and paste the templates below into your custom messages or use them for inspiration when writing your own messages. 

Example template - Generic 

Hi {recipient_name}! The team from {business_name} here.

Thanks for choosing to work with us! 

If you have a minute, we'd really appreciate it if you could share your thoughts on our service through this link:

{invitation_url}

As a locally owned business, your feedback helps us offer the best service and get our name out there, so thank you. 

Example template - Direct  

Hi {recipient_name}! {business_name} here.

We are currently working to improve our online presence, and I was hoping you might be able to spare a minute to share your feedback on your experience with us. 

Please click the link below and follow the prompts to leave us a bit of feedback or a Google review 

{invitation_url}

Every review helps, so it's really appreciated.

Example template - It's been a while 

Hi {recipient_name}! {business_name} here.

We know it's been a while, but can you share your thoughts on the job we did here: 
{invitation_url}

Thanks, it means a lot!  

Example template - Hospitality  

Hi {recipient_name}! {business_name} here.

When you have some time, please share your thoughts on our venue & service here 

Example template - Generic

Hi {recipient_name}!

I just wanted to check that you're happy with our recent work. Can you please let us know your thoughts here:
{invitation_url}

We're proud of our high standards, and your feedback helps us maintain that, so thank you. 
The {business_name} team 

Example template - Advice  

Hi {recipient_name}! 

Thanks for coming to us for advice - we're always keen to help!

If you have a sec, please let us know your thoughts on our support through this link:

{invitation_url}

Hope to hear from you again soon! 

The {business_name} team

Example template - Quote 

Hi {recipient_name}! The team from {business_name} here.

Thanks for asking us to quote your job. 

If you have a second, can you please let us know how you found the visit through this link - 

{invitation_url}

As a locally owned business, your feedback helps us offer the best service and get our name out there, so it's really appreciated. 

Example template - Real Estate

Hi {recipient_name}! {business_name} here.

Welcome home! 

Can you please let us know what you thought on our signing and move-in process here:

{invitation_url}

Thanks for your time

Example template - Real Estate 

Hi {recipient_name}! {business_name} here.

We hope your move went smoothly. If you have a moment, can you please share your thoughts on our service here:

{invitation_url}

It has been a pleasure working with you.

All the best