SMS: let your AI sales agent text your leads
Your agent holds two-way text conversations with leads and runs campaigns by text instead of dialing, with the same persona and knowledge base as on your calls. Our team switches SMS on for your account, and US numbers need carrier registration before they can text.
- Two-way texting
- Text campaigns
- Same persona and knowledge
- Switched on by our team
What does SMS do?
Some leads would rather text than talk. Your agent reaches them in the channel they already check.
Two-way conversations
The agent texts a lead, reads the reply and answers, the same way it would on a call. The lead replies at their own pace.
Text campaigns
A campaign can be sent by SMS instead of dialed. Each campaign uses one channel, so you pick calls or texts for each one.
Text-only agents
Set an agent up to only text, for teams that do not want that agent placing calls.
One persona, one knowledge base
A lead who texts gets the same answers as a lead who calls. A lead who would rather talk can reach the agent by phone.
Opt-outs are built in
Every opt-out is recorded on the lead.
STOP stops texts
STOP, STOPALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, CANCEL, END, QUIT and the Spanish ALTO stop texts only, not calls.
HELP gets a reply
A lead who texts HELP gets an answer.
START turns texts back on
A lead who opted out can text START to hear from you again.
How do you set up SMS?
SMS is off until our team switches it on for your account. No number can text yet? Refresh phone numbers in Settings, or buy an SMS-capable number.
- 1
Ask us to switch it on
Our team turns SMS on for your account.
- 2
Turn on texting
Choose the SMS channel, or open the agent's SMS Settings and turn on Two-way SMS.
- 3
Number and opening text
Choose Use the same number for calls and texts or a Sending Number, then write the Opening Message (required).
- 4
Register your US number
Texting US leads needs carrier registration. Each number shows where its registration stands.
- 5
Test, then launch
Text yourself and reply, then create a campaign sent by SMS. If the number is not ready for US leads, you are told before anything is sent.
SMS, WhatsApp and phone compared
SMS
Two-way texts and text campaigns.
- Our team switches it on for your account
- US numbers need carrier registration
Replies to messages leads send, and calls over WhatsApp.
- Available on every account; needs a WhatsApp Business account with a registered number
- Replies follow WhatsApp's 24-hour window
Phone
Conversations by voice and call campaigns.
- Get a number from your dashboard
- Calling hours and rules for your campaigns
What should you know before you start?
US carrier registration
If the carrier reports that a number has not completed registration, US texting from it pauses on its own. Waiting texts are cancelled, and the reason is shown on the lead.
One channel per campaign
A campaign is sent by text or dialed, not both. Run a separate campaign for each channel.
Compliance is yours
Consent and messaging rules stay your responsibility. Only text leads who have agreed to hear from you.
Register early
Start carrier registration before you plan a text campaign, so you are not waiting on it at launch.
Write for a small screen
Tell the agent to keep texts short and ask one question at a time.
Say who is texting
Open with your company name and the reason for the text. You control how the agent introduces itself, including whether it says it is an AI up front, and you can tell it to always answer truthfully when asked.
FAQ
Still wondering about something? Ask us on the call. We'll build your agent while we talk.
Is SMS available on my account?
SMS is off by default. Our team switches it on for your account; ask us when you book a demo.
Can the agent run a whole campaign by text?
Yes. A campaign can be sent by SMS instead of dialed. Each campaign uses one channel.
Do I need to register my number?
To text US leads, yes. The sending number needs carrier registration, and each number shows where its registration stands and what to do next.
Does the agent know the same things by text as on a call?
Yes. It uses the same persona and knowledge base on texts and calls.
How do leads opt out?
Leads can text STOP at any time to stop messages. The opt-out is recorded on the lead, and START turns texts back on. Consent and messaging rules stay your responsibility.
Ask us to switch on SMS
Book a demo and tell us which leads you want to text. We will show you a text conversation with an agent and help you plan the setup.