SMS/Text Messaging Settings

Overview

This tab shows you information about the text messaging capability of your chatbot. More specifically, you will see certain capabilities such as enabling messaging that are toggled according to how your chatbot was set up during implementation. Each of these capabilities will have a brief description on the right-hand side of the page which explains the functionality. 

Area Codes

This area code should be the default area code associated with your organization's contact information. When your bot is initially set up, this area code will be used so that the bot can text contacts from phone numbers from the same area code. 

Phone Numbers

Contacts receive texts from your chatbots from these phone numbers. Depending on the number of contacts that your contracts permit you to text, you will see more phone numbers listed.

Accept Messages from Unknown Contacts

If toggled on, your bot will respond to any incoming message sent to your phone numbers, even if it’s from an unknown contact. When this setting is on, it is referred to as an "open bot", meaning anyone can text the bot's phone number to access it.  For a closed bot, only verified contacts have access to messaging with the bot. Contacts will get access after their information is uploaded to your Mainstay platform and an initial introduction campaign is sent. If you would like to change this setting, please contact your Partner Success Manager.

Introduction to Unknown Contacts

When someone that is not connected to any existing contacts in the Mainstay platform messages your bot, they will receive an introductory script. In this section, you can select the script that they receive. If you plan to collect contact data in this introductory script, you will be able to download it on the Campaigns page under "Aggregate Report: Introduction to Unknown Contacts".

Alternately, you can disable this altogether by toggling "Disable Intro Script for Unknown SMS contacts".

Voice Error Message

The Voice error message is used when a student tries to call your chatbot’s phone number. The message listed under this field is what is heard by the student calling the phone number. Like the message sent to an unknown user, Mainstay provides a default message but you are able to set a custom response. You can do this by toggling to Use custom message and type the message that you would like the student to hear when they call in. 

Allowed Hours for Campaigns

See Allows Hours Settings for more information about controlling what time your Campaigns can send.

Notes

Some of the options in the tabs of the Settings page cannot be modified, and these are marked with a lock image.

If you have any questions about these options or settings, please contact your Partner Success Manager for more information.