Send a message with Connect

It's possible to send out messages using your Connect product. This article will show you how to send out messaging when that time arises.

Navigate to the Send a Message button in the top right corner.

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Or click on the Message Center tab to display the window below.

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Connect message types

Message Type > Emergency

Select message type "Emergency" when you want this message to get highest priority in the queue.

This message will be sent to all possible contact methods for selected recipients of this message.
Click Emergency to be guided through the emergency message creation process.

Important Note

Emergency messages go to ALL phone numbers, all emails, and all SMS numbers on file for selected contacts. The difference between Outreach and Emergency is only in the number of phone numbers dialed. They are the same when it comes to emails and text messages.

Message Type > Outreach

Select message type "Outreach" for messages such as announcements and news that will be sent out broadly. The majority of Connect messages are sent as Outreach.

Recipients will receive outreach messages via their preferred methods of contact.
Click Outreach to be guided through the outreach message creation process.

Enter the message creation process

The Send a Message screen will guide you through each step of the process.

Select the Message Type (Outreach, Emergency, or Attendance) you want to send.
Type a Title for your message.
Add Recipients next to the To... button or use Filters by clicking the + button to expand filter options.
Select and complete all Delivery Modes.
Select your timezone from the dropdown list.
Choose to send your message Now or Later.

Click Next to get ready to send your message out.

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Review and finalize your message

Review your message details. Click Edit Message to return to edit your message at any time.
Click the Send button to schedule and send.

Important Note

Until your message has a status of Completed, you can find your message by clicking on Outbox. You can Edit your message or Cancel it.
When your message shows Completed, you can find it and view delivery details by clicking on the Sent tab.

Delivery methods

Send a phone message

Outreach phone messages go to the primary phone numbers for selected contacts. Each contact can have one or two primary phone numbers.
Click the phone tab.
Select an available Caller ID from the "CallerID" dropdown.
Check the TTY checkbox to send the message to TTY-enabled devices (for speech and hearing-impaired recipients.
Add Audio: Click the Add Audio button to record a message from the script in the text box. Click Save Script to save your script for later use. Dial the toll-free number listed on the right side of the screen, following the voice prompts and providing the User Number and Message Box ID (located on-screen) when prompted.
Text-to-Speech: Click Add Text to include a computerized voice reading your message. Type your script in the text box. Click Save Script to save your script for later use.

Send an email message

Outreach emails go to all emails on file for selected recipients.
Connect can hold up to 4 emails per person.
Click the Email tab.
Select a From email address using the drop-down list.
Type a Subject in the Subject field.
Compose your message in the text box, using the Formatting tools to customize your email.
Save your script for later use or use the dropdowns below the text box to copy from another mode (Phone, SMS, etc.) or select a script that was previously saved.

Send an SMS (text) message

Outreach SMS (text) messages go to all SMS numbers on file.
Connect can hold up to 4 SMS numbers per person.
Click the SMS tab.
Type your text in the Text box, keeping to the 140 character limit.
Click to save or use the dropdowns below the Text box to copy from another mode (Phone, Email, etc.) or select a script that was previously saved.

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