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Text-in Keywords

* Page referenced in this article: text keywords page.

Text-in keywords let contacts text a word or phrase to one of your LeadCenter virtual phone numbers. When someone texts the keyword, LeadCenter captures the contact, subscribes them to the keyword, and sends the reply message you selected.

You can use text keywords for campaigns such as seminar registration, radio or TV calls-to-action, social media campaigns, giveaways, exclusive offers, and follow-up requests.

How Text-in Keywords Work

1. You create a text message template.
2. You create a keyword and connect it to one of your virtual phone numbers.
3. You promote the keyword and number in your marketing.
4. A contact texts the keyword to the number.
5. LeadCenter captures the contact and sends the selected reply message.

Create the Reply Message Template

1. Go to SMS Templates.
2. Create the text message you want contacts to receive after they text the keyword.
3. Save the template.

Create a Text Keyword

1. Go to Text keywords.
2. Click New keyword.
3. Enter the keyword contacts should text.
4. Select the virtual phone number that should receive the keyword.
5. Select the text message template contacts should receive.
6. Save the keyword.

Do not use reserved keyword words such as stop, quit, start, or help.

Promote the Keyword

Promote the keyword anywhere your audience will see or hear it.

• Radio ads
• TV ads
• YouTube videos
• Social media posts
• Seminar slides
• Printed mailers
• Landing pages

For example: Text RETIRE to 555-123-4567 to reserve your seat.

What Happens When Someone Texts the Keyword

• LeadCenter captures the contact information available from the text message.
• The contact is subscribed to that keyword.
• The contact receives the reply message template you selected.
• The activity is available in the contact communication history.
• The Source is based on the virtual phone number connected to the keyword.
• The Medium is set to SMS.

Note: Someone who texts an active keyword gets its reply every time, even if they've used that keyword before. They're counted as a subscriber only the first time.

Using Keywords with Workflows

You can use keyword captures to start follow-up automation. For example, when a contact texts a seminar keyword, you may want to create a task, send an email, notify a team member, or move the contact into a specific follow-up process.

Use the available workflow triggers and conditions in your account to build the follow-up process. If you are using a stage-change workflow, use the Contact updated trigger and watch the Stage field.

Best Practices

• Keep keywords short. Short words are easier to remember and less likely to be mistyped.
• Use clear calls-to-action. Tell people exactly what to text and what they will receive.
• Use one keyword per campaign. This makes reporting and follow-up easier.
• Test before launch. Text the keyword yourself and confirm the contact, message, and Source are correct.
• Keep the reply message simple. Include the next step, confirmation, or link the contact needs.

FAQs

Can I use the same phone number for multiple keywords?

Yes. A virtual phone number can have multiple keywords as long as each keyword is unique.

What happens if someone texts STOP?

STOP and similar words are reserved opt-out commands and should not be used as marketing keywords.

Can I change the reply message later?

Yes. Update the template or select a different template for the keyword.

Can I track which campaign generated the text?

Yes. Use one keyword per campaign and connect the keyword to the appropriate virtual number and Source setup.

Related Articles

• SMS Templates
• Marketing Sources and Channels
• Marketing Mediums