Use descriptive message titles for optimal deliverability across mobile carriers
f you are not already familiar with how to send a new message in SchoolNow, please read that article first as this article will build on it.
We have seen what looks like an otherwise acceptable message title be blocked by certain mobile carriers. At the time of this writing, Verizon has blocked text messages that read "Principal's Welcome Message" from reaching their subscribers. As AI is playing a larger role in detecting and mitigating spam, quirks like this are becoming more frustrating for busy administrators trying to communicate to their families.
Our goal is to assist you in some basic initial setup and troubleshooting ahead of time to ensure important messages make it out when you need them to.
As we've learned from the "Send a New Message" article linked above, we understand that the shorter message title that we enter for a message is what is actually sent as the main text message to a mobile phone. (see #2 below). That is because we are limited to a lesser number of characters in a text message as we are in an email.
The longer message "Details" can be accessed and read when a user taps on the short link in the text message they received. SchoolNow lets you set up message templates so that you do not have to configure messaging and settings with every message. Instead, choose a template that has the recipients and default messaging pre-set. Then, when you use that template, you can make any additional changes during the compose process.
We recommend setting up a template for any "Principal Messages" and then test sending that message to a small test group of individuals in your school who use various mobile carriers in order to check deliverability ahead of time.
Instead of "Principal's Welcome Message" being used for the message title that is also sent as a text, we recommend something like "Read a message from Principal Wilson," then send a test using that message template to your internal testers and confirm everyone received it.
It's a small step ahead of time that can save you headaches later down the road. Keep in mind however that AI and algorithms are always changing, and what works or doesn't work today, could change tomorrow. SchoolNow works ongoing to help identify these technology nuances and guide school administrators with the latest information we have.