Emergency text alert system

What is a text alert system?

A text alert system is software that enables business owners or organization management to send important alerts and updates with SMS. Whether it’s an emergency or just a quick reminder, texting ensures that everyone on your list gets the message in a timely manner.

Why should you use our text alert system?

Now that you know how to use a text alert service, the question is, what’s in it for your organization?

1. You can add multiple users.

With SimpleTexting, you can add multiple members of your team onto one account so you don’t have to handle your SMS efforts alone. You can even set individual levels of access for each member.

2. You can send mass texts or have one-on-one conversations.

SimpleTexting is an all-in-one texting platform, which means you have the option to send mass text messages to most or all of your subscribers and to handle two-way conversations through your inbox.

3. You can schedule alerts in advance.

Already know what text alerts you need to send? Write your message, choose the list you want to send it to, and schedule it for later.

What should you send through a mass text alert system?

While use cases vary from one organization to another, here are some common use cases we’ve seen in businesses and nonprofits.

Schedule or facility changes

When an event is canceled or an unplanned closure happens, your audience is going to want to know. Fire off a fast mass text to give your subscribers a heads-up, and don’t forget to include any details they may need, like how long the change will last or whether events will be rescheduled.

Staff updates

This is a good idea when staffing plans change at the last minute, such as when someone calls in sick or assignments change without warning. Let your employees know about the change as soon as possible (and keep an eye on your inbox for incoming questions).

Special event announcements

Text alerts don’t always have to herald disaster. Send out an alert when a planned event is coming up to make sure your attendance list stays full.

See something/say something programs

Texts can also help you keep your locations safe. You can hang fliers with a text-to-join keyword that encourage staff or visitors to text a specific word to your number to report issues or suspicious behavior.

Reservations

If you accept reservations, you can have your visitors set their reservations up on your site, and confirm those reservations by text confirmation.

Reminders

Send out appointment or event reminders to your subscribers ahead of scheduled occasions. Aim for one reminder a week before and another 24 hours before to reduce no-shows.

Volunteer and staff scheduling

If your event is coming up and you’re still a few hands short, send out a link to your scheduling site and encourage your subscribers to sign up for a shift. You can even encourage them to respond back with any questions they may have.

Confirmation texts

When one of your contacts takes an action on your site or regarding your organization (like booking a reservation, shift spot, or appointment), let them know that you’ve registered that action with a confirmation text. This helps everyone stay on the same page.

Outages

Power or service outages are a pain, but they happen. When they do, let your customers, staff, or colleagues know with a quick alert text. Let them know what’s happened, how long it’s expected to last, and which backup plans are in place.

How to use a text alert service

You can easily start up your own text alert system in three easy steps. Here’s how it’s done.

1. Grow or upload a contact list

Import an existing list of contacts into your SimpleTexting account as a CSV or Excel spreadsheet. You can also choose an opt-in method to gather text subscribers.

2. Create your text alert message

Write out your message and include any necessary links using the link shortener.

3. Send your message or schedule it

When you’re ready, send your message immediately or schedule it for a set date and time in the future.

Real results from customers who use our mass text alert system

Fitness

The YMCA of South Hampton Roads Uses SMS to Improve the Member Experience

With SimpleTexting, the YMCA of South Hampton Roads can send time-sensitive updates and booking confirmations to its members.

Read their success story

Healthcare

NHC Manages Their 50 Locations Through One SMS Platform

Janet Broadrick has mastered the art of internal communications with a distributed workforce. Learn about how she uses SMS.

Read their success story

Entertainment /Events

Soul Focus Sports Uses SMS To Get Runners To The Starting Line

Learn how Soul Focus pulled off a one-of a kind event in New York City thanks to the organizational power of text messages.

Read their success story

Text alert system FAQs

If you’ve still got questions about running a text alert system, we don’t blame you. Here are a few common questions we’ve heard.

What is a text alert system?

A text alert system is a way for you to get important information out to your SMS contacts over a text message, simple as that.

How do I set up a free text alert system?

While you can set up a free text alert system using sites like Textfree or Send SMS Now, you do need to be careful. Those sites can often lack important security features and you may be limited in the type or number of texts you can send. It’s always worth looking for a paid platform that fits your budget.

How do I set up text alerts?

You can set up text alerts easily in your SimpleTexting account through the Campaigns tab (in the case of mass texts) or the inbox (if it’s a one-on-one alert).

How do I set up text alerts on my iPhone?

Luckily, SimpleTexting has an iPhone app so you can follow the very same processes on your iPhone as you do on your desktop.

How do I set up mass text messaging?

You can set up mass text messaging through your Campaigns tab by starting a new campaign, writing out your message, and choosing which contact list will receive it, then sending it immediately, scheduling it for the future, or setting it as recurring.