IMPORTANT: Before creating messages, please ensure that your initial settings are filled out completely. For assistance in setting up and reviewing your initial settings, click here.
Select which message type(s) you would like to use for your send (Phone Calls; SMS/TXT; and/or E-mail):
You can then select your message content entry method:
- Basic will develop the same message across all chosen channels
- Advanced will allow for you to define content differently per channel
The Advanced Formatting is generally recommended over the Basic option. The Basic option will not retain any formatting for Email messages and is intended to be used for Voice/SMS alerts only.
How to Create a Voice Message:
If you wish to use text to speech versus recording your message, check the box that reads, “Use text to speech for Voice Message” and type in the content you wish to include in your message.
To create a recorded message, uncheck the box that reads, “Use text to speech for Voice Message”. You will be prompted via an instructional wizard to record your message after you save your alert content.
Important: Even if you are not using text to speech, it is required that you place the content of your call script into the message content box for your later recording. This will also allow you to have a reference point during the recording options section. In addition, if you do not enter content into this box, you will not be allowed to save your alert.
Type the content of your message into the message content box.
Click “Next”. On the next screen, you will be able to confirm the details of your message send. If you need to make changes, hit the “Back” button and adjust the details of your send.
Once you are ready to proceed with the message, click “Save and Continue”.
If you are going to be recording a voice message versus using text to speech, you will be prompted to record your message, either by using the toll-free phone number shown on the screen, or you can record your message via your computer’s microphone by clicking the “Record Now” button followed by the provided message code and your primary message.
Tip! If you are recording your message from your computer’s microphone, right-click on the top right hand side of your browser window to allow for SwiftK12 to access your microphone prior to recording.
After you have recorded your message, click ‘Next’.
You will be directed to the “What do you want to do with this alert?” screen. Here, you have three options:
- Test Alert to Yourself: Allows you to test the alert before you determine to launch now or to launch later.
- Launch Now(sends immediately)
- Launch Later (schedule date and time)
o Determine if you wish to run this once, weekly, or monthly. Provide specific date and time (AT: and On: parameter)
When you are satisfied with your Voice channel content, click Confirm Launch.
You have now successfully created and launched a Voice message through SwiftK12.
How to Create an SMS/TXT message:
Type the content of your short message into the Short Message content box.
The characters remaining count on the bottom of the short message content box is to be used as a strict reference because there is a limit of 160 characters for SMS messages. This includes up to 20 characters for the From SMS: name set in your messaging defaults. Messages that exceed 160 characters will not truncate or split.
Click “Next”. This is where you will be able to confirm the details of your message send. If you need to make changes, hit the “Back” button and adjust the details of your send.
Once you are ready to proceed with the message, click “Save and Continue”.
You will be directed to the “What do you want to do with this alert?” screen. Here you have three options:
- Test Alert to Yourself: Allows you to test the alert before you determine to launch now or to launch later.
- Launch Now(sends immediately)
- Launch Later (schedule date and time)
o Determine if you wish to run this once, weekly, or monthly. Provide specific date and time (AT: and On: parameter)
When you are satisfied with your SMS/TXT channel send, click Confirm Launch.
You have now successfully created and launched an SMS/TXT message through SwiftK12.
How to Create an E-mail message:
Type the subject of your email message, followed by the content of your message into the message content box. Please make sure to select the Advanced Content Entry option before sending an email.
The editing toolbar gives you a lot of flexibility in developing your message. You can change the font type, size and color; add bullet points, tables and more.
If you would like to include an image from your email stationery library, click the Image icon from the message content box. Then, select the Link tab, followed by Browse Server. Select the image you would like to include in the message content, and click OK.
If you would like to use one of your developed Email stationery options, click on the Templates option in the top-left corner of the message content box.
Then, select the appropriate Content Template from the selection shown on the screen. If you wish to replace the actual content in the existing message with your chosen template, place a checkmark in the box that reads “Replace actual contents”.
If you would like to add an attachment to your e-mail, click on ‘Add Attachment’ under the ‘Attached Files’ section. The wizard will advise you on uploading attachments up to 5MB, as long as your attachments are of the suggested format(s). To remove selected attachments, place a checkmark next to attachments shown, and choose “Remove Selected Attachment(s)”.
Click “Next”. This is where you will be able to confirm the details of your message send. If you need to make changes, hit the “Back” button and adjust the details of your send.
Once you are ready to proceed with the message, click “Save and Continue”.
You will be directed to the “What do you want to do with this alert?” screen. Here you have three options:
- Test Alert to Yourself: Allows you to test the alert before you determine to launch now or to launch later.
- Launch Now(sends immediately)
- Launch Later (schedule date and time)
o Determine if you wish to run this once, weekly, or monthly. Provide specific date and time (AT: and On: parameter)
When you are satisfied with your E-mail channel send, click Confirm Launch.
You have now successfully created and launched an E-mail message through SwiftK12.