Create an SMS marketing list in ActiveCampaign

An SMS marketing list is a collection of contacts who opted in to receive your broadcast SMS messages. The SMS campaign builder in ActiveCampaign lets you personalize the content, create shortened links, insert images, and schedule your messages.

SMS lists also serve as a consent and communication management tool.

Once you create an SMS list in ActiveCampaign, you can add contacts.

Take Note

• You must purchase the SMS add-on to use this feature
• To use the SMS editor in ActiveCampaign, you must have a registered UK or USA number to send broadcast SMS messages
• You must have explicit consent to send SMS messages to your contacts, and those contacts must subscribe to an SMS list
• If you intend to send SMS messages to recipients in the USA, you are required to register for A2P 10DLC
• MMS is only supported in the USA. The UK does not support sending MMS messages

Create an SMS list

1. Click Contacts > Lists on the left menu.
2. Click "Add a list."
3. A modal window will appear. Complete the following fields:
   
   • Name
     Make the list name short yet descriptive. Note that contacts will be able to see your list name.
   • List Description
     Describe your list to your team. This description will not be visible to your contacts.
4. Under “Marketing Channel,” click the dropdown and choose “SMS.”
5. Click the "Save" button.

Add contacts to your SMS list

There are many different ways to add contacts to your SMS list. Click the links or read the steps below to learn more about each option:

• Create an SMS list subscription form
• How to import contacts from a CSV file
  
  • On the “Select Fields to Map” page, in the “Select lists” section, choose the SMS list you want to add the imported contacts to. You must create the list before bulk editing contacts. Learn how to create an SMS list.
• Bulk Edit
  
  • In the Bulk Editor tool, click “Add to a list” then choose the SMS list in the “Action” box. You must create the list before bulk editing contacts. Learn how to create an SMS list.
• Use the Contact Management Page
  Add existing contacts, one at a time, to an SMS list with the following steps:
  
  • Click Contacts.
  • Click the contact you want to add to an SMS list.
  • Scroll down to the “Lists” section.
  • Click “Add.”
  • Choose the SMS list you want to add the contact to.
  • Click “Okay.”