Listen to this article

Can Salesforce Send a Text Message? See How It Works for Education

One frequently asked question about implementing Salesforce is, “Can Salesforce send a text message?” The answer is Yes, you can send a Salesforce text message, but there is rather more to it. Therefore, although Salesforce does not feature an in-built texting tool, you can use several third-party applications and integrations to send and receive text-based messages within the Salesforce ecosystem. These third-party apps give the ability to manage the communication process through text blasts, which you can integrate into educational processes when dealing with large amounts of student data.

One of the most well-rounded and effective SMS applications available on the Salesforce AppExchange is 360 SMS, a solution that empowers education organizations to unlock the full potential of text messaging within Salesforce. The communication process becomes fast, efficient, and always in compliance with institutional requirements while synchronizing with Salesforce data and processes. Now, let us examine how 360 SMS can revolutionize the educational field and its means of interaction.

Making the Most out of 360 SMS Salesforce Text Messages in Education

360 SMS offers several powerful features that align with the communication needs of educational institutions. Below are key features and how one can apply them to address specific challenges in education:

1. Multi-Channel Drip Campaigns for Prospective Students

Admissions teams must ensure they engage prospective students correctly, which involves reaching out and building relationships with them. And this is where we can’t miss the multichannel approach. Do you know that the market of multichannel marketing is expected to grow $28.6 billion by 2030, which was just $6.96 billion in 2023? 

By integrating 360 SMS, educational institutions can easily create multi-channel drip campaigns to send notifications via text, WhatsApp, and more channels about open house events, application due dates, or scholarship availabilities. These messages can be quite sophisticated and given based on prospective student actions, with no opportunity for engagement left unfired. They are effective in leading the students through each step of the admission process while keeping them informed and engaged all through.

2. Link Tracking for Student Engagement

In education, it is quite useful to observe how a student or a parent navigates through the links to resources like course documents, registration for events, or even newsletters.

The link tracking option in 360 SMS enables an institution to identify the list of participants who have clicked on a link and followed through a call to action, such as a registration for a course or responding to an invitation for an event. This is particularly important in assessing communication and ensuring students and parents are accessing important information.

3. Message Automation for Streamlined Admissions

Flexibility is another aspect of 360 SMS, where institutions can automate different processes, including admission. For example, when an applicant applies, a series of Salesforce message responses may be activated to inform the applicant that their application is still being processed, has been verified, or lacks some documents.

This makes the admissions personnel and applicants efficient in their work, as they are updated in real time. Moreover, when an application is due, one can send reminders to ensure necessary actions on time.

4. Two-Way Messaging for Real-Time Interaction

Another essential feature of using two-way messaging in an educational environment is feedback and attendance messages and handling students/parents’ questions. As for 360 SMS, which enables educational institutions to send and receive text messages in Saleforce directly within Salesforce, it is a real-time, two-way messaging system.

For instance, universities may use this feature to allow students to contact the institution with concerns or inquiries about class registration. Schools may use this feature for parent-teacher communication and ensure that parents get answers to their queries quickly.

5. Bulk Messaging for Efficient Notifications

In general, using 360 SMS as a communication tool for sending notifications to multiple recipients, like a group of students on due dates of their assignments or participants of an event regarding the event schedule, is a great advantage of this service.

Now and again, you may have to remind hundreds of students about an impending exam or even pass information to parents concerning school closure, and this is where bulk Salesforce message comes in handy. This feature makes it optimal for sending alerts or important information that everybody needs to receive simultaneously.

6. Personalized Salesforce Text Message Communication for Better Engagement

One of the principles that can dictate the style and quality of interactions in education is ‘personalization.’ By using 360 SMS, institutions will be capable of sending messages specifically customized to address the students and parents by their names and indicate the particular courses or specific dates or needs regarding the institution.

For example, when a student registers, they can receive a welcome text message in Saleforce, or messages can be sent to students who are nearing graduation. Such a level of customization improves the overall communication experience and helps develop a better bond between the institution and the students.

7. WhatsApp Integration for Global Communication

Integrating WhatsApp as part of the communication framework may be vital for institutions where a significant portion of students come from different backgrounds or different cultural contexts. Educational institutions can utilize 360 SMS to set communication beyond standard Short Messaging Service and include WhatsApp which is commonly used by students and parents globally. This feature makes it possible to deliver messages to the respective recipients within the communication channel they prefer most. Thus boosting response rates.

8. Compliance and Data Security

Another important factor to consider in the process of sending out messages as an educational institution is the issue of data protection and privacy. The 360 SMS platform incorporates advanced compliance features that allow only compliant text messages in Saleforce to be sent to the intended users as per established laws such as GDPR. This not only helps the institution avoid legal liabilities but also assures students and parents on the safety of their information data.

With the robust features of 360 SMS, it’s clear that educational institutions can significantly enhance their communication strategies within Salesforce. However, as institutions explore SMS solutions, there are often additional questions they need answers to. Below, we’ll address some of the most frequently asked questions regarding text messaging in Salesforce for education.

1. How To Enable SMS in Salesforce?

To enable SMS in Salesforce, institutions need to install a third-party app, like 360 SMS, from the Salesforce AppExchange. Once installed, administrators can configure the app to integrate with existing workflows and communication processes.

2. Does Salesforce Have Messaging?

Yes, Salesforce supports messaging, but it requires third-party apps like 360 SMS to fully unlock messaging capabilities, including SMS, WhatsApp, and other channels.

3. What Texting Apps for Salesforce?

The market is flooded with texting apps for Salesforce, but one name stands out for its extraordinary features—360 SMS. From multiple channels to free support, that app has a lot to offer and can transform your Salesforce interactions. No matter your industry, you can easily upscale your interactions and drive the results you envision. 

Conclusion

Among the current challenges, effective communication is the most crucial in education. With products like the 360 SMS, which allows the installation of text messaging in Salesforce, institutions can redesign their communication process and enhance the critical operations flow. With features ranging from automated admission updates to student personal interaction, 360 SMS is an adaptable and economically accessible tool to address the general communication needs of the education market.

Learn how 360 SMS can enhance your institution’s communication and make Salesforce messages more rewarding. Discover the app today and transform your institution’s communication! Email us at care@360smsapp.com or click here to contact us.

Siddharth Sehgal

CEO

Siddharth Sehgal is CEO & Salesforce Communication Guru. He helps businesses grow exponentially by putting their Salesforce CRM on steroids with his unique techniques. He is on a mission to help businesses build deeper relationships with their customers.