A Source is how contact information is shared in Broadcast. It is the first step in obtaining consent. Once contacts from your sources have given consent to receive your text messages, you can sort them into texting lists that will be the target of your Broadcast messages.
Adding a Source is only the first step toward consent. Each source, once set up, will have a unique link that you must share with your contacts to obtain their consent. Once they have given their consent, you will see the opt-in counts rise in your Source Overview.
You can have multiple sources that can be used to create Texting Lists for a Broadcast. In this article, we discuss different types of sources, how they can be created, and how to access them.
To configure a new Source, head to Broadcast > Sources and press ➕ New Source. Here, you can either choose to create Sources from: Excel or CSV files, Webhooks, or pull from your CRM.
Excel / CSV file
Creating an Excel Source is a very simple process. Once you are on the Creating a New Source page, select the Excel option and follow the steps below.
Name your new source
Choose the file to import (you can also use the template provided by us to customize your file before uploading it).
Map the fields accordingly: Basic / Address / Additional Details
Press Next
Preview the Opt-In Page message. You can edit and modify the Opt-In Message within this field and it will appear as you have written on your custom opt-in landing page. However, the Opt-out Confirmation message is a default one and cannot be modified.
Save it by hitting Complete, and your new Source is created
Webhook
A webhook is a way to get real-time information. The most common method is a web form: when the form is completed, the Webhook triggers the information to be sent via a special email with the required fields, creating an immediate contact.
Configuring a Webhook takes a few easy steps:
Name the new source - Give this webhook-based list an easy-finding name
Preview the Opt-In Page (you can edit and modify the Opt-In Message within this page.)
Press Complete
The Post Guide step offers you the submission information: for an Email and for a POST Request. Copy and paste them where you need them to be used.
These Examples in webhooks are editable, but you have to remember that the phone number field (for email) and first name, phone number, and email address (for POST Request) are mandatory, and each field has to be on its own line.
Get the information you need, and then send the email/post request to that particular link you copied from the form. Soon enough, this list will be populated with respondents.
In case you need to copy the links again, you can go back to Source > Source of interest and click on the blue ❔Submit button and you will have access to them again.
CRM (Podio)
CRM upload is available at the moment only for Podio Users.
Select the CRM option from the list and start mapping the fields required.
Name your CRM Broadcast source
Select the proper Workspace and Podio App to be used for the Broadcast
Podio Workspace
Podio App
Podio View Filter
Map the fields on the right side to be pulled into the source
Name
Last Name
Phone Number
Address
Press Next
Preview the Opt-In Page (you can edit and modify the Opt-In Message within this page. However, the Opt-out Confirmation message is a default one and cannot be modified.)
Save it by hitting Complete, and your new source is created
Accessing Sources
If you are still on the Broadcast page, simply select the Source tab from the left subnavigation menu.
If you are trying to reach the sources from the dashboard, head to Broadcast > Sources.
This will open a table of all your sources. You can sort them by Name, Total Contacts, Waiting Status, Opt-in/out respondents, and the Date that they were created. Also, you can ease your search by filtering them from the beginning by Status or Type.
Here, you can also see the Opt-in link and Archive a source if you no longer need it.
Once you press on a Source's name, you can see all the details contained therein: Full Names of the recipients, their status (waiting for a response from them, opted-in/out), and the phone number on which they received your message. Of course, filters are again available for an easy search.
You can press on a respondent's entry and see further details (if available) in a drop-in window.
Sources can also be removed from the list. Click the trash can 🗑️ and archive the ones you no longer find in use. Keep in mind that this action only adds them to the archive and does not delete them. In case you change your mind, you can always find them in Broadcast > Archived Sources.
