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SMS Templates

SMS templates let you create reusable text messages for communicating with students and guardians via their mobile phones. Text messages are great for quick reminders, time-sensitive updates, and reaching people who may not check email regularly.

Creating an SMS Template​

  1. Navigate to Settings → Emails & SMS from the sidebar.
  2. Click Create Template.
  3. Fill in the template details:
    • Name -- A descriptive name for internal reference (e.g., "Lesson Reminder" or "Schedule Change Notice").
    • Body -- The text message content. Keep it concise -- SMS messages work best when they are short and to the point.
  4. Click Save to create the template.
tip

SMS messages are most effective when they are under 160 characters. Longer messages may be split into multiple texts, which can be confusing for recipients.

Template Merge Fields​

Just like email templates, SMS templates support merge fields that personalize each message:

Merge FieldDescription
{student_name}The full name of the student
{recipient_name}The full name of the message recipient
{recipient_first_name}The first name of the recipient
{organization_name}Your school's name

Example template:

Hi {recipient_first_name}, this is {organization_name}. Just a reminder that {student_name}'s lesson is tomorrow. See you then!

What the recipient sees:

Hi Sarah, this is Maple Street Music Academy. Just a reminder that Emma's lesson is tomorrow. See you then!

Editing an SMS Template​

  1. Go to Settings → Emails & SMS.
  2. Click on the template you want to edit.
  3. Update the name or body as needed.
  4. Click Save to apply your changes.

Sending SMS Messages​

You can send text messages to students and guardians from their detail pages in Conductly:

  1. Open a student or guardian's profile.
  2. Click the SMS action.
  3. Choose a saved template or compose a new message.
  4. Review the message and click Send.
info

SMS messages are sent to the phone number on file for the student or guardian. Make sure contact phone numbers are up to date for reliable delivery.

Lesson Reminders via SMS​

One of the most popular uses for SMS in Conductly is sending lesson reminders. You can create a template like:

Hi {recipient_first_name}! Reminder: {student_name} has a lesson coming up. See you soon! - {organization_name}

This helps reduce no-shows and keeps families engaged with their lesson schedule.

Best Practices​

  • Keep it short. Text messages should be brief and actionable. Save longer communications for email.
  • Include your school name. Recipients may not recognize your phone number, so always include {organization_name} so they know who the message is from.
  • Use merge fields. Personalized messages feel more thoughtful and are less likely to be ignored.
  • Be mindful of timing. Avoid sending text messages very early in the morning or late at night.
  • Respect preferences. Some families may prefer email over text. Pay attention to communication preferences when possible.
note

SMS messaging availability depends on your Conductly plan and configuration. Contact support if you need help getting started with SMS.