> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.fanaura.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Sending an SMS Blast

> Step-by-step guide to sending SMS text message blasts to opted-in fans, including audience targeting, message composition, throughput details, and compliance.

SMS blasts put your message directly on your fan's phone screen. With a 98% open rate (compared to \~20% for email), text messages are your most powerful tool for time-sensitive announcements.

Use them wisely, use them sparingly, and they'll drive incredible results.

## Before You Start

<Warning>Before you can send an SMS blast, you need two things set up first. Without these, you will not be able to send.</Warning>

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="A Provisioned Phone Number" icon="phone">
    Set this up on the [Integrations](/integrations) page. Fanaura provisions **local 10DLC** numbers (see [SMS Integration](/integrations/sms)). Blast speed follows your number's configured **messages per minute** (set when the campaign is created from your provisioned line).
  </Card>

  <Card title="Opted-In Fans" icon="user-check">
    You need fans who have explicitly opted in to receive SMS messages from you. Fanaura enforces this strictly — only fans with SMS opt-in consent will receive your blast.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Note>If you haven't set up SMS yet, head to the Integrations page and follow the phone number provisioning flow first.</Note>

## Creating Your SMS Blast

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start a New Blast">
    1. Navigate to the **Blasts** page from the sidebar
    2. Click the **Blasts** tab
    3. Click **New Blast**
    4. Select **SMS** as your blast type
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Audience">
    Choose which fans receive your text message.

    **Targeting Options** -- the same powerful targeting you get with email blasts:

    * **All opted-in fans** -- every fan who has consented to SMS
    * **Fan lists** -- curated groups (e.g., "VIP List," "Austin Fans")
    * **Location filters** -- target fans in specific cities, states, or countries
    * **VIP tier** -- Diamond, Gold, Silver, or Bronze fans
    * **Engagement filters** -- fans who engaged with your last campaign
    * **Activity filters** -- fans who presaved, bought merch, RSVPed, etc.

    <Warning>**SMS Opt-In Enforcement**: Only fans who have opted in to SMS will receive the message. Even if you select "All Fans," Fanaura automatically filters out anyone who hasn't opted in. The estimated recipient count reflects this — it only counts opted-in fans who match your filters.</Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Compose Your Message">
    Keep it short, personal, and actionable. You're landing in someone's text messages -- that's intimate territory.

    **Great SMS blast examples:**

    > Hey `{fan_first_name}`! New single "Midnight Drive" drops this Friday. Presave now and you might get a surprise: fan.fanaura.com/yourname/midnight-drive

    > NASHVILLE -- just added a second show on March 15. Tickets are live: \[link]

    > Flash sale! 30% off all merch for the next 24 hours. Code: LOYALTY. Shop: \[link]

    > Thank you for being part of this journey, `{fan_first_name}`. The album is done. Announcement coming tomorrow.

    <Info>**Character Counter**: SMS messages are sent in 160-character segments. The counter at the bottom of the composer shows your current character count, number of segments, and cost implication (each segment is billed separately).</Info>

    <Tip>Try to keep your messages under 320 characters (2 segments). Short and punchy performs best in SMS. A message under 160 characters sends as 1 segment and costs the least.</Tip>

    ### Merge Tags

    Personalize your text messages with dynamic content:

    | Tag                | What it inserts                |
    | ------------------ | ------------------------------ |
    | `{fan_first_name}` | The fan's first name           |
    | `{artist_name}`    | Your artist name               |
    | `{latest_title}`   | Your most recent release title |

    Merge tags count toward your character limit based on the average length of the inserted data.

    ### Link Shortening

    Any URL you include in your message is automatically shortened to save characters. Long links like `https://fan.fanaura.com/yourartist/midnight-drive` become compact short links that still track clicks.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review and Send">
    Before sending, you'll see a summary of:

    * **Recipient count** -- exactly how many fans will receive the text
    * **Message preview** -- your full message with merge tags shown as sample data
    * **Segment count** -- how many SMS segments per message
    * **Estimated delivery time** -- how long it will take based on your audience size

    Review all details carefully, click **Send** to begin delivery immediately, and confirm in the dialog that appears. Your blast begins sending right away.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Delivery and Throughput

### How fast messages send

Blasts use **batched sending**: each minute, Fanaura sends up to your number's configured messages-per-minute rate. Newly provisioned **local 10DLC** numbers often start with a **conservative** default; larger lists take longer until throughput is raised in line with carrier 10DLC limits.

**Estimate:** `estimated minutes ≈ ceil(recipient count ÷ messages_per_minute)` — the composer shows a preview when you send.

### Batched sending

<Info>Behind the scenes, Fanaura queues your blast and processes one batch per minute according to your line's configured rate.</Info>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Message Queued">
    Your message is queued in the campaign system.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Batch Dispatch">
    Each batch sends up to your configured messages-per-minute, then waits one minute before the next batch (carrier-safe pacing).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Real-Time Progress">
    Progress updates appear in real time on the campaign detail page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Campaign Complete">
    When all batches are complete, the campaign is marked as "Completed."
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Delivery Status

Each message in your campaign has a status:

| Status        | Meaning                                                          |
| ------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Queued**    | Waiting to be sent in the next batch                             |
| **Sent**      | Message has been dispatched to the carrier                       |
| **Delivered** | Carrier confirmed delivery to the fan's phone                    |
| **Failed**    | Message could not be delivered (bad number, carrier block, etc.) |

## SMS Compliance

<Warning>Fanaura takes SMS compliance seriously. Sending text messages to fans without proper consent violates federal law (TCPA) and can result in significant fines. Fanaura enforces compliance at the platform level.</Warning>

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Opt-In Required">
    You can only send SMS blasts to fans who have explicitly opted in. Fanaura enforces this at the platform level -- there's no way to override it.

    Fans opt in through:

    * Smart link forms (checking the SMS consent box)
    * Fan signup forms
    * Keyword opt-in (texting a keyword to your number)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Opt-Out Handling">
    When a fan texts **STOP** to your number:

    * They are immediately opted out
    * They receive a confirmation: "You have been unsubscribed. Reply START to re-subscribe."
    * They will not receive any future SMS blasts
    * Their opt-out is recorded with a timestamp for compliance
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Required Disclosures">
    When fans opt in, Fanaura's data wrapper screens include:

    * What messages they'll receive (marketing, promotional)
    * Approximate frequency
    * "Message and data rates may apply"
    * How to opt out (reply STOP)
    * Links to your privacy policy and terms of service
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="TCPA Compliance">
    Fanaura's SMS system is designed to comply with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA):

    * Prior express written consent required
    * Clear opt-in and opt-out mechanisms
    * Consent timestamps stored for every fan
    * Honoring opt-out requests immediately
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## What Happens Next

After your SMS blast sends:

* **Real-time progress** appears on the blast detail page
* **Delivery stats** update as carrier confirmations come in
* **Fan replies** appear in your Inbox (on the Blasts page, Inbox tab)
* **Full analytics** are available once delivery completes -- see the [Blast Analytics](/blasts/analytics) guide

## Best Practices

<Tip>**Less is more.** Don't send SMS blasts more than 2-3 times per month. Every text should feel special, not spammy.</Tip>

<Warning>**Time it right.** Send between 10 AM and 8 PM in your fans' timezones. Nobody wants a promotional text at 2 AM.</Warning>

* **Lead with value.** Every SMS should give the fan something -- early access, exclusive content, a discount, breaking news.
* **One link maximum.** SMS is not the place for multiple CTAs. One message, one action, one link.
* **Keep it conversational.** Write like you're texting a friend, not writing a press release. "Hey! New single drops Friday, wanted you to hear it first" beats "We are pleased to announce our forthcoming release."
* **Use merge tags.** A text that starts with your fan's name feels personal. "Hey Sarah" hits different than "Hey fan."
* **Watch your segments.** Stay under 320 characters when possible. Your message should be readable in a single glance.
* **Reply to responses.** When fans text back, they expect a reply. Check your Inbox regularly after a blast.