Best Practices

Follow these best practices to create EchoWords that are effective, engaging, and compliant with SMS regulations.

Code Selection

Keep Codes Short and Simple

EchoWord codes should be easy to remember and type:

Aim for 3-10 characters when possible
Use familiar words or abbreviations
Avoid complex spellings
Make it easy to type on mobile keyboards

Good Examples:

"JOIN"
"SALE"
"INFO"
"EVENT"

Avoid:

"VERYLONGKEYWORD"
"XK9P2M"
"COMPLICATEDCODE"

Use Clear, Descriptive Codes

Make codes that clearly indicate their purpose:

Use words related to the action or campaign
Be specific when helpful
Consider your audience's familiarity
Match the code to the expected outcome

Good Examples:

"REGISTER" for event registration
"DEAL" for promotions
"MENU" for restaurant menus
"JOIN" for general opt-ins

Make Codes Memorable

Choose codes that are easy to remember:

Use common words
Avoid random character combinations
Consider brand or campaign names
Keep it relevant to the purpose

Status Management

Start with Paused for Testing

When creating new EchoWords:

Create in "Paused" status for testing
Test thoroughly before going live
Switch to "Live" when ready
Monitor initial usage closely

Use Paused for Maintenance

Pause EchoWords during updates
Temporarily disable for testing
Control when keywords are active
Avoid deleting when you might reuse

Action Configuration

Assign Relevant Autoresponders

Choose autoresponders that match the EchoWord purpose:

Welcome messages for opt-ins
Information for info requests
Confirmations for registrations
Promotional content for deals

Use Contact Groups Strategically

Organize contacts with meaningful groups:

Segment by interest or purpose
Use groups for targeted messaging
Plan segmentation strategy
Keep groups organized

Set Appropriate Expiration Dates

Use expiration for time-limited campaigns:

Set expiration for promotions
Extend for ongoing campaigns
Remove expiration for permanent keywords
Update expiration as needed

Phone Number Association

Use Specific Phones When Needed

Assign EchoWords to specific phones when:

Running separate campaigns
Testing on specific numbers
Different keywords for different numbers
Multi-channel strategies

Default to All Campaign Phones

For most use cases:

Allow use with all campaign phones
Provides flexibility
Easier to manage
Better for general keywords

Promotion and Marketing

Promote Consistently

Share EchoWord codes across channels:

Website and landing pages
Social media posts
Email campaigns
Print materials
In-store signage

Make It Easy to Find

Ensure codes are accessible:

Prominent placement
Clear instructions
Multiple touchpoints
Consistent messaging

Provide Context

Help recipients understand what to do:

Explain what the keyword does
Set expectations
Provide examples
Include instructions

Testing and Quality

Test Before Promoting

Always test EchoWords before wide promotion:

Send the keyword yourself
Verify autoresponder sends correctly
Check contact group assignments
Confirm opt-in processing
Test expiration if configured

Monitor Usage

Track how EchoWords are being used:

Monitor opt-in rates
Review autoresponder responses
Check contact group growth
Analyze performance data

Update Based on Feedback

Improve EchoWords based on results:

Adjust autoresponders
Refine contact groups
Update expiration dates
Optimize codes if creating new ones

Compliance and Regulations

Comply with SMS Regulations

Ensure all EchoWords comply with:

TCPA requirements
Carrier guidelines
Industry best practices
Your campaign's approved use case

Include Opt-Out Information

In autoresponders, mention opt-out options:

Include STOP instructions
Make opt-out clear and easy
Respect opt-out requests immediately
Follow compliance requirements

Be Transparent

Let recipients know what to expect:

Explain automated responses
Set clear expectations
Provide alternative contact methods
Be honest about what happens

Organization and Management

Use Consistent Naming

Follow naming conventions:

Use descriptive codes
Follow consistent patterns
Include context when helpful
Avoid generic codes

Document Purpose

Keep track of EchoWord purposes:

Document why each exists
Note where codes are promoted
Record expiration dates
Share knowledge with team

Regular Maintenance

Keep EchoWords current:

Review periodically
Update expiration dates
Pause or delete unused ones
Consolidate similar EchoWords

Integration Best Practices

Match Autoresponders to Purpose

Ensure autoresponders align with EchoWord purpose:

Welcome messages for opt-ins
Information for info requests
Confirmations for actions
Promotional content for deals

Plan Contact Group Strategy

Organize contacts effectively:

Segment by purpose or interest
Use groups for targeted messaging
Plan segmentation in advance
Keep groups meaningful

Coordinate with Campaigns

Align EchoWords with campaign goals:

Match campaign messaging
Support campaign objectives
Integrate with other features
Maintain consistency

Quick Reference Checklist

Before promoting an EchoWord, ensure:

[ ] Code is short, clear, and memorable
[ ] Code is easy to type on mobile
[ ] Autoresponder is relevant and helpful
[ ] Contact groups are appropriate
[ ] Expiration is set (if time-limited)
[ ] Phone number association is correct
[ ] Status is "Live" (if ready)
[ ] EchoWord has been tested
[ ] Compliance requirements are met
[ ] Promotion materials are ready