Texting is likely the most effective way to communicate to a limited number of our most active volunteers. Along those same lines, it cannot be overused to protect our effective communication of call to action type of texts. Texting has a diminishing rate of returns, in that the more it is used, the less you can communicate with.


Guidelines and Best Practices for Texting:

• Never before 8am local time
• Never after 8pm local time
• Never use all CAPS in the message unless to highlight one word or phrase
• Always identify Convention of States by name in the message
• Always have an action item (a link when appropriate) for the person to do or for more information. Use https://tinyurl.com/ to create a shortened link for your blast.
• Never ask the recipient to “check an email” or similar (this is the communication, you have this opportunity only. If you need additional information given, build a landing page/post to provide that information as necessary)
• Remember this is a text ALERT system, not an FYI system, treat it like it
• Be sure to not use the “All people available to me” feature in building the text (this will create havoc for reviewers if they edit the original text and then just hit “send” without building a query for the recipients)