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Overview

TelemanAI’s SMS marketing feature enables you to send bulk text messages to your contact groups. Deliver time-sensitive promotions, reminders, and notifications directly to your customers’ mobile phones with high engagement rates.

Bulk Messaging

Send SMS to thousands of contacts simultaneously

Campaign Scheduling

Schedule messages for optimal delivery times

Multiple Providers

Use Twilio or third-party SMS providers

Cost Tracking

Monitor SMS costs by country and provider

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Creating SMS Campaigns

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Basic SMS Campaign Setup

Start an SMS campaign with your contact group: 
// From SmsController.php:14-67 - Start SMS Campaign
public function start_campaign($campaign_id, $slug = null)
{
    $campaign = Campaign::where('id', $campaign_id)->first();
    
    // Check account balance
    if (check_balance($campaign->user_id) == false) {
        smilify('error', 'Insufficient balance');
        return back();
    }
    
    // Validate campaign configuration
    if ($campaign->group_id == null || $campaign->provider == null) {
        smilify('error', 'Campaign has no group or provider');
        return back();
    }
    
    // Check hourly quota
    if (check_quota_hourly($campaign->user_id, $campaign->provider) == 'crossed') {
        smilify('warning', 'Hourly quota crossed');
        return back();
    }
    
    // Verify Twilio connection
    if (check_twilio_connection(account_sid($campaign->provider)) == false) {
        smilify('error', 'Connection Failed. Please check with administrator');
        return back();
    }
    
    // Create SMS schedule
    $sms = new SmsSchedule;
    $sms->user_id = Auth::id();
    $sms->campaign_id = $campaign_id;
    $sms->group_id = $campaign->group_id;
    $sms->provider = $campaign->provider;
    $sms->start_at = Carbon::now();
    $sms->status = 'PENDING';
    $sms->third_party_provider = request('third_party_provider') ?? null;
    $sms->save();
    
    // Save message content
    if ($sms->save()) {
        $content = SmsContent::updateOrCreate(
            ['campaign_id' =>  $campaign_id],
            ['content' => request('content')]
        );
    }
    
    smilify('success', 'Campaign Started successfully');
    return back();
}
1

Create Campaign

Set up a campaign with a name and description
2

Select Group

Choose which contact group will receive the SMS
3

Choose Provider

Select your SMS provider (Twilio or third-party)
4

Compose Message

Write your SMS message (keep under 160 characters for single SMS)
5

Schedule or Send

Send immediately or schedule for a future time

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SMS Campaign Data Structure

-- From migrations/2023_04_19_190736_create_sms_schedules_table.php
CREATE TABLE sms_schedules (
    id BIGINT UNSIGNED PRIMARY KEY,
    user_id BIGINT UNSIGNED,
    campaign_id BIGINT UNSIGNED,
    group_id BIGINT UNSIGNED,              -- Target contact group
    provider BIGINT UNSIGNED,               -- Twilio provider
    start_at TEXT,                          -- When to send
    status TEXT,                            -- PENDING, RUNNING, COMPLETED
    third_party_provider TEXT,              -- Optional third-party SMS provider
    created_at TIMESTAMP,
    updated_at TIMESTAMP
);

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Sending Individual SMS

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Manual SMS from Campaign Interface

Send SMS to individual contacts during voice campaigns: 
// From CampaignController.php:495-593 - Send Individual SMS
public function send_sms(Request $request)
{
    if (demo()) {
        return response()->json([
            'status' => 'warning',
            'message' => 'This feature is disabled in demo mode'
        ]);
    }
    
    try {
        // Check balance
        if (check_balance(Auth::id()) == false) {
            return response()->json([
                'status' => 'error',
                'message' => 'Insufficient balance'
            ]);
        }
        
        // Format phone number
        $phone = phone_number($request->phone_number);
        if (substr($phone, 0, 1) != '+') {
            $phone = '+'.$phone;
        }
        
        // Validate phone number and check SMS cost
        $phoneUtil = \libphonenumber\PhoneNumberUtil::getInstance();
        $NumberProto = $phoneUtil->parse($phone, null);
        
        // Check SMS cost for the destination country
        $check_TwilioSms_Cost = TwilioCallCost::where('code', $NumberProto->getCountryCode())
                                                ->with('twilio_sms_cost')
                                                ->first();
        
        if (!$check_TwilioSms_Cost) {
            return response()->json([
                'status' => 'error',
                'message' => 'Unsupported number.',
            ]);
        }
        
        // Send SMS via Twilio
        twilioSendSMS($request->campaign_id, phone_number($request->phone_number), $request->message);
        
        // Log SMS status
        CampaignSmsStatusLog($request->campaign_id, 
                            $request->phone_number, 
                            Auth::id(), 
                            getUserInfo(Auth::id())->name, 
                            $request->message);
        
        // Store in messages table
        store_to_messages($request->phone_number, $request->message, auth()->id(), $request->campaign_id);
        
        // Deduct cost from account
        deduct_credit_by_using_sms($check_TwilioSms_Cost->twilio_sms_cost->teleman_sms_cost);
        
        return response()->json([
            'status' => 'success',
            'message' => 'Message sent successfully to ' . phone_number($request->phone_number)
        ]);
        
    } catch (\Throwable $th) {
        return response()->json([
            'status' => 'error',
            'message' => $th->getMessage()
        ]);
    }
}

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SMS Message Formatting

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Character Limits

SMS messages are limited to 160 characters for GSM-7 encoding. If you use Unicode characters (emojis, special symbols), the limit drops to 70 characters per segment.

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Multi-Part Messages

Longer messages are automatically split into multiple SMS segments:
EncodingSingle SMSMulti-Part Segment
GSM-7160 characters153 characters each
Unicode70 characters67 characters each
Each SMS segment is billed separately. A 300-character message may cost 2-3x a single SMS.

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Personalization

Use merge tags to personalize messages: 
Hi {name}, your appointment is scheduled for {date} at {time}. 
Reply YES to confirm or call us at {company_phone}.
Available merge tags:
  • {name} - Contact name
  • {phone} - Contact phone number
  • {email} - Contact email
  • {country} - Contact country
  • {custom_field} - Any custom contact field

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SMS Cost Management

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Country-Based Pricing

SMS costs vary by destination country: 
// From CampaignController.php:528-544 - Check SMS Cost by Country
$phoneUtil = \libphonenumber\PhoneNumberUtil::getInstance();
$NumberProto = $phoneUtil->parse($phone, null);

// Get SMS cost for the country code
$check_TwilioSms_Cost = TwilioCallCost::where('code', $NumberProto->getCountryCode())
                                        ->with('twilio_sms_cost')
                                        ->first();

if (!$check_TwilioSms_Cost) {
    return response()->json([
        'status' => 'error',
        'message' => 'Unsupported number.',
    ]);
}

// Deduct appropriate cost
deduct_credit_by_using_sms($check_TwilioSms_Cost->twilio_sms_cost->teleman_sms_cost);
SMS pricing is determined by:
  • Destination Country - Different countries have different rates
  • Message Length - Longer messages cost more (multiple segments)
  • Message Type - Standard vs. Unicode encoding
  • Provider - Twilio rates vary by region
Check the pricing for your target countries before launching large campaigns.

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Provider Configuration

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Twilio SMS Provider

By default, SMS is sent through your configured Twilio provider: 
// SMS sent through Twilio provider
$sms->provider = $campaign->provider;  // Your Twilio provider ID

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Third-Party SMS Providers

Alternatively, use third-party SMS gateways: 
// From SmsController.php:54 - Third-Party Provider
$sms->third_party_provider = request('third_party_provider') ?? null;
Supported third-party providers:
  • Custom SMS gateways
  • Regional SMS providers
  • Bulk SMS services
Third-party providers may offer better rates for specific countries or regions.

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Campaign Status Tracking

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SMS Schedule Status

Track the progress of your SMS campaigns:
StatusDescription
PENDINGCampaign is scheduled but not started
RUNNINGSMS messages are being sent
COMPLETEDAll messages have been sent
FAILEDCampaign encountered errors
PAUSEDCampaign has been temporarily stopped

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Message Delivery Status

Individual message status is logged: 
// From CampaignController.php:557-561 - SMS Status Logging
CampaignSmsStatusLog($request->campaign_id, 
                    $request->phone_number, 
                    Auth::id(), 
                    getUserInfo(Auth::id())->name, 
                    $request->message);
Status types:
  • Sent - Message accepted by provider
  • Delivered - Message delivered to recipient
  • Failed - Delivery failed
  • Undelivered - Could not reach recipient

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SMS Content Management

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Message Storage

SMS content is stored separately from campaign configuration: 
-- From migrations/2023_04_19_203206_create_sms_contents_table.php
CREATE TABLE sms_contents (
    id BIGINT UNSIGNED PRIMARY KEY,
    campaign_id BIGINT UNSIGNED,
    content TEXT,                       -- The SMS message text
    created_at TIMESTAMP,
    updated_at TIMESTAMP
);

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Message Templates

Create reusable SMS templates: 
// Store SMS content for reuse
SmsContent::updateOrCreate(
    ['campaign_id' => $campaign_id],
    ['content' => request('content')]
);

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Best Practices

Timing Matters

Send messages during business hours (9 AM - 8 PM) in the recipient’s timezone.

Clear Call-to-Action

Include a clear next step: “Reply YES”, “Click here”, or “Call now”.

Opt-Out Option

Always include “Reply STOP to unsubscribe” for compliance.

Test First

Send test messages to yourself before launching to thousands.

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Compliance and Regulations

SMS marketing is heavily regulated in many countries. Ensure you comply with:
  • TCPA (USA) - Telephone Consumer Protection Act
  • GDPR (EU) - General Data Protection Regulation
  • CASL (Canada) - Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation
  • Local Laws - Country-specific regulations

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Compliance Checklist

1

Get Consent

Obtain explicit opt-in consent before sending marketing messages
2

Identify Yourself

Clearly identify your business in every message
3

Provide Opt-Out

Include “Reply STOP to unsubscribe” in all campaigns
4

Honor Unsubscribes

Immediately remove contacts who opt out
5

Respect Timing

Don’t send messages during late night or early morning hours

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Message History

All sent messages are stored for audit and compliance: 
// From CampaignController.php:569 - Store Message History
store_to_messages($request->phone_number, 
                 $request->message, 
                 auth()->id(), 
                 $request->campaign_id);
Message history includes:
  • Timestamp of send
  • Recipient phone number
  • Message content
  • Campaign association
  • Delivery status
  • Cost information

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Integration with Voice Campaigns

SMS can be sent as follow-ups to voice campaigns:
1

Voice Campaign

Launch a voice campaign to make calls
2

Track Responses

Monitor which contacts answered or didn’t answer
3

SMS Follow-Up

Send SMS to contacts who didn’t answer or requested callback
4

Multi-Touch Campaign

Combine voice and SMS for higher engagement
  1. Day 1: Send voice campaign to announce new product
  2. Day 2: Send SMS to contacts who didn’t answer with link to product page
  3. Day 5: Send reminder SMS to contacts who haven’t responded
  4. Day 7: Final SMS with limited-time discount offer

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SMS Analytics

Track SMS campaign performance:
  • Delivery Rate - Percentage successfully delivered
  • Response Rate - Percentage who replied
  • Opt-Out Rate - Percentage who unsubscribed
  • Cost Per Message - Average cost by country
  • ROI - Return on investment from campaigns

Voice Campaigns

Combine voice and SMS for multi-touch campaigns

Contact Management

Organize contacts into groups for targeted SMS

Analytics

Track SMS campaign performance metrics

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