Send Text Message Reminders to Students
In addition to emailing, Simple Appointments can send text messages right to student's phones! Most cell phone carriers provide an email address that you can send mail to that will then be relayed to the corresponding phone. Here are the most popular providers (phonenumber is the 10 digit phonenumber):
- T-Mobile: phonenumber@tmomail.net
- Virgin Mobile: phonenumber@vmobl.com
- Cingular: phonenumber@cingularme.com
- Sprint: phonenumber@messaging.sprintpcs.com
- Verizon: phonenumber@vtext.com
- Nextel: phonenumber@messaging.nextel.com
NOTE: Do NOT use a prefix of “1” in the beginning of the number, only the area code.
You'll probably want to ask the student's permission before sending messages to their phone, because they can be charged for incoming messages. You can then ask them what their cell phone's email address is, or if they don't know, ask what their provider is and use the appropriate email address from above. Put this email address as the “Text Message Email” on the student info page, and change the “Remind by” dropdown to “Text Message Email”. Now the student will be reminded of upcoming appointments with a concise version of the reminder email.
