--- title: Setting Up Automated Texting description: Learn more about how to set up automated texting in ActBlue Field Tools. --- [Skip to content](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/setting-up-automated-texting-impactive-help-center#main-content) English - United States Show submenu for translations ![ActBlue](https://help.actblue.com/hubfs/1-B-AB-HorizontalLockupLogo-FullColor-RGB.svg) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English - United States Show submenu for translations - [Contact us](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/requests/new) [Contact us](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/requests/new) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [ActBlue Support Documentation](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us) 2. [ActBlue Field Tools (formerly Impactive by ActBlue)](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/actblue-field-tools-formerly-impactive-by-actblue) 3. [Texting (Peer-to-Peer, Broadcast, and Automated)](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/actblue-field-tools-formerly-impactive-by-actblue#texting-peer-to-peer-broadcast-and-automated) # Setting Up Automated Texting Automated Texting allows you to trigger automated text messages to contacts based on key events in ActBlue Field Tools, including keyword opt-in (ex. text "JOIN" to XXXXX). Because texting automations are set up and activated via the Field Tools administrator dashboard, they are not a traditional "[action](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/basics-of-actions-on-impactive-impactive-help-center)" that is published to the Field Tools volunteer interface; however, to manage subsequent conversations/replies to an automated text, you may still need to access the inbox in the Field Tools volunteer interface. Note that all automated texts sent from your Field Tools account will come from your broadcast phone number, which can be found under Campaign Settings \> Broadcast Texting. If you would like to edit this number (or if you'd like to use a [short code](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/can-we-use-a-short-code-or-toll-free-number-for-texting-impactive-help-center) instead), reach out to us [here](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/requests/new). ### Types of Texting Automations Field Tools will soon support additional texting automation use cases; [reach out anytime](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/requests/new) to suggest a new feature! Field Tools currently supports two types of texting automations: an automated SMS in response to a certain keyword, or an automated SMS after a contact fills out a [form](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/creating-a-form-impactive-help-center) or checks their [voter registration](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/setting-up-a-voter-registration-action-impactive-help-center). ### Automated SMS Response to Form or Voter Registration You can create a texting automation to be linked to a separate Field Tools [form](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/creating-a-form-impactive-help-center) or [voter registration check](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/setting-up-a-voter-registration-action-impactive-help-center); after filling out the form or the voter registration form, contacts will then receive the Automated Texting script immediately. First, set up your texting automation and activate it; then, in your form or voter registration form, select that texting automation from the dropdown on the form/VR edit page and save that action. ### Automated SMS for Keyword You can create a texting automation that sends a message back to a contact if they send a certain keyword to your broadcast number (which can also be a [short code](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/can-we-use-a-short-code-or-toll-free-number-for-texting-impactive-help-center), if desired). For example, a contact can text "VOLUNTEER" to your campaign's Broadcast Texting number (found in Campaign Settings \> Broadcast Texting), and receive an automated message back with more details about how to volunteer for your organization. This texting automation feature is perfect for a variety of use cases, including keyword opt-in to grow your subscriber list, a convenient way to provide follow-up information to supporters or volunteers at an event, and more. To set up this type of automation, simply set up Automated Texting as described below, and indicate the desired keyword when setting up your [initial script](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/writing-initial-scripts-impactive-help-center). Just make sure that your keyword is unique within your account; it cannot be the same as a keyword designated in a separate texting automation. **Note that any contact who sends an Automated Texting keyword will automatically receive the Opt In (Broadcast) tag, making them a subscriber who is eligible to receive future Broadcast Texting messages.** ### Setting Up a Texting Automation To create a new broadcast, head to Broadcast \> Automated Texting and click + New Automated Text in the top-left corner of the table. ### Customizing Automated Texting Settings #### Texting Automation Title - Required A title for this texting automation is required. This title will not be seen by contacts; it is internal-only, for your reference. #### Responder List - Required A responder list is required; these users will receive any responses to this texting automation in their inboxes (in the volunteer interface, web or mobile) and can conduct subsequent conversations. Responses will be divided evenly among this list of users. #### Assigned Folder(s) - Optional Optionally, assign this action to one or more folders. Learn more [here](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/leveraging-folders-impactive-help-center) about using folders as an internal organizational system within Field Tools. #### Initial Script - Required The most important step! Write the initial script, i.e. the automated text, that will be sent to recipients. Find our full guide to initial script writing in Field Tools [here](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/writing-initial-scripts-impactive-help-center). Optionally, if this script will be sent in response to a specific opt-in keyword (see above for types of texting automations), designate the keyword that will trigger this script. Keywords must be a single word (no spaces or hyphens); they are often expressed all in caps, like "RSVP" or "JOIN", but note that this feature is not case-sensitive. Ensure that opt-out language (ex. "Reply STOP to unsubscribe") is included in **each and every one of your initial scripts**. Learn more about this and other scripting compliance requirements [here](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/texting-script-compliance-requirements-impactive-help-center). #### Response Scripts - Optional Optionally, write response scripts for this texting automation. Response scripts for Automated Texting can be used in a couple of ways; they can be the "canned responses" that users can send to contacts as they continue conversations after the initial script is sent, or they can be ongoing automated replies (a "chatbot" functionality). Read more about response scripts [here](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/writing-response-scripts-impactive-help-center), including the [automated chatbot option](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/setting-up-automated-texting-automated-keyword-opt-in-flows-for-broadcast-texting-impactive-help-center). ### Activating Your Automation Once your texting automation has been created, it's time to activate it! Click Activate at the bottom of the draft; messages will then begin sending immediately in response to the designated trigger. ### Managing Replies to an Automation Recipients of your texting automation can reply to the message, and you can have a full back-and-forth conversation with them (leveraging [response scripts](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/writing-response-scripts-impactive-help-center), if desired). If recipients reply to the automate text, those replies will be found in the inboxes (within the volunteer interface, web or mobile) of the users who were on the responder list you designated for the automation. If needed, you can also reassign texting conversations/threads from one user to another; find a full guide to reassignment [here](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/reassigning-texting-conversations-to-different-users-impactive-help-center). ### Tracking Automated Texting Results Results for a texting automation can be monitored from the automation's results page. You can find the results page either from the automation's individual page: [![](https://help.actblue.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/Screenshot+2024-10-23+at+2_43_58%E2%80%AFPM.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/ek55cvye/1226842045/c7d93082aaf1259cbba15b7e68ed/Screenshot+2024-10-23+at+2_43_58%E2%80%AFPM.png?expires=1776792600&signature=5ae8994a8e6c166615dcee1b3228f7c809875062f2223f7fdc9c3abcb72b1898&req=dSIlEMF6n4FbXPMW1HO4zbFumjUqapLQKaRlB1FtDqDm1lpLDQ1KnAKTrqkM%0AyJB7HlFvrvREQBUZy8U%3D%0A)   Or from the results link for that automation within the all Automated Texting list page: [![](https://help.actblue.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/Screenshot+2024-10-23+at+2_45_15%E2%80%AFPM.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/ek55cvye/1226843156/0eda1fed7ca0405beb276038727d/Screenshot+2024-10-23+at+2_45_15%E2%80%AFPM.png?expires=1776792600&signature=077a4af7029c53ccb65a521738b12dff9fdf36280ddf595667fbd3798c572734&req=dSIlEMF6noBaX%2FMW1HO4zeWyVY5vaV0ziZWAIQ8AtdLPdeEe6S9GOx3AHjj%2F%0AVJzaNIJLbGBUF1xTBJs%3D%0A) - 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