--- title: Writing Initial Scripts description: Learn more about writing initial scripts in ActBlue Field Tools. --- [Skip to content](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/writing-initial-scripts-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) # Writing Initial Scripts Writing initial scripts is the most important part of setting up your texting actions! An initial script is the first message that contacts receive, from a [Peer-to-Peer Texting](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/setting-up-a-peer-to-peer-texting-action-impactive-help-center), [Broadcast Texting](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/setting-up-a-broadcast-text-impactive-help-center), or [Automated Texting](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/setting-up-automated-texting-impactive-help-center) action. Note that, unlike some other texting platforms, scripts exist in the context of the action for which they are created. There is no separate script tab or object; scripts are found within actions themselves. (But note that actions can easily be duplicated to re-use scripts from prior actions.) ### Writing Initial Scripts ActBlue Field Tools' script editor is straightforward: [![](https://help.actblue.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/Screenshot+2024-10-18+at+4_47_24%E2%80%AFPM.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/ek55cvye/1221302528/dd4e5a6143195af4fb270b078a5e/Screenshot+2024-10-18+at+4_47_24%E2%80%AFPM.png?expires=1776792600&signature=c2cc17490f43a90bed5c0ad4375814f6bca75f55c40800a41102a4daf072330a&req=dSIlF8p%2Bn4RdUfMW1HO4zVPlv0V%2B6%2FVG9EVSqswGDAoe3uabyeEKhl91OKbP%0AvPB7T%2BUSaSD6XOsV1bU%3D%0A) - Scripts require a name. Contacts will not receive the script name; it's purely an internal designation, useful if you'll be A/B testing or performing later data analysis on message performance. - You can use dynamic variables to customize scripts; read our full guide [here](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/using-dynamic-variables-in-texting-scripts-impactive-help-center) for the many ways that dynamic variables can help to personalize scripts. - The script writer shows script type (SMS/MMS), script length in segments (for SMS) and character count. **This information is important for determining how much your texting action will cost**; read our full guide to determining texting costs [here](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/how-can-we-estimate-the-cost-of-a-texting-action-impactive-help-center). - You can add an image to your script with the + Image button; this will convert the script to an MMS message (rather than SMS), with billing implications as covered [here](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/how-can-we-estimate-the-cost-of-a-texting-action-impactive-help-center). Ensure that opt-out language (ex. "Reply STOP to unsubscribe") is included in **each and every one of your initial scripts**, for ALL types of texting - Peer-to-Peer, Broadcast, and Automated. Learn more about this and other **mandatory scripting compliance requirements** [here](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/texting-script-compliance-requirements-impactive-help-center). ### A/B Testing Initial Scripts For Peer-to-Peer Texting and Broadcast Texting, you can run an A/B test of initial scripts by creating multiple initial scripts within a single action. If multiple initial scripts are added, Field Tools will automatically randomize the send of those scripts across the contact list. To add additional initial scripts, simply click + Add another initial script: [![](https://help.actblue.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/Screenshot+2024-10-18+at+4_47_24-E2-80-AFPM.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/ek55cvye/1221304950/40863d7b2ed7c754c63d2f3b99d9/Screenshot%2B2024-10-18%2Bat%2B4_47_24-E2-80-AFPM.png?expires=1776792600&signature=a5da168842208a07bb9e380d4dbc32d0f4ea23cf123a2ab11974ba41f0f7f6b1&req=dSIlF8p%2BmYhaWfMW1HO4zcjT76EA4vmCe8CudDoE3glJUcMUOVgw6LontCmu%0AX%2Fa7DYupN9R5LNF0csw%3D%0A) To track A/B testing results, use the Initial Scripts tab within the [detailed results](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/tracking-texting-results-impactive-help-center) of the action's results page; key script metrics (deliveries, errors, opt-out rate, response rate, etc.) will be listed on a per-script basis. Note that easy viewing of A/B testing results is currently only available for Peer-to-Peer Texting, not Broadcast Texting; this will be improved in the near future. In the meantime, Broadcast Texting A/B testing results can be manually assessed by manipulating the Messages export. - [Donors & Grassroots Fundraisers](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/donors-grassroots-fundraisers#main-content) - [Donor Guides](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/donors-grassroots-fundraisers#donor-guides) - [Contributions](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/donors-grassroots-fundraisers#contributions) - [ActBlue Express Accounts](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/donors-grassroots-fundraisers#actblue-express-accounts) - [Raising Money for Campaigns and Organizations](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/donors-grassroots-fundraisers#raising-money-for-campaigns-and-organizations) - [About ActBlue](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/donors-grassroots-fundraisers#about-actblue) - [Other](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/donors-grassroots-fundraisers#other) - [Core ActBlue](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/core-actblue#main-content) - [Getting Started with Your Core Dashboard](https://help.actblue.com/hc/en-us/core-actblue#getting-started-with-your-core-dashboard) - 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