Use Keywords to Allow People to Text to Join or Send Them an Automated Message

Keywords are unique words or phrases that you set up in SlickText that make it easy for people to engage with your number. There are two main uses of keywords:  1. People who are not subscribed to receive messages from you can text the keyword to opt in. 2. People can text the keyword to receive an automatic message from you.

In this article:

Creating a Keyword to Allow People to Opt In

Creating a Keyword to Send People a Custom Automated Message

Managing and Editing Keywords

Creating a Keyword to Allow People to Opt In

Creating a keyword makes it easy for people to opt in. A keyword is a unique word or phrase that people can send to your text number to opt in to receive your messages. When someone texts that word or phrase to your number, they automatically become a contact and are subscribed to receive your text messages. Not only is this easy for people, it also helps ensure you remain compliant. Texting to join your program is a form of express written consent.

Advertise your keyword and have people text it to your number. Keywords also work with other list growth tools at SlickText. For example, you can create a custom QR Code or Tap-to-Join Links that automatically tee up an opt-in text message.  

To create a keyword that opts people in:

1. Once you’ve logged into SlickText, click on Tools in the left navigation menu. This takes you to the SlickText tool set.
2. Click on Keywords. This will take you to the Keywords page where you can create and edit your keywords.
3. Click the Create Keyword button. (You can also clone an existing keyword—see Managing and Editing Keywords below.)
4. Complete the Keyword Setup:
   • Name your keyword. Remember to keep it simple and easy to remember. Avoid special characters and beware of autocorrect. 
   • Create a description for your keyword if necessary.  
   • Edit the auto-response. This is the message people will receive after they text the keyword to your number. It happens automatically and helps you stay compliant.
   • You can preview your subscriber’s experience in the Message Preview
5. Define Contact Behavior — click to expand the form.
   • Choose Yes to create a new contact. This will create a new subscribed contact (unless one already exists). No will not create a contact, but will send them the auto-reply.  
   • Switch the toggle (make it blue) if you want to add contacts who text this keyword to one or more lists. Click to select which lists. 
   • Choose whether to send a different auto-reply to contacts who already exist.
   • Choose whether to require a double opt-in.  
6. Click Save.

Creating a Keyword to Send People a Custom Automated Message

People can text a keyword to your number and receive an automatic text response from you tied to that keyword. 

To create a keyword that sends a custom automated message:

1. Once you’ve logged into SlickText, click on Tools in the left navigation menu. This takes you to the SlickText tool set.
2. Click on Keywords. This will take you to the Keywords page where you can create and edit your keywords.
3. Click the Create Keyword button. (You can also clone an existing keyword—see Managing and Editing Keywords below.)
4. Complete the Keyword Setup:
   • Name your keyword. Remember to keep it simple and easy to remember. Avoid special characters and beware of autocorrect. 
   • Create a description for your keyword if necessary.  
   • Edit the auto-response. This is the custom automated message people will receive after they text the keyword to your number. 
   • You can preview your subscriber’s experience in the Message Preview.

  5.   Define Contact Behavior — click to expand the form.  Choose No to creating a new subscribed contact.  This will not create a contact when someone texts the keyword, but will send them the auto-reply. Yes will create a new subscribed contact (unless one already exists).  

  6.   Click Save.

Managing and Editing Keywords

You may want to create multiple keywords and define different behaviors for each. From the Keywords page, you can edit and manage them. For example, you can clone the keyword, or you can create a tool, such as a custom QR Code, that supports the keyword.

1. Navigate to the Keyword page per the instructions above.  
2. Click on Keywords. This will take you to the Keywords page where you can create and edit your keywords.
3. Search for the keyword you want to manage. You can use the search bar or sort by the keyword name, if necessary.
4. Click on the three dots to reveal an actions menu.
5. Pick an action
   • Edit — Use this if you want to change any aspect of the keyword.
   • Clone — Use this to create a new keyword leveraging the details of an existing one. Everything but the name and description will be cloned.
   • Create QR Code — Create a custom QR Code that tees up a text message with this keyword.
   • Create Tap-to-Join Link — Create a link that tees up a text message with this keyword.
   • Delete — Delete the keyword.