## Overview

An **SMS campaign** sends a **text message** to a **contact list** at once, following the same logic
as WhatsApp campaigns. You define the **audience** (by **labels**), write the **message**, and decide
**when to send**. The platform iterates over the audience and sends the SMS to every contact that has
a phone number.

It's the right tool for short notices, confirmations and reminders — especially to reach people who
don't use WhatsApp, using your account's SMS number.

## Prerequisites

- Access to the **Campaigns** module.
- A connected **SMS inbox** (of type **Twilio SMS** or **SMS**).
- **Contacts** with a **phone number** filled in — contacts without a phone number are skipped on
  send.
- **Labels** applied to contacts to define the audience.

## Step by step

1. Open **Campaigns** in the sidebar and select the **SMS** type.
2. Click **Create campaign** and give it a **title**.
3. Select the **SMS inbox** that will send it.
4. Define the **audience** by selecting the **labels** of the contacts who should receive it.
5. Write the **text message**. You can insert **variables** (for example, the contact's name) to
   personalize each send.
6. Choose **when to send**: **send now**, **schedule** for a date/time, or **save as draft**.
7. Confirm and track the campaign **status** in the list.

## Settings & options

- **Title**: internal identifier for the campaign.
- **Inbox**: the SMS number (Twilio SMS or SMS) that will send the messages.
- **Audience**: contacts selected by **labels**; only contacts with a **phone number** are reached.
  The composer shows a preview of how many contacts will be reached.
- **Message**: free text, with support for **variables** for personalization. SMS is **text only** —
  it does not send images or attachments.
- **Scheduling**: send now or schedule for a future date/time.
- **Status**: **draft**, **scheduled**, **sending** and **completed** — track progress from the
  campaign list.

## Use cases

- Send a **short notice** (hours change, maintenance, reminder) to the right audience.
- **Confirm** an appointment, order or attendance.
- **Remind** people about a date, due date or commitment.
- Reach **people who don't use WhatsApp**, ensuring delivery over SMS.

## Tips, limits & best practices

- SMS has a **character limit** per message and a **per-message cost** charged by the provider (for
  example, Twilio). Long messages may be split into more than one SMS and billed accordingly — keep
  it **concise**.
- **Segment well** by labels and send only **relevant** content to reduce opt-outs and complaints.
- Include an **opt-out** option (for example, instructions to stop receiving messages), in line with
  best practices and local regulations.
- Test with a small audience before a large send.

## Troubleshooting

- **I can't select the inbox**: confirm there is an **SMS inbox** (Twilio SMS or SMS) connected to
  the account.
- **Empty audience**: check whether contacts exist with the chosen **label** **and** with a phone
  number — contacts without a phone number are skipped.
- **Send failures**: check the **SMS provider** configuration (Twilio credentials and balance, for
  example) and that the origin number is active. Each failed send is logged and the next contact
  continues normally.

## See also

- [WhatsApp campaign for contact lists](/hc/ajuda/articles/campaigns-whatsapp-campaign-en)
- [Campaigns overview](/hc/ajuda/articles/campaigns-overview-en)