This page is for the Sheet Gurus SMS Add-on, which allows you to easily send mass text messages to
team members, clients, customers, friends and anyone else while providing awesome features like dynamic
variables and message history. You can install the add-on for free here.
In order for the add-on to function properly, your data must follow two rules:
You must have a "header" row. This means the first row of your sheet can not be data about a
specific recipient, but rather must include labels for what type of information each column
contains, as shown in the image above.
Phone numbers must be exactly 10 digits with no special formatting. The following
characters should not be anywhere in this column: ( ) - # +
This label shows which Sheet in your file the add-on is reading data from. This sheet should
contain
all of the information necessary for you to complete message sending. If you would like the
add-on
to look at a different sheet, simply close the sidebar, navigate to the correct sheet, and
re-open
the add-on by selecting Gurus SMS -> Gurus SMS
Enter the Column of the Sheet named above that contains the phone numbers for all of your
message
recipients.
Type the message that you would like to send to your recipients in here. If you would like
certain
parts of your message to dynamically change based on the recipient, you can use variables.
To do
so,
simply wrap a word or phrase in between { and } characters as shown in the example image. On
the
next page, you will designate what data should replace these {variables} you have written in
your
message.
This label will count the total number of characters in your message. Note that if you are
using
{variables}, the final character count may change slightly depending on the recipient and
what
data
is inserted. Messages that are over 160 characters after all variables have been
replaced
will cost more than 1 credit to send.
The CANCEL button will close the sidebar.
The SET VARIABLES button will proceed to the next step of the sending process.
Page 2: Variables Setup
This box will display the message you wrote on the previous page, but will highlight all
{variables}
you have indicated in green. If you do not know how to set variables, please review the
section
above.
This section allows you to set what data should replace the {variables} you've written in
your
message. By selecting a column, you are telling the add-on to replace that {variable} with
data
found in that column, in the respective recipient's row in the Sheet. Note that if your
{variable}
name matches a header name in your Sheet, the add-on will automatically select it, but these
can
still be changed to other columns if desired.
The BACK button will return you to the previous page.
The PREVIEW button will take you to the final stage of the sending process.
Page 3: Confirm & Send Messages
This section will show you the final messages that will be sent. What you see in this box is
exactly
what your recipient will see on their phone, so make sure it is correct before sending. You
can
use
the < and> buttons to browse through all of the queued messages.
This shows your current account Balance in "Credits".
This label shows the total cost of sending this batch of messages. The cost will be equal to
the
total number of recipients, except in cases where some or all of your messages exceed 160
characters.
This label shows what your total account balance will be after sending these
messages.
If you do not have enough Credits to send these messages (your Remaining Balance is less
than 0)
then you will see this message directing you to purchase more below.
The Add credits section is where you can purchase additional credits to fund your account.
Due
to
the low cost of Credits ($0.03/per), the processing fee can make up a large percentage of
the
total
cost. Therefore it would be wise to purchase a larger amount of Credits at once instead of
smaller
amounts multiple times.
Clicking this button will pop up a Stripe payment overlay within the sidebar where you can
complete
your transaction for the selected amount of credits.
The BACK button will return you to the previous page.
The SEND button will send all of the messages displayed at the top of the page to their
intended
recipients. If your Remaining Balance is less than zero, this button will be disabled.
Custom Phone Number & Replies
By default, replies to messages are not delivered to you, and do not cost any credits. If you
wish to
receive replies to your messages, the only way to do so is by registering a Custom Number within
the
add-on.
You can register a Custom Number directly from the add-on menu by clicking Extensions ->
Sheet
Gurus SMS -> Custom number and following the instructions provided.
The cost of leasing a Custom Number is $6 per month, cancel any time. This is separate from the
regular cost of credits required to send and receive messages, explained further in the Pricing section.
Pricing
This add-on works based on a "Credits" system. Credits are a currency used by the add-on in order
to
send and receive*
text messages. When your account does not have sufficient credits to send
the
messages you have created, you will be prompted to purchase more from within the add-on sidebar.
1 Credit allows you to send or receive* 1 SMS Text Message up to 160 characters. Beyond 160
characters, the
Credit
cost per message can be calculated as Message Cost = 1 + (Message Length / 160),
rounded
down
to the nearest full Credit.
Credits cost 3 cents ($0.03 USD) each.
In addition to the 3 cent cost, there is a Processing Fee of $1 each time you purchase a credit
bundle.
This
is to cover the transaction fees of our payment provider (Stripe) as well as our Telecom SMS
partner. Since
the
Processing Fee is comparatively higher than the low Credit cost, it makes sense to buy Credits
in
larger
bulk quantities, if you believe you will use them.
Credits never expire.
*To receive messages, you must first set up a Custom
Number
Support and feedback
The best way to receive technical or billing support, or to provide feedback on the add-on, is to
use
the
"Contact us" link at the bottom of the add-on sidebar. This link will open a custom dialog box
within
your Spreadsheet where you can send us a message.
If you are not able to access the add-on, you can reach us by sending an email to
help@sheetgurus.com with the word "Support" in the subject line.