Project Setup
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      3. Project Setup

      Setting Up an SMS or MMS Project


      1. Log into the COS platform.
      2. At the top of the screen, select "Project".
      3. Click "New Project".
      4. On the "New PO: Step 1" page, fill in the required information:
        • Select the client
        • Enter the project name (usually the same as the email subject)
        • Select the project template (SMS Text or MMS Text)
        • Edit the PO details:
          • The start date is automatically set for the current day.
          • The stop date is automatically set for two days after the project runs.
          • Change the end time to 10:00 AM.
          • Select the correct US state.
          • Leave the CID field blank.
          • Enter the number of questions on the script (texts must have at least one question).
          • Campaign notes are not needed.
      5. Once you've verified all the information is correct, click "Save" at the bottom of the screen.

      Adding the Script:

      1. Click on "Script" and select "Edit Script".
      2. Copy and paste the entire text script into the "Script Opening" box. This is the actual text that will be sent to recipients.
      3. Click "Submit".
      4. In the question box, place the same text script that is in the opening. This is for reporting and agent coding purposes.
      5. Every texting project should have the following two responses: [DNC] and [OTHER]. Ensure there are no spaces after the brackets.
      6. If there are pushback responses, first put the "IF" reply in closed brackets, followed by the verbiage to be sent. Example: [YES] Great! See you there.
      7. Do not use any punctuation in the responses, such as periods or apostrophes.
      8. To add more responses, click the "Add Response" button.
      9. When all responses have been added, click "Save and Next".
      10. There should be no script in the closing box. The text of the script should appear.
      11. Check the script for any errors and click "Done" to return to the main project menu.

      Uploading the Data:

      1. Open the data from the email and check for any errors or special notes.
      2. If there is a screen pop, make a note of how the header appears. The header placed in the script must match the data header exactly. Example: FirstName = {$FirstName}, Polling Location = {Polling_Location}
      3. Save the data as a .csv file (Comma Separated Values).
      4. On the lefthand side of the COS Project Menu, select "Upload Campaign Data" under "Campaign Database".
      5. Drag and drop the call file into the box or select it from your computer by clicking "Browse…".
      6. Click the "Upload" button to upload the data.
      7. On the next screen, ensure the preview of your spreadsheet's columns and rows looks correct, and complete the following:
        • List processing: Select "Already Householded DE-DUP" (pre-chosen). For more information on list processing, see this article: What's the difference between the list load processing types?
        • Phone Number Field: Select the field with the primary phone numbers
        • Last Name Field: Select the field with last names
        • First Name Field: Select the field with first names
        • ID Field: Select the field with a unique, numerical identifier (e.g., VanID)

      List Scrub:

      1. Click the "Campaign Database" and select "Cell Scrub".
      2. On the Data Scrub page, select "Mark Cells as Wireless" and then "Run Action". The system will mark cells as wireless.
      3. Select "Mark Litigator numbers as status DNC" and then "Run Action". The system will flag any known litigator phone numbers as Do Not Call records.
      4. Select "Mark SMS DNC by Client" and then "Run Action".
      5. Email the PO Number and universe size counts to the client.

      Goals:

      1. Click "Edit PO" and select "Goal Info".
      2. Choose the "Goal Type" of saturation and enter 100% for the saturation goal.
      3. Click "Save".

      Edit Management:

      1. Click on "Edit PO" and select "Management Info".
      2. Enter the number of segments the text is (if unsure, copy the script into Microsoft Word and use the word count to verify the number of characters. 1 segment is 160 characters).
      3. Verify the correct "Remap Statuses" are pre-populated (TT=Text Transmitted, TF=Text Failed, TS=Text Sent No Replies, TR=Text Sent with Replies, DNC=Do Not Call).
      4. Remap Responses should be: 1=1=DNC, 1=2=OTHER; however, this could be different if there are pushback responses.
      5. Confirm the project type is SMS.
      6. Click "Save".

      Testing the Project:

      1. Click "Edit PO" and go to "SMS Info".
      2. Select the appropriate SMS Message Service Group from the dropdown menu and then click "Save".
      3. The SMS Info section is also where you will add the link for any MMS media (MMS URL).
      4. Go back to "Edit PO" and "SMS Info", and in the "Test Number" field, enter a cell phone number.
      5. Click "Test MSS".
      6. If the test is successful, you can make the project active and start sending.
      7. Go to "Edit PO" and then "Management Info". Change the Project status from "Data Ready" to "Active".
      8. For more information on testing a script, see this article: Testing a Script Before Sending SMS/MMS