Running a Campaign Send or Test SMS

Dripcel allows you to send SMS messages either as a Test SMS (to a small group of numbers) or as a Campaign Send (to your defined campaign audience). Both options help you validate and deliver messages effectively.

Test SMS

A Test SMS is useful for checking how your message will appear before sending it to a full campaign audience. It can be sent to any list of cell numbers, even if they are not saved as contacts in your account.

Steps:

1. Choose Country – Select the country of the numbers you’re sending to.

2. Choose Delivery Method – Select the delivery type (Two-way, Transactional, etc.).

3. Message – Enter your SMS copy.

4. Cell Numbers – Enter numbers (comma-separated or one per line).

5. Filter Non-Contacts – Optionally exclude numbers not in your organisation’s contact list.

6. Click Send to deliver the test SMS.

Note: Test SMS messages are real SMS messages and will use credits.

Campaign Send

A Campaign Send sends messages to the audience of an existing campaign.

Steps:

1. Go to the Campaigns table.

2. Under the campaign you want, click Action > Run Single Send.

3. Dripcel will pre-fill campaign settings. You can update:

   • Max Destinations – Limit the maximum number of recipients.

   • Reachable Window – Only send to contacts reachable in the last X days.

   • Start Delivery At – Schedule for a future date/time, or send immediately.

   • Test Mode – Run a dry test (simulate sending without actually delivering SMS).

   • Message – Choose from predefined campaign copies, or enter new text.

4. Once ready, click Send.

SMS Length & Costs

SMS costs depend on character length. Longer messages are split into multiple SMS parts.

• 0 – 160 characters → 1 SMS (1 credit)

• 161 – 306 characters → 2 SMS (2 credits)

• 307 – 459 characters → 3 SMS (3 credits)

Tip: Use concise messaging and avoid unnecessary spaces or special characters to reduce costs.