SMTP Saves Lives

How can you implement SMTP, or email to SMS, today to help save lives? Here are a couple of ideas…

We’ve covered a number of instances in the recent past where text message helped save those lives that have been affected by natural disasters. Think of the Haiti earthquake or Hurricane Katrina that devastated New Orleans – in both instances text messaging helped in one capacity or another.

Text messaging can be used:

• As a communications medium capable of reaching thousands, text messaging can be implemented as an instant alert mechanism.
• For the same reason and also because the mobile contains a built-in payment mechanism, text messaging can be used to raise funds to help those in damage-stricken areas.
• Text messaging works wherever there is mobile coverage.
• Because the mobile is always carried, and always on, users are able to receive text messages wherever they are, whenever they have to.

And it’s all possible with SMTP, or the simple mail transfer protocol.

What is the SMTP Application Programming Interface, or API?

Let’s quickly examine one of the many technologies that make instant bulk text messaging possible. The SMTP API enables a server or client generated email to be delivered as an SMS. This functionality enables businesses and organisations to do high volume delivery at the click of a button. And it works just like email – all you have to do is add the recipients to the email containing a few extra parameters including the message, click send, and off it goes. In short, it is what’s commercially known as email to SMS.

Below is a simple step-by-step procedure of how the process works:

1. Register for an SMTP API account with a bulk text messaging provider.
2. Purchase message credits.
3. Open your mail client, compose your plain text message in the following format:

user:xxxxx
password:xxxxx
api_id:xxxxx
to: 448311234567,…
reply:youremail@yourdomain.com
text:Meet me at home

1. Address your mail to the SMTP API email address, like sms@messaging.clickatell.com
2. Hit Send.

Getting Contacts

Whether you send with the SMTP API or any other technology, remember that most people don’t like unsolicited text messages. In simple terms, this means that you’ll have to run campaigns whereby you encourage people to sign up for your cause. This can be as simple asking your target audience to do so using a notice on your website, or as complex as a full-blown marketing campaign to generate awareness and using multiple channels that will allow interested individuals to sign up. The point is, people have to opt in and you’ll have to plan your messaging strategy as such as to keep them interested while not messaging them too much.

And that’s all there is to a text messaging solution that will help save lives and, equally important, help people get back on their feet after disaster has struck.

For more information or to get your free account, go to the SMTP API page now.

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