How to create a message template

Message Service Updated

Summary

Write the message wording once as a template, ready to send by SMS, email or push. About 3 minutes · 7 steps. Also called: SMS template, notification template, message wording.

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Prerequisites

  • Access to Messages (see The Message Service screen).
  • The wording you want to send, agreed and checked for spelling.

Step-by-step

  1. Sign in to CAMS.
  2. In the left menu, click Messages, then click Create Template in the header. Wait until the form finishes loading.
    Message Service header showing SMS credits and the Create Template action above the Logs tab
    Figure 1: Message Service header showing SMS credits and the Create Template action above the Logs tab
  3. Enter a clear Name, then choose the language in Select Language.
    Blank Create Template form with Name, Select Language, email subject and body, and SMS text
    Figure 2: Blank Create Template form with Name, Select Language, email subject and body, and SMS text
  4. Fill SMS Text if the template will go out by SMS. Watch the character count: a long text becomes several SMS and spends extra credits.
  5. Fill Subject and Body under Email Template if email will be used.
  6. Add a Title and Body under Push Notification Template only if you need push.
  7. Click Create, then open the Messages tab and confirm the new row appears with its Enable / Disable toggle on.

Common pitfalls & FAQ

  • What does the Costing column show? Whether the template is Paid or Free. Paid templates spend SMS credits when used.
  • The new row is not on the Messages tab. Filter by Name or Type; the list can be long.
  • I am unsure of my wording. Click Cancel rather than saving a half-finished template.
  • Can the loan disbursement SMS tell the member the loan period and installment? Yes. In the SMS Text of the loan disbursement template, add {loan.tenure} for the loan period and {loan.firstInstallmentAmount} for the installment amount. For example: Dear {recipient.name}, your loan has been disbursed. Loan period: {loan.tenure}. Monthly installment: {loan.firstInstallmentAmount}. The member receives Loan period: 12 Months. Monthly installment: TZS 2,945.62. Type each placeholder exactly as shown, with the curly brackets; a misspelt one is sent to the member as plain text.