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Bulk or Group textingDate: October 29, 2009
Are there any choral programs out there that use a bulk or group texting service they like? If so, I'd be interested in your opinion of the service and cost.
I would like to text reminders the way I currently send email notices/reminders. I use Google Groups, which allows me to add them directly instead of waiting for them to sign up. Also, that service is free!
I know of a couple ways I can make this happen, and I was hoping the Choralnet community had other ideas.
1. Charms software-- This is great stuff, but I don't need/want that software right now. I just want the group texting service. Also, it's a bit pricey.
2. Twitter and Facebook-- Yes, users can sign up for SMS notifications, but they require that each individual sign up personally. So that limits its effectiveness.
BTW, I would only add the phone numbers of individuals who request to receive messages. =)
Your responses are appreciated!
John Howell on October 29, 2009 2:03pm
Hi, Jussi. I'm probably not typical. Well, at least not compared with today's students.
I have never texted, I do not text, and I probably never WILL text. Nor do I Tweet, nor do I spend time on "social" sites. That makes me either an old fossil (probably true) or typical of the huge majority of U.S. citizens over the age of 30 (even more likely true!).
I'm certainly behind the times, and use my cell phone maybe once a month and don't normally carry it with me. Bach was behind the times, too, and all his kids agreed on that. I still like his music!
John
on October 30, 2009 7:22am
Your first step should be to ask your ISP whether they provide an online SMS service. If they do, chances are you will not have to pay any extra to use it beyond the cost of the SMSs themselves. And if they do not, you should pointedly ask them why not. Barring that, there are dedicated online SMS services such as smseverywhere.com, but naturally they tend to involve a separate bill, too. If you google "online sms", you are bound to find something usable.
Regards,
Jaakko Mäntyjärvi
Helsinki,Finland
jaakko.mantyjarvi(a)welho.com
"Nil significat nisi oscillat. Du vap. Du vap. Du vap."
on October 30, 2009 11:16am
I used to use Tatango when they were a free service. They were wonderful, and I would pay to use them if I used group texting more often.
There is another free service called TextBunch that is in Beta right now. I haven't yet tried them, but I will. They limit your group to 10, but you can set up multiple groups if you need them.
Mr. Mäntyjärvi's point is a great one as well. I know that Verizon does allow you to set up groups and text them via phone, email, or online.
Be sure to report back what you decide to use and how successful it was!
on November 4, 2009 3:03pm
Julie is right. Tatango is an INCREDIBLE service and used to be free. I demonstrated how useful it was at the last ACDA Convention and then it went to a pay service two months later. I don't think it is worth $20 a month for their basic service but you can look at the video below and decide for yourself.. You have already named the others I know about: TextBunch and Wiggio.
on November 4, 2009 6:55pm
I use Wiggio for the courses that I teach. (www.wiggio.com).
Also, free to use, it is like Google Groups, but has the text
feature among many other things. You have to either "invite" each
student to join your group, or they can search for your
group....but you can't automatically get them to join. I get them
to sign up by offering a few extra credit points.
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