Send personal text messages to a list in Google Sheets

Short answer: Use a free Google Apps Script that sends a text to everyone on a list in Google Sheets, with each person's first name in the message, through your own Twilio account, and marks each row sent or the error. It runs in your own Google account; nothing is sent to us. Setup takes 5 steps: Make a Contacts tab; Write the message; Paste the script; Add your Twilio details; Send.

How to set it up

1. Make a Contacts tab. Add a tab called Contacts with Name, Phone and Status. Write phone numbers with the country code, like +15551234567. Leave Status blank.
2. Write the message. Add a tab called Message and type the text in A1. Use {{Name}} where the person's first name should go, for example: Hi {{Name}}, we have openings this Saturday.
3. Paste the script. Open Extensions, then Apps Script, paste in the code from our email, and save. Reload the sheet and a Texts menu appears.
4. Add your Twilio details. In the Apps Script editor, open Project Settings and add four Script properties: TWILIO_SID and TWILIO_TOKEN from your Twilio console, TWILIO_FROM (your Twilio number, like +15551234567).
5. Send. Choose Texts, then Send to everyone not yet sent. It sends about one text a second and writes Sent with the time, or the error, in Status. Rows with anything in Status are skipped, so running it again only reaches the new rows.

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Good to know

• Only text people who have agreed to get texts from you, and tell them how to stop.
• In the US, Twilio requires A2P 10DLC registration for your number before you send to a list; it is done in the Twilio console.

Questions

What does this script do?

It is a free Google Apps Script that sends a text to everyone on a list in Google Sheets, with each person's first name in the message, through your own Twilio account, and marks each row sent or the error.

How do I set it up?

In 5 steps: 1. Make a Contacts tab; 2. Write the message; 3. Paste the script; 4. Add your Twilio details; 5. Send. The full steps are on this page.

Is it free, and does it send my data anywhere?

It is free: enter your email on this page and we email you the script (Code.gs). It runs in your own Google account; nothing is sent to us.

Can you install it for me?

Yes. We set it up in your Google account in a short Connect session, connect it to your sheet and check that it runs.

Want this connected to the rest of your tools? Send us a short brief.