As radio searches for ways to increase audience engagement, Zipwhip allows stations to communicate with their listeners through text messaging using their existing request or studio phone number. Zipwhip is an easy to use and affordable service for stations that have a tight budget. Your listeners are already texting, why not allow them to text their favorite station to request the next song or ask the on-air DJ general questions?
2. Who We Are
We’re a company that’s working to make texting landline numbers a thing of the present. We make it so that you can
send and receive text messages from your landline number. We currently support 8 million users and act as a trusted
partner of national carriers like Spring, US Cellular, and Tmobile.
Give Us a Shout Out
Like what we’re doing? Give us a shout-out on air. Your DJs are probably a lot wittier and interesting than we are, but
these are what shout outs sound like in our heads.
“That last request was texted in by Amy Poehler. That came in through our landline that
you can now text thanks to Zipwhip.”
“Zipwhip allows you to send and receive messages from your existing landline or 800
number.”
“Text in your thoughts on what the fox says @ 855-RADIORADIO powered by Zipwhip.
Thanks to these guys you can text our number now.”
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3. Hit The Ground Running
We want you to make the most of your text-enabled phone line. We’ve listed of a few of the best things to do when
you first start using Zipwhip.
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Start Sending Texts
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Autoreply
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Send a bunch of test messages when you first log-in to get a feel for how Zipwhip functions. The best way
to learn how best to work with landline texting for your station is to just start using it.
One of the best things to do early on is set up an Autoreply. It’s the easiest way to promote whatever’s
going on with your station and notify whoever texts in that their text was received even if you can’t respond.
Add Contacts
Add your staff contacts. Zipwhip is great with listeners, but it’s also really useful internally. Managers/
producers can text DJs while they’re live on air to let them know of unexpected changes or a timely
announcement.
Promote Your Textable Number
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The most important thing is to let your listeners know they can reach you in the most convenient way now.
People want to text you, they just need to know they can.
- Promote this on-air
- Shout it out on Facebook, on Twitter, and in local publications.
We’re always here to help with technical issues or lend a hand with promoting the textability of your station’s number.
Text 855-ZIPWHIP or email support@zipwhip.com
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4. Short Code vs. Zipwhip
We’ve seen a few radio stations use short codes to reach their listeners. We wanted to give some insight into what
the differences between short code texting and our service are.
Zipwhip
Unlimited texting
A monthly fee will cover all the messages you could possibly send/
receive. No per message charge.
Keep your number.
We understand that your number might already incorporate your call
letters or your number is already engrained into your listeners minds.
We want you to use the number you’ve established instead of a random 5 digit number.
Unrestricted Content
Send messages in coherent language instead of using keywords. It
will feel like you’re texting a person and not a machine that only takes
commands.
Short Code
Upfront Charge & Pay Per Message
In order to get your own short code, you need to pay a heavy, upfront
charge. In addition to that, you’ll be charged per message.
Compile a Proposal
In addition to paying the upfront charge, a proposal has to be drafted up
to the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) to outline in detail how the
short code will be used.
Keyword Based Messages
Listeners texting in generally have to text in keywords like “Info” or
“Listen”. This way of texting doesn’t allow listeners to text in comments
or song suggestions.
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6. Directions
To Sign-In
Conversations
Web App: Click the “Log In” button in the top right corner. When you
are directed to the Log In page, sign in with your phone number and
password.
Desktop App: Click on the Zipwhip icon in your Taskbar, and fill in the
prompted window with your phone number and password to log in.
Web App: Conversations with contacts and groups stack up on the lefthand column. To see a conversation, select the contact from the lefthand column. The selected conversation will stack up next to this column.
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7. Directions
Desktop App Bubbles
Enter A New Contact
Desktop App: Bubbles will pop up on the side of your screen when a
new message comes in. If you scroll over the message bubble, the
bubble will turn gray and be marked as “read”, and then disappear.
**Download the Desktop App at www.zipwhip.com/features/windows.
Using the Web App: Go to New Contact in the web app, click, and enter data
OR
Using the Web App: Enter the phone number, first name, and last
name into the “Send Text” textbox. Making sure to separate each input
with a space.
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8. Directions
Save A New Contact
Send a New Text
Using the Web App: Click the green plus sign next to “New Text”. In
the textbox, choose a recipient in the “Type Name or Mobile Number”
box, enter message in the “Type a Message” box.
Using the Desktop App: Left click on the Zipwhip icon, Right click and
select new text, or use short keys (Win+Z) to pop up a “Send Text”
window.
Using the Web App: Click the arrow next to the unnamed contact. Click
on “Edit Contact” to enter in a name and any notes.
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9. Directions
Reply to a Text
Send a Scheduled Text
Using the Web App: Click on the conversation. Enter reply message
into “Type a Message” box.
Using the Desktop App: In the pop-up bubble, click reply, enter message in “Type a Message” box.
Using the Web App: Go to drop down arrow of “New Text” and fill in
prompted message.
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10. Directions
Creating a Group
Web App: Under the Zipwhip menu, click on “New Group”. A window
will come up that allows you to name your group, add members, and
choose a group image.
Tip: Paste a list of contacts in the “Phone # [space] First Name [space]
Last Name [comma]” format used to enter contacts to enter multiple group
members at once. Keep in mind that there’s a maximum of 100 group
members.
Send a Group Text
Web & Desktop App: Open a new textbox, and in the “Type name or
mobile number” box, type in the name of the group.
Group texting enables you to text multiple people via BCC. Recipients can
text the sender back without texting other recipients at the same time.
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11. Directions
Turn on Autoreply
Using the Web App: Click on the Auto Reply button. To set up a new
Auto Reply, click on the “+ Add” button. Click on the “Schedule start and
stop times” dropdown menu. Then enter in your message and select the
times you want this Auto Reply to be active. Click save and make sure
the “On/Off” toggle is set to “On”. Feel free to set more than one.
Include a Custom Signature
Using the Web App: Go to settings and click on “Messaging”. Add your
custom signature.
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12. Directions
Import Contacts
**Note: This process will only work using the web app.
Highlight and copy your new column of contacts.
Paste the copied contact list into a “New Text” box from the web app.
Hit the “Enter” or “Tab” key, and your contacts will be imported.
It’s also highly recommended that you only import roughly 150 contacts at a time.
Create a spreadsheet of your contact information in the format below.
In another column, type in the formula =“A2&” “&B2&” “&C2&”,”. Drag
the formula cell down to apply to the all listed contacts.
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13. Directions
Manage Contacts
Edit a Contact
Using the Web App: Using the dropdown menu next to the Zipwhip
logo, select “Manage Contacts”. A list will populate will all entered
contacts.
Web App: Under the “All Conversations” list or “Manage Contacts” list,
click on the arrow next to the contact you want to edit. A window will
pop up where you can edit contact information, and add an email and
notes. You can edit the name of a contact by clicking the “Pen & Paper” icon next to the contact name.
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14. Directions
Edit Your Profile
Turn on Privacy Mode
Using the Web App: In the upper right-hand corner, click on the arrow
next to your number. You can upload a picture and enter in notes.
Using the Desktop App: Right click on the Zipwhip icon. Select Privacy
Mode.
*Privacy Mode hides pop-up text notifications. This feature is good for
times when you’re away from your desk or in a public space, etc.
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15. Directions
Change Your Password
To Logout
Web App: Click the arrow next to your number and click “Log Out”
Desktop App: Right click on the Zipwhip icon, click on “Sign Out”
Web App: Go to “Settings” and then “Account”.
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17. Tips
Web & Desktop App Sync
When using the Desktop app, every time the message bubble is
marked as “read’ and disappears, this action will sync with the web
app. This works the other way around as well. If a message is marked
as read in the web app, it will automatically disappear from the desktop
app.
Multiple Log-In
Multiple users can be logged in at the same time. Incoming will appear
immediately, and read messages will be marked as read immediately.
To tag a conversation to an individual, click on the icon that appears
when you hover over the contact name to edit and enter initials of the
person responsible for the particular conversation.
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18. Tips
Turn on Privacy Mode
Using Hotkeys
Privacy Mode hides pop-up text notifications. This feature is good for
times when you’re away from your desk or in a public space, etc.
Using the Desktop App: Right click on the Zipwhip icon. Left click to
select Privacy Mode.
Desktop App Hotkeys:
- New Text: Windows+Z
- Open Web App: Windows+N
- Send Text: Ctrl+Enter
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20. FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people can I send a group text to?
There are 2 ways to send a group text.
1. You can send a group message to up to 15 lucky recipients by listing their names in a new text box. If there are more than 15 contacts in
your list of recipients, an error message will pop up telling you that you’ve unfortunately reached the threshold.
2. If you create a group instead, you can send a message to the entire group. Groups are limited to 100 people.
What’s the best way to send a text to a long list of contacts?
If these are new contacts that still need to be entered into the system, the best approach is to paste your list of contacts from excel using the
“Import your Contacts to Zipwhip” document approach. If your contacts have already been entered and you remember all their names, type the
contact name into the “Type name or mobile number” box and choose the contacts as they pop up.
Why aren’t my contacts uploading?
If the contacts aren’t entered in the “phone # [space] First name [space] Last name [comma]” format, the contacts won’t upload properly. Be sure
to check that you’re not using a “New Text” box from you desktop app. The web app must be used to enter contacts by copy and pasting from
Excel. Also make sure you’re not using Internet Explorer. Sadly, it experiences glitches going through this process.
My contacts aren’t displaying properly, how do I fix this?
Just refresh the page, and you should be good to go!
Why can I only send 160 characters or less?
Zipwhip is committed to staying true to the text messaging medium. Although it is a very easy switch in terms of software, our belief is that with the
use of a full keyboard, messages could easily run to 300, 400, 500+ characters. We believed that those lengthy messages would get very
annoying to the recipient. It was a tough decision, but for the time being we will be sticking with the 160 character limit.
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