- Can I send an SMS to just one patient? ie. For a DNA patient or a cancellation.
- How can I see who has/hasn't received the Broadcast message?
- What phone number formats are accepted?
- Will an SMS be sent to all patients, even if they share the same phone number? / Will duplicate SMS's be sent?
- What happens when a patient doesn't have a mobile number on file?
- I've uploaded a CSV file and I'm receiving an error indicating that the phone numbers aren't valid. Why?
- I have manually entered patients phone numbers to create a Broadcast, but it won't send. Why?
- How long does it take for a Broadcast to send?
- Can our patients respond to the Broadcast SMS?
- Is there an additional cost to send a Broadcast? When will I be charged?
- Can I send a Broadcast to an international phone number?
Can I send an SMS to just one patient? ie. For a DNA patient or a cancellation.
Yes! To send a Broadcast for just one patient (or more if you have their phone numbers), you will need to access your HotDoc Dashboard and create a Custom Broadcast. From here, you will select your broadcast audience by entering the patients phone number/s. For a step-by-step guide on how to set this up, please see How to create a Broadcast
How can I see who has/hasn't received the Broadcast message?
To view sent Broadcasts, Open the HotDoc Dashboard > Select Broadcast > Broadcast History. From here, you can select to 'view' a specific Broadcast that you have sent/are sending. For more information, please see How can I view my Broadcast History.
What phone number formats are accepted?
Mobile phone numbers that are currently accepted for Broadcasts, begin with: 04, +61 and/or 61.
Examples: 0400 000 000, +61 400 000 000, 61 400 000 000.
We cannot send Broadcasts to landline phone numbers.
Will an SMS be sent to all patients, even if they share the same phone number? / Will duplicate SMS's be sent?
No duplicate SMS's will send! Our software is incredibly intelligent and will remove any duplicate phone numbers. This is especially important for families with multiple children attending the same clinic, as they would most likely have the one parent/guardians phone number on file.
What happens when a patient doesn't have a mobile number on file?
Unfortunately if a patient does not have a mobile number on file, we are unable to send them an SMS Broadcast. We require a mobile number beginning with: 04, +61 and/or 61. Examples: 0400 000 000, +61 400 000 000, 61 400 000 000.
I've uploaded a CSV file and I'm receiving an error indicating that the phone numbers aren't valid. Why?
This error message is usually triggered when the phone numbers entered, aren't formatted correctly. Mobile numbers entered should begin with: 04, +61 and/or 61.
Examples: 0400 000 000, +61 400 000 000, 61 400 000 000. If you're still running into some trouble after checking the format, you can send a Broadcast by selecting a target audience instead (if applicable).
I have manually entered patients phone numbers to create a Broadcast, but it won't send. Why?
Ensure the mobile number format is correct, then try to send your broadcast again:
- Mobile numbers entered should begin with: 04, +61 and/or 61. Eg: 0400 000 000
- When sending to multiple phone numbers, include a comma after each number to seperate them. Eg: 0400 000 000, 0400 000 001
How long does it take for a Broadcast to send?
We send broadcasts out over the space of an hour - this is to ensure that we are spreading out messages to avoid a bulk amount of patients all calling the clinic at the same time.
We send broadcasts in bundles every 2 minutes ie. if you have 500 patients, we would send approximately 16/17 SMS's every 2 minutes.
Can our patients respond to the Broadcast SMS?
Currently, we only receive 'Stop' responses from patients, which impacts their opt-in/out status for Broadcast SMS's. All other responses to Broadcast SMS's are not registered by HotDoc at this stage.
Is there an additional cost to send a Broadcast? When will I be charged?
There is Broadcast SMS are an additional charge of 4c per SMS to your subscription and once sent, will be charge to your next monthly invoice.
Can I send a Broadcast to an international phone number?
Currently no, Broadcasts can only be sent to Australian phone numbers: 04, 61 and +61.