Help Center › Communication › SMS messaging
SMS messaging
Send and receive text messages directly from Asan. Cori can draft messages for you, and incoming replies appear in real time.
Sending an SMS
- Open the SMS Inbox. Click SMS Inbox in the sidebar, or navigate to a lead's detail page and click the SMS tab.
- Select a lead. If you started from the Inbox, choose an existing conversation or click New Message and search for a lead by name or phone number.
- Compose your message. Type your message in the text field at the bottom of the conversation.
- Click Send. The message is sent from your assigned Asan phone number. If you have multiple numbers, Asan uses the number already associated with that lead's conversation.
You can also send a quick SMS from the lead detail page without leaving it — just switch to the SMS tab, type, and send.
AI-drafted messages
Let Cori write the first draft for you. When composing an SMS, click Ask Cori or type a prompt describing what you want to say. Cori uses the lead's context — their name, interaction history, current status, and notes — to write a personalized message.
- Click Ask Cori in the compose area.
- Describe your intent. For example: "Follow up on the voicemail I left yesterday" or "Ask if they're available for a call this week."
- Review and edit. Cori's draft appears in the compose field. Adjust the tone or details as needed before sending.
Cori never sends messages on your behalf automatically. You always review and click Send yourself.
Receiving SMS
Incoming replies appear in real time — no need to refresh the page. When a lead replies to your SMS:
- The message appears instantly in the SMS Inbox and on the lead's SMS tab.
- A desktop notification pops up (if you have browser notifications enabled).
- The unread count updates in the sidebar next to SMS Inbox.
- The lead's activity timeline records the incoming message for future reference.
Bulk SMS
Send the same message to many leads at once, with personalization so each one feels individual.
- Go to the Leads page. Use filters or search to find the leads you want to message.
- Select leads. Check the boxes next to each lead, or use Select All.
- Click Bulk SMS in the toolbar that appears.
- Compose your message. Use merge fields like
{{name}}or{{first_name}}to personalize each message automatically. - Click Send. Each message is sent individually — leads do not see each other's numbers. This is not a group text.
Bulk SMS counts toward your plan's SMS usage. Check your remaining balance in Billing & subscription before sending large batches.
Character limits & segments
SMS messages are billed in segments. A single segment has a character limit that depends on the characters you use:
| Message type | Characters per segment | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (GSM-7) | 160 characters | Plain English text, numbers, basic punctuation |
| Unicode (UCS-2) | 70 characters | Emojis, accented characters, non-Latin scripts |
Messages longer than one segment are automatically split into multiple segments. For example, a 300-character English message uses 2 segments. Each segment counts toward your SMS usage on your plan.
Keep messages concise — short, clear texts get higher response rates and use fewer segments. Asan shows a live character count as you type.
Delivery status
Every sent message shows a delivery status so you know exactly what happened:
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Sent | The message has been dispatched to the carrier. Delivery to the handset is pending. |
| Delivered | The carrier confirmed delivery to the recipient's phone. |
| Failed | The message could not be sent — typically due to an invalid number or carrier rejection. |
| Undelivered | The carrier accepted the message but could not deliver it (e.g., the phone is off, the number is disconnected, or the recipient has opted out). |
Tips for better SMS outreach
- Identify yourself. Start with your name or company so the lead knows who is texting.
- Keep it short. The best-performing SMS messages are 1–2 sentences. Get to the point quickly.
- Include a clear CTA. Ask a question or suggest a next step — "Are you free for a quick call at 3 PM?" gets more replies than a wall of text.
- Respect timing. Asan's calling hours apply to SMS too. Messages are queued if sent outside the lead's local business hours.
- Use Cori for follow-ups. After a call, ask Cori to draft a follow-up text summarizing what you discussed. It saves time and feels personal.
- Watch your opt-outs. If a lead replies STOP, Asan automatically marks them as opted out and blocks future messages. See DNC & consent.
Frequently asked
Can I send MMS (images, attachments)?+
Not at this time. Asan SMS supports text-only messages. MMS support is on the roadmap — contact us if this is important for your workflow.
Do leads see my real phone number?+
Leads see your Asan phone number — the number assigned to your account. This is a real, dialable number that leads can call or text back. It is not your personal cell number.
What happens if I text a landline?+
SMS to landlines will fail because landlines cannot receive text messages. The message status will show as Failed or Undelivered. Asan identifies phone line types where possible to help you avoid this.
Can I opt a lead out of SMS manually?+
Yes. On the lead's detail page, you can toggle their SMS consent off. This prevents any future SMS from being sent to that lead, including bulk messages. See DNC & consent for details.
Is there a daily SMS limit?+
Your plan includes a monthly SMS allocation. There is no hard daily cap, but high-volume sending in a short burst may be rate-limited by the carrier to protect deliverability. Check your usage in Billing & subscription.
Can Cori send SMS automatically on my behalf?+
No. Cori drafts messages for you, but you always review and click Send. Automated SMS can be configured through Workflows (e.g., auto-reply to new Facebook leads), but these are set up explicitly by you or your admin.
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Last updated 16 Jun 2026 · Applies to: Asan CRM