Overview
Send text messages to opted-in patients from the Admin Panel in two ways: build a promotion with AI and let it draft the texts, or write a one-off text yourself. Both use the same text composer.
Texts carry words and a link, not an image. To show a picture, link the text to a Discover card, pop-up, or banner that has one.
This article is for practice owners, managers, and marketing staff who send manual (non-automated) texts.
Before You Start
You need Admin Panel access to AI Promotions and Text Messaging. If you don't see them, ask an Admin to check your role.
Open AI Promotions and Text Messaging from the MedCommerce Engine section of the left-side navigation.
Texts only go to patients who opted in, at the locations you select.
Texts can only be scheduled between 8 AM and 9 PM local time.
Why It Matters
Text messages are a direct line to your patients. They help you:
Reach patients quickly with offers, events, and reminders, and link them straight into your app.
Save time by letting AI draft a whole promotion, including its texts, from one short description.
Learn what works by checking how many patients received and clicked each text.
How It Works
Two ways to send. Build a promotion on the AI Promotions page, or write a one-off text from Text Messaging. Texts in a promotion are held until the promotion is published; a one-off text stands alone and can be turned into a promotion later.
What goes into a text.
Text name (one-off texts only): an internal name patients don't see.
Message: up to 200 characters. The preview adds your practice name before your message and Reply STOP to Opt-Out after it.
Link to your app: buttons that insert a link without typing a URL (Home, Shop, Discover card, Shop category, or Product or service). Each link shows as a chip.
Locations and Audience: choose All or specific locations, and All Patients, Members Only, or Non-Members Only.
Schedule Your Message: send Now, or choose Set a date & time in a 15-minute slot.
Send a test: preview the text before you schedule it.
How links count toward your 200 characters. Every link counts as 23 characters, no matter how long the chip looks. RepeatMD creates the short link for you, so you don't need a link shortener.
Images with your texts. Texts don't include an image. To show one, link the text to a Discover card, pop-up, or banner that has it.
Add an image to a Discover card. In the card editor, use Upload, Image library, or Find a match (at least 1200 × 675 px, JPEG or PNG, up to 2 MB). See Create and edit a Discover card (Admin Panel).
Track your texts. The Text Messaging page shows a summary and tabs (All, Scheduled, In progress, Sent, Failed). Search, filter by source, location, or date, or click Export CSV. Texts in a done-for-you campaign show a Campaign label.
Text statuses. A text is Scheduled until it goes out, then Sent or Failed. Held (draft promotion) means its promotion isn't published yet. Held, past due means the send time passed, so update it in the promotion.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Build a promotion with AI, including texts
Go to MedCommerce Engine → AI Promotions.
In Describe your promotion, say what you want and mention that you want a text. For example, "Create a back-to-school promotion with savings on filler and facials for next month." Click Build your promotion. AI drafts it in a few minutes.
Open the draft and go to its Texts block. Click a text to edit its message, locations, audience, or send time. Read every text before you publish, because AI can make mistakes.
Add a text to a promotion yourself
Go to MedCommerce Engine → AI Promotions and click New promotion.
Under Promotion Overview, enter the Promotion Name, Promotion Window, and Participating Locations.
Under Build Your Promotion, find Texts and click + Add. Then click Schedule a text, write your message, choose the audience and time, and click Schedule Text Message.
Click Save as Draft to keep working, or Publish Promotion when every block is ready. The texts then go out at their scheduled times.
Create a one-off text message
Go to MedCommerce Engine → Text Messaging and click Create text message.
Enter a Text name and your Message (200 characters or fewer). To add a link, click a button under Link to your app and choose where it goes.
Under Locations and Audience, choose who gets the text. Select at least one location.
Under Schedule Your Message, leave Now or choose Set a date & time (future, 15-minute steps, 8 AM to 9 PM local time).
Click Send a test. When it looks right, click Schedule text.
Show an image with your text
Go to Your Catalog → Discover Cards, click New card, and add your picture under Image. Publish the card, because patients only see published cards.
In your text, click Discover card under Link to your app and choose the card.
Send a test, tap the link on your phone, and confirm the card opens with your image.
View a text and its results
Go to MedCommerce Engine → Text Messaging and click the text in the list.
Review Details, Timeline, and What patients see. For campaign texts, the Results card shows Sent and Clicked. Counts can take a few minutes to catch up.
Edit, duplicate, or delete a text
Open the text from the Text Messaging list.
To change a scheduled text, click Edit text, update it, and save. To reuse it, click Duplicate.
To cancel a scheduled text, click Delete and confirm. The text will not be sent, and this can't be undone.
Turn a one-off text into a promotion
While writing a one-off text, scroll to Turn this into a promotion at the bottom of the form.
Choose Discover Card, Custom Category, Pop-Up, or Banner, then finish building the promotion. Your text is held until the promotion is published.
Best Practices and Pro Tips
Send a test every time before you schedule a text.
Use clear internal names, such as "July promo blast", so your team can find past sends.
Lead with the offer and add one link. Short texts get read.
Pair every text with a Discover card. The card carries your image, headline, and button.
Always read the AI draft. Check the dates, offer, and every link before you publish, then compare Sent and Clicked after a day.
Common Mistakes and FAQs
Q: Can I add an image to a text message?
A: Not directly. Link the text to a Discover card that has the image. See "Show an image with your text" above.
Q: Why can't I save my message?
A: The usual causes are a message over 200 characters, no location selected, or a missing Text name.
Q: Why can't I send a text right now?
A: Texts only go out between 8 AM and 9 PM local time. Outside that window, choose Set a date & time for the next morning.
Q: Who receives my text?
A: Only patients who have your app and opted in to marketing texts, at the selected locations and audience.
Q: Can I edit or delete a text after scheduling it?
A: Yes, while it is still Scheduled. Sent texts can't be edited, but you can click Duplicate. Texts in a done-for-you campaign are changed with Edit campaign.
Q: How is this different from automated text sequences?
A: This article covers manual texts. Automated texts triggered by offers, rewards, and Custom Plans are system-generated. See Set up automated text message sequences (Admin Panel).
Next Steps and Support
Need help? Email support@repeatmd.com