​​Quick Start for New Users

If you are a new SchoolMessenger Communicate user, it is very important to configure a few basic account settings before you begin sending broadcasts. The following one-time setup will make learning the system and sending broadcasts quick and easy. The step-by-step instructions configure your account preferences, create a test list, and send your first call.  

Bookmark Your Login Page 

After you have entered your Communicate web address, be sure to bookmark the login page on any computer that you will regularly use to send notifications. Encourage you to write down the address and carry it with you. Every customer’s login page is unique, so you should not expect that you will remember your specific login URL if you are away from your personal computer and need to access the system.   

Set Your Account Preferences 

1. After logging in, click Account on the header menu bar.   

2. Within the User Information, ensure that all of the details in the Account Information section are complete and accurate. If you are unsure what the information in a particular field is used for, hover over the name of a field and a tooltip with details will be displayed.   

3. For the Phone field, enter the phone number to be reached when recording a message. This will save you time later when you need to quickly record a message, but it can be easily changed as needed.   

4. Click Done to save your changes.

Note: If your account was created by a data import, you may be unable to edit certain fields of your User Information.

Send Yourself a Test Call (Broadcast) 

Log in to the system. The first tab is called the Dashboard and you can send a New Broadcast from this page.   

Click New Broadcast to begin the 3-step process for creating a new broadcast. 

Step 1: Subjects & Recipients 

1. Enter a Subject for your broadcast.  

2. Select a Type for the broadcast.  

3. For the Recipients field, click Add Me. Check your contact details and edit them if necessary.  

4. Click Continue after you are ready to proceed.  

Step 2: Message Content 

1. To include a call in your broadcast, click the + Phone tab.  

2. In the Recording field, enter the 10-digit phone number from which you will record your voice message.   

3. The Scratch Pad area can be used to type out a script to read during your voice recording.  

4. Click Call Now to Record and follow the prompts on the phone to record and save your message.  As soon as you are done speaking, press any key to stop the recording. The message will automatically replay. You must press 1 to save your message. Hanging up the phone prior to pressing 1 will erase your message and you will have repeat from Step 2 to re-record it. 

5. Click Settings to access additional options. 

6. Click Save after the recording. You will have the option to click to listen to and/or replay your voice recording from this page.

7. Click Continue to move to Step 3.  

Note: You can add an Email, SMS (Text), or other available message types to this test broadcast, but those types are not covered in this guide. Refer to the Get Started Guide and Advance Training Guide for more information.

Step 3: Review & Send 

Your broadcast should contain the phone message you recorded and at least one recipient.  

Click Send Now to send your message.  

Check your Email 

In your email, you should have received an email with a link to the audio file you recorded. Email links are automatically created and are a great way to ensure that your message gets to your intended recipient even if someone else (like a student) happens to answer the call.   

Review your Broadcast Report   

You should have received an email report summarizing your broadcast. After each broadcast, an email is sent with a report displaying the delivery results.   

Additional Information  

For more detailed feature information, refer the Get Started Guide and other guides. In-product online help is found by clicking Help of any page of your Communicate account.