Create an SMS/MMS Activity in Journey Builder

Use the SMS/MMS activity to power Journey Builder SMS sends to Marketing Cloud Engagement contacts in a journey. MMS is only available in the United States and Canada.

1. In Journey Builder, drag the SMS/MMS activity to the canvas.
2. Click the SMS/MMS activity.
3. Click New Message.
4. To select multimedia, turn on Add Media.
   To use media for MMS in Journey Builder, you must upload the file to Content Builder.
5. Enter the message.
   • To find hidden non-GSM characters like unicode straight quotes that can be included when pasting text from another source, select Highlight Non-GSM.
   • To combine messages beyond 160 characters into one, check Concatenate Message.
     

     Note Message concatenation isn't available in all markets, including the United States. The concatenate option only displays when you select a short or long code for a location that allows concatenation. Click here for more information about message concatenation.
   • To shorten a URL, click Shorten URL, paste your URL, and click Apply. If you use Google UTM parameters to track links, UTM parameters are applied when you shorten a URL.
6. Preview the code type, if applicable.
7. Click Save.
8. If applicable, name your activity. Otherwise, your content name serves as your Activity Name and is visible in all reports.
9. Click Message Configuration.
10. Select the code you're sending the message from.
    

    Note For MMS messages, you can only use US or Canada codes that have MMS capability enabled.
11. Select a From Name, if applicable.
    

    Note A From Name sends the message to a customer's mobile device as if your business is one of the customer's contacts. Recipients can't directly respond to a message from a From Name.
12. Click Delivery Options.
    

    Note If a contact doesn't have a valid mobile number, MobileConnect attempts to deploy the send to the priority one number stored on a given contact record.
13. Read and agree to the Opt-Out Availability Policy.
14. If you choose to send only to contacts who are subscribed currently, the SMS is sent only if the mobile number has a mobile address and an active mobile subscription.
15. If you choose to subscribe all contacts to a keyword, confirm subscriber opt-in. If users are already unsubscribed from a keyword, this action doesn't resubscribe them.
    For a mobile number that doesn't have a mobile address or mobile subscription, Marketing Cloud will automatically create both and then send the SMS.
16. Set a send blockout window, if applicable.
17. To associate this message with a campaign, click Add Campaign.
    

    Note If you don't set a campaign name in Delivery Options, campaign names aren't included in tracking.
18. Click Advanced Options to review your Next Keyword, if applicable.
19. Click Summary.
20. For a subscriber-level preview for your message, click Subscriber Preview.
21. Click Done.
    

    Note If you use Google Analytics, the UTM parameters you applied are appended when you activate the journey. Tracking results include any last-minute changes you make.