When someone texts a keyword to your VipeCloud texting number, they receive an automated reply asking for their name. VipeCloud then parses their response and adds their first and last name to the contact record. For everything else text keywords can do, see How to Use Texting Keywords.
How to Set Up a Text Keyword That Captures Names
Click Automation in the sidebar.
Click Text Keywords.
Click Create in the upper right.
In Keyword, type the keyword you want contacts to text in.
Under Process If, leave Entire inbound text matches keyword selected (recommended).
Under Keyword Action, select Trigger Text Reply. Name capture works only with this action.
Click Simple Text and type the reply your contacts receive, such as "Please respond with only your first and last name." You can choose a saved text template instead.
Turn on Enable Name Capture On Reply.
To send a confirmation after the name is captured, type it in the Name capture success message here... box.
Click Save Keyword Action.
The keyword appears in the Text Keywords list, with its setup shown in the Details column.
How to Capture Email Addresses With a Text Keyword
Email capture works the same way as name capture and is set up in the same keyword panel.
In the keyword's text reply, ask contacts to respond with only their email address.
Turn on Enable Email Capture On Reply.
To send a confirmation after the email is captured, type it in the Email capture success message here... box.
Click Save Keyword Action.
VipeCloud validates the email address before saving it. Text templates have the same Enable Name Capture On Reply and Enable Email Capture On Reply options.
How to Test Name Capture
Click Communication in the sidebar.
Click Text.
Click Conversations.
On your phone, text the keyword to your VipeCloud texting number.
Reply to the automated text with a first and last name.
Refresh the Conversations page.
The new contact appears with the name from your reply.
Key Notes
Name and email capture require a texting subscription.
The contact must send their name or email in the first reply after texting the keyword. Later replies aren't parsed.
A name is captured only when the contact has no first or last name saved, and an email only when the contact has no email saved.
If the reply includes extra words, such as "Hi, my name is...", the name may not be parsed correctly. Ask for only the name in your reply text.
If the contact replies with only a first name, VipeCloud saves the first name and leaves the last name blank.
Video Walkthrough
Use the timestamps below to jump to specific sections:
1:10 - Requirements
2:15 - Open Text Keywords and create a keyword
2:45 - Set the keyword and match rule
3:07 - Choose the text reply action and write the reply
4:28 - Turn on name capture and save
4:49 - Review the keyword in the Text Keywords list
5:09 - Get clean name replies
5:43 - Test name capture