# SMS and WhatsApp Marketing

### Access the Marketing Campaigns Tool

1. **Log in** to [Mercuri](https://mercuri.cx).
2. Navigate to the **Marketing** section in the dashboard.
3. Click **Create Campaign**.

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## 4-Step process to send a campaign

<figure><img src="https://392978341-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FsZtOBCP9JV8XEWJpUU4t%2Fuploads%2FpWxzmcbCB6woLNTIvrL8%2FScreenshot%202025-03-18%20at%202.50.54%E2%80%AFPM.png?alt=media&#x26;token=95867eed-fe5e-43ca-8c34-7e3784d5d9be" alt=""><figcaption><p>Four step process to create campaign</p></figcaption></figure>

1. **Audience:**&#x20;
   1. Choose your **target segment** from saved lists.
   2. Customer contacts can also be uploaded as a CSV file from the **Contacts** section in the dashboard. *\[*[*Click here to learn how to upload a CSV file with contacts\]*](https://docs.mercuri.cx/features/contacts#bulk-upload-via-csv)
   3. Select existing contacts from your **Mercuri contact list**.

2. **Content**&#x20;
   1. Select **SMS** or **WhatsApp** based on your business’s preferred communication channel.
   2. **SMS Marketing:** Ideal for **quick promotions, reminders, and offers**.
   3. **WhatsApp Marketing:** Requires **pre-approved message templates** for outbound messages.
   4. **Create Your Message**
      1. **For SMS:**

         1. Write a **short and engaging message (free-form message) or** select the template from the list.
         2. Personalize it with placeholders (e.g., `{{name}}`).
         3. Keep it **under 160 characters** to avoid extra costs.

         **Example:**

         > "Hi {{name}}, enjoy 20% off your next purchase at \[Your Brand]! Use code SAVE20. Shop now: \[link] Reply STOP to opt out."

      2. **For WhatsApp:**

         1. Select a **pre-approved template or** create a **new template.**[*\[Guide to create WhatsApp template\].*](https://docs.mercuri.cx/communication-channels/whatsapp-integration/creating-your-first-whatsapp-template#how-to-create-whatsapp-template-in-mercuri)
         2. Fill in the required placeholders.
         3. Add **interactive buttons** for quick replies or website links.

         **Example Template:**

         > "Hi {{name}}, we have an exclusive offer just for you! Get 20% off your next purchase. Tap below to claim: \[button: Shop Now]."

3. **Schedule :**&#x20;

   1. Click **Send immediately** to launch instantly.
   2. Or select **Schedule for Later** to send out the campaign for a specific date and time.

4. **Overview:**
   1. Review the campaign details and preview your message before sending.
   2. Click on **Send campaign.**