What can I do with Zipfo?
Zipfo provides a simple way to send SMS Text Messages to groups of people. There is a wide range of flexibility in how you do this, and how the group works. This page will give you some examples of how Zipfo can be used!
Groups
A Zipfo Group is actually a very powerful communications tool, and can be configured to be used for a wide range of solutions. When you create a Zipfo Group you are able to determine who can see the group, who can join the group, who can send to the group, and who can receive the messages sent to the group. There are actually even more capabilities than that, and we'll cover most of them with the examples below!
Public vs. Private Groups
Zipfo allows you to create a group as either being a Public Group, or a Private Group. Public Groups mean that anyone who can find out about your group can join the group - either through the website, or from their phone. Private Groups require your approval for new members to join the group. This gives you the ability to control exactly who is able to be a member, and receive the messages that are sent to the Zipfo Group. You can also choose to receive notifications when people join or leave your groups.
Who can send to my groups?
You are in complete control of who can send to a Zipfo Group that you create. The current options allow you to choose based on how you want to use the group.
- Only me! - As the group owner, only you are able to send to the group. It's you communicating to the world.
- All group members - With this setting all of the group members can send to the group, making the group a more "conversational" group.
- Any Zipfo user - This is a setting which allows any Zipfo user to send to the group, even if they are not currently a member of the group. This can be used to solicit input from Zipfo users that would then go to a select group of people that you have determined.
What happens to messages sent to the group by people not allowed to send to the group?
WHAT? Ok ... let's say that you have a group, and you say that only group members, or even just you, can send to that group. What exactly happens when a non-group-member sends to your group? Well, you can control that also. We let you choose from several settings to deal with those messages.
- Ignore - The incoming message will simply be ignored. Gone. Done.
- Bounce - This is like an "auto-reply" message and can be used for that purpose. We'll allow you to define a message that will be sent back to the user. The message could be telling them they are not allowed to send to the group, or it can be used to send important information back to that perosn. You choose.
- Go to me! - With this setting, any of the messages going to the group that are not allowed are simply forwarded to you. There are many ways to use this feature ... allowing your group to be used for requesting feedback, and the responses come only to you. Also to be aware of people who are trying to send to your groups.
The Zipfo Public Directory
Zipfo has it's own Public Directory of groups, and you can choose to have your group listed. Zipfo users can then search the directory to locate your group, or any group that might provide them with notices, reminders, or alerts that are of interest to them.
Subscribe / Unsubscribe Notifications
As mentioned above, you can choose to receive notifications when anyone joins or leaves your groups. This allows you to know who is listening, and who is no longer interested.
Message Echo
Zipfo allows you to choose if you want your own messages echoed back to you ... just so that you know your message went out. A good way to confirm your message went to your group.
Zipfo and twitter ... making twitter even better!
Zipfo Groups can be "bound" to a twitter account. This allows you to use all of the features of Zipfo - including the group features and reminders - and still support your twitter followers. This is just like making a twitter account a group member of your Zipfo Group. With this feature you can have numerous Zipfo users (as group members) able to send messages to a single twitter account ... and you don't have to give them all the twitter account login and password! For right now it is one-way (the Zipfo Group goes to twitter) but we're also looking at maybe making a Zipfo Group a follower of a twitter account.
Reminders
Coming soon ... I'll finish more tonight ...