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Build RCS and SMS Messages with Mobile Message Builder

Create, personalize, review, preview, and export Rich Communication Services (RCS) and Short Message Service (SMS) messages from the same Knak Studio you use for email.

Note: The Mobile Message Builder feature is in Beta Testing. Please reach out to maral.artang@knak.com if you would like to participate.

What You Can Do with Mobile Message Builder

Mobile Message Builder brings mobile content into the same Knak workflow you use for email.

  • Build RCS and SMS messages.

  • Create multiple variants in one asset.

  • Adapt content with Remix with AI.

  • Add personalization with merge tags.

  • Apply optimization and brand rules.

  • Monitor SMS character limits.

  • Preview the final recipient experience.

  • Collaborate with your team.

  • Review version history.

  • Export content for activation.

Demo Video

Before You Begin

Before you create a mobile message, make sure you have the required access and permissions.

Enable Mobile Message Access

Note: The Mobile Message Creator role includes the Manage Mobile Messages permission, which requires a Premium or Premium Plus license.

If you need additional licenses for your account, contact your Knak Customer Success Manager (CSM).

To enable Mobile Message for a user:

  1. Go to Admin > Users.

  2. Click Edit for the user.

  3. Under Roles, select Mobile Message Creator.

  4. Save your changes.

    Editing a user and adding the Mobile Message Creator role.

Add Mobile Message Permissions to an Existing Role

You can also add Mobile Message permissions to an existing role as needed.

Available permissions include:

  • Manage Mobile Messages* — This permission allows users to create and edit mobile message assets.

  • Send Mobile Message for review — Send a mobile message for review. This permission is often overlooked, preventing users from submitting messages for approval.

If you do not have the required access through your user role, contact your Knak administrator to adjust your role permissions.

Create a Mobile Message

Create your mobile message from an existing campaign.

  1. Open the campaign you want to work in.

  2. Click Create in the top-right corner.

  3. Select Create Mobile Message.

    Option to Create Mobile Message visible in a campaign folder.

Inside the Mobile Message Builder, you can:

  • Build an RCS message.

  • Build an SMS-only message.

  • Create multiple message variants in the same asset.

    Message builder with a blank canvas.

Build an RCS Rich Card

Use a rich card to combine visual content, text, and actions in one RCS message.

A rich card can include:

  • An image.

  • A title.

  • Body copy.

  • Buttons or other actions.

Rich cards give you more design options than a standard SMS text message. If you start with plain text, you can convert your content into a rich card later.

For example, adding an image may require a rich card. You do not need to start over.

Add a Rich Card

  1. Add your message content.

  2. Add an image or another element that requires a rich card.

  3. Convert your content into a rich card when prompted by clicking Add Card.

    Add rich card popup when adding elements to the message content.

  4. Add your title, body copy, and CTA buttons.

    Rich card added into the message builder with image, text, and button elements added.

Add an Image and Message Content

Add an image from your Knak library to your RCS message.

  1. Select the image content block.

  2. Click the Browse button to choose an image from your library or paste an image link in the image attributes section.

    Browse button and image attributes section highlighted in the mobile message builder.

  3. Adjust image height as needed.

    Image height options are:

    • Short: 112 dp

    • Medium: 168 dp

    • Tall: 264 dp

    Image size selection options under the image attributes section for an RCS message.

  4. Add your title.

  5. Add your description or body copy.

    Example RCS message setup.

Image Sizes for RCS Messages

When you add an image to a Rich Communication Services (RCS) message, use the aspect ratio that matches your selected media height.

Media height

Aspect ratio

Example image size

Short (112 dp)

7:2

1176 × 336 px

Medium (168 dp)

7:3

1176 × 504 px

Tall (264 dp)

3:2

1176 × 784 px

The example image sizes above use 3× display scaling. You do not need to use these exact pixel dimensions.

Focus on matching the aspect ratio for your selected media height. Your recipient's device controls the final display size based on its screen density.

Choose an Image Resolution

Images created at 3× scaling should display well on most smartphones. For higher-density displays, you can use an image created at 4× scaling. This provides enough resolution for smartphones currently available. The tradeoff is a larger image file size.

For the best results:

  • Match the aspect ratio to your selected media height.

  • Use the 3× pixel dimensions above as a helpful starting point.

  • Use 4× scaling when you need additional resolution for higher-density displays.

  • Consider the larger file size when using 4× scaling.

  • Keep important content away from the edges of your image.

  • Preview and test your message before sending it.

Personalize Your Message

Use merge tags to add personalized content.

For example, add a merge tag for a recipient's first name.

Merge tags insert information from your marketing automation platform into the message when it is sent.

Adding a merge tag in an text box for a mobile message.

Add Actions

Add buttons to give recipients a clear next step. You can add up to 4 buttons in your RCS message.

Add a Website Button

  1. Add a button to your rich card.

  2. Select Open a webpage.

  3. Add the destination link.

  4. Enter the button text.

    Open a webpage button setup in the mobile message builder.

Add a Call Button

  1. Add another button.

  2. Select Make a call.

  3. Add the phone number.

  4. Enter the button text.

    Make a call button setup in the mobile message builder.

Create an SMS Variant

Create an SMS version after you finish your RCS message.

  • Start from base: Copies the existing text exactly as-is.

  • Start from scratch: Creates an empty SMS variant.

  • Remix with AI: Uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to adapt the existing content for SMS.

    Add variant button to create an SMS variant.

Create an SMS Variant from Base

Use Start from base to copy your base message text into your SMS variant.

  1. Add an SMS variant.

  2. Select Use base asset.

  3. Click Add Variant.

  4. Review the copied text.

  5. Edit the content as needed for SMS.

    Use base asset selected when creating an SMS variant from a RCS message.

Note: Your base text is copied into the SMS variant exactly as written. Start from base does not shorten, rewrite, or optimize your content for SMS.

Create an SMS Variant with Remix with AI

  1. Add an SMS variant.

  2. Select Remix with AI.

  3. Click Add Variant to start generation.

  4. Review the generated SMS copy.

  5. Edit the content as needed.

Remix with AI can use your existing message content, image context, and brand voice. It creates copy that better fits SMS.

Remix with AI option when creating a variant in the message builder.

Run Optimization and Brand Checks

Apply your existing Knak optimization rules to your mobile content. Knak identifies issues and shows which variant contains the problem.

For each issue, you can see the specific content that needs attention, such as:

  • A title.

  • Body copy.

  • A specific RCS variant.

  • A specific SMS variant.

Update the flagged content to meet your brand and quality requirements.

Optimize tab in the mobile message builder.

Check SMS Character Counts

Monitor your SMS length as you write. Knak shows when your content moves from one SMS message to two or more message segments.

Your character count can also change when you use:

  • Special characters.

  • Emojis.

Review the message count before activation. Shorten your copy when needed.

Character count visible for text attributes in the mobile message builder.

Preview Your Message

Preview the recipient experience before you finish your message.

You can switch between:

  • RCS and SMS variants.

  • Light mode and dark mode.

Preview Personalization

If you use Personas, select a persona to preview your content as a specific recipient. Use the preview to check how merge tags and other personalized content will appear.

Previewing a mobile message using persona information.

Review Asset Information

Open the Info tab to review details about your mobile asset.

You can view information such as:

  • Asset preview.

  • Creator.

  • Brand.

  • Assigned brand voice.

  • Tags.

Info tab displaying asset information such as asset preview, creator, brand, brand voice, and tags.

View Version History

Use version history to review changes across your RCS and SMS variants.

  • See previous versions.

  • Review what changed.

  • Restore an earlier version.

Version history for a mobile message.

Translate Your Message

Use your base Rich Communication Services (RCS) or Short Message Service (SMS) message to create translated versions of your mobile message.

  1. Open the Translate tab.

  2. Click Translate Now.

    Translation tab with Translate Now button highlighted.

  3. Select Knak Translations or your connected translation integration.

  4. Confirm or update your source language.

  5. Select the language or languages you want to translate your message into.

  6. Confirm your selections.

  7. Click Submit to send your translation request.

When your translation requests are complete, open the Translate tab to view each translated mobile message variant.

Completed translation variants in the Translate tab.

Review and Collaborate

Use your existing Knak collaboration and review workflows for mobile messages.

Collaborate on Your Message

Use the Collaborate tab to leave comments and work with your team directly in the asset.

  • Add comments about your mobile message.

  • Tag a colleague to request feedback.

  • Keep feedback connected to the asset.

Collaborate tab with comments and a tagged collaborator visible.

Send Your Message for Review

Use the Review tab to manage the review process for your mobile message.

Send the asset for review when your content is ready. Use the Review tab to see an active review and track its progress.

Review tab displaying an active review for a mobile message.

Download and Activate Your Message

Download the files and content you need to activate your mobile message.

  1. Click the Actions menu.

  2. Click Download.

  3. Choose the file you want to download.

    Actions Download menu options for the mobile message builder.

For Rich Communication Services (RCS), your download can include:

  • Message text.

  • Media.

  • A visual proof of the final experience.

Note: You can also download content for a supported marketing automation platform. Knak can translate your merge tags into the format expected by the destination platform.

For example, an Eloqua download can include Eloqua-compatible merge tags.

Need more help? Contact support via live chat using the chat bubble in the bottom right corner or email support@knak.com.

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