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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.

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.

Note: This feature will enter Alpha testing on August 17. Please reach out to maral.artang@knak.com if you would like to participate.

Demo Video

Before You Begin

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

You need the following role permissions:

  • Manage Mobile Messages

  • Send Mobile Message for review

Note: the Manage Mobile Messages role permission requires a Premium or Premium Plus license.

If you do not have the required access, contact your Knak administrator.

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.

  1. Select the image area in your rich card by clicking the Browse Images button.

    Browse Images button highlighted on an empty image content block.

  2. Choose an image from your library.

  3. Add a title.

  4. Add your description or body copy.

    Example RCS message setup.

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.

  • Create the SMS message from scratch.

  • Use Remix with AI to adapt your RCS message.

Add variant button to create an SMS variant.

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.

Alpha limitation: Merge tags may not automatically carry over to the new variant in every case. Check your SMS content. Add any missing merge tags manually.

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.

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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