Tatango has two different products.
Lists - These allow your organization to collect mobile phone numbers, in order to text message them future offers. An example of an organization using a list would be when the organization tells their supporters to text their keyword to their short code, in order for those supporters to sign up to receive future text messages. For instructions on how to setup a new list, click here.
Autoresponders - These allow your organization to create one-time text messaging interactions with your supporters. An example of an organization using an autoresponder would be when the organization tells their supporters to text their keyword to their short code, in order to receive a text message in return, with more information about that organization, a link to their website, a link to donate, etc. Below are the instructions on how to setup a new autoresponder.
Instructions
When you log into Tatango, the first thing you'll see is your lists dashboard, which lists all your list. Follow the instructions below to create an autoresponder.
Beneath "Lists" on the left side of the screen, click Autoresponders.
Once you've done step #1, find the green button in the top right hand corner that says Create Autoresponder, and a pop-up will appear on your screen.
In the pop-up, you'll first want to set your Keyword, which is a word that customers will text to your short code, in order to receive your autoresponder message. Don't worry, you can edit this later if needed. A Keyword can be anywhere between 2 and 15 characters long, but cannot contain any spaces,!,/,$,%, or any other special characters.
After you've set your keyword, the next step will be to set your Response. This is the message that customers will receive in response when they text your autoresponder Keyword to your short code. Don't worry, you can edit this later if needed.
When finished, click the green button that says Create SMS Autoresponder.
Additional Notes
The way autoresponders are designed, you're unable to message customers more than once after they text your autoresponder keyword to your short code. If you're looking to message customers more than once, you'll need to setup a list.
Responses to autoresponders will result in a message being sent to a customers saying "Sorry, you can not respond to this message."
It's possible for customers to respond with either another autoresponder keyword, or even a list keyword. When a customer does this, Tatango will respond as normal to either the autoresponder or list keyword.
Tatango does not offer the option to capture data (name, zip code, email, etc.) with autoresponders, expect in the case of specific integrations with email marketing providers, which you can read about here.
Tatango can't transfer customers that have texted an autoresponder keyword to a list.
Some Tatango customers confuse autoresponders with the Transactional Gateway, as they're very similar in function. The difference between the two is that an autoresponder message is initiated by a customer texting an autoresponder keyword to your short code, while with the Transactional Gateway, a message is initiated by a customer entering their mobile phone number into a website or point of sale system.