I’ve been using this for a couple months now – the first month I was kind of playing with it and learning the ropes, the second month I really started to depend on it, and now I’m pretty much positive that SimplyTXT is in my life to stay.  At least until kids get tired of texting each other!!!

Basically, it’s a way to mass text message people in one shot through a web based platform.  Since it comes with a 30 day free trial, I thought it was worth a shot.  Here’s how I’m using it; I have three different groupings I use, one for leaders, one for senior high and one for junior high.  I typically send out 2-3 messages per week per group, reminders about events, deadlines, oppotunities, goofy facts, whatever.  The kids AND volunteers love it because it’s a great way to get a reminder sent right to them (as opposed to email where they have to get to a computer or snail mail … where they have to wait a few days to get it)!  I love it because it’s so easy, and because it’s a text message there’s no need for bells and whistles – just get to the point!

There is a reply feature, so I can get responses from kids and adults with followup questions about the announcements, events, or whatever.  We’re definitely shifting our focus to getting kids on our text message update list since it seems to be a more effective way to get a hold of them.  All that to say, if you’re a youth worker, definitely give the free trial a shot.  It’s a great tool, very relevant to kids’ lives today, and it’s very, very easy to use.