Once an SMS Welcome Automation is enabled, the automation runs in the background. It welcomes new subscribers, confirms their opt-in, and introduces them to your SMS program without requiring manual sends.
Welcome messages are a simple way to engage subscribers while they are most excited to hear from you.
If you have not set up SMS for your brand in Hive yet, review Getting Started with SMS first.
Why Use a Welcome Automation?
Welcome Automations allow you to connect with subscribers immediately after they compliantly opt in.
This message helps confirm their subscription and set expectations for future messages.
Common goals for Welcome Automation messages include:
Welcoming subscribers to your SMS community
Confirming their subscription
Setting expectations for future messages
Sharing a promotion, presale alert, or exclusive offer
Encouraging subscribers to save your number using a Contact Card
For event organizers, venues, and festivals, Welcome Automations are often used to introduce subscribers to upcoming announcements, presales, lineup drops, or important event updates.
How to Create an SMS Welcome Automation
Follow the steps below to create a Welcome Automation that automatically sends a message when a subscriber joins your SMS list.
Step 1: Create a Live Segment for SMS Opt-Ins
Create a Live Segment of contacts who have compliantly opted in to receive SMS messages.
This can include all opted-in contacts, those who opted in after a specific date, or subscribers from a specific opt-in source.
This segment will be used to trigger your Welcome Automation.
Step 2: Create a New Automation
Navigate to Automations from the left navigation menu.
Then:
Go to Campaigns → Automations
Click + New Automation in the top right corner
Select Build Your Own
Step 3: Name Your Automation
Give your automation a clear name so it is easy to identify later.
Examples:
MUSIC Keyword SMS Welcome Automation
HiveFest 2026 SMS Welcome Automation
Bad Bunny Presale SMS Welcome Automation
If you collect opt-ins from multiple sources such as forms, keywords, or integrations, using descriptive names can help keep your automations organized.
Step 4: Set the Entry Trigger
Click Entry Trigger
Select Segment
Choose Enters Segment
Select the Live Segment you created for SMS opt-ins
Click Save Trigger
You can also configure global rules, which apply to every step in the automation.
Step 5: Create Your Welcome Message
Click the blue + button to add your message.
Select SMS
Write your Welcome message
Click Save
Within the message editor you can:
Personalize messages using merge tags
Include links to events, tickets, or your website
Add emojis to match your brand voice
Include an image if sending an MMS
Welcome messages perform best when they are short and easy to read.
Example:
Welcome to [Brand Name] texts! 🎉
Stay tuned for presales, event announcements, and special updates.
[Marketing Link]
Reply STOP to opt out.
Tip: Consider including a Contact Card and encouraging subscribers to save your number so they recognize your messages.
Step 6: Set Message Timing
Welcome messages are typically sent immediately after a subscriber compliantly opts in.
You can also add additional messages to create a short welcome series. Spacing messages out can help introduce your brand without overwhelming subscribers.
Step 7: Enable the Automation
Once your automation is complete:
Click Save Automation
Toggle the automation On
Your Welcome Automation will now send automatically whenever a new subscriber joins your SMS list.
You can return to this automation anytime to edit, pause, or update messages.
Welcome Automation Message
Follow these steps to create an effective Welcome message:
Identify your brand: Include your brand or venue name so subscribers immediately recognize who the message is from.
Set expectations: Let subscribers know what types of messages they will receive, such as presale alerts, event reminders, or special offers.
Include opt-out instructions: Provide clear opt-out instructions such as Reply STOP to unsubscribe.
Encourage subscribers to save your number: Use a Contact Card or prompt subscribers to save your number so they recognize your messages.
Keep messages short: SMS performs best when messages are clear and concise. Focus on one key message per text.
Test Your Welcome Automation
Before enabling your automation, run a quick test to confirm everything works correctly.
Subscribe to your SMS list using one of your opt-in methods such as a form or keyword.
Confirm the Welcome message sent after subscribing.
Review the message to ensure your brand name appears clearly, links work, and personalization tags display properly.
Once everything looks correct, enable the automation.
Need help? Reach out to support@hive.co