Push Messages: Best Practices to Keep in Mind

With push messages, you want to capture the users' attention in a matter of seconds and ultimately "push" them back to your app. The next time you go to schedule a notification, consider these best practices to ensure your messages are effective in reaching your members.

Keep the Length of the Message Short and Sweet

Skip the "fluff" and keep your messages like a tweet. Opt for clear and concise. It will grab and keep users' attention and ensure your message is less likely to be cut off. Screen sizes can vary dramatically among devices, so it is important to consider the number of characters. On iOS, the maximum number of characters tends to be around 120, while Android displays as little as half of that.

Aim to keep your message as short as 60 characters or less. Before you schedule your push notification, use a character counter like this one to help with the process. If you can't cover what you'd like in such a short message, add a link to a feature with additional information.

Don't Press Send Too Often

Before scheduling pushes messages several times a day, you may want to think twice (unless it's for a special event!). With tens or even hundreds of apps installed on a device, people can get overwhelmed with alerts. Although there's no magic formula, a good number of messages is around twice a week to keep their attention. Keep in mind that you can use tags to segment your messages and keep the content relevant for different groups of users. Read more about how to send tagged push messages here. 

Try 1-2 broadcast push messages per week and 1-2 push messages to at least one tag per week. 

Consider What Time it is

It may seem simple, but always think about your local time zone. With push notifications, phones will often make a sound to alert users, so it is important to avoid extremely late or extremely early hours.

Some great times to send push messages are mid-day (to catch them during their lunch break!) or right after work as they're beginning to wind down for the day. 

Use Words to Motivate

Your members are looking for ways to stay engaged. While it's good to send a variety of different types of push messages (including things like encouraging quotes and verses), some of the best messages use action words to get users involved. Encourage them to check out your latest app content, remind them to register for an event, or alert them of a new need in the community. You can even go beyond a message-only push and schedule a push that guides users to a particular feature that's relevant to the message and drives them back to your app. Read this article for more on push messages.

Examples

Below is a screenshot of some great examples of push messages we have seen from our partners!

Here are a few more examples:

FWC Gastonia: Get your slippers on, it's about get real! Starting in 30 minutes! 

MyWellSpring: Our worship live stream is online NOW; find our YouTube & Facebook Live links here. Get juice & crackers for communion! 💻🙌📱🖥️

MyWellSpring: New to WellSpring? Know someone who is? Sign up here for the online First Date newcomers' meet & greet—it's Sunday at 1pm!

All Saints Catholic Parish: All Saints Family Faith - Youth news has been updated with information about being a Good Shepherd. - Click Now to see

Grace Church: We have updated the GraceDSM app📱to include an Easter section this week. ✝️ Check it out! 

Queens Faith Temple: NYC Food Delivery Assistance information is available in "Weekly Announcements". Please share info with someone in need today. 

Nfluence: Missed yesterday's virtual church service? Watch the replay on the app today!👓📲

Good News Free Will Baptist Church: Join Us at Noon for Prayer & Devotion via Zoom Meeting ID: 804 744 9071 Password: XXXXX

To schedule a push message, go to the Messaging page in your portal. Read this article for more on push messages.

If you have any questions or need help, send us a note at communitysupport@factsmgt.com!