Webinar Wednesday 138 – June 29, 2022

Instantly Sync Smart Lists as Webhooks (00:03:05)

• Smart lists can be synced as webhooks, allowing for the creation of segmented smart lists, such as a list of active members in a specific state, like California, and this feature enables immediate sending of the contact list to other platforms (00:03:07).
• The update enables sending the smart list to third-party platforms, including Mailchimp and Constant Contact, with the ability to do so in just one click, making it a convenient feature (00:03:10).
• The ability to sync smart lists as webhooks to third-party platforms, such as another Customer relationship management, allows for easy integration and is an exciting development (00:03:23).

Import Data Feeds into your BD site via API + Webhooks (00:03:41)

• The ability to import data feeds into a BD site via an API and Webhook is expected to be available by July or the beginning of August (00:03:41).
• This feature will allow for the import of various types of data, starting with member data, and then expanding to include reviews, leads, and other types of data such as posts (00:03:48).
• Over the last six to eight months, efforts have been focused on sending and porting BD data out as webhooks and data into solutions like Pabli, Zapier, or Integrately, and now the focus is shifting to the opposite, importing data feeds (00:03:55).
• The development of this feature is a reversal of the previous work, which involved sending BD data out to other solutions, and will now enable the import of data feeds into the BD site (00:04:08).

Updates to Improve Your Email Deliverability (00:04:23)

• The domain manager is being overhauled to include a section on email deliverability, which will help ensure that domain names are connected properly and emails are authenticated for maximum deliverability (00:04:23).
• This new email deliverability section will automatically check the health of the domain name and provide a pulse on its status, reducing the likelihood of emails being marked as spam (00:04:30).
• The overhaul of the domain manager will also enable quicker troubleshooting of any issues that may arise with emails, domain connections, or SSL, and will allow for support teams to more efficiently resolve problems (00:04:33).
• Most of the email deliverability features will be automatic, requiring minimal user input, and will provide users with a way to monitor the health of their domain name and ensure that their emails are being delivered effectively (00:04:36).
• The goal of these updates is to improve email deliverability, reducing the Telephone number of emails that fall into the spam folder of members, and to provide a more reliable and efficient way to manage domain names and email authentication (00:04:42).

New Workflow to Send & Schedule Email Newsletters (00:05:11)

• A new workflow to send and schedule email newsletters is being introduced, which is expected to be released in August and will add significant functionality to sending and scheduling email blasts to bulk members (00:05:11).
• This new workflow will overhaul the existing process, allowing users to send out newsletters to their smart list in a more efficient and effective manner (00:05:13).
• The upcoming release is anticipated to provide a wealth of functionality for sending and scheduling email newsletters, giving users more options for how they choose to send out their newsletters (00:05:16).

Security, small patches and tons more! (00:05:32)

• Updates are always being pushed for security, small patches, and other improvements to make the platform better (00:05:32)
• The community’s suggestions, feedback, and support tickets are greatly appreciated and contribute to the platform’s growth and development (00:05:39)
• The contributions and support from users are recognized and thanked, as they play a significant role in enhancing the platform for everyone (00:05:45)

Webhooks: Text Message Notifications for Member Reviews (00:05:47)

• The topic of Webhook is being discussed, with a focus on sending text messages and notifications to members for certain actions taken on the site, such as receiving new reviews on their profile pages (00:05:47).
• A common question that arises is the possibility of sending text messages and alerts to members for specific actions, which will be addressed in the current discussion (00:05:58).
• The discussion aims to provide a solution to members’ questions about receiving text message notifications for new reviews on their profile pages, with the goal of keeping members informed and up-to-date (00:06:24).

Zapier Integrations (00:06:35)

• Zapier integrations and web hooks enable the ability to send data from forms on a Brilliant Directories website to third-party platforms, including new member sign ups, newsletter subscriptions, contact form submissions, new leads, member reviews, and custom form submissions, allowing for the capture and sending of data using web hooks to a third-party platform for further handling (00:06:35).
• The main theme of Zapier integrations and web hooks is to capture data submitted through forms on a website and send it to a third-party platform to handle the data and information in a specific way, including sending text message notifications to members when they receive new reviews (00:06:57).
• Currently, it is possible to send data from a Brilliant Directories website to third-party platforms via web hooks and platforms like Zapier, but a new phase is coming soon that will allow receiving data into the website from third-party platforms, expanding the capabilities of Zapier integrations and web hooks (00:08:02).
• The upcoming phase, referred to as phase two, will enable the ability to bring data into a Brilliant Directories website from third-party platforms, allowing for more comprehensive integration and data exchange between the website and external platforms (00:08:14).
• The use of web hooks and Zapier integrations can be applied to various scenarios, including integrating Mailchimp and sending text message notifications to members when they receive new reviews, demonstrating the versatility and potential applications of these integrations (00:06:48).

EXTRA: Pabbly & Gmail: How to Make Drip Email Campaigns to Welcome New Members (00:08:34)

• A previous webinar discussed connecting Zapier and Pabbly, with links to be shared for those interested in watching them after the webinar (00:08:34).
• The topic of creating a drip email sequence to welcome new members using Pabbly and Gmail was covered in a previous webinar (00:08:50).
• Pabbly was the primary focus, with a discussion on how to make a drip email campaign to welcome new members, and another related topic was also mentioned (00:08:52).

EXTRA: Zapier: Sync Your Brilliant Directories Data With Mailchimp (00:09:00)

• The topic of syncing Brilliant Directories data with Mailchimp is being covered as the tip of the week, which is another use case for web hooks (00:09:02).
• There are over 3000 connections that can be made with tools like Zapier and Pably, and the current discussion is just one example of the many possible use cases (00:09:17).
• The current topic is building on previously covered topics, which are just a small sample of the many things that can be done with web hooks and integrations (00:09:23).

The Benefits of SMS Notifications (00:09:27)

• The benefits of SMS notifications include the ability to notify members via text message when they receive new reviews, which can be set up through web hooks and the Zapier integration with a third-party platform called Twilio (00:09:27).
• By default, members receive new reviews and are notified via email, which they can view or reply to if the website has the reply to member reviews add-on, but SMS alerts can be more effective at grabbing their attention (00:09:33).
• SMS notifications can increase the likelihood of members returning to the website to manage or reply to their reviews, as people are more likely to read text messages than emails, which can be mistaken for spam or deleted without being read (00:10:34).
• The use of SMS notifications can result in more website traffic and activity, keeping the website and community top of mind for members, which is important for maintaining an active community and preventing members from forgetting about their accounts (00:11:01).
• The integration with Twilio allows for the automation of SMS notifications, making it easier to notify members of new reviews and encouraging them to stay active within the community (00:10:23).

A Few Things to Note… (00:11:19)

• Before setting up the smart lists as Webhook, it is essential to note that members’ phone numbers must contain a plus sign and the country code, for example, a North American Telephone number would need to start with +1 (00:11:31).
• To facilitate the process, a widget will need to be created and added to a form, which will be explained in a step-by-step guide to make it easy to follow along (00:11:46).
• The process will utilize a third-party platform called Twilio to send text messages to members, requiring a paid account with a minimum balance of $20 (00:12:16).
• With the $20 balance, approximately 2500 text messages can be sent, as each message costs $0.079, and this cost can likely be covered by member dues and fees (00:12:26).
• The text messages sent through Twilio can be set up to include an option for recipients to reply with “stop” to unsubscribe from receiving further text messages, in compliance with regulations (00:13:01).

Set Up SMS Alerts for Member Reviews (00:13:08)

• To set up SMS alerts for member reviews, the basic step-by-step process involves several steps, including making sure members’ phone numbers contain the plus and country code, and creating an HTML widget to capture the member’s Telephone number, which will be used to send text message notifications when a new review is submitted (00:13:09).
• The process requires creating a Twilio account, adding the minimum required funds of $20, and setting up a web hook on Zapier to enable the new review submission and capture the member’s phone number to send a text message notification (00:13:52).
• The HTML widget is added to the “write a review” form, allowing the web hook to capture and fetch the member’s phone number, and then Zapier is used to create the web hook and send the text message notification to the member when a new review is submitted (00:13:39).
• The setup can be done with other web hook platforms, such as Padley, and other SMS sending solutions, like Text Magic, but Twilio is used in this example due to its ease of use and plug-and-play functionality (00:15:02).
• The process can be almost fully automated, with the exception of two necessary steps: making sure the phone number field includes the country code and phone number, and adding the HTML widget, which can be done by copying and pasting the provided code (00:14:31).
• The web hook on Zapier will capture the new review submission, send a text message notification to the member, and allow them to log in and manage the review (00:14:08).

Live Example of SMS Alerts for a New Review (00:15:57)

• A sample member’s profile page is shown on the webinar demo site, where a review can be written for the member, who has also inputted a Telephone number, specifically a Google Voice number created for this example (00:15:57).
• The member’s phone number is visible in the dashboard, including the country code and phone number field, which is where the Google Voice number was entered (00:16:15).
• Upon submitting a review, the member would normally receive an email notification, but in this case, a text message is sent to the member’s phone number, which is a Google Voice number, with a custom message and a Bitly link to the member’s account reviews page (00:16:32).
• The custom text message congratulates the member on receiving a new review, specifies the rating, and includes a link to the website, which directs the member to their account reviews page if they are logged in, or prompts them to log in if they are not (00:16:56).
• The text message is sent to the member’s smartphone in real-time, and the link provided in the message sends the member to the website, where they can view their new review and manage their account (00:17:33).

Let’s Set Up SMS Alerts (00:17:53)

• To sync smart lists as Webhook, the first step is to change the Telephone number field in the member’s profile page from a regular text field to one that includes a country code, which can be done by editing the “listing contact details member” form in the form manager (00:17:53).
• The “listing contact details member” form is the default form used on the basic information tab, but some users may have cloned it and use different forms for different membership plans (00:18:43).
• To edit the form, users can use the filter and search for “phone” to quickly find the phone number field, and then change the field type to “phone number plus country code” and save the changes (00:19:06).
• The next step is to add a hidden field to the review form that will automatically input the member’s phone number, which will be sent to Zapier or Pably when the form is filled out (00:19:38).
• The hidden field can be created by adding an HTML widget to the review form, which will fetch the member’s phone number and include it in the data sent to Zapier or Pably (00:21:13).
• This process allows users to select the member’s phone number in the Zapier workflow and send an SMS text message notification when a review is submitted (00:20:44).
• In the future, this step will be included automatically, but for now, users can manually add the hidden field to take advantage of the web hook logic (00:20:56).
• To set up a hidden field in the writer review form, a new widget is created in the widget manager with a simple nickname, such as “get members Telephone number”, and the line of code is pasted to get the member’s phone number, including a plus sign for the country code, (00:21:40).
• The widget’s short code is then copied and added to the writer review form in the form manager, where a hidden field is created with the widget’s short code to get the member’s phone number, (00:22:30).
• The hidden field is set with a default value that will be filled with the member’s phone number, and the changes are saved, (00:23:38).
• After setting up the hidden field, a Twilio account is created at Twilio, which can be done for free, and funds are added to the account, (00:24:34).
• The next step involves creating a web hook on Zapier to tie in the Brilliant Directories site with Twilio, allowing text messages to be sent to members when they receive reviews, (00:24:50).
• The process on Zapier involves three steps: creating the web hook, checking if the member has a phone number and if the review status is pending or published, and then sending the text message, (00:25:14).
• To set up a Webhook, the first step is to choose the event, which in this case is “catch hook” using Zapier, and this will get all the individual data points of the review, allowing for further manipulation with Zapier tools (00:25:47).
• The “catch hook” option is selected from three available options for the event to happen, which are retrieve, pull, catch raw hook, or just catch hook, and the difference between “catch raw hook” and “catch hook” is not explicitly stated, but “catch hook” is the required choice (00:26:16).
• After selecting the event, there is an option to pick a child key, which allows for grabbing a specific piece of data, but in this case, it is not necessary, and the process can continue without it (00:26:31).
• Once the webhook is set up, a URL is generated, which can be copied and pasted into the developer hub under the web hooks section, specifically for reviews, to test if the data is being fetched correctly (00:26:50).
• The review statuses can have several values, including pending, accepted, declined, or waiting for the admin, and the filter is set up to only send text messages for new reviews that are pending or accepted, which correspond to database values of zero and two, respectively (00:28:20).
• A filter is created to only continue if the review status is either zero and the member Telephone number exists, or if the review status is two and the phone number exists, ensuring that text messages are only sent under these conditions (00:28:01).
• After setting up the filter, the next step is to choose another action, which in this case is to send an SMS using Twilio, and this requires connecting a Twilio account and following the provided instructions (00:29:04).
• The final step involves setting up the Twilio account, which includes connecting the account and configuring the SMS settings, allowing for the automated sending of text messages based on the review status and phone number existence (00:29:20).
• The process of setting up a Webhook to send text messages involves selecting a “from” number, which is automatically pulled from Twilio, and in this case, the 850 area code was assigned (00:29:47).
• The “alphanumeric sender id” field was left blank, as experimentation with different values caused the system to stop working, and it is recommended to leave this field blank for the sake of the webinar (00:30:03).
• The “to” number is the phone number of the member who will receive the text message, which is pulled from a hidden field in the review form and becomes a data point of the webhook (00:30:21).
• A custom message can be written to be sent to the member, and it can include dynamic data from the webhook, such as the overall rating, which was chosen in this example (00:31:05).
• The message can also include a link to the member’s account dashboard, which can be shortened using a URL shortener like Bitly, and a reply option to opt out of future text messages can be added (00:32:11).
• The “media url” field was left blank, as experimentation with adding a link to the website caused issues, and it is not clear what this field is used for (00:32:57).
• The setup involves selecting the member’s Telephone number as the “to” number, writing a custom message, and adding a link to the member’s account dashboard, with the option for the member to reply “stop” to opt out of future text messages (00:33:09).
• A short message was created with a shortened link using Bitly, and after pressing continue, the review and test process was completed, which worked out great (00:33:12).
• The process of sending text messages was discussed, and it was mentioned that this will work for all members who have valid phone numbers, with the possibility of landline carriers supporting text-to-landline messaging (00:33:40).
• If a member puts in a landline phone number, the text message will likely not be delivered, but some landline carriers do support this feature, in which case the member’s phone will ring and the message will be read aloud to them through a text-to-speech program (00:33:55).
• To ensure that messages are sent to mobile phone numbers, a new field can be added to the contact details form specifically asking for a mobile phone number, and then the input for that field can be captured and sent to Twilio in the Webhook (00:34:29).
• In Twilio, the monitor section can be used to see the status of sent text messages, including any failed messages, which can help identify issues such as invalid phone numbers or missing country codes (00:34:55).
• It was noted that there will be a percentage of members who don’t get the text messages, but they will still receive email notifications, and there is no harm or charge for failed messages (00:35:25).
• The discussion concluded with an overview of how to use web hooks for SMS alerts, and how this feature can help websites better connect with members and bring them back to the site (00:35:37).

Notifying users to update their phone number to receive SMS notifications (00:36:12)

• The process of implementing new features, specifically related to country codes, can be problematic if members have already entered their phone numbers with country codes, which could lead to issues with SMS notifications (00:36:12).
• To address this issue, it is possible to email the entire community and notify them to update their phone numbers to support the new option of sending SMS text messages, which will provide more real-time responses (00:36:40).
• This approach will encourage people to visit the site, making it seem like the site is developing new features, and ensure that people are entering their phone numbers in the correct formats (00:36:46).
• The goal is to notify users to update their phone numbers to receive SMS notifications, and by doing so, the site will be able to provide a better experience for its members, including Rich and Neil, who are part of the community (00:37:11).
• The discussion involves Rich and Neil, who are interacting and sharing their thoughts on the topic of SMS notifications and the importance of updating phone numbers to receive these notifications (00:37:13).

Can SMS notifications be sent to members when they receive new leads? (00:37:26)

• SMS notifications can be sent to members when they receive new leads, and this can be achieved by adding a hidden field with the member’s Telephone number to the lead form, allowing for direct lead notifications to be sent to the member’s profile page (00:37:26).
• The process of sending SMS notifications can be simplified by automatically including the member’s phone number, user ID, first name, last name, company name, and other relevant information, which can be sent with the lead notification (00:38:13).
• Members can receive SMS notifications with a link to their profile page or a preview of the lead, and if the lead is free, all the relevant information can be shared in the text message, while if the lead requires payment, a snippet of the lead can be provided, prompting the member to log in to purchase the lead (00:39:21).
• The hurdle of getting members to log in to their account on their phone can be overcome by providing a link to their profile page in the SMS notification, allowing them to access their leads and other information directly (00:39:05).
• The data of the lead can be pushed to the member through the text message, and this feature is available in the web hook, allowing for a live connection and instant notification (00:39:23).
• Neil and other participants discussed the benefits of sending SMS notifications to members, including increased engagement and convenience, and the possibility of including snippets of leads in the notifications to prompt members to log in and purchase the lead (00:39:54).

Suggestion to include Lead ID in webhook data (00:40:06)

• The suggestion is made to include the Lead ID in the Webhook data, specifically in the lead webhook, which currently does not include this information (00:40:07).
• The lead webhook is used to update the card for the lead and includes name and other account info, but it is noted that the lead ID is not currently included in this data (00:40:14).
• The importance of including the Lead ID is emphasized because it is used to send information into Pipe Drive in the Customer relationship management, and having the Lead ID in the subject line would make it easier to find the corresponding lead (00:40:35).
• The person making the suggestion mentions that they last checked a few weeks ago and the Lead ID was still not included in the webhook data, prompting the request to add it (00:40:40).
• The suggestion is made in order to improve the functionality of the lead webhook and make it more useful for users who rely on this data to manage their leads (00:40:48).

Suggestion to clone widgets from one website to another (00:40:54)

• A suggestion was made to clone widgets from one website to another, which would be useful for users with multiple licenses, allowing them to update widgets across all their sites simultaneously (00:40:54).
• The idea is to have a global option for widgets, so that any site assigned with an email address could have access to the same widgets, making it easier to manage updates across multiple sites (00:41:14).
• The possibility of sharing widgets across sites was discussed, with the idea of adding a “share with my other sites” button under the actions menu, which would allow users to push updates to all their sites at once (00:43:12).
• This feature would be particularly useful for power users with multiple sites, as it would save them time and effort in managing updates, and could also be useful for developers who want to share widgets with their clients (00:42:41).
• The suggestion was well-received, and it was agreed that the “actions” option would be the best method to implement this feature, with a potential “push to my sites” button that would allow users to choose which sites to update (00:44:05).
• The idea is still in the conceptual phase, and it was acknowledged that it may take some time to develop and implement, but it was considered a cool idea that could make a big difference for users with multiple sites (00:42:58).

Suggestion to import posts and other data via .csv file (00:44:35)

• The suggestion to import posts and other data via a .csv file is being considered, as it would provide a simple way to update events and properties without having to use a third-party site (00:44:36).
• The initial import method is being developed for members, following the model of the csv import, and it is likely that this functionality will be extended to other areas such as reviews, leads, and posts (00:45:08).
• The creation of a csv import method for reviews, leads, and posts will likely involve developing a template file and may be released simultaneously with other import features (00:45:21).
• The ability to import csv files for members, reviews, leads, and posts will provide users with flexibility and options for managing their data, including the use of tools like Zapier or Google Sheets (00:45:37).
• The logic for porting information into the system starts with a csv file, making it likely that csv import functionality will be included for other areas of the admin, such as reviews, leads, and posts (00:46:11).

How to opt certain members out of receiving SMS notifications? (00:46:33)

• To opt certain members out of receiving SMS notifications, one possible solution is to add a new field called “Telephone number for SMS text messages” or “SMS phone number” to the membership profile, which would allow members to choose whether or not to receive SMS notifications, and this can be done by leaving the field blank or inputting the same phone number as their normal one (00:46:34).
• This approach would enable members to have two phone number fields: one for their normal phone number and another specifically for SMS text messages, providing them with more control over their communication preferences (00:47:05).
• By having a separate field for SMS phone numbers, members can decide whether to include it or not, and this field can be used as a hidden field that is submitted with reviews and leads, allowing for more flexibility in managing SMS notifications (00:47:44).
• This solution also eliminates the need to change the existing phone number field, as members can simply leave the SMS phone number field blank if they do not want to receive SMS notifications, making it a convenient workaround (00:48:06).
• The addition of a new field for SMS phone numbers can be accompanied by a brief explanation or help text to inform members about the purpose of this field and how it will be used (00:48:07).

Can customers/clients connect directly with members? (00:48:39)

• The system allows customers or clients to connect directly with members, and this connection is actually encouraged once the website has made the initial connection between a lead and a member, with the goal of facilitating further communication and potential sales (00:49:01).
• Members can choose to share their phone numbers on the site, which would enable visitors to contact them directly, but email addresses are not recommended to be made public due to the risk of scraping and the need to protect members’ sensitive information (00:49:53).
• The website uses a lead form or contact form on each member’s profile page, which allows visitors to send messages to members, and this system helps to facilitate connections between buyers and sellers while maintaining the website’s role as an intermediary (00:50:10).
• The ultimate goal of the website is to create a marketplace where visitors or consumers can connect with professionals and service providers, and the website’s service typically stops once the initial connection has been made, leaving the parties to interact and conduct business with each other (00:50:36).
• The system is designed to create a mutually beneficial ecosystem where businesses receive leads, visitors have their requests filled, and all parties are satisfied with the outcome (00:50:50).

Are custom form field entries stored in the website database? (00:51:05)

• Custom form field entries can be stored in the website database, and users can be asked to provide various types of information, such as their hair color, shoe size, or favorite color, and this information can be used to create custom fields for member profiles (00:51:06).
• When adding a second Telephone number field, a database variable needs to be attributed to it, allowing the Webhook to grab that variable and use it for SMS text messages (00:51:13).
• The system allows for editing forms to ask for any type of information, including an alternate phone number where users would like to receive SMS text messages, which can be different from their main phone number (00:51:28).
• Users can be encouraged to enter a cellular phone or smartphone number for receiving text messages, which might be different from their landline number, and this can be useful for one-to-one communications between the website and the business (00:51:48).
• Having two fields for phone numbers, one for the public profile and one for SMS text messages, can be useful for members to decide whether to use the same phone number or different numbers for these purposes (00:52:14).
• This functionality can be used for various types of interactions, including member reviews, member leads, chat messages, and private chat messages, as pointed out by Neil (00:52:33).

How to handle member locations if they are fully remote and don’t have a physical address? (00:52:51)

• To handle member locations if they are fully remote and don’t have a physical address, consider thinking of locations as service areas, so a fully remote member servicing American clients could have their location set as the United States, allowing them to show up in search results for that location (00:52:58).
• Members can be listed in all locations by using the quick edit feature under listing settings, which allows them to show up for any location search on the site, as long as the keyword and category also match (00:54:00).
• Some website owners have added a custom field called “nationwide” with values of zero or one, allowing members to choose if they want to be listed in all locations, which can increase their visibility but may not be the best experience for visitors or other members (00:54:32).
• Members who serve an international market or have an online business can designate themselves as listed in all locations and skip entering an address, and there are options available to handle these situations (00:55:21).
• The topic of handling remote member locations is an interesting one and comes up from time to time, and members can ask questions and share their experiences in the Facebook group (00:55:14).