SMS Alerts for Pro Bono (Sponsor Benefit)
Quick Answer
SMS notifications for pro bono opportunities are exclusively available to sponsor accounts. Each sponsor listing includes one SMS number, with additional numbers available for $5/month (first additional) and $2/month (reuse on other listings). Like email notifications, SMS alerts contain only preview information - you must still access the dashboard to accept cases.
How SMS Notifications Work
Sponsor-Exclusive Feature
Requirements:
At least one active sponsor listing ($25/month or $240/year)
Verified phone number
SMS enabled in listing settings
Notification preferences configured
What You Get:
Instant text alerts for matched pro bono cases
24-hour priority window advantage
Faster response capability
Mobile convenience
SMS Content
What's Included:
Brief case description
Service type needed
Location (City, State)
Dashboard link
Urgency indicator
What's NOT Included:
Client name or contact info
Full case details
Accept button
Phone numbers
Email addresses
Sample SMS:
New Pro Bono: Immigration assistance needed in Dallas, TX. View in dashboard: [link]
Setting Up SMS Notifications
Step 1: Become a Sponsor
Upgrade Any Listing:
Choose any listing to sponsor
Click "Upgrade to Sponsor"
Select monthly ($25) or annual ($240)
Complete payment
Result: Unlocks SMS capability plus unlimited pro bono access
Step 2: Configure SMS
Add Phone Number:
Navigate to Edit Listing page
Find Notification table section
Click "Add SMS Number"
Enter mobile phone number
Complete verification process
Step 3: Verify Your Number
Verification Process:
System sends verification code
Enter code in dashboard
Number confirmed
SMS notifications activated
Important: Verification required for security and to prevent spam
Step 4: Enable for Pro Bono
Select Notification Types:
Pro bono opportunities ✓
Paid referrals (optional)
Real estate leads (if applicable)
Choose what matters most
SMS Pricing Structure
Included with Sponsor
First SMS Number:
FREE with any sponsor listing
One number per sponsored listing
No additional charge
Included in $25/month
Additional Numbers
Scaling Options:
First Additional Number:
$5/month extra
For second team member
Separate verification required
Independent settings
Reusing Numbers:
$2/month per reuse
Same number on multiple listings
Cost-effective scaling
Simplified management
Pricing Examples
Solo Practitioner:
1 sponsor listing: $25/month
Includes 1 SMS number
Total: $25/month
Small Firm Setup:
1 sponsor listing: $25/month
2 additional SMS numbers: $5 + $2
Total: $32/month for 3 SMS recipients
Multiple Listing Setup:
3 sponsor listings: $75/month
3 included SMS numbers
Total: $75/month (no extra charge)
Strategic SMS Use
Why SMS Matters for Pro Bono
Immediate Awareness:
Instant notification
No email delay
Mobile accessibility
Quick response possible
Competitive Advantage:
Faster than email-only users
24-hour sponsor priority
First to see opportunities
Higher acceptance rate
Best Practices
Response Protocol:
Receive SMS alert
Quick preview assessment
Access dashboard immediately
Review full details
Accept if appropriate
Contact client quickly
Time Sensitivity:
Pro bono clients often in crisis
Quick response builds trust
Shows professionalism
Better outcomes
Team SMS Configuration
Multiple Team Members
Distribution Strategy:
Managing partner gets primary
Pro bono coordinator gets additional
Department heads if needed
Rotate for coverage
Cost-Benefit Analysis:
$5-7/month for extra numbers
Faster case acceptance
Better client service
Worth the investment
Coordination Protocols
Avoiding Confusion:
Designate primary responder
Clear acceptance authority
Communicate internally
Prevent duplicate efforts
SMS vs Email Comparison
Advantages of SMS
Speed:
Instant delivery
No spam filters
Always visible
Higher open rate
Convenience:
Mobile-first design
Quick preview
One-click dashboard access
Location independent
When to Use Both
Complementary Strategy:
SMS for urgent awareness
Email for detailed preview
Dashboard for full information
Complete coverage
Common SMS Issues
Not Receiving SMS
Troubleshooting Steps:
Verify number in settings
Check verification status
Confirm SMS enabled
Test with support
Check carrier blocking
SMS Delays
Possible Causes:
Carrier processing
Network congestion
International numbers
Verification issues
Solutions:
Use domestic numbers
Check carrier settings
Contact support
Consider email backup
Managing SMS Volume
If Too Many Messages
Options to Reduce:
Tighten specialty selection
Reduce radius coverage
Disable for certain types
Set quiet hours (future feature)
Optimization Tips
Quality over Quantity:
Focus on best matches
Refine listing criteria
Strategic radius setting
Relevant specialties only
International Considerations
SMS Availability
Currently Supported:
US phone numbers
Canadian numbers
Some international carriers
Limitations:
Varies by country
Additional verification may be required
Contact support for specific regions
FAQs
Q: Can free accounts get SMS notifications? A: No. SMS notifications are exclusively for sponsor accounts.
Q: Can I reply to the SMS to accept a case? A: No. You must access the dashboard to accept. SMS is notification only.
Q: How many SMS numbers can I add? A: One free per sponsor listing, unlimited additional at $5 for first, $2 for reuse.
Q: Do SMS notifications arrive faster than emails? A: Generally yes, as they bypass spam filters and email server delays.
Q: Can I set different SMS numbers for different types of leads? A: No. The configured SMS number receives all enabled notification types.
Q: What if I change phone numbers? A: Update in settings and complete new verification process.
Q: Can team members get their own SMS alerts? A: Yes, by adding additional numbers for $5-$2/month each.
Cost Justification
ROI Calculation
Monthly Investment:
Sponsor: $25 (includes unlimited pro bono)
SMS included: $0
Total: $25/month
Value Received:
Unlimited pro bono cases
Instant notifications
24-hour priority
Competitive advantage
One additional case pays for itself
Next Steps
Upgrade to sponsor if not already
Add and verify phone number
Enable SMS for pro bono
Test notification delivery
Consider additional numbers for team
Establish response protocols
Monitor effectiveness