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Creatives are reusable message templates in Trackly SMS. Create once, use in multiple campaigns.
Creatives can optionally include link placeholders ({{link1}}, {{link2}}, etc.) to bind tracked offer links. Creatives without link placeholders are valid — they won’t have click tracking.

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What is a Creative?

A Creative contains:
  • Message text with placeholders
  • Offer link bindings
  • Performance metrics
"Flash sale! {{link1}} for 50% off today only. Reply STOP to opt out."

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Creating a Creative

  1. Go to Creatives
  2. Click New Creative
  3. Enter your message
  4. Bind offers to link placeholders
  5. Save
Creative Editor

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Message Structure

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Text Content

Write your message in the text area: 
Your exclusive deal awaits! Shop now: {{link1}}

Reply STOP to unsubscribe.

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Character Count

The editor shows:
  • Characters: Total character count
  • Segments: SMS segment count
Standard SMS: 160 characters = 1 segment. Unicode messages: 70 characters = 1 segment. Longer messages are split and reassembled.
Each {{linkN}} placeholder resolves to a short tracking URL that adds approximately 23 characters to your message. Additionally, compliance text (prepend + append) adds roughly 34 characters of overhead. Factor both into your character budget when estimating segment count. See Templates & Placeholders for detailed segment calculation guidance.

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Content Validation

The system validates message content against blocked content patterns before a creative can be saved. Messages that match blocked patterns will be rejected. This helps ensure compliance with carrier and regulatory requirements. Use {{link1}}, {{link2}}, etc. for tracked links: 
Check out our sale: {{link1}}
Or browse new arrivals: {{link2}}
Each placeholder can be bound to a different offer.

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Offer Bindings

Link placeholders to offers:
PlaceholderOfferURL
{{link1}}Summer Saletrack.ly/abc123
{{link2}}New Arrivalstrack.ly/def456
When sent, links become trackable short URLs.

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Creative Types

Creatives have types that determine where they can be used:
TypeUse Case
One-TimeRegular campaigns, blast sends
AutomatedML-selected campaigns
WelcomeWelcome journey messages

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Creative Status

StatusMeaning
ActiveAvailable for use
PausedTemporarily disabled
ArchivedHidden but preserved

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Performance Tracking

Each creative tracks:
  • Sends: Total times sent
  • Clicks: Total link clicks
  • Click Rate: Clicks / Sends
  • Revenue: Revenue attributed to this creative
Use this data to:
  • Identify top performers
  • Retire underperformers
  • Inform A/B tests

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Message Compliance

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Required Elements

All messages should include:
  • Clear opt-out instructions (STOP to unsubscribe)
  • Sender identification (your brand)

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Account Settings

Your account can configure:
  • Prepend text: Added to start of every message
  • Append text: Added to end of every message
Example: 
[Brand]: Your message here. Reply STOP to opt out.

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Best Practices

Shorter messages = fewer segments = lower cost. Get to the point quickly.
Put the most important information first. Some phones truncate previews.
“Shop now” or “Claim your discount” beats “Click here.”
Create multiple creatives and A/B test to find winners.

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Next Steps

Templates & Placeholders

Advanced templating

ML Selection

Automated creative selection