Group TXT

If you're not communicating to your teens by TXT, you're not communicating!  But how do you communicate by text to a group without manually punching in their names and numbers on your phone each time?  Great question.  Here's a few ideas for you...

Simply TXT - a cheap, easy way to start TXTing your group from any computer

Tatango - a more expensive option, but it's loaded with features like key words, sub-groups, and reply forwarding.  The best part is you can send group messages right from your phone or any PC.  You can even allow your sponsors to send a group message.  Try the free trial period.  If you like it, ask them for a break in price, they might be willing to work with you!

CCB - this is a solution for tracking all of your students contact information and communicating with them multiple ways like email, print, RSS, website, and TXT.  A cool feature of CCB is all your lists and information is integrated into one easy to manage list.  Students can adjust their own communication preferences.  And if that wasn't enough, CCB uses TWEXT technology so not only does your TXT go to your youth group, it goes to you or your group's Twitter Account.  This is a great option, but it's pricey.

Twitter & Facebook - these social sites can allow users to get mobile updates from your profile.  It's free, but getting teens to adjust that setting may be quite a hassle. 

If you have an iPhone you can also find Group TXT apps in the AppStore.