What Determines SMS Costs?

Many factors affect SMS costs. For your dance studio, knowing these factors helps you keep costs low while still reaching your community:

  • Per-Segment Cost: SMS messages are charged by the segment (each is typically 160 characters for text formatted in GSM-7).

  • Number of Segments: A long message—like a detailed schedule or event announcement—can be split into multiple segments, which means higher costs.

  • Carrier Fees: These are additional fees from mobile carriers (approximately $0.005 per segment) that apply once the message is sent.

  • Special Content: Emojis, images (which convert your message to MMS), and hidden characters can impact pricing.

  • International Messaging: Sending messages outside the US/Canada (for example, to a dance instructor traveling abroad) will be charged based on the destination country’s rates.

Steps to Estimate Outbound SMS Costs

When you send an outbound message from Enrollio, you can estimate the cost using this basic equation:

Outbound SMS Cost Equation:

Cost = (Number of Segments × Per-Segment Cost) + (Number of Segments × Carrier Fees)

Consider this information when sending out your studio updates or class changes.

Use these bullet points as a checklist:

  • Copy your message text: Write your announcement (e.g., class cancellation or recital reminder) and then copy the text.

  • Find the number of segments: Paste your message into the Messaging Segment Calculator available in Enrollio’s system. Check the “Number of Segments” count.

  • Lookup per-segment cost:

    • Open the SMS Pricing page in Enrollio.

    • Select the country where you’re sending the message.

    • Identify the per-segment cost for your dance studio’s messages. For example, if you’re using a long code in the US, you might see a cost like $0.0079.

  • Estimate Carrier Fees:

    • Use approximately $0.005 per segment for carrier fees, which is common for US messages.

  • Calculate the estimated cost:

    • Multiply the number of segments by the per-segment cost.

    • Multiply the number of segments by the estimated carrier fee.

    • Add these two results together.

Example:Imagine you have a message that is 5 segments long to announce a last-minute event change. The calculation would be:

  • (5 segments × $0.0079) + (5 segments × $0.005)

  • = $0.0395 + $0.025

  • = approximately $0.0595 (or about 6 cents) for the outbound SMS.

What is an SMS Segment?


For a dance studio update, every message you send is measured in segments:

  • Each segment contains 160 characters when using the standard GSM-7 encoding.

  • If your message goes beyond 160 characters, it’s broken into multiple segments, increasing your cost.

  • For example:

    • A 160-character text announcing a new class = 1 segment.

    • A 161-character message (perhaps with additional event details) = 2 segments.

The more segments in your message, the higher your messaging expense.

Additional Considerations for Dance Studio Messaging


  • Images and Multimedia:If you add pictures of recent recitals or dance performances, your message upgrades to MMS. MMS includes:

    • MMS Message Fees (e.g., $0.02 per segment)

    • MMS Carrier Fees (e.g., $0.01 per segment)Example: For a 5-segment MMS with an image attached, the estimated cost might be:(5 segments × $0.02) + (5 segments × $0.01) = $0.10 + $0.05 = $0.15 (or 15 cents).

  • Using Emojis:Emojis can make your messages fun (like a twirling ballerina or musical notes) but they trigger Unicode encoding. This reduces the character limit to 70 per segment, potentially increasing the number of segments used. Consider whether a single emoji is enough to enhance engagement without incurring extra charges.

  • Hidden Characters:Copying and pasting your message from a document or website can sometimes introduce hidden spaces or characters. These invisible extras might push your message into additional segments without you realizing it. Use the Segment Calculator to ensure your message is as lean as possible.

  • Inbound Messages:If parents or students reply to your messages, keep in mind there are inbound costs as well. Check the pricing for inbound SMS on the Enrollio SMS Pricing page and adjust your budget accordingly.

  • International Messaging:If you need to reach students or instructors overseas (for instance, during international dance competitions), remember that international rates may differ significantly from US/Canada rates. Always verify the local pricing when planning international communications.

In Summary

By understanding these factors, you can effectively manage SMS and MMS costs for your dance studio:

  • Use the Enrollio Messaging Segment Calculator to determine how many segments your message uses.

  • Check the per-segment costs and carrier fees on the Enrollio SMS Pricing page.

  • Be mindful of additional elements like images, emojis, or hidden characters that can change your segment count.

  • Optimize your message length to share vital updates about classes, auditions, or events without incurring unnecessary charges.




This step-by-step approach ensures your communication is both effective and budget-friendly, helping you keep your studio running smoothly and your students and parents always in the loop.

Happy dancing and smart messaging with Enrollio!