Overview

This article explains how images and videos behave when you include them in text message campaigns. You'll learn how messages appear to parents on different devices, how message length and file sizes impact delivery, and best practices to ensure your messages always get through.

What is Media in Text Campaigns?

Media refers to images, videos, or files you attach to a text message. When you include media, your message automatically becomes an MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) instead of a standard SMS text.

Unlike plain text messages, MMS lets you send longer messages with embedded visuals. However, how media displays — and whether it sends successfully — depends on the file format, message length, and the parent's device and carrier.

[SCREENSHOT: Text campaign composer showing media attachment option]

Why Use Media in Your Parent Communications?

Adding images or videos to your messages can significantly boost engagement and help your childcare center stand out. Here's what media enables:

  • Increases engagement — Parents respond better to visual content
  • Showcases your program — Share photos of activities, events, or facility updates
  • Sends longer messages — MMS removes the 160-character text limit
  • Improves response rates — Visual messages get more clicks and replies
  • Strengthens your brand — Include your logo or branded materials

MMS vs SMS: What Happens When You Add Media?

Understanding the difference between SMS and MMS helps you avoid formatting issues and delivery failures.

Without media (SMS): Your message is limited to 160 characters. Longer messages automatically split into multiple texts.

With media (MMS): Enrollio converts your message to MMS, removing the character limit and allowing embedded images or videos. However, you're now subject to file size limits and carrier compatibility rules.

Pro Tip: Always send a test message to your own phone before sending to parents. This helps you catch formatting issues before they reach families.

How Media Appears on iPhone vs Android

Different devices display media differently. Knowing what to expect helps you design messages that look professional regardless of the parent's phone.

Android devices: Show media inline with your text. The image and message appear as one content block.

iPhone devices: May show media as a separate message bubble above or below your text. The image and text often appear in separate bubbles.

[SCREENSHOT: Side-by-side comparison showing same MMS message on Android vs iPhone]

These differences are device-specific and can't be controlled by the sender. Design your messages knowing they may look slightly different depending on the parent's phone.

Character Counts and Message Splitting

Character count and media type impact how your messages are delivered. Here's what you need to know:

Text-only messages (SMS): Limited to 160 characters. Longer messages split into multiple segments, with each segment counting as a separate text.

Messages with media (MMS): No character limit, but you must stay within file size limits (typically 1-5MB depending on carrier).

Important: If your message includes media and too much text, it may fail to send, especially if the parent's carrier doesn't support the message format.

Common Issues and How to Avoid Them

Media messages can behave unpredictably depending on file size, device type, and carrier policies. Watch for these common issues:

  • Large files may be stripped or blocked — Keep images under 1MB when possible
  • Different devices render messages differently — Text and images may appear in separate bubbles on iPhones
  • Some carriers block oversized MMS — Test with multiple carriers if sending to a large parent list
  • Files that can't be sent directly become links — Very large files are hosted and shared as clickable links instead
Pro Tip: Before sending a campaign to your entire parent list, send test messages to both iPhone and Android devices. This ensures your message looks good on all devices.
[SCREENSHOT: Preview/test message feature in campaign composer]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my message send as multiple texts instead of one with media?

If your message doesn't include supported media or exceeds carrier limits, Enrollio sends it as multiple SMS messages instead of a single MMS.

Can I attach a document or PDF to a text message?

Not directly embedded. Files are uploaded to your Media Library and shared as clickable links in the message, not embedded in the message itself.

What's the best way to check how my message will look?

Use the Preview feature in the campaign composer, or send a test message to both Android and iPhone devices to see exactly how parents will receive it.

Does my message look the same on all phones?

No. Message formatting and image placement vary between Android and iPhone, depending on the device's default messaging app and carrier settings.

What file types work best for text messages?

JPG and PNG images work reliably across all carriers. Keep files under 1MB for best deliverability. MP4 videos under 3MB also work well, though image messages are more reliable.

Best Practices for Media in Text Campaigns

  1. Optimize image sizes — Compress images to under 1MB before uploading
  2. Test on multiple devices — Send to iPhone and Android before launching
  3. Keep text concise — Even though MMS allows longer messages, shorter is often better
  4. Use relevant images — Share photos of your program, staff, or facility updates
  5. Include a clear call-to-action — Tell parents what you want them to do next