How to Download Contact Data for Bulk SMS or EDM

This guide explains how to download contact data from Dealer Studio to use for bulk SMS or email marketing campaigns (EDMs).

Sending Bulk SMS Directly from Dealer Studio

Before exporting data, note that Dealer Studio allows you to send bulk SMS directly within the system.

To do this:

1. Select the contacts you want to include.

2. Follow the three-step campaign builder to create your SMS campaign.

3. Review and send the message.

Important: Marketing Consent

Every contact record contains an “Opt in to Marketing” field.

This field is important for compliance with the Australian Privacy Principles and spam regulations.

• Contacts must have opted in to receive promotional messages.

• If you attempt to send an SMS to a contact who has opted out, Dealer Studio will display a warning.

Always ensure marketing consent is respected before sending campaigns.

Exporting Contact Data

If you prefer to run your campaign through an external SMS or EDM platform, you can export contact data from Dealer Studio.

There are two ways to export data.

Option 1: Export the Entire Database (CSV Export)

The first method is exporting a full CSV of your contacts.

This method:

• Downloads the entire contact database

• Requires manual filtering afterwards

Because of this, it is generally not recommended for marketing campaigns.

Option 2 (Recommended): Use the Reports Feature

The Reports feature allows you to export filtered contact data, ensuring you only download the contacts relevant to your campaign.

Example Filtering Strategy

A common approach is to export contacts who:

• Have opted in to marketing

• Are currently active in the sales process

For example:

Include statuses such as:

• New Contacted

• Test Drive Complete

Exclude statuses such as:

• Delivered

• Contract Signed

• VIN Assigned

You can also apply additional filters such as:

• Customer type (Personal or Commercial)

• Lead source

• Tags

• Other contact attributes

Downloading the Report

Once your filters are set:

1. Generate the report.

2. Download the report as a CSV file.

The exported file includes key fields such as:

• Name

• Contact details

• Lead information

• Opt in to Marketing status

Using the Data in an EDM or SMS Platform

Before uploading the file to your email or SMS platform, you should:

1. Confirm the Opt in to Marketing column is filtered to true/yes.

2. Remove any contacts who have not consented to marketing communications.

This ensures your campaign remains compliant with Australian privacy and spam regulations.

✅ Tip: Using reports with filters will save time and ensure your campaigns only target relevant, compliant contacts.

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