Learn how to automatically send an SMS message to your list after you create a Google Calendar event with Google Meet video conferencing.
Preparation
Before we dive into this Zapier integration, make sure that you have:
- A Google account
- A Burst SMS account. We offer a 14-day free trial that you can use to test this Zapier SMS integration
- A free or paid Zapier account
Step 1 - Create a new Zap
After you log into Zapier, find and select Google Calendar as the trigger app. Next, find Burst SMS as the action app.
New fields will appear below. Select 'New Event in Google Calendar' as the trigger and 'Send SMS to List' as the action.
Click on 'Use Zap' button below the fields to continue.
Step 2 - Connect your Google Calendar account to Zapier
If you haven't done so already, connect your Google Calendar account to Zapier. Then click on 'continue'.
Next, choose the specific calendar you want Zapier to connect to.
Step 3 - Connect Burst SMS to Zapier
If you haven't done so already, connect your Burst SMS account with Zapier. It will ask you for your API Key and API Secret.
To retrieve your Burst SMS API Key and API Secret, login and go to Settings and scroll down to the API Settings section.
Note: API Secret is like a password. You'll need to type in your own API Secret.
Next, paste your API Key and API Secret in Zapier.
Step 4 - Fill in your fields and compose your message
Once you connect your Burst SMS account, compose your automated SMS message. To add the name of the event, hangouts (Meet) link, or more, click on the hamburger menu at the top right of the 'Message' field for custom variables (ie. first name, owner, organisation name, etc.).
Under the 'List,' ensure to choose the list you want to automatically send to.
To prevent a text message from sending immediately after you create the Google Calendar event, add in a date and time in the 'Send At' field. Here, we added '-1hr' to schedule it one hour before the event.
Feel free to make adjustments to the rest of the fields to suit your needs.
Once you're ready and tested the integration, your final step is to turn the zap on.
Bonus Step: Add filters
If you have a paid Zapier account, you can add an additional filter step to ensure only specific events that meet your criteria go through.
Between the Google Calendar trigger and Burst SMS action steps, click on the '+" symbol to add another step. Here select 'Filter by Zapier'.
We chose to have only events that have specific criteria continue. As you can see, we set it up so that this automation only continues if the creator email is individual Burst SMS email and if the Hang out Link (Meet) exists.
Feel free to set up your own criteria.
That’s it! Let us know if you have any questions. Click here to get started with the integration.