How can I send messages to a specific set of people (i.e. next year students, community members)
You can import a CSV list into Blackboard to contact a group of families or individuals who are not currently listed as students in your school.
BlackBoard Connect (BBConnect) can easily contact students and their families. If you want to contact next year students in the Spring or a list of community members for a newsletter (ie people who are NOT in Blackboard or you don't have access to yet), you can import their contact data to send a communication. Please follow these steps:
1. Create your list of emails
a. Create a new Excel file
b. In the first cell (A1), enter any of the following as headers (these must be entered EXACTLY as they appear below). If you use more than one data element, enter the header in Column B, C, etc.:
- EmailAddress
- HomePhone
- MobilePhone
- SMSPHONE
c. In the first cell below "EmailAddress" (Column A), enter the additional email address you want to add to your message
d. Save your file as a Windows Comma Separated CSV (it's important you select the "Windows" CSV file from the drop-down menu for BBConnect to read the file)
2. Log into BlackBoard Connect - https://connect.blackboardconnect.com
3. Begin your email message to your families as you normally would.
4. When you select your recipients, select your families (or a subset of families/students).
5. Next, to import your list, click the "To:" and from the "Select By " pull-down menu, choose "Upload Direct Contacts."
6. Under Select Your File for Import, click the "Select" button to choose your CSV file (in step 1, above)
7. Make note of your file listed and make sure the number of "Direct Contacts Uploaded" is the correct number of additional emails to add.
8. Click Done.
9. Continue as your normally would to send your email message. (Note the total number of emails indicated below the Email icon to make sure you have everyone you were expecting)
NOTE: You can continue to add to this CSV file, if you will have other emails to add in the future. You can also create multiple CSV files for different types of email messages you may send.