The Best Mass Text Messaging Apps All Do This

Mass texting is a permission-based activity. This means that you cannot purchase a list of contact cell phone numbers and upload it to your messaging providers’ platform for subsequent outreach. Instead, you’ll need to invite people to opt in to your service. The most effective ways to achieve this are through importing contacts, Keywords, and dedicated short codes.

One of the first steps to building a mass texting contact list is to get your audience or customers to provide their cell phone numbers at the point of sale or by filling out a contact form. If you already have a preexisting list in an Excel or CSV spreadsheet, you can use something like EZ Texting's contact import feature to quickly build your audience. With EZ Texting, you can then create segments based on what the recipient has purchased in the past (or any other qualifier) to tailor messaging to specifically target each group.

A Keyword is a word chosen by your business that you’ll ask prospective contacts to text to a dedicated short code number. For example, “Text 'JOIN' to 858585.” Anyone who completes this action and texts the Keyword to your dedicated short code number has opted in to your text messaging service. Once they have opted in to your text messaging service, the contact’s details are automatically added to your list and stored for future campaigns. You can obtain a Keyword and dedicated short code through your text-message service provider. Both Keywords and dedicated short codes are usually rented by the month or included in a subscription package.

Efficient ways to build your list include: adding widgets to your website or social media accounts, promoting an in-store flier, adding a Keyword and dedicated short code on your business card or receipt, sending an email, making an announcement through radio, TV, or traditional advertising tactics.