A strong, clean contact list is one of the most valuable (and too often underestimated) assets your business can build.
When you get people to opt in to text message marketing, you'll have a direct line of communication with people who buy from you.
These people have permitted you to ask them to buy from you regularly, so you're never spamming them. They can easily opt-out if the messages you send aren't resonating.
And the great thing about building an opt-in text messaging list is that once you kick it off, it's on autopilot. No knocking on doors, cold calling, or frantic networking is involved. The leads come in, and then you can spend more time nurturing and converting them.
This post shows you what opt-in text messaging is, how it can help, why it saves you time and money, and how to launch a results-driving opt-in text campaign.
What Does Opt-In Text Messaging Mean?
Opt-in text messaging is the most cost-effective way to simultaneously market goods and services to large groups of people. However, because there are rules to follow about conducting opt-in text messaging, you cannot simply buy a list of cell phone numbers and start texting. You have to build opt-in lists.
Short Message Service (SMS) marketing is a “permission-based” activity. This means that potential customers have to give your permission to send them marketing text messages.
How Opt-In SMS Marketing Helps You Build a Cleaner Contact List
When people voluntarily join your marketing list, they expect to hear from you. They're giving you specific permission to contact them.
That means you don't have to feel anxious when you hit the send button on your marketing text messages. You know you'll be strengthening your brand rather than worrying if you're hurting it.
You won't get spam complaints because contacts consciously decided to join. And, because people keep mobile numbers much longer than email addresses, and because they only have one mobile number, you won't have many unresponsive contacts that you constantly have to weed out.
Why Opt-In Text Messaging Is Saving Business Owners Time & Money
Opt-in text messaging is the most cost-effective way to simultaneously market goods and services to large groups of people. However, because there are rules to follow about conducting opt-in text messaging, you cannot simply buy a list of cell phone numbers and start texting. You have to build opt-in lists.
SMS marketing is a “permission-based” activity. This means that potential customers have to give your permission to send them marketing text messages.
How to Launch a Successful Opt-In SMS Marketing Campaign
So, how do you get off the ground with a successful opt-in text marketing campaign? Here's how to grow your list and execute effective campaigns.
By far, the automated growth equation is the best way to grow your opt-in list. Offer an incentive and have customers text a Keyword to a short code to join.
Don't skimp on the incentive to join. Text marketing is so powerful that you may even want to consider your incentive to be a loss leader. In other words, you could lose a little money on this first offer but make it up with much more in the long run. Consider offering big discounts or free items to get people started.
You can drive new opt-ins by pairing a Keyword and a short code together, embedding a digital sign-up form on your site and socials, using a QR code, or adding a click-to-text CTA to your mobile site to get people to opt in. The Keyword is a single word of up to 12 characters. As a best practice, pick a Keyword that is a single word so that it won't be "corrected" by autocorrect. Find a Keyword that matches your brand and relates to the incentive.
Keywords are provided by your texting platform, and because your textable number is unique, you never need to worry about a popular Keyword, like "SALE," being unavailable. There are requirements for how you write your auto-response to opt-ins. EZ Texting makes it easy to do these responses.
What is a short code? A short code is a five- or six-digit number provided through your text marketing service platform.
On-Site Signage
If you are hosting a special event, lecture, conference, or trade show, you can gain subscribers to your opt-in text messaging by having on-site signage requesting attendees to text a keyword to receive special offers, basic information, or alerts. On-site SMS list building has been particularly effective for real estate text marketing, as keywords are placed on boards outside properties for sale.
In-Store Signage
In-store signage works particularly well for attracting customers to opt-in text message services because the customers are already in your store, bar, restaurant, or gym and are interested in your goods or services. You can use the same “be the first to hear about our special offers” or “get a discount on your next purchase” incentives to encourage customers to send an opt-in text immediately.
Email
Email is a fantastic vehicle for building text opt-in lists. Whenever you send an email, ensure your email signature contains details of how recipients can join your opt-in text messaging service. If you have an existing database of customers you contact by email, send the entire database an email advising them of your new opt-in SMS marketing. People love to be involved in something new.
Social Media
You can boost your text marketing list by cross-promoting it on social media. Don't just promote it one time. Make it a regular practice to cross-promote email, social media, and text marketing lists to ensure your contacts stay connected wherever they communicate best.
Guidelines to Follow When Building an SMS Marketing Opt-In List
As mentioned, there are rules to follow about how you conduct your opt-in text messaging, and opt-in SMS marketing is a permission-based activity. There are four important elements to include in any promotion:
- You must include instructions on how customers can opt out of your service and unsubscribe anytime by texting STOP to your shortcode. We've created SafeSTOP to help our customers include this messaging with the click of a button.
- You should also let your customers know they can receive help by texting HELP to your short code.
- Carriers require that you notify consumers of the cost of the service. Calls-to-action and opt-in confirmation messages should include the phrase “message and data rates may apply.”
- Finally, tell your customers the maximum number of messages they will receive from your business - either by time or transaction.
Want to know more? We've got you covered with up-to-date SMS compliance information.
5 Compliance Tips From the CTIA
- No Unsolicited Messages
- Use Proper Opt-In Methods
- Explain Your Recurring Text Program
- Allow Customers to Opt-Out Easily
- Your Content Must Be Appropriate
Examples of Ways to Get People to Opt-In with EZ Texting
Building your SMS subscriber list starts with compelling people to opt-in. Here are some proven strategies to encourage sign-ups:
Giveaways and Contests: Offer an exciting prize in exchange for opting in. For example, “Text WIN to [your EZ Texting number] for a chance to win a $100 gift card!”
Exclusive Discount Codes: Reward subscribers with discounts they can’t resist, like “Text SAVE to [your EZ Texting number] for 15% off your next purchase!”
VIP Perks: Highlight special offers and early access for subscribers. For instance, “Join our text list for first dibs on new arrivals and exclusive deals!”
Event Alerts: Encourage opt-ins for updates on upcoming events or promotions, such as “Be the first to know about our next big sale—text JOIN to [your EZ Texting number].”
Helpful Content: Provide value through tips, guides, or insights. Example: “Text TIPS to [your EZ Texting number] for weekly productivity hacks straight to your phone!”
How EZ Texting Makes Opt-Ins Fast, Effortless, and Efficient
EZ Texting offers features designed to streamline and simplify the opt-in process:
Customizable Keywords: Create unique and memorable keywords for different campaigns to make it easy for subscribers to sign up.
QR Code Integration: Generate QR codes that link directly to your opt-in form, making sign-ups as simple as a scan.
Embedded Web Forms: Add mobile-friendly forms to your website or social media profiles to capture opt-ins online. Instant
Confirmation Messages: Automatically send a welcome message or confirmation text to new subscribers, reinforcing their decision to join.
Segmentation and Tagging: Organize subscribers based on how they opted in, allowing for targeted follow-up campaigns.
Automation Tools: Set up workflows to nurture new subscribers with welcome series or exclusive offers without manual effort.
Compliance Tools: Ensure easy adherence to SMS marketing regulations, like TCPA compliance, with clear opt-in processes and consent tracking.
Using EZ Texting’s suite of tools, you can grow your SMS list faster while keeping the process seamless for you and your audience.
Opt-In Text Messaging Starts Here
If you're ready to build your text marketing list into a valuable business asset, the best next step is learning how to get started.
At EZ Texting, we've helped over 210,000 customers grow through text message marketing over the last decade. During that time, we've seen what it takes to get off to a great start. There are a few simple steps that you should take to make sure that you hit the ground running.
