What's going on with voice brodcasts?

5 replies
I heard a rumor and wasn't sure if it was true. I heard that as of tomorrow voice broadcasting (sending out a big pre-recorded message to a list of phone numbers) is going to be illegal. Is this true? Will there be any exceptions so that marketers can broadcast to their lists at all?

I haven't ever used this tactic but it was on my list of things to do with an upcoming project.
#brodcasts #voice
  • Profile picture of the author ajparker
    From what I read the recipients of pre-recorded marketing calls will need to opt in - (in writing according the article I read.) This does not affect calls that are not specifically selling a product. If you think you may be doing some of this at some point it's worth looking into the details with the FTC. The penalties can be steep $16,000 per call. Okay - I can't post links... I'll try this... www[dot]ftc[dot]gov/opa/2009/08/robocalls.shtm

    It sounds that informational calls would be okay (with established customers) as long as you do not try to promote the purchase of a product or service. Others may be able to give more clarity though.

    BTW - it does go into effect Sept. 1
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  • Profile picture of the author jasondinner
    Here's that link in case anyone else wanted to see it:
    New Rule Prohibiting Unwanted "Robocalls" to Take Effect on September 1

    From what I gather after reading it, the only way we can send a voice shot
    is if we are given written consent?

    So just like electronic signatures online, would submitting their cell phone number
    to an opt-in form count too?

    Also, one other thing I took from this notice was taht it's still ok to send a voice shot
    to "inform" the recipient about an event or change in the status of an order.

    So for example, if I were collecting phone numbers on my opt-in form and sent
    a voice shot announcing a free webinar, I would be in the clear, correct?

    At least that was my interpretation of this vague new rule.

    - Jason

    P.S. One other thing it said was that we are to tell the recipient how they can unsubscribe
    from receiving these calls and that it should be automated such as dialing a code while
    on the call.
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  • Profile picture of the author TyBrown
    Does anyone know if there is a difference between broadcasts and individual messages? For example, I believe Infusionsoft has an option, once a person is in an autoresponder, to schedule a single call into the sequence.

    Do you know if this would fall under the same guidelines? Or do they only care about mass messaging?
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  • Profile picture of the author sm2007
    An uninformed post here. (Not Legal Advice)

    I do have a colleague who runs his company off Press1 campaigns as you might call it. He was faced with no where to turn after the law was passed Last Sept, but in effect i believe today.
    After getting together with a couple of lawyers, he claims they found a RIGHT passed by the Clinton Administration that will still allow it...

    ***** AGAIN: This is not legal advice...

    Just trying to help out.
    JR
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Moffatt
    You mean I'll no longer have the Captain of the ship calling me with that annoying blowhorn blazing telling me about the cruise I just won?

    Ah shucks, I liked that guy.
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