Are there any SMS marketing companies who have their own lists?

End2End · 21st May 2012, 04:51 PM

Hello Forum members,

Please excuse me if this is a stupid question, I have been too busy with my other businesses that I got almost no time to keep my knowledge upto date with online marketing.

I have heard a lot of buzzzz about SMS marketing off-lately and wanted to check how to best use it to market our products. I understand the basic fundamental how it works. What I really wanted to know was are there any companies/ individuals who have their own lists and do sms service for companies utilizing their own lists and if this is legal or not? The major part is knowing if it is legal or not. I got an email few days ago about the same, so want to know if I should go about it or not.

For example: XYZ company has a list of 200K opt ins. They send sms to their subscribers promoting my services, or to opt in for my services.

:confused:

Thanks in advance
VV

mjs · 22nd May 2012, 02:23 PM

This is something we do for bars and restaurants here in the UK but we are very particular about who we work with. Why don't you start building your own list?

It is legal if they have opted in, its treated in the same way as email lists and opt ins. Send them good offers or info don't spam them and you will be ok.

End2End · 22nd May 2012, 04:19 PM

Thanks mjs,

I guess I missed to specify, I am looking for the rules in US market.

jack2023 · 23rd May 2012, 07:06 AM

Hello ,
We have a list of USA customers cell phones and can send you sms messages whether short code and long code. We send it no problem with cost USD 0.005. per sms .

tjkirgin · 23rd May 2012, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by End2End

Hello Forum members,

Please excuse me if this is a stupid question, I have been too busy with my other businesses that I got almost no time to keep my knowledge upto date with online marketing.

I have heard a lot of buzzzz about SMS marketing off-lately and wanted to check how to best use it to market our products. I understand the basic fundamental how it works. What I really wanted to know was are there any companies/ individuals who have their own lists and do sms service for companies utilizing their own lists and if this is legal or not? The major part is knowing if it is legal or not. I got an email few days ago about the same, so want to know if I should go about it or not.

For example: XYZ company has a list of 200K opt ins. They send sms to their subscribers promoting my services, or to opt in for my services.

:confused:

Thanks in advance
VV

End2End,

If you find a company offering this, they are most likely violating TCPA laws as well as CTIA and MMA regulations.

A text message from a business to a consumer with an offer is considered under TCPA law by the FCC to be the same as a auto dial or robo dial to a mobile phone. The law states that the customer or subscriber MUST give "Expressed Written Permission" to recieve marketing messages from the company. Therefore, they must OPT IN to be able to send SMS to them.

However, there are a few ways around this.

For example.

Radio Stations and TV stations typically have short codes and keyword campaigns with Opted in Subscribers. They will sometimes SELL sponsorships of the Alerts they send to those subscribers.

Another source to check out would be 4info. They offer a solution to guys like me where we can have ADs placed in SMS that we send to OPTED in Subscribers. I DO NOT DO THIS AS I SEE IT AS DEVALUEING FOR THE COMPANY SENDING THE ALERT AND A BIT OF DOUBLE DIPPING.

However, many SMS companies do participate in the 4info ad inclusion, therefore they may be someone to talk to for you. Call Dennis at 4info. Tell him TJ sent you.

End2End · 23rd May 2012, 01:00 PM

Thanks a ton tjkirgin,

Exactly the kind of answer I was looking for. Really appreciated.

Thanks!
VV

webmarketer8 · 30th May 2012, 02:40 AM

I am pretty some of them do, although I do not really know!

smcguinness · 31st May 2012, 09:20 PM

US Law requires that any text messages show an opt in. Many "SMS" companies will try and sell you on being able to text to any number you have without needing an opt in. They generally are using what is called "long code". Basically they are simply passing messages over SMTP (email protocal) that all cell phone numbers have.

The optimal way is to use a sms provider that offers "short code" service. All these reputable companies will require that you show an opt in as these short codes are approved by the carriers and the carriers will initiate audits for the opt ins.

It is important you make sure you follow all local laws regarding sending SMS messages.

21st May 2012, 04:51 PM	#1
End2End Active Warrior Join Date: 2008 Location: 3rd Rock from Sun Posts: 62 Thanks: 2 Thanked 10 Times in 7 Posts	Are there any SMS marketing companies who have their own lists? Share on: Hello Forum members, Please excuse me if this is a stupid question, I have been too busy with my other businesses that I got almost no time to keep my knowledge upto date with online marketing. I have heard a lot of buzzzz about SMS marketing off-lately and wanted to check how to best use it to market our products. I understand the basic fundamental how it works. What I really wanted to know was are there any companies/ individuals who have their own lists and do sms service for companies utilizing their own lists and if this is legal or not? The major part is knowing if it is legal or not. I got an email few days ago about the same, so want to know if I should go about it or not. For example: XYZ company has a list of 200K opt ins. They send sms to their subscribers promoting my services, or to opt in for my services. :confused: Thanks in advance VV

22nd May 2012, 02:23 PM	#2
mjs Mike James War Room Member Join Date: 2011 Location: UK Posts: 23 Thanks: 2 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Are there any SMS marketing companies who have their own lists? Share on: This is something we do for bars and restaurants here in the UK but we are very particular about who we work with. Why don't you start building your own list? It is legal if they have opted in, its treated in the same way as email lists and opt ins. Send them good offers or info don't spam them and you will be ok.

22nd May 2012, 04:19 PM	#3
End2End Active Warrior Join Date: 2008 Location: 3rd Rock from Sun Posts: 62 Thanks: 2 Thanked 10 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Are there any SMS marketing companies who have their own lists? Share on: Thanks mjs, I guess I missed to specify, I am looking for the rules in US market.

23rd May 2012, 07:06 AM	#4
jack2023 Warrior Member Join Date: 2012 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Are there any SMS marketing companies who have their own lists? Share on: Hello , We have a list of USA customers cell phones and can send you sms messages whether short code and long code. We send it no problem with cost USD 0.005. per sms .

23rd May 2012, 01:00 PM	#6
End2End Active Warrior Join Date: 2008 Location: 3rd Rock from Sun Posts: 62 Thanks: 2 Thanked 10 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Are there any SMS marketing companies who have their own lists? Share on: Thanks a ton tjkirgin, Exactly the kind of answer I was looking for. Really appreciated. Thanks! VV

30th May 2012, 02:40 AM	#7
webmarketer8 Active Warrior Join Date: 2010 Posts: 91 Thanks: 15 Thanked 16 Times in 14 Posts	Re: Are there any SMS marketing companies who have their own lists? Share on: I am pretty some of them do, although I do not really know!

31st May 2012, 09:20 PM	#8
smcguinness Call-Em-All Join Date: 2012 Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Are there any SMS marketing companies who have their own lists? Share on: US Law requires that any text messages show an opt in. Many "SMS" companies will try and sell you on being able to text to any number you have without needing an opt in. They generally are using what is called "long code". Basically they are simply passing messages over SMTP (email protocal) that all cell phone numbers have. The optimal way is to use a sms provider that offers "short code" service. All these reputable companies will require that you show an opt in as these short codes are approved by the carriers and the carriers will initiate audits for the opt ins. It is important you make sure you follow all local laws regarding sending SMS messages.