[XponentSYS]

Hey all - I'm seasoned in many things but NOT SMS.

Anyway, I have thousands of customers who have bought WSOs and other products and services.

All of them provided a phone number at checkout and with the popularity of mobile phones over land lines, I've discovered that 88% of them are mobile numbers.

I'm wondering if its okay to text them with special offers and such. I haven't worked it out yet but I'd find a way to provide VALUE as well.

Also, I wouldn't over do it - just once in a while.

On the tech side, we already are setup to do this - just haven't.

Everyone, including me of course, sends stuff to our buyer lists via email. Is it oksy to do SMS as well?

Would you? DO you?

[Duvallmarketers]

Hi, Ben.

Great question. The short answer is: NO. SMS is highly regulated by the FCC with serious fines for texting spam. However... you may send 1 message to your list to invite them to opt-in to your sms list. There are several required disclaimers for every marketing text you send. You must include the following:
1. You must identify yourself in the message as the sender.
2. You must clearly state the intent of the message.
3. You must clearly state the frequency of message they will receive if they opt-in.
4. You must provide an Opt-out in your message. Example: To end reply STOP.

Those are bare minimum. As you can see... by the time you include all the required disclaimers there is almost no room left for your offer.

Most people HATE getting offers via text... even when they opt-in to get them because of the intensely personal nature of sms arriving on their phone which is always with them... unlike an email that they can choose to ignore. The best success that we have seen has come from coupons for easily consumable items like discounts on fast food, frozen yogurt, etc.

Hope that helps.

[Danny Cutts]

I found SMS text messaging to be not that great... hwy send an expensive text message when most people have smart phones and you can send a free email :-)

Danny

[WillR]

Best place for your question:

Mobile Marketing

[ballparkbob]

Although I disagree whole-heartedly with this statment from Mr. Duvall (Most people HATE getting offers via text. <what is the source of this study and if that is so, why would they opt-in in the first place?>), he is absolutely right that an "existing business relationship" with your consumers is no longer means enough to warrant a legitimate opt-in.

Opt-ins are legitimate if obtained outside of an interactive text message so long as you have the documented proof from an IVR program or paper registration.

That being said, there is a way to obtain a verifiable text message opt-in from your list without texting them. You could send an email, for instance, and encourage them to send a keyword to a short code to obtain the opt-in.

[Aaron Doud]

You could send an email to ask them to OPT in and that would be legal. Though the question is what offers would you have that would make it worth the opt in.

If I remember right Grant Cardone and I believe Ziglar have SMS opt in lists.

[xlfutur1]

Sounds like everyone you have phone numbers for is interested in internet marketing, or at least members of this forum.

I don't see what would be wrong with sending out a broadcast text asking them if they would like to receive stuff via text in the future. As long as you do it infrequently and the offers and info is good, I'm sure you'll get people to respond favorably and stay on your SMS list.

Send out an SMS and simply have them either reply YES or NO to your question of whether they would like to receive future stuff. The Yes response will put them on the list to do that, the NO will unsubscribe them forever. As long as you give people a way to opt out and never receive messages any more, you are covered.

The companies that have gotten in trouble (like Papa John's) are when people get 10 texts per day and even after they opt out still get messages.

I disagree with one response here that says most people hate getting offers via text. If the offer is good and relevant, most people I think don't mind at all. Just give them a way out and you shouldn't have any problems.

[laird]

This might help you in your consideration:
Spam: Unwanted Text Messages and Email | FCC.gov

[suezer]

Hi,

With most marketing, it is okay to be aggressive and abide by the old adage that it is best to seek forgiveness rather than to ask for permission. And while this principle works with most marketing, it doesn’t with mobile marketing. Mobile phone numbers are personal and no one wants to be spammed! Effective mobile marketing is strictly permission-based.
This article will gives you better overview - MediaPost Publications Best SMS Practices: Does Your Customer Really Want To Hear From You In a Personal Way? 04/30/2012

[TrumpiaTim]

No, SMS mobile marketing must be on a 100% OPT-IN basis, if you do not have their consent to text you are not allowed to send messages to those numbers under no circumstances.