Is there a difference between email and text messaging?
While most phones can send and receive email, email is not the same as text messaging. There are many differences - for example a text message is sent to a phone number, while an email is sent to an email address. Delivery of SMS messages to mobile phones is almost guaranteed, which, is not the case with email.
Can Everyone Receive Text Messages?
Nearly every cellular phone in use in the United States (and the world) can receive text messages. Most wireless carriers include text messaging in their standard plans.
What Does It Cost For A Customer To Receive A Text Message?
Some carriers do not charge their customers to receive text messages. Others include a certain number or unlimited text messages as add-on services to their standard plans. Usual costs for non-plan text messages are about ten cents a message.
How Long Can Text Messages Be?
A standard text message is limited to 160 characters. Characters means letters, numbers, spaces, symbols and punctuation. Text messages can now include up to 459 characters, however multiple message credits are used. 160 characters equal 1 message credit, 161 to 320 characters equal 2 message credits and 321 to 459 characters equal 3 message credits.
What Is A Short Code?
A Short Code is similar to the address (URL) of a website. It is a unique location to send messages to, that all cellular carriers are aware of. You combine a Short Code with a Keyword to form a call-to-action address. An example would be: 'Text KEYWORD (CLIFF) to SHORTCODE (41513) to join our text messaging list.'
Taking cues from Asia and Europe, U.S. wireless carriers created the Common Short Code Administration as an entity to regulate access to the SMS channel and protect our mobile devices from SPAM and unsolicited marketing.
A ‘Short Code’ is a 5 or 6 digit abbreviated phone number that appears on the mobile device as the "From:". Short Codes identify content providers and each Short Code has to be independently provisioned by each wireless carrier to gain access to that network. Carriers conduct regular audits to ensure ongoing compliance.
Short Codes ensure that consumers remain in control of their experiences by providing a trusted method to ‘Opt-In’ and ‘Opt-Out’ of mobile programs - a requirement for both premium and standard rated programs.
ROAD RULES
Consumers must ‘Opt-in’ to a Short Code program from their mobile device before they can be sent anything. Even an initial message that asks for permission is considered SPAM.
Consumers must ‘double' opt-in (confirm their intent to subscribe by replying YES) to any program that charges fees. T-Mobile also requires a double opt-in for any program that is recurring - even standard rated marketing and alerts.
All subscription services with recurring messages (even standard rated programs) must provide the "Frequency" during the Opt-In confirmation. For example: "Max 8x/mth".
All subscription services with recurring messages (even standard rated programs) must contain “Rply STOP 2End Msgs” in each and every message.
All programs must support the universal commands STOP, QUIT, END, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE, STOP ALL, and HELP.
What Does It Mean To Opt-In?
To Opt-In is to join a list. This can be done by sending a text message containing your KEYWORD to our SHORTCODE, or by entering your phone number into a web-based form. This action signifies that a customer has asked you to send them a message.
What Does It Mean To Opt-Out?
A subscriber Opts Out when they quit your list. Users can do this quickly and simply by replying to any text message you send them with the word STOP. From time to time you must include the following notice within your marketing messages: Opt-out:txt STOP to 41513. Help:txt HRS to 41513.Max 7msgs/wk.
Who Regulates Text Messaging?
In The United States, The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates text messaging.
How Do Customers Opt-In To My List?
When you open a Mutual SMS Texting account you are assigned a Keyword of your choice as available. Commonly, this Keyword is the name of the business or institution of the account holder. All a customer has to do is text your Keyword to the Short Code 41513. For example, if your keyword were ABCD, all your customer needs to do is send ABCD to 41513. To Opt-out your customer can reply to any message you send with the word STOP.
How Can I Promote My Mutual SMS Text Messaging Service To My Customers?
Promoting your text messaging and mobile marketing campaigns requires little or no investment on your part. Your campaign message to consumers is simple and can be added to the promotions you are already running! Simply add the text, 'Join ABCD's VIP Club To Find Out About Upcoming Events. Send the Word ABCD to 41513 Now!' Some popular examples of ways you can promote and build your Opt-in list can be found here.
What Kind of Text Messages Can I Send Through Your Service?
If you owned a grocery store you might send a message like this: Happy Holidays from Laine’s Grocery! As a special VIP customer you get 15% off bakery items with this message.
What Cellular Carriers Do You Support?
Supported carriers: AT&T, Verizon Wireless, Sprint, Nextel, T-Mobile, Alltel, Virgin Mobile, Cellular One, US Cellular and Boost.
How Do I Access My Mutual SMS Account / Do I Need Any Special Software/Hardware?
Mutual SMS text messaging software is web-based, all you need to access our service is a computer with an internet connection and a web browser. There is no special software or hardware to purchase or install.
How Long Does It Take For Subscribers To Receive The Messages I Send?
Messages are sent instantly and arrive within 1 - 2 minutes of you sending them. If a customer's phone is turned off, or is in an area without coverage (inside a tunnel for example), their carrier holds the message and delivers it as soon as the customer re-enters a coverage area.
Is There A Limit To How Many Messages I Can Send Using Your Service?
There is no limit to how many messages you can send using our text messaging service. However, best practices indicate that you should not send more than one message per day to your subscribers. More frequent messaging can result in high Opt-Out rates from your list.
How Much Does Your Service Cost?
Mutual SMS Texting is affordable and can be set up within 24 hours. Specific pricing for our services and text messaging charges can be found here.
How Do I Sign-up for Your Service?
The proper explanation and implementation of our service requires a visit from one of our professional representatives at your business location. Please contact us here and we'll be happy to schedule an appointmment that will initially take approximately thirty minutes of your time. The ability to contact your customers at any time, anywhere is no longer a dream. By adding Short Message Service (SMS) to your marketing mix, the effectiveness of your message with new and existing customers will skyrocket.
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