Marketers use a text to join campaign to build a contact list for their SMS marketing campaigns. For this to work, marketers must customize a keyword and a 5 to 6-digit shared short code will be provided to you by your text message marketing service.
Text to join works by asking target customers to text in the keyword to the assigned short code. After which, you can then start sending out business-related text messages like coupon codes, special offers, updates, and so on.
However, if a subscribed customer wishes to opt out of the campaign, they should be instructed to text STOP to your short code.
5 other things you need to know
Here are the other things you need to know before you start:
1. Text to Join is not available to international SMS subscribers. All text messages must come from a single source in your country of origin. For example, if you are in the US, you are only allowed to use US carriers and send messages to contacts in the mainland; hence, all territories are not included.
2. US carriers that support text to join campaigns include Verizon, AT&T, Nextel, T-Mobile, Sprint, Boost, and Alltel.
3. Keywords are words that can be customized and chosen based on availability
4. Customers who are opting to join your SMS marketing campaign means they should only receive text messages, not emails.
5. If you are inserting an external link into a text message, a disclaimer message should be added at the end:
“Message and Data Rates may apply. Text STOP to end, text HELP for help.”
After setting up your own text to join campaign, spread the word through your own or paid media like social media, website, email, print ads, radio and/or TV commercials, among many others.