Building Your Opt-in List
A valuable thing you can create for your business is an opt-in list. This is a list of your contacts who have opted-in to receive text messages from you.
For business texting, you must have your contact’s opt-in before you can text them. Otherwise, you’re violating Federal regulations, and that’s too big a risk to take. Once you have their text opt-in, you’ve have a direct, effective, and low-cost way to stay in-touch with them.
The statistics on SMS texting are every business owner’s dream:
- 98% of adults in the US own a mobile phone
- 95% of text messages are read and responded to within 3 minutes of being received
- SMS links have a 19% click through rate, compared to 4% emails, and 1% Facebook
It’s clearly worth the effort to build an opt-in list, but the question is how. There are several opt-in methods you can use, such as a web sign up form or a keyword that your audience texts to subscribe. Check out our Text Opt-in Methods Guide for ideas on the ways you can build your opt-in list.
A simple and effective way is to ask for it when you’re on a call.
For more information about what’s required for business texting, check out our tutorial Business Texting Registration and Toll-Free Number Verification.
How to Ask for the Opt-in On a Phone Call
When you are talking with a contact on the phone, that is the best time to ask them for a text opt-in. Here’s how:
- Ask them if they prefer to communicate by text. Statistics say 48% of people prefer text.
- If they say yes, tell them to text OPTIN or SUBSCRIBE to your text-enabled toll-free number.
- Your contact will receive an automated reply from BellesLink that confirms their opt-in.
- You will see their opt-in in the Text Message screen of your BellesLink account.
- If you’ve created a contact record for them you will see their opt-in recorded there.
Example:
“Tom, would you prefer to communicate by text? I need your opt-in first. Just text OPTIN to my number XXX-XXX-XXXX and I can text you back.”
That’s it. Now you have an opt-in from your contact and you are free to text to them.
How to Ask for the Opt-in in Your Voicemail
Your voicemail messages are another opportunity to ask for a text opt-in. According to the statistics, at least 48% of your contacts will prefer to communicate by text, so make it easy for them. Include text opt-in instructions in every voicemail you leave so your contact has the option to reply via text.
Example:
“Please call me back at XXX-XXX-XXXX or you can message me. Just text the word OPTIN to the same number, XXX-XXX-XXXX, and I will be able to reply to your message.”
Monitor the Opt-in When It’s Sent
While on the call, you can watch for your contact’s opt-in text in two ways.
- Open a second tab in your web browser and log into your BellesLink account. Open the Text Messages screen to watch for their text.
- Turn on email or text notifications, using the advanced settings in number setup, so you receive a notification when your contact texts their opt-in message.
Motivating an Opt-In Conversion
Motivate your contact to opt-in to texting by giving them something of value, such as exclusive access to a report with hard-to-find information or a lesson with how-to instructions.
Example:
“Tom, I have an exclusive report on pricing your market I would be happy to share with you. Text OPTIN to my number XXX-XXX-XXXX and I’ll send you the link.”
Think of opting-in to receive messages as just like subscribing to an email newsletter, your contact will want to know they are getting something of value to them before the sign up.
Put together something simple you can use to motivate an opt-in conversion. Make it a link on your website that you can text to your contact after they opt-in. You could even build on it by texting your opt-in list monthly offers of valuable information. That will make your opt-in list not only something valuable for your business, but valuable for your contacts. Win-win.
Texting Guides
Checkout our tutorials and guides on business text messaging, registration requirements, and toll-free number verification.
- Business Texting Registration and Toll-Free Number Verification
- How to Get Started with Business Texting
- Business Texting Registration Form Guide
- Text Opt-in Methods Guide
- Business Text Message Templates
- Toll-Free Number Setup
- Why Business Text Messaging is Different
Additional policies, regulations, and laws may exist beyond those listed here. This is not legal advice. It is strongly recommended you consult your own legal advisor for help understanding legal obligations you may have, given the kind of messaging you wish to send.