Mass Text Messaging

The Mass Texting Service
With A Proven 98% Open Rate

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What is Mass Texting?

Mass texting is a marketing technique that allows you to send text messages (also known as SMS) to multiple subscribers instantly. These mass texting services can also be used for notifications, alerts, promotions, appointment reminders, special offers, and more.

Trumpia’s bulk SMS software allows you to send highly targeted messages to each of your different contact lists. This means you can send the right message to the right people at the right time, improving customer engagement and minimizing opt-outs.

Does Mass Texting Work?

Absolutely. In the past 5 years, nearly 33% of consumers (Nielson) want to have text and social media conversations with brands, medical offices, restaurants, and other types of companies. This means that the implementation of a mass texting service can bring significant returns on investment for many businesses to increasing revenue and in-store traffic, in which generate sales and build relationships with customers. Here are some important facts on why Mass texting should be a part of your marketing strategy:

  • Text Messages Get Seen

    98% of text messages are read, compared to just 22% of emails

  • Text Messages Are Quick

    90% of text messages are read within three minutes. This makes it the most effective way to generate traffic to your stores for last minute sales.

  • Text Messages Are Engaging

    Text messages are responded to 7.5x more often and 60x quicker than emails.

  • Text Messages Are Popular

    89% of consumers say they want to text message to communicate with a business, but only 48% of businesses are equipped to do this.

In light of these statistics, it stands to reason that the use of mobile devices for communication continues to grow, with experts predicting the use of mobile subscriptions to reach 9.3 billion in 2019 (Telecoms).

Getting Started with Mass Text Messaging

Once you decide you want to take advantage of texting, you need to subscribe to a mass text message service provider like Trumpia. Mass texting service providers give you all the tools you need in order to opt in contacts and send them messages through whichever number option is best for your use case.

What often distinguishes one mass text messaging service provider from another is the power and ease of use of it’s platform. The other distinguishing features have to do with the features they provide and the level of automation they offer their customers. Before we go any further, let’s cover some terminology that every user should be familiar with:

Mass Texting Terminology

  • Mobile Keyword

    A mobile keyword is any word you select for your customers to text in order to subscribe to your alerts. When a customer texts in your keyword, a mass text messaging software will automatically capture their phone number and store it in your database. In an ad reading, “Text ‘DEALS’ to 12345 to join our texting campaign, ”DEALS” is the mobile keyword.

  • Online Signup Page

    An online signup page, or OSP for short, allows you to opt subscribers in to your mobile campaigns by filling out an online signup page. Some businesses prefer to opt in subscribers through an online signup page instead of a mobile keyword because businesses may want to gather more information about their subscribers, such as their name, interests, birthday, etc.

  • Short Code

    Short codes are 5- to 6-digit numbers that are exclusively for text messaging. They are “short”, easier to remember, easy to text on the go, and allow for high throughput mass messaging.

  • Shared Short Code

    Set to be phased out sometime in 2019, these short chodes are shared by multiple users. While this helps lower their cost, it also opens them up to potentially being shut down if one of the users sharing the code misuses it or is non-compliant with their messaging. The biggest drawback of a shared shortcode is that keywords are limited, meaning that every keyword can only be used by one organization per shared short code.

  • Dedicated Short Code

    These short codes operate exactly the same as their shared variant, shared short codes, but are only used by a single organization. This opens them up to a wider variety of campaigns including text-to-win and text-to-donate programs. You also get to choose any keyword, rather than worrying about whether or not someone else has already claimed it.

  • Long Codes

    Long Codes are the 10-digit phone numbers that we are all familiar with. Along with being more readily recognizable as a phone number than short codes, long codes offer the added benefit of being able to use the same number for both calls and texting. They are also sometimes referred to as 10DLC (10 digit long code).

  • Short (or shortened) link

    A short link is a web link containing relatively few characters that redirects to a longer web link. These are helpful because they allow you to fit longer URLs into your text messages.

  • Landline Texting

    Landline Texting (also known as text to landline) enables your business's existing landline or toll-free number to send and receive text messages. This way, people can get immediate interaction with your business without interrupting their busy day by being stuck on a long phone call or playing email tag.

  • Toll Free

    Toll-free numbers are a great number option because they give you the power and flexibility of dedicated short codes, but at a fraction of the cost. Toll-Free numbers are 10-digit numbers that begin with the prefix 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, or 833. Carriers allow these numbers to send mass text messages for commercial use.

  • MMS

    Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) messages enable you to send pictures and videos, making them great for grabbing your audience's attention and keeping your marketing fun and engaging.

Common Use Cases of Mass Texting

  • Broadcasts

    Broadcasts are messages businesses send to your entire (or large part of) customer base. They can be scheduled ahead of time so that all of your users get the message at the same time. Broadcasts are ideal for sending general messages about an upcoming event or sale.

  • Appointment reminders

    Appointment reminders are targeted messages for specific users or groups to remind them of an appointment they’ve scheduled or event they are interested in. Depending on the texting software you use, you can also prompt your contacts to confirm, reschedule, or cancel their appointments so you can get an accurate headcount.

  • User Polls

    User polls are questions you send directly to your subscribers to receive feedback on a product, decision, question, or service. Common examples of user polls are surveys.

  • Text-to-vote

    Text-to-vote mass text campaigns allow your audience to text in to vote for things in order to determine a winner. This is perfect for things like mobile marketing campaigns or for fun things like live polls at sporting events.

  • Text-to-win

    Text-to-win campaigns are when contacts text a mobile keyword into your dedicated short code in order to enter into a contest with a prize. Customers wouldn’t normally expect to receive ongoing updates after enrolling in a contest, so be sure to include a disclaimer if you plan to contact them again.

  • Offers

    Because of mass texting having a high read-rate, mobile offers are some of the most effective SMS marketing campaigns. In order to drive sales to your stores or online, you need to send effective and targeted messages in order to entice customers to spend their money.

  • Mobile Coupons

    Text coupons are just like paper coupons, but they can be redeemed through a phone via QR or a traditional barcode. Text coupons are also simpler for customers to remember to bring than traditional printed coupons. In fact, SMS coupons are redeemed 10x more often than paper ones.

How To Send a Mass Text Message

Mass text messages need to be sent through an SMS service provider like Trumpia. SMS service providers are both cheaper and more effective than other forms of mass marketing, like email or radio ads. They are easy to use and more cost-effective per message than any other messaging channel.

Create a Way To Sign Up

The first step in getting started with mass texting is to create a way for customers to opt in to receive your messages.
There are 3 ways to do this.

  • Mobile keywords allow customers to opt themselves in to your messaging campaigns by texting the keyword to your shortcode. Mobile keywords are great because they can go on your existing advertisements and give customers an easy way to sign up.

  • Online signup pages allow customers to opt in by filling out a form on your website, giving you consent to message them as well as their contact information.

  • Provided you have express written consent from your customers that they want to receive messages from you, you can import their contact information into your mass texting software so that you can message them.

Send A Mass Message

To send a message, you simply have to log in to your account and compose a message. You can do things like schedule the message to be sent at a later date, target your message to a specific subset of contacts, or attach links for your customers to follow. Once you’ve sent your message, your mass SMS service provider should be able to provide you statistics so you can check how your messaging campaigns are doing.

Mass Texting Use Cases

In this section we want to cover how different types of businesses and organizations have used SMS to further their goals. This is not an exhaustive list (this is!) but it will help businesses understand how texting can help them meet their goals.

  • Retail - Get The Word Out

    Because 98% of texts get read, it is the most effective way to promote your upcoming sales and increase in-store traffic.

    • Use mass SMS to make new product announcements to your customers.
    • Send more information about upcoming items to your customers in order to drive interest to your online or in-store offerings.
  • Marketing - Boost Revenue

    With a 98% read rate vs email’s 22%, SMS marketing is the perfect tool to increase customer interest and maximize your ROI.

    • Increase in-store traffic and revenue by text blasting mobile coupons and promotions.
    • Automatically send a reminder if a coupon is about to expire or when a sale is ending in order to get the most out of your marketing campaigns.
  • Churches - Engage Your Congregation

    Mass texting allows for a more convenient way for members to take part in your cause.

    • When a new member texts your keyword, you can forward them a link to your churches site to learn more or to sign up for your newsletter.
    • Through mass SMS you can invite members to participate in ministries, donate to your church, and send event reminders.
  • Universities - Reach Prospective Students

    Texting helps you better reach prospective students to better market your university to them and increase your attendance.

    • During critical situations, message all students, staff, and faculty to the danger.
    • Send automated SMS reminders for approaching application and financial aid deadlines.
  • Car Dealerships - Market Your Cars

    Getting the message out about new models or an upcoming sale can be a tall order. Luckily, SMS allows you to better reach your customers through:

    • Send promotions about upcoming holiday sales or new models coming into stock.
    • Send automated reminders to interested customers when a model they are interested in is on sale or available for test drive.
  • Hotels - Boost Revenue Year Round

    Mass texting is the ideal solution for hotels and the hospitality industry to have their messages seen and keep their reservations booked year round.

    • Increase reservations and sales during the off-season by sending text promotions like discounts or spa packages.
    • Promote your mobile app by sending them a text link to download. With a nearly 6x higher click-through rate than email, you’ll see a large boost in app downloads.
  • Political Campaigns - Rally Your Supporters

    Maximize engagement and donations, as SMS has a better response rate than phone or email outreach.

    • Boost attendance at campaign events with invites to your rallies.
    • Send messages to your subscribers in order to leverage your base and gather more donations.
  • Recruiting - Increase the Number of Candidates

    For the same reasons you prefer texting with your friends over calling them, mass SMS is the most effective communication channel for recruiting.

    • Market your business to recruits and send new job openings to interested candidates.
    • Cut down on no-shows for job fairs and interviews with automated mass reminders.
  • Real Estate - Market Your Listings

    Mass texting is a simple and cost effective way to advertise your openings and quickly find interested buyers.

    • Through mass texting, send property listings to different groups of interested buyers based off of what they are looking for.
    • Generate interest and send interested buyers updates or MMS pictures of your properties.
  • Restaurants - Send Promotions to Customers

    98% of text messages are read, making it the most effective way to reach your patrons.

    • Send mobile coupons to attract the 77% that are more likely to go to a restaurant during off-peak times if they received a discount.
    • Announce upcoming specials through mass texting or picture messaging. Send MMS pictures of your menu items to entice customers.
  • Mass Texting For Critical Alerts

    A disaster can leave customer and staff full of questions and concerns about their current safety, evacuation procedures, and well-being. Being able to address these concerns as soon as possible will allow your guests to feel safe. Time is of the essence during a disaster, so the quicker you get responses, the better you can provide assistance.

    Here’s a real world use case with a Trumpia client. Omni Dallas Hotel is a 1001 room luxury hotel, located in downtown Dallas, Texas. They typically used Trumpia for employee communication, coordinating their employees and boosting attendance at company events.

    But, when crisis struck following a shooting at the Dallas Police Department, the priority immediately became notifying all employees of the situation and the security of the hotel.

    Fortunately, Omni Dallas was able to use the very same mass communication system they regularly utilized, Trumpia, for this special case. The Omni Dallas Hotel was able to immediately notify all employees of the event, keeping them and their guests safe as the crisis progressed.

Common Misconceptions of Mass Texting

  • Is it legal?

    Yes it is. The government requires that anyone you message has to opt themselves in to receive these messages.This can be done in a variety of ways, including posting mobile keywords that customers text in to opt in, as well as online signup pages that allow contacts to opt in voluntarily. In addition, if you have written consent from contacts to receive SMS messages, you can import their information into your marketing software.

  • Is it expensive?

    No, in fact it is one of the most cost effective communication channels! When you have an SMS software, every text message you send to a customer costs fractions of a cent. When you compare SMS messaging to radio, paper, or TV ads, the return on your investment is extensive. Text messaging companies typically sell “credits” that translate to a certain number of text messages. Text credit costs can vary by company and country due to service fees, and MMS messages typically cost more because more data is sent.

  • Do people want to receive mass texts?

    Yes! In fact, 89% of consumers say they want to send and receive text messages to communicate with a business. Of course you have to have the contact’s permission to send them these texts, but opting contacts in to receive your messages can be quick and easy.

  • Is mass texting common?

    It’s not only common, it’s becoming one of the most popular ways to market to customers as certain industries realize the power and reach of text message marketing.

The Trumpia Mass Texting Service Advantage Trumpia’s smart mass messaging does more than the indiscriminate mass texting of other providers.

  • Automation

    Set your campaigns on autopilot, saving valuable time and effort. Trumpia automatically carries out tasks for you, dynamically interacting with subscribers based on their behavior and profile.

    • Trumpia’s Auto Campaigns carry out mass messaging campaigns for you without the need to code or manage the system on a day to day basis. After you set it and forget it, our software will take care of the rest, saving you valuable time and completing complex tasks that would be impossible to do manually.
    • Initiate a drip campaign that sends messages at specific intervals whenever someone takes certain actions in our system. You designate the messages and timing, then sit back and relax as we take care of the rest.
  • Smart Targeting

    Trumpia’s Smart Targeting sorts contacts into separate distribution groups based on criteria you collect, from customer characteristics and specific interests to their behavior. This lets you mass message but target your subscribers, leading to more effective engagement and fewer opt outs.

    • Unlike traditional SMS marketing services that can only send a mass of untargeted messages, Trumpia’s Smart Targeting gets you results by maintaining your customer satisfaction by making sure they don't feel spammed.
    • Our Dynamic Targets keep your filtered distribution lists organized in real time, automatically updating whenever a new subscriber is added, a contact unsubscribes, or an existing profile gets updated.
  • Lifecycle Engagement

    Trumpia takes pride on something none of our competitors can match – Lifecycle Engagement. This means our platform is more than just a toolbox, it works for you to automatically engage your subscribers every time they interact with our system.

    • From initial sign-up, through nurturing, to conversion, and the feedback loop, our system can engage subscribers based on their prior behavior and collected data.
    • By providing automated, intelligent service, customers are more likely to become advocates for your business.
  • Omnichannel Messaging

    Trumpia isn't just a mass sms software, we provide a variety of marketing channels so you can ensure you reach 100% of your audience.

    • Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) messages enable you to send vivid pictures and videos, immediately grabbing your audience's attention.
    • Our email comes with many of the same advanced capabilities that SMS does, like templates, targeting, message scheduling, and even automation.
  • API

    Thousands of customers come to Trumpia for our highly scalable messaging API, the foundation of which is programmable mass SMS. They then stay for life because of our unmatched service, time-saving productivity tools, and a variety of other messaging channels.

    • New short codes are expensive and take weeks to activate. We include a shared short code that’s ready for immediate use. We also have other number options that can match your use case.
    • We aren't just limited to mass SMS. Using our integrated solution, send messages via all popular channels, including text messaging, email, and voice broadcast