With SMS marketing, you can quickly and affordably contact your target audience. However, you risk facing hefty penalties and fines if you fail to obey the text message privacy rules and regulations put in place to safeguard customers. Adhering to text messaging rules is critical to the success of your marketing efforts. Enhancing customer relationships, expanding your text list, and growing sales should always be the primary aim of your text marketing strategy, however, not at the expense of your firm’s reputation.
The Importance of Adhering to Text Marketing Rules
SMS marketing is a great tool for companies to promote promotions and special offers to their clients. However, not all firms adhere to SMS guidelines when communicating with clients by text message. Businesses may unintentionally send unsolicited text messages and spam their customers with unrelated information, goods, services, or offers if they do not grasp the correct legal procedures. The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association CTIA enforces ethical text marketing practices to ensure personal information privacy and security. The requirements apply to any business that communicates with customers through MMS or SMS. If a company violates online texting service privacy and spam regulations, it will be penalized.
What are the laws for text message marketing
Some regulatory agencies have issued guidelines for telemarketing communications. As technology and business practices change, these rules are constantly revised. Here are a few laws you ought to be aware of:
1. The CAN-SPAM Act
The Federal Trade Commission FTC established the anti-spam legislation CAN-SPAM Act to prevent unsolicited email communications that include sexually explicit or otherwise unacceptable material. It adds to the TCPA by making auto dialer regulations applicable to all business companies. Additionally, customers can receive informational notifications that don’t push new business, like messages about the status of a previously completed transaction, without their explicit written authorization. The Act contains several rules, including;
- Let the receiver know where you are.
- If a customer opts out, you should comply with their request.
- You cannot have a deceptive subject line.
- You must provide instructions on how the receiver can opt out.
2. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act
The principal telemarketing law in the United States is the TCPA. Unwanted text messages and phone calls have been the focus of the TCPA since its enactment by Congress in 1991 and are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission FCC. It stresses privacy rights by implementing the following:
- Operating hours. Communication must take place between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
- Prior written permission is required.
- Identification. Commercial enterprises must identify themselves and describe their purpose for contacting the recipient.
- Restrictions on using an autodialer. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act TCPA prohibits robocalls. An automated telephone dialing system, ATD dials or texts customers without their consent by picking phone numbers from a digitally recorded list.
How to comply with text message marketing laws
● Utilize short keyword codes
Your consumers can sign up for your text messaging by texting a particular keyword or phrase to a designated phone number. Businesses may disclose that keyword to customers as part of a CTIA-compliant disclaimer containing all express written permission elements.
● Offer a reward for signing up
Customers who opt-in to receive text messages from your business should receive something in return. For instance, you can offer member discounts, limited-time deals, or add extra features to your primary services.
● Keep your word
In terms of marketing platforms, text messaging campaigns have the most excellent open rates. A company may get tempted to bombard its clients with SMS alerts, but doing so might put you in danger of violating your customers’ privacy and harming your brand’s reputation. SMS regulations ensure that businesses adhere to the messaging schedules they guarantee. Customers will be less angry and less likely to see your text messages as spam if you go by these rules and only send messages occasionally.
● Include all details for express written consent
Ensure that your initial message to a new subscriber contains all relevant information by following the express written permission rules. It should include your company’s name, the purpose of the message, the Frequency of messages, and a disclaimer about rates and terms and conditions of use.
Text marketing regulations exist to safeguard consumers. Clients should see what they’re signing up for and be sure that their personal information gets treated with the utmost respect. As long as your company adheres to these rules, you’ll be OK.
