How to Build an Organic SMS List: Crucial Dos and Donts

Mass text messaging is a powerful marketing tool, but its effectiveness depends on having a high-quality, consent-based subscriber list. Making sure your database includes people who have agreed to receive your messages prevents legal issues and boosts engagement.

Businesses or brands sending SMS messages without permission is considered illegal activity in most countries, with laws like the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) in the US and the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) in the UK. These regulations mandate clear opt-in procedures and simple unsubscribe options.

Purchasing pre-compiled phone number lists is risky and often violates these guidelines. Such lists are usually inaccurate and outdated, and these people might not have consented to be placed on any such lists. Mobile carriers may put you on a blacklist or fine you heavily, which will stop your messages from working.

Focusing on organic list-building methods that put user consent and value first will help you build a loyal subscriber base that is open to your text messages.

What is an SMS list?

An SMS list, or an SMS subscriber list, is a database of contact numbers collected from customers who are interested in receiving various types of SMS marketing campaigns from your business.

Can’t I just buy a database of mobile numbers?

There are certain services that sell customers’ contact information across vendors in bulk for marketing purposes. Most of these are illegal, but some may be completely above board.

Buying a ready-made list of contacts might seem like a quick and simple solution for business owners and marketers looking to save time and budget on mass SMS messaging. Some "experts" tout this method as simple, fast, and effective. The lure of acquiring these lists for just a few tens of dollars, promising hundreds of thousands of contacts, is strong. But does this method really work? Is it really effective and efficient?

In most cases, buying phone number lists is illegal and will get your messages flagged as spam. Many people who end up on such lists most likely did not even consent to the use of their data for such purposes. This raises some serious legal and ethical concerns.

There are several reasons why purchased phone number lists are problematic.

• High spam rates: Messages sent to these contacts frequently end up in spam folders. Users rarely check their SMS spam folder, so it would be a waste of time and money trying.

• Unreliable contacts: The quality and reliability of these contacts are questionable, especially if obtained from cheap, unverified sources. There is no way to know beforehand how many of these numbers are real and legit.

• Outdated information: Sellers cannot guarantee the relevance or accuracy of the contacts. Who knows how old that list might be. Many numbers on the list might not even be active anymore.

• “Cold” audience: What do you think will happen if you mass text a group of people who know nothing about your business or its offerings? It’s very unlikely that they will take you seriously after you contact them without even taking their consent.

Moreover, using these lists for messaging often results in dire consequences. Regulatory bodies enforce strict laws against unsolicited SMS marketing. As mentioned before, regulatory laws like TCPA and PECR prohibit sending commercial messages without express written consent and enforce strict opt-in requirements. Violation of these regulations can result in heavy fines and mobile carrier blacklisting, rendering your campaigns ineffective.

Purchasing ready-made client databases for SMS messaging is a losing strategy. You don't acquire a sustainable database but rather a one-time shot at ineffective messaging. The method is not only inefficient but also exposes you to significant legal risks.

9 ways to organically build an SMS subscriber list

A smaller, self-compiled list of phone numbers works far better to turn buyers into loyal customers. It's far easier to interact with consenting SMS subscribers, and earning their trust will help them view your business favorably right away. A small list is more personal and interactive.

Let us take a look at some ways to put together an SMS subscriber list organically.

1. Traditional customer touchpoints and sales channels

Traditional places where customers come in and out, like physical stores, retail chains, and coffee shops, are some of the best ways to build an SMS messaging database. In exchange for free stuff, discounts, or other incentives, many people happily fill out forms with their contact information. In addition to getting contacts for your messaging database, you also get a chance to give your sales a nice little boost.

2. Website and landing pages

Your website can be a powerful tool for collecting phone numbers. Here are some effective strategies to collect contact details from your website visitors.

• Require phone number registration with consent to receive messages

• Use pop-up windows to encourage subscriptions to messaging services

• Collect contact details at checkout via your site's shopping cart

• Utilize questionnaires and feedback forms to gather contact information

While developing a comprehensive website demands significant time and pre-advertising investment, it greatly enhances your ability to collect contacts. Additionally, for businesses offering complex or high-value products, landing pages are highly effective sales resources.

3. Lead magnets

Lead magnets are free products or services that marketers use to obtain contact information. Free subscriptions, samples, and free consults are a few types of lead magnets. Marketers use lead magnets to generate sales leads. You can facilitate this through a messenger chat or a website. Users submit their requests, you develop your SMS messaging database, and they get the content you promised.

4. Collecting feedback, positive and negative

Reviewing products and sharing brand experiences has become a common activity among modern buyers. Use this opportunity to accept constructive criticism, but make registration mandatory. In addition to getting useful information, this also lets you get phone numbers for possible SMS marketing campaigns.

5. Social media platforms

One of the best ways to get people's phone numbers for your SMS marketing program is through social media accounts. Promote your SMS messaging service by taking advantage of the vast audience sizes of social media sites like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Make intriguing posts and ads that give followers who sign up for your SMS list access to exclusive sales, discounts, or premium content. Engage readers with captivating text and images. In order to make it easier for your followers to subscribe, use attractive CTA buttons and links in your social media profiles and stories. This simple activity will allow them to join your list straight from their feeds and be an organic way of getting SMS subscribers.

6. Keyword texting

Launch keyword-based SMS marketing campaigns which allow users to subscribe by messaging a short code some designated keywords. You can implement this simple strategy in-store, online, on social media, or even traditional ads to collect contact details from prospective customers.

A great example of keyword texting is store signage that invites customers to text "JOIN" to a certain number (preferably a short code) in order to receive updates and promotions.

7. Email marketing

Get more people to sign up for your SMS service by promoting it via email. To encourage people to sign up for your SMS list and receive special updates and offers, include a call-to-action in your emails.

Successful subscriptions are more likely to occur when this strategy targets an already engaged audience. Your existing email subscribers are bound to be interested in hearing what you have to offer. Get people to sign up for your SMS list by highlighting the extra perks they'll receive, like early access, new product alerts, discounts, coupon codes, and insider information.

8. Referral programs

A rewarding referral program can help your SMS subscriber list grow naturally by harnessing the power of social proof. People who are already on your SMS list can get their friends and family to join by telling them about all the discounts, free products, or entries into special contests they would get in exchange.

It’s even better to set up a situation where both the person who referred you and the new subscriber will benefit.

9. SMS polls and competitions

Use text-to-vote polls, SMS surveys, and contests to get your audience involved.

A fun and engaging way to gather phone numbers is to encourage consumers to participate by texting a keyword to enter a competition. Offering appealing rewards or incentives can increase participation rates. One idea is to hold a contest where people can win prizes just by taking a few minutes out of their day to answer a survey or vote for their favorite product.

To generate maximum interest and participation, you can announce these campaigns via your current marketing channels.

How to be a green flag: Best practices to grow your SMS list

Let's assume that you have successfully compiled a database of organic SMS subscribers. Prior to sending any commercial SMS messages, it's important to implement procedures that protect user privacy and guarantee compliance. These are crucial pointers to maintain the "green" status of your SMS marketing efforts, which can then help you gain more SMS subscribers as time passes.

1. Checkbox subscription: Ensure that users always have an easy way to select whether or not to receive SMS marketing messages from you. You can ensure legal compliance and promote positive engagement by giving users the option to opt in voluntarily through the inclusion of a checkbox during the sign-up process. And never leave the box checked by default.

2. Double opt-in verification: You can raise the quality of your subscriber base by implementing double opt-in verification. The first step can be an opt in form via one the traditional methods, for instance. Through a second verification step, such as clicking a link or replying to a confirmation text message, you can make sure nobody accidentally subscribes to be part of your SMS marketing list.

3. Activation notifications: After a successful subscription activation, send messages confirming their choice. These notifications, by removing unwanted sign-ups and acting as evidence of consent, ensure that your messaging reaches people who are actually interested in what you have to say.

4. Record maintenance: Maintain comprehensive logs that document user interactions and SMS subscription-related consent choices. These records can prove very helpful if, in the future, you are asked to prove that your SMS marketing campaigns have been transparent and in compliance with data protection laws.

5. Simple unsubscribe options: Honor user preferences by providing simple ways for users to stop receiving SMS messages. Give users easy access to unsubscribe options and clear instructions to manage their preferences.

6. Stop list management: Create and maintain stop lists for users who have chosen not to receive SMS messages in the future. Respect user preferences by updating these lists on a regular basis to make sure that subscribers who have opted out receive no further promotional texts.

7. Frequent database updates: Periodically clean and update your phone number database to get rid of out-of-date, invalid, or inactive contacts. Use technologies such as HLR lookup to confirm the validity of phone numbers and boost the performance of your SMS campaigns.

Following the above guidelines will help you build trust with your audience while safeguarding your brand's reputation. These best practices will ensure long-term SMS list growth and substantial engagement with your subscriber base.

Conclusion

It takes more than just numbers to build a strong SMS subscriber list; you also need to win interested, consenting users who are actively interested in your offerings. Following local and global regulations is essential in the current, heavily regulated environment. Therefore, don’t even think about buying phone number lists is risky. Instead, run clean campaigns with customers’ consent. Prioritize ethical strategies to guarantee compliance and cultivate lasting relationships with your customers.

Sign up for Decision Telecom’s bulk messaging service to get started with building your SMS database ethically.