We’ve made growing your mobile subscriber list easy with our Text to join feature. This tool is a quick and easy way to collect new subscribers by giving customers the opportunity to text a pre-defined keyword to your unique business number and join your database. Simply set up a keyword and promote it online or in-store by displaying the keyword itself, using a QR code, or sending a join link.
Growth campaigns not only increase the number of contacts in your list but also ensure you are compliant by only adding contacts to your database who have confirmed their consent to receive your communications.
Setting up Text to join keywords
To get started, click on Growth tools found in the top navigation of your dashboard. Next, click on Get started to set up your keywords and continue to follow the 3 steps outlined below.
1. Create your keyword
Input the unique keyword your customers will text to opt-in to your subscriber list. We recommend using shorter keywords as they are easier for customers to read and remember and mitigate any risks of customers sending the wrong keyword.
Things to note:
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All keywords are unique, meaning you can’t use a keyword already created on your account. Try combining numbers with words to create a unique keyword for your customers, such as Promo10
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Keywords can only be made up of numbers (A - Z) and letters (0 - 9). Special characters and emojis are not supported.
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Letter case won’t affect subscriptions. Thus, regardless of whether your customers text your keywords in upper or lowercase, they’ll still have opted into your database. For example, Promo10, PROMO10, or promo10 are all the same.
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Certain keywords, such as “STOP”, are reserved by the platform and cannot be used or altered. This is because some keywords are used for built-in functions like “Text STOP to Opt-Out".
2. Craft a welcome SMS
The welcome SMS will be triggered automatically after a customer successfully texts your chosen keyword to join your subscriber list.
This message is important because it lets your customers know their sign-up was successful. It can also inform them of the type of communications they will receive and should outline any T&Cs beyond the pre-populated T&Cs (we’ll cover this below).
Pre-populated T&Cs (Terms and Conditions)
Your welcome message has a maximum character allowance of 64 characters. The character count is shorter than in a regular SMS to allow for the compliance required and pre-populated terms and conditions.
These T&Cs cover:
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A way for customers to opt-out of your communications
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Statement of the frequency of your messaging
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A customer support number (Should you want to update this number before setting up your keyword, you can do so on the company details page within account management)
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Clear language about any associated fees or charges
3. Determine how to house your new subscribers
While all subscribers will be saved to your contact database, this step gives you the option to also organize them to a new or existing list.
There are 2 options you can choose from:
1. Add to existing or create a new list:
a) Add to existing: If you have already created lists, you’ll be able to select them from the dropdown menu.
b) Add to a new list: You are also able to create a new list in which to store your subscribers.
Once you select this option, you will be directed to a pop-up with open fields to create your new list. You can learn more about creating lists in Creating lists and assigning contacts.
2. Just add to my contact database
If you don’t want to add any of your new subscribers to a specific list, select Just add to my contact database to add them directly to the contact database in your account.
Pro tip: Keeping your database organized is crucial to running successful SMS campaigns. Therefore, we highly recommend using lists to keep track of your data and keeping your data organized.
Once all the required information is completed, review your information and preview in the renderer, and click Save to finalize your setup.
Sharing your text to join campaign
Once your keyword is set up, you have a few ways to share it and start growing your list. We’ve made it easy for your customer to text in your keyword by offering 4 easy ways to complete the process.
1. Display your keyword: You can share your keyword and business number with your customers using print media, in-store, or online, giving them the option to manually text to join your list.
2. QR code: This method allows your customer to scan a QR code that will pre-populate both the keyword and business number in their text messaging application. All that’s left is for your new customer to hit send.
3. Join link: Once clicked, this link will re-populate both the keyword and business number in their text messaging application. A quick click of the send button and you have a new subscriber.
4. Social sharing: You can share your link on your social profiles with our built-in sharing feature. This feature also allows you to customize your preview image and copy so you can ensure it's on-brand and perfect for your needs.
Please note: QR codes and links are designed for mobile device access only. Should they be accessed on any other device your QR code, keyword, and business number will be displayed to allow for sign up using method 1.
Understanding possible errors
This is a reserved word
The keyword you typed in was already taken or is reserved for another purpose like resubscribing, or support. Type in a different word or code for your customers to use.
Unexpected error occurred
This is a system error and is likely not caused by you. We suggest refreshing the page and trying again. If the error is still not resolved, please send our chatbot a message or contact support@mobiz.co.
You can find more information on this feature in our Text to join FAQ.