Text Message Marketing

Frequently Asked Questions

SMS/Text Message Questions

What is a Text Message?

What is SMS?

Is there a difference between email and text messaging?

Can Everyone Receive Text Messages?

What Does It Cost For A Customer To Receive A Text Message?

How Long Can Text Messages Be?

What Is A Short Code?

What Is A Keyword?

What Does It Mean To Opt-In?

What Does It Mean To Opt-Out?

Who Regulates Text Messaging?

505 Text Message Marketing Service Questions

How Do Customers Opt-In To My 505 Text Service?

How Can I Promote 505 Text Messaging Service To My Customers?

What Cellular Carriers Do You Support?

How Do I Access My 505 Text Account / Do I Need Any Special Software/Hardware?

How Long Does It Take For Subscribers To Receive The Messages I Send?

Is There A Limit To How Many Messages I Can Send Using Your Service?

How Much Does Your Service Cost?

What Is A Text Message?

A Text message is a short message that can be sent to and from a cellular phone. When someone says text, texting, or SMS, or if you see TXT in print, all of these are referring to text messages.

What Is SMS?

SMS is an acronym for Short Message Service. It is a worldwide standard for communicating with text between cellular phones.

Is there a difference between email and text messaging?

While most phones can send and receive email, email is not the same as text messaging. There are many differences - for example a text message is sent to a phone number, while an email is sent to an email address.

Can Everyone Receive Text Messages?

Just about every cellular phone from 2001 to present in use in the United States (and the world) can receive text messages. Most wireless carriers have text messaging plans available and some even include the service in the standard calling plans.

What Does It Cost For A Customer To Receive A Text Message?

Some carriers do not charge their customers to receive text messages. Others include a certain number in their standard plans � it varies by carrier. If there is an individual charge, it is usually $.20 or less.

How Long Can Text Messages Be?

A standard text message is limited to 160 characters. Characters means letters, numbers, spaces, symbols and punctuation.

What Is A Short Code?

A Short Code is basically an abbreviated phone number. It is a unique location to send messages to, that all cellular carriers are aware of. You combine a Short Code with a Keyword to form a call-to-action address. An example would be: �Text EATPIZZA (keyword) to 41513 (short code) to join our VIP customer club.�

What Is A Keyword?

A Keyword is a short word - usually 3-8 characters (which may include numbers) that customers send a text message to, in order to join your list. An example would be: �Text EATPIZZA (keyword) to 41513 (short code) to join our VIP customer club.�

What Does It Mean To Opt-In?

To Opt-In is to join a list. This can be done by sending a text message containing your KEYWORD to our SHORTCODE. This action signifies that a customer has asked you to send them a message.

What Does It Mean To Opt-Out?

A subscriber Opts Out when they quit your list. Users can do this quickly and simply by replying to any text message you send them with the word STOP.

Who Regulates Text Messaging?

In The United States, The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) regulates text messaging. Text messaging must also adhere to the CAN-SPAM act. You may read a full copy of our Customer Privacy Policy and Zero Tolerance SPAM Policy by clicking HERE.

How Do Customers Opt-In To My 505 Text Service?

When you initiate 505 Text service, you are select a Keyword of your choice. Commonly, this Keyword is the name of the business/institution of the account holder. All a customer has to do is text your Keyword to the Short Code 41513. For example, if your keyword were XYZ, all your customer needs to do is send XYZ to 41513. To Opt-Out your customer can reply to any message you send with the word STOP.

How Can I Promote 505 Text Messaging Service To My Customers?

Promoting your text messaging and mobile marketing campaigns requires little or no investment on your part. Your campaign message to consumers is simple and can be added to any form of advertising that you are currently doing! Simply add the text, �Join XYZ's VIP Customer Club for special discounts, promotions and information. Send the Keyword XYZ to 41513 Now!�

Here are additional ways you can promote and build your 505 Text customer database:

Call-To-Action signs within your establishment. These can be placed anywhere from plasma screens, bathrooms, the front door, on tables, and even at Point of Sale registers (behind the bar).
Include your opt-in mess on all your promotional items such as event fliers, email campaigns, website, business cards, and magazine and print ads.
Word of mouth � make sure your entire staff is aware of your campaign and have them tell each and every customer they come in contact with.
If you have a band or DJ entertainment - "shout outs" instructing customers to join your text messaging list

What Cellular Carriers Do You Support?

505 Text�s network is certified by and can send SMS text messages to every US Tier 1 Provider (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, Nextel, Boost, Virgin Mobile, US Cellular, & Alltel). We also deliver to nearly all Tier 2 providers (Dobson, Midwest Wireless, Cellular South, Cricket etc.).

How Do I Access My 505 Text Account / Do I Need Any Special Software/Hardware?

Since 505 Text�s text messaging software is web-based, all you need to access our service is a computer with an internet connection and a web browser. There is no special software or hardware to purchase or install.

How Long Does It Take For Subscribers To Receive The Messages I Send?

Messages are sent instantly and arrive within 1 - 2 minutes of you sending them. If a customer's phone is turned off, or is in an area without coverage (such as inside an elevator), their carrier holds the message and delivers it as soon as the customer re-enters a coverage area.

Is There A Limit To How Many Messages I Can Send Using Your Service?

There is no limit to how many messages you can send using our text messaging service. However, best practices indicate that you should not send more than one - two messages per week to your subscribers. More frequent messaging can result in high Opt-Out rates for your list.

How Much Does Your Service Cost?

505 Text service has pricing plans to fit the needs of small business with a single location to plans that can service corporations with multiple locations. Our goal is to assure that your service plan meets your business needs and provides you with the greatest return on investment. Please CONTACT US for more information.