“50% off on brand new products. The offer won’t last long. Click here to grab the offer”.
Have you ever received messages like this before? Don't worry, we've all been through them. These are a few examples of cold texting, which marketers often use for promotion purposes. However, cold texting is illegal, and many countries have strict rules to keep promoters under control. If you're considering using cold texting in your sales process, read this blog carefully. We'll discuss some important information that can save you from getting any penalty.
Table of contents
What is Cold Texting?
Cold texting involves sending unsolicited SMS messages to prospects or leads with whom you have no prior relationship or contact. It's similar to cold calling or cold emailing, where the goal is to reach out to potential customers who have not previously interacted with your business.
Cold texting can be risky, as it often violates legal regulations like the TCPA, leading to penalties if proper consent is not obtained.
Some examples of actions that may lead to cold texting:
Purchasing the contact details from a third party.
Get contact details from LinkedIn and start texting.
Getting contact details of a person without their consent.
However, the recipient may view this as unsolicited and intrusive, and may not respond or even report the message as spam. Let’s see some cold texting examples used for promotion.
Cold texting message examples
Hi there! I came across your profile and found it interesting. I'd love to chat and get to know you better.
Hey Sara! I noticed that we have some mutual interests and thought it would be great to connect. What do you think?
Hi, I'm Gant. I hope you're having a great day. I came across your profile and I'm intrigued. Would you be open to chatting and seeing if we have any common interests?
Hello Emma! I know this is random, but I saw your profile and thought you seemed like an interesting person. Want to chat and get to know each other?
Hey there! I was browsing through profiles and yours caught my eye. Would love to learn more about you and see if we have a connection.
Hi John, I'm Gant. I came across your profile and I'm impressed with your work/achievements. I'd love to chat more about it and learn from your experience.
Hey, I noticed that we both share a passion for [a common interest]. Would love to chat more about it and maybe even exchange some ideas.
Hi there, I'm reaching out because I admire your taste in [a specific thing, e.g., fashion, music, books, etc.].
Is Cold Texting Legal?
Cold texting, or sending unsolicited texts to individuals without their prior consent, can indeed be illegal under various regulations like the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Violating these rules can lead to severe penalties, including fines and damage to your business's reputation.
However, businesses can legally reach out by obtaining explicit consent from recipients, often through opt-in forms or other methods that confirm a user's willingness to receive texts.
In countries like the US, you must control your urge to send promotional SMS to some new contacts without their consent. In case you can’t control that urge then keep a hefty balance in your bank account. Since the penalty levied by these agencies is very high.
Similar to the United States, in Britain also GDPR regulation makes it mandatory to have the opt-in from the customer before any type of outreach. This opt-in or we can say consent to receive SMS can be in the form of a physical signature or it can be a digital one as well.
Even in some countries purchasing contact information from a third party for promotion purposes is also a crime. So, before making your hands dirty by cold texting be aware of these rules.
You might be thinking now, what is the need for all these things? All these things are done to safeguard the data privacy of people.
How to send cold text messages legally
The bad news is that cold texting is illegal. But the good news is that there are a few tips to keep in mind. If you follow these tips, cold texting can be a boon for you. The best alternative is to convert it into Warm Texting.
What does it mean by Warm Texting?
Warm texting generally refers to the practice of sending a text message to someone with whom you have an existing relationship or prior interaction, as opposed to a cold text to a stranger.
Warm texting is often used in sales and marketing, where companies try to establish a personal connection with potential customers by reaching out to them through text messages. The idea is to create a warmer, more personalized approach to marketing and communication, which can lead to a more positive response from the recipient.
According to a study published by Velocify, it says that 45% of warm text messages receive a response if it seems genuine. But if you want to text your initial prospective customers, then you might need their consent also known as expressed consent.
So, here is what you can do to convert cold texting into warm texting.
01. Establish a text message opt-in feature on your website
Cold texting can turn your customer database upside if you learn how to use it properly with some catchy keywords.
The keyword is a relevant short code that, if someone sends to a specific number (business number), it means they are specifically opting to receive the business messages in the future. Examples of keywords can be like:
"STOP" - typically used to opt out of receiving further messages from a particular sender.
"HELP" - used to request assistance or information from the sender.
"YES" or "Y" - used to confirm or approve something.
"NO" or "N" - used to reject or decline something.
"INFO" - used to request more information about a product or service.
SMS opt-in can be taken by, Using chatbots
A chat box can be an effective tool to opt-in customers for promotional messages.
When customers start interacting with the chat box, you can offer them an opt-in prompt that asks if they would like to receive promotional messages from your business.
Make sure to include information about the type of messages they can expect to receive, how frequently they will receive them, and how they can opt-out if they change their mind later. Here is one example:
"Would you like to receive exclusive discounts and promotions from us? Click 'Yes' to opt-in!" with a button labeled 'Yes' and 'No' option.
Using Inbound Forms
These forms can be used to collect the communication preferences of your new inbound leads. Add a question that asks them their preferred method of contact, and then collect their contact information based on what they say.
02. Incorporate a click-to-text button on your website
A "click to text" button on a website can be used as a way for customers to opt-in to receive messages from a business. By clicking the button, customers can send a message to the business and indicate their interest in receiving promotional messages or updates.
However, it's important to ensure that customers are aware of what they are opting in for and that their consent is obtained before any messages are sent.
03. Publicize your phone number
Is it assumed that prospective clients know how to contact your business? Or have you made it easy for them to send a message, or do they have to search your website for contact information?
Ensure that your phone number is readily available and visible on all your marketing materials, including your website and social media profiles. Don't hesitate to share your phone number.
Cold text messaging tips
Again, we need to say that cold texting itself is illegal but warm texting is not. Here are some tips on how to engage by warm text with potential customers ethically and effectively.
01. Personalize your message
Always keep in mind the principle of Quality>Quantity. Take the time to research your potential customers and personalize your message accordingly. For example, if you're reaching out to a business, mention something specific about their industry or recent news that pertains to their business.
02. Keep it brief and to the point
Once you have acquired the potential customers don’t bombard them with unnecessary messages. Make sure your message clearly conveys the value of your product or service and why they should be interested.
03. Provide a clear call to action
Make it easy for potential customers to act by providing a clear call to action in your message. For example, you can invite them to schedule a call or a demo.
04. Always obtain consent
Make sure that you have obtained the recipient's consent before sending them a text message. This can be done by asking for their phone number and explicitly stating that you will be sending them a text message.
05. Offer an opt-out option
Provide an opt-out option in case the recipient no longer wishes to receive messages from you. This can be as simple as including a message such as "Reply STOP to unsubscribe" at the end of your text message.
Conclusion
Cold texting can be seen as intrusive and unethical by potential customers. Instead, focus on building relationships with potential customers through personalized outreach, providing value, and obtaining consent.
While cold texting can be a quick way to reach potential clients, its effectiveness depends on various factors, including the industry, the quality of your message, and the relevance to the recipient. It's essential to approach it with caution, adhere to legal and ethical standards, and consider alternative methods that may be more targeted and better received by your audience. Building relationships through permission-based marketing and providing value are often more sustainable approaches for long-term business success.
Need SMS marketing software to connect with your customers? Falkon SMS is an excellent platform for that. Schedule a demo here, and let's talk about getting your business started with texting.
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