SMS marketing is an excellent tool for reaching customers and driving conversions, but you need to find the sweet spot between effective marketing and excessive messages.
The latter risks you being labelled a ‘spammer’ and getting blacklisted, which wouldn’t be very productive. Read on to learn what a blacklist is and how to not wind up on it.
⚡️What is a blacklist? #
An SMS blacklist is a pool of phone numbers banned from sending text messages to one or more recipients. It’s essentially a protective barrier from unwanted, spammy messages.
Phone numbers can be manually added to the blacklist by the recipient or automatically by a system that detects spam messages. If a message is sent from a number on the blacklist, it won’t be delivered — it’ll be rejected by the carrier.
Mobile carriers monitor unusual SMS activity like hawks. Sometimes, their automatic spam detectors can flag legitimate activity as suspicious, and you can end up on the blacklist by accident. To avoid having your number blocked, follow the advice below.
⚡️How to avoid getting blacklisted #
1. Get consent #
It’s crucial that the recipients of your SMS messages have consented to receive them, either by signing up on your website or giving you their phone numbers directly. Using double opt-ins is even better, as this will help verify your subscribers’ interest.
If you send your SMS marketing to someone who has not consented to receive it, it’ll automatically be considered spam, no matter which rules you follow.
By obtaining consent, you reduce the risk of being blacklisted while also cultivating a high-quality, engaged subscriber list.
2. Personalise your messages #
Including your recipient’s name in messages offers many benefits, like helping your subscribers feel appreciated and boosting engagement. The personal touch makes the message sound less like a generic, spammy marketing message, saving you from the blacklist.
3. The shorter, the better #
It’s not exactly easy to keep your message to 160 characters or less, but short messages are clear and encourage your subscribers to take action. The purpose of your message can easily get lost in a longer text. A lengthy message can also be intrusive, disruptive and — you guessed it — flagged as spam.
4. Sends messages sparingly #
To avoid getting acquainted with the blacklist, stick to sending between 1 or 2 messages a week, but no more. Spreading your texts over time will help you maintain subscriber engagement without overwhelming them. As tempting as it may be, sending too many messages in a short amount of time is a sure-fire way to get flagged as spam.
5. Opt-out option #
Including an opt-out option in your messages is crucial. It not only ensures legal compliance but also demonstrates to your customers that you care about their preferences and wish to build their trust. Plus, providing this option helps you avoid spam complaints and the risk of being blacklisted.
Still worried about ending up on the blacklist? Contact us today to ensure that the only list you’ll be ending up on is the ‘best SMS campaign’ list.
