Tips for creating a successful Text Campaign Registration

Contents

The process of getting approved by the Text Campaign Registry is not always easy. There are number of requirements they have that are not familiar to most people who have not been part of this process or are not in marketing, website development, or IT security.

Understanding TCR’s Goal

To understand the reasons for the recommended steps in creating your campaign registration, its important to understand what TCR is trying to accomplish and how you fit into that. The main purpose of TCR is to prevent businesses from sending unwanted texts (spam) to their end users. A second goal is of course, is to collect fees for your ability to conduct texting with cell phone users.

How does TCR’s process actually stop Spam? They actually approach this in many ways, but most importantly for you when filling out the registration applicatin, you must follow certain rules. The below sections explain the rules and what you need to consider when applying to TCR.

Opt-In

Providing a proper opt-in process for your customers is critical. Opt-in refers to how you get your customer’s cell phone numbers and how they give you their approval to text them. TCR requires that you get their approval. This is not a minor thing – there are lots of considerations when it comes to opt-in and there is no cut and dry set of things you have to do – it depends on how you operate and how you interact with your customers. There are two basic rules you need to keep in mind when ensuring you are creating your opt-in process

Rule #1 – you MUST get your customer’s approval to send texts to them.

Rule #2 – you MUST give them an option to opt-out if they no longer want to get texts from you.

Website Opt-In

Here is a short video that goes over “opt-in” and how TCR expects to see how you take care of this on your website when you collect your visitors phone numbers.

If you have a website and you collect phone numbers from customers on your website, you must make the following clear

That they are opting in to receive text messages from you
That they can opt-out by replying “STOP”
That they can request assistance by replying “HELP”
That messaging and data rates may apply
That their consent is not required to purchase goods or services
That you have a Privacy Policy and Terms of Service that covers your texting policy (see below)

Here is an example of a website opt-in on a typical Contact Us Form

The critical components here are the phone number field, and the acceptance of both the opt-in provision as well as acknowledgement they have read your Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. (And your Privacy Policy and Terms of Service must have correct language in it for texting. See relevant sections below)

Gold Standard Contact Form Opt-In language

“I agree to receive text messages from RingRx. I understand that message frequency varies and data rates may apply. I understand that I may opt-out by replying “STOP” at any time. I understand that I may reply “HELP” for assistance. I understand consent is not required to purchase goods or services. I have read, understand, and agree to RingRx’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service”

And the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service should be linked to a version your website (Examples of proper language below)

Written Opt-In

If you do not have a website and you still want to text your customers, you have to get their opt-in other ways. One way is to get written opt-in. Written opt-in requires your customer sign a Consent Form giving them your permission. The consent form must also make clear the following:

That they are opting in to receive text messages from you
That they can opt-out by replying “STOP”
That they can request assistance by replying “HELP”
That messaging and data rates may apply
That their consent is not required to purchase goods or services

An example of a written Consent Form is here SMS Consent Form Example

Verbal Opt-In

If you do not have a website and you still want to text your customers, you have to get their opt-in verbally. Verbal opt-in requires you verbally explain sign a Consent Form giving them your permission. The consent form must also make clear the following:

That they are opting in to receive text messages from you
That they can opt-out by replying “STOP”
That they can request assistance by replying “HELP”
That messaging and data rates may apply
That their consent is not required to purchase goods or services

An example of a written Consent Form is here SMS Consent Form Example

How to prepare Terms of Service and Privacy Policy for TCR

Here is a short video that explains what TCR is looking for when it comes to your policies

Terms of Service

Your Terms of Service on your website should have thorough language on how you use texting with your customers. If you do not have a Terms of Service on your website, you will need to add one. If you already have one, you will need to add language regarding texting. One way is to add a section for texting and add appropriate language.

An example Terms of Service with language can be found here

TCR Terms and Conditions Generic Example

Privacy Policy

Your Privacy Policy on your website should have thorough language on how you use texting with your customers and how you protect their privacy. If you do not have a Privacy Policy on your website, you will need to add one. If you already have one, you will need to add language regarding texting. One way is to add a section for texting and add appropriate language.

An example Privacy Policy with language can be found here

TCR Privacy Policy Example

If you do not have a website, and your only option for a website is a social media profile or a profile on some other company’s website, you must ensure that appropriate language for consent, Terms and Conditions, and Privacy Policy exist on their site. If they do not exist on the website your profile has been created on, then you should use verbal consent or written consent Workflow only (see above). Do not reference web based CTA or opt-in.

Special Words of Caution

If your website links to another website for booking appointments, marketing, capturing information, making purchases, or ANY other reason, the other website plays a crucial role in your ability to get your campaign approved. Not only your website must have correct CTA, Opt-In, Opt-Out and policies, the referring website must also.