Opt In Text Messages: 6 Essential Guidelines & Examples

Text messaging has a high open rate, making it a widely used channel for businesses to engage customers. In the United States, around 44 percent of GenZ and 47 percent of millennials prefer businesses contacting them through text messages. However, marketers must get users' consent before contacting them through text messages. It is not just an essential requirement but legal compliance for businesses to have the customer's consent. That is when opt in text messages come into the scene. Wondering what does opt mean in text message? Quest Labs explains everything about an opt-in text message, best practices, and opt in message examples.

What Is Opt In Message?

An opt in text message implies that the customer gives the business explicit consent to contact them through marketing text messages. Since consent is a legal requirement for businesses, it's essential to be aware of and follow best practices in obtaining customer consent. A business can obtain a customer's consent verbally and use a tracking system to disclose how the customer provides consent. Marketers can also use a website form, checkbox at checkout, QR codes, and text messages to obtain consent from customers.

• Single Opt-In:

  Marketers ask customers if they want to join the SMS list and instantly add interested customers without confirmation.

• Double Opt-In:

  When a customer requests to join the SMS list, they get a confirmation text message, letting them verify their choice to join the list.

• Soft Opt-In:

  Marketers contact customers on the email list and ask if they want to join the SMS list.

Opt In vs. Opt Out Messages

6 Guidelines for Creating Irresistible Opt In Text Message Service

1. Clarity and Transparency

Clarity and transparency are important to building trust among customers. It's essential that customers understand exactly what they sign up for. Clear messages prevent customers from unsubscribing from the SMS list due to misunderstandings.

But how can marketers improve the clarity of the messages

• Be Direct:

  It's essential to be direct in the messages and clearly explain what customers subscribe for.

• Specify Details:

  Marketers should clarify the frequency and type of messages the customers receive.

• Use Simple Language:

  Marketers must refrain from using complex sentences so everyone can understand.

2. Compliance

It's essential for businesses to ensure that the messages comply with relevant laws. In other words, customers should know how companies use their data before consenting.

3. Conciseness

Clear and concise messages are easy for customers to understand. They also prevent misunderstandings and encourage customers to sign up.

• Attention Span:

  Customers usually have short attention spans. Therefore, they are more likely to respond to short and clear opt in text messages.

• Higher Engagement:

  Customers are more likely to respond positively when messages are short and straightforward.

• Effective Communication:

  Short and straightforward messages help marketers effectively convey the message to customers.

• Legal Compliance:

  Marketers can use short messages to convey necessary information clearly, which regulatory bodies prefer.

Let's learn from Sephora's opt in message example. Their message is clear, and they effectively mention the benefits of opting in. Moreover, it eliminates any doubts about the signup process by making it simple.

4. Value Proposition

Marketers should convey why users should subscribe to the SMS list to encourage them to do so. For instance, they can highlight customers' benefits from opting in. Marketers should also clearly state the exclusive offers, discounts, or insider news in these messages. It is also essential to explain the specific advantages of opting in that the customers get. It makes the message more appealing and worthwhile for the customer. Eventually, it needs to encourage more customers to opt in.

5. Call to Action (CTA)

A factor in an opt in message that needs maximum care is the call to action, which encourages customers to opt in.

• Be Clear and Direct:

  Marketers can use simple language in the CTA to make users clear about what action they should take.

• Emphasize the Benefits:

  Businesses must highlight the benefits of joining the SMS list.

• Create Urgency:

  Marketers can add a limited-time offer to encourage users to sign up faster. This conveys what users will miss if they do not subscribe before the offer ends.

Look at one of the noteworthy SMS opt-in message examples from Home Depot. They convey the benefits of opting in and let users choose what messages they wish to receive.

6. Confirmation Messages

When customers consent, businesses should still send them a confirmatory message. This follow-up text verifies the user's subscription and reiterates what they have signed up for.

• Verification:

  The message confirms that the customer subscription request was successful.

• Reassurance:

  It gives the customer a summary of what they can expect and improves transparency.

• Legal Compliance:

  Sending a confirmation message helps meet legal requirements and provides a record of consent.

6 Compelling SMS Opt-In Message Examples

1. A Website Popup Form

When customers visit a website, marketers can show them a popup message to collect their initial consent. When they click the button on the popup screen, it takes them to a text message on the phone that customers send to confirm opting in. Businesses can follow up on this message by clearly conveying what they have signed up for and letting them know how to unsubscribe.

2. Website Footer Form

A footer form appears towards the bottom of a website and allows website visitors to join the SMS marketing list. For instance, businesses can ask for their phone numbers and contact them, explaining how to join the marketing list. Marketers can provide the necessary follow-up if the customer opts into the service.

3. Checkbox Form

Checkbox forms are also an ideal communication channel for obtaining user consent for marketing messages. Marketers can include multiple options in the checkbox forms and attract customers to mailing or SMS lists. Domino's uses a Checkbox form on its website to attract users to its mailing and SMS lists. Customers can sign up for either or both of these lists.

4. SMS Keyword

Marketers can promote an SMS keyword that helps customers to opt into their service. It is also essential to provide users with a opt in SMS mobile number to which they can text the SMS keyword. When users text the code, marketers should follow up with an opt-in message encouraging them to consent. If the user proceeds to sign up for the SMS marketing list, clearly explain how they can unsubscribe.

5. Website Forms

Another opt-in text message service example is to set up a landing page to collect user consent. To make the offer more appealing, businesses can provide discounts or unique offers to customers who sign up. When users sign up, marketers can then follow up with their messages and provide them with further details to remain in the service or unsubscribe.

6. QR Code

A QR code starts a text message between the customer and the business. So when the user scans the QR code, marketers can give them the proper follow-up that conveys the privacy policy and other details.

Winning Opt-In Messages Templates That Convert

1. Discounts and Updates:

Highlight the benefits of joining the list and use a simple CTA. Ensure users understand what they gain from joining the SMS list, i.e., the exclusive discount.

• Example:

  Join our VIP list! Text JOIN to 12345 for exclusive deals and a 20% discount on your next purchase.

2. Welcome Offer:

Give users a welcome message and an exclusive discount on their first purchase while creating a sense of urgency. It is vital to point out any other benefits they gain from opting in.

• Example:

  Welcome! Text WELCOME to 12345 to get 15% off your first order and be the first to know about our new collections.

3. Sales Alerts:

During sales, it's essential to create a sense of urgency that encourages them to take immediate action. At the same time, the message should clearly show the benefits of joining the list.

• Example:

  Don't miss out! Text FLASH to 12345 to receive alerts on our flash sales and exclusive discounts.

4. Weekly Newsletters:

Marketers can improve the open rate of newsletters by reminding users through text messages. Here's a perfect example of how a message to encourage users to receive such alerts should look like.

• Example:

  Stay informed! Text NEWS to 12345 to subscribe to our weekly newsletter and receive the latest updates directly to your phone.

Takeaway

Sixty percent of marketers prefer text marketing because of its higher engagement rate. At the same time, 53 percent of marketers say text marketing has impressive click-through and open rates, making them prefer it. Marketing through text messages starts with getting consent from users, which is not an add-on but a legal requirement. However, getting the user's consent is a more significant milestone for marketers than getting them to open the messages.Quest Labs has discussed 6 essential tips for creating irresistible opt in text messages and customizable message templates. We have also shared examples of obtaining messages to enable your strategies. Wish to know more about how Quest Labs can help you engage and retain customers? Book a free demo and talk with us.

FAQs

• How to opt back in to text messages?:

  Customers can send the business an opt in message to opt back into text messages. However, the process might vary for companies where they wish to receive marketing messages.

• Do you have to opt in for text messages?:

  It is all up to the customers to opt in for marketing messages. Opting in to text messages is not compulsory for completing a purchase.