Mass Texting Service

What Is Mass Text Messaging?

Mass text messaging is exactly what it sounds like: a communication strategy that allows companies to send SMS messages to large groups of people. It’s just a more formal way of saying you’re simultaneously sending the same SMS or MMS message to a big audience.

If you’ve ever gotten a text from a local store reminding you of a flash sale, or a quick message from a vendor inviting you to check out a product launch, you’ve seen mass text messaging in action. Mass texting is popular among all kinds of businesses because it’s fast, easy, and allows you to meet customers exactly where they are.

In fact — most people open text messages within a few minutes of receiving them. Whether you’re a nonprofit trying to raise money or a retailer using an e-commerce text messaging service, a mass texting service helps you reach your community quickly.

Using a bulk messaging service like Clerk Chat, companies can easily segment their audience into groups (based on factors like behavior or location) and send messages to those groups about new products, upcoming events, or business announcements.

You can even use platforms to personalize messages with names and links, schedule messages to reach customers at a specific time, or distribute messages across different channels, like SMS, WhatsApp, and RCS.

Why Mass Texting?

So, why mass texting? Why not just make endless automated phone calls or send thousands of emails? Simply put, messaging delivers better engagement and better results than virtually any other communication method.

These days, 90% of people completely ignore calls and we all know someone with thousands of unread emails in their inbox. Speaking of email, most people end up sending messages to spam or deleting them without even reading them.

Mass text messages, on the other hand, don’t just reach customers faster - they’re also a lot more likely to drive results. Billions of people worldwide have a phone capable of receiving SMS messages, which means you’re much more likely to reach your audience, regardless of whether you’re creating SMS marketing campaigns or sending transaction texts.

Plus, when you send mass text messages, you benefit from:

• High Interest: Around 91% of people say they want to receive texts from brands.
• Better Open Rates: About 98% of texts are opened (almost instantly), compared to around 28% of emails.
• Fast Impact: Almost 80% of people check incoming texts within five minutes of receiving them.
• Strong Conversion Rates: In some industries, SMS conversion rates are as high as 45%, seriously boosting your sales potential.
• Better Customer Experiences: If customers can text you back, they can ask questions and build stronger relationships with your brand.

Features to Look for in a Mass Texting Service

Every company has its own priorities to consider when investing in a mass texting service for business use cases. Some of the most important points to consider include:

Essential Features

• Message Scheduling: Sometimes you’ll want to send updates when you’re off the clock - like a Monday morning reminder scheduled over the weekend. Make sure the platform you pick lets you set up messages in advance.
• Two-Way Chat: Once you send mass text messages, people might have follow-up questions. You need an inbox that shows individual replies in real time, so you can keep the conversation going (and maybe even close a sale).
• Opt-In Growth Methods: Building a list is key to making your texting campaigns successful. Check for multiple signup options, like “text a keyword to a short code,” web forms, and even old-school paper signups at events.
• Personalization: Ever notice you’re more likely to open a text that starts with your name? People love that personal touch. A good mass text service helps you add details—like first names—automatically.
• Analytics: Insights matter. Look for a platform that shows you how many texts were delivered, how many people clicked your links, and how many opted out.

Advanced Features

• Multiple Messaging Formats: Why stick exclusively with SMS when you can experiment with OTT apps like WhatsApp, streamline collaboration with a Microsoft Teams SMS integration, or dive into the world of MMS and RCS?
• Keyword Capabilities: Custom SMS keywords are excellent for ensuring you can trigger automatic messages based on the specific needs of each customer. These tools can even automate a lot of common customer service tasks.
• Extensive Automation: Low-code and no-code workflow builders make it easy to design and automate entire campaigns - so you can connect with, nurture, and engage customers throughout the purchasing journey.
• Integrations: Integrations between your mass texting service and other tools, like archiving apps, or your CRM (via a Salesforce SMS integration), help you to maintain records, boost compliance, and deliver more personalized experiences.
• Conversational AI: A mass texting solution with conversational AI agents can allow you to automate everything from answering common FAQs, to nurturing leads, or even sending specific recommendations to certain customers.

Technical Considerations

• Deliverability: You don’t want half your messages disappearing into the SMS void. Reputable services use quality routes that can handle large batches of messages without failing.
• Compliance Features: The best services make it easy for subscribers to reply “STOP” to opt out and keep you from accidentally texting people who’ve already unsubscribed. Legal peace of mind is huge.
• Mobile App Availability: If you’re the kind of person who likes to manage everything on the go, a legitimate mobile app (for both iOS and Android) is a must-have. This way, you’re not stuck at your desktop each time you want to send a text.
• Pricing Structure: Some providers reel you in with a low rate but tack on extra carrier fees. Always ask what’s included in your plan, especially if you plan to send thousands of messages.
• Ease of Use: A great mass text messaging service shouldn’t leave your team members struggling to figure out how to send out text blasts or update data. Look for a system that’s intuitive and straightforward.

Is Mass Texting Legal? (Legal + Compliance)

So, is mass text messaging legal? The simple answer is “yes” - for the most part. However, there are some caveats. For instance, you’ll need to know the difference between a group text vs mass text to avoid sharing sensitive information with the wrong people.

There are also some basic, core rules to follow:

Get Consent: You can’t just grab random phone numbers off the internet. You need explicit permission. People usually opt in by texting a keyword to your number, filling out a form, or checking a box on a website.

Include an Opt-Out Mechanism: Every message should let people know they can reply “STOP,” “UNSUBSCRIBE,” or something similar to opt out immediately. A reputable mass text messaging service will handle and track these requests automatically so you don’t accidentally keep texting folks who want off your list.

Be Honest: Let subscribers know exactly what they’re signing up for. Don’t promise a “once-a-week special” and then text them every day. That’s a surefire way to burn through goodwill (and possibly run afoul of compliance rules).

You’ll also need to familiarize yourself with regulations that might come into play when you’re sending texts. In the United States, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) sets many of the rules around texting. Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) is similar, and there are additional industry-specific regulations like HIPAA (healthcare) or FINRA/SEC rules (financial services). It sounds complicated, but most of these guidelines come down to respecting people’s privacy and personal data.

If your organization deals with sensitive information - like medical records or financial transactions - consider a provider that offers encryption and secure storage. Certain laws also require you to keep records of text messages for a set period, so a service that integrates with archiving tools (like Clerk Chat) can be handy.