Understanding Consent When Sending SMS Texts to Customers
Posted: Sat Jan 18, 2025 8:26 am
To send any kind of SMS message to a prospect or customer, you need first to obtain their consent.
There are two switzerland telegram main reasons for this. First, it’s the law. Many regions around the world have regulations to protect customer privacy, such as the TCPA in the US, or the GDPR in the EU. In essence, these regulations state that a business cannot send people texts (or any other type of message) they didn’t sign up for.
Second, it builds trust. Regardless of laws, people get annoyed by spammy texts. As such, by obtaining consent before you message anyone, you are showing that you respect your customers’ rights to privacy, and will only send SMS messages they actually want to receive. This helps you build a positive relationship with your customers.
Three Types of Consent for Three Types of SMS
Express Written Consent for Promotional Messages
Before sending promotional messages, express written consent must be given by the customer to receive them from your organization.
This type of consent cannot be implied or assumed, and must be documented by the business.
In practice, this means the recipient must either:
Sign a form
Check a box
Or actively confirm they want to receive promotional messages by, for example, texting you a keyword to join your subscriber list
Crucially, just because a customer has given you their mobile phone number does not mean they have agreed to receive promotional SMS messages from you. It is only when you have obtained their express written consent to opt-in to receive promotional messages that you can do so. Otherwise, you risk violation.
Express Consent for Transactional SMS Messages
Express consent must be obtained before sending transactional messages to customers in relation to the product or service they’re purchasing.
For example, a customer who books an appointment via your company’s app or website and provides their phone number is providing you with express consent to send them a booking confirmation, reminders, and any follow-up information about alterations or cancelations related to that appointment.
There are two switzerland telegram main reasons for this. First, it’s the law. Many regions around the world have regulations to protect customer privacy, such as the TCPA in the US, or the GDPR in the EU. In essence, these regulations state that a business cannot send people texts (or any other type of message) they didn’t sign up for.
Second, it builds trust. Regardless of laws, people get annoyed by spammy texts. As such, by obtaining consent before you message anyone, you are showing that you respect your customers’ rights to privacy, and will only send SMS messages they actually want to receive. This helps you build a positive relationship with your customers.
Three Types of Consent for Three Types of SMS
Express Written Consent for Promotional Messages
Before sending promotional messages, express written consent must be given by the customer to receive them from your organization.
This type of consent cannot be implied or assumed, and must be documented by the business.
In practice, this means the recipient must either:
Sign a form
Check a box
Or actively confirm they want to receive promotional messages by, for example, texting you a keyword to join your subscriber list
Crucially, just because a customer has given you their mobile phone number does not mean they have agreed to receive promotional SMS messages from you. It is only when you have obtained their express written consent to opt-in to receive promotional messages that you can do so. Otherwise, you risk violation.
Express Consent for Transactional SMS Messages
Express consent must be obtained before sending transactional messages to customers in relation to the product or service they’re purchasing.
For example, a customer who books an appointment via your company’s app or website and provides their phone number is providing you with express consent to send them a booking confirmation, reminders, and any follow-up information about alterations or cancelations related to that appointment.