Ever noticed that 'unsubscribe' link in your emails? 📩 It lets users take charge of what they receive. Just like emails, with the growth 📈 of text marketing, users should be given a way to say "no more texts, please!" 🙅♀️📵
Marketers, listen up! 🎧 Just as emails fall under the CAN-SPAM Act, SMS messages also need compliance. 📝 Let's dive deep into the world of SMS and see how we can integrate that crucial opt-out option with Salesforce Marketing Cloud's MobileConnect. 🌐📲
Steps to Add SMS Opt-Out in Marketing Cloud: 🚶♂️🔧
Get That Code! 🛍️
Buy a short or long code to send out those promotional SMSes. 📟
Short codes: 5 or 6 digits. Great for bulk messages. 💬
Long codes: Typical 10-digit number. Feels more personal, less robotic. 🤖❌
You can flaunt your branding by customizing the sender's name or stick to the default code. Most choose the custom route. 🎨📛(Be aware that some countries restrict this option)
Keywords, Keywords! 🤓💡
Link various keywords to your chosen code. 🖇️
One important group is the 'STOP keywords' 🛑📵. This keyword lets users tell the system, "Hey, I don't want these texts!" 🙋♂️🚫
Customize the default 'STOP' to something else if you like! 🔄
Head over to the admin side of Marketing Cloud MobileConnect and click on your code to set up these keywords. 👩💻
'STOP Keywords' & Sender's Identity 🛑🆔
If you chose a custom name in step 1, tweak the SMS footer to help users opt-out since the classic 'reply STOP' won't cut it. 🔧📝
Here's a sample SMS footer for inspiration: "To opt-out, text STOP to [Your short/long code]"
Don't Leave 'Em Hanging! Auto-Replies are Essential 🔄💌
Once users opt out, send an automated text confirming their decision. It's like saying, "Got it, no more messages!" 🤝
Customize this response by clicking on the specific STOP keyword in Marketing Cloud MobileConnect (they might seem non-clickable, but oh, they are! 😉).
Another solution: Don't use Keywords use link shortener 🔗
A link shortener can direct the customer to a preference center just like emails do
The preference center gives the user more options, it can tailor more channels and even preferences
Avoid bit.ly or other domains, purchase your own or reuse your existing one to make it authorized
Be aware that some countries don't allow this tactic and some markets require a whitelisting of the domain
Setting up this solution is pretty difficult and requires either a home-built third-party app or a lot of advanced AMP-script codes. Let SFMC.Essential help you if needed to make a better customer experience
Do you need help to set up a link shortener with your own domain? Feel free to contact or specialist
In a Nutshell... 🥜 Empower your audience! Give them a choice in your communication channels, SMS included. With these steps, achieve SMS opt-out in Marketing Cloud MobileConnect seamlessly and stay on the right side of compliance. 🎯🌟👍