How do I add contacts?

Contacts can typically be added in one of three ways:

• They can text in your opt-in keyword(s). You can view opt-in keyword information from your Opt-in Keywords page.
• They can sign-up via your sign-up page.
• If you already have consent from people to send them messages, you can add them manually from your Control Panel under the Contacts tab, either one-by-one or by importing a spreadsheet.

If you primarily use the mobile app, you can check out the article on adding contacts for mobile app users here.

More advanced methods of adding contacts are via QR code and through integrations or API. For more information on QR codes click here. For more information on integrations click here and on API click here.

Opt-in keywords

Your account will come with at least one free opt-in "keyword." This is a word that people can text in to a particular number to be automatically added to your contact list.

For example, if your keyword was sale on the number 74121, people could send a text containing the word "sale" (no quotes) to 74121 and their number would automatically be added to your database.

You can view and edit your keyword(s) from the Opt-in Keywords tab on your control panel and you can read more about opt-in keywords here. (You can also read about how to use a QR code in conjunction with your opt-in keyword here.)

Sign-up page

People can sign themselves up for your text alerts by going to a free online sign-up page that comes with your account.

You can edit information for your sign-up page under the Subscribers->Sign-Up Page tab on your control panel and you can read more about the sign-up page here.

Adding manually

You can add contacts manually by clicking the "Add" button on the Subscribers->Manage Subscribers tab on your control panel.

If you have a list of multiple contacts that you want to add at once, you can set up a spreadsheet in the correct format and import it under Contacts->Import Contacts. You can read more about importing contacts here.

Tips for Building Your SMS Marketing Lists

• Include instructions for texting in your keyword on every piece of marketing you have (newsletters, emails, physical mailings, storefronts, etc.).
• Put a link to your sign-up page on Facebook or other social media.
• Offer an incentive for subscribing, such as a discount, deal, or giveaway.
  • You can take advantage of our monthly $25 Amazon gift card giveaway - All you have to do is opt in from your Settings and any new contacts will be entered into our giveaway. You can then use that as an incentive (for example, "Our texting provider is running a $25 Amazon gift card giveaway! Subscribe to my text alerts to be entered...").
• Send valuable content so that people actually want to subscribe and want to remain subscribed.
• Don't send messages too often so that people don't get tired of you.
• If you have the chance to do a presentation of some kind to your audience, add one slide at the end that just says “Text ‘your keyword’ to xxxxx to receive our updates.” (You may be surprised how many people pull out their phones and text in right away.)

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Start sending mass text alerts today with Mobile Text Alerts!