5 Easy Ways to Collect Customer Mobile Numbers

Marketing based on sending text (SMS) messages is a highly successful and profitable way to connect with your clients. It is a proven method that offers an estimated 98% open rate than other marketing platforms. Businesses that want to experience the power of SMS marketing must know about five (5) easy ways to collect customers’ mobile numbers.

Once you have an effective text reminder service, the next important step is to create your customers’ mobile number database. This blog will teach you practical tips and practices to legally collect mobile numbers for SMS marketing campaigns.

Understand your Audience First:

Collecting a long list of customers will not help you in the long run if it is not thoroughly researched. If your customer database is based on a poorly-researched target audience, all your efforts will go down the drain. So it is crucial to understand your audience first, their likes, dislikes, interests, demographics, etc.

You can also learn about the shopping patterns of your target audience and their purchasing hours. Once you have a clear picture of your customers, it will help you build a long-term relationship in the future.

Understand SMS Regulations:

We need customers’ consent to collect mobile numbers. Violating SMS regulations can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you send text messages to hundred people without consent, you could be charged with a fine. This amount could increase if the court rules that those numbers are stolen. Hence you cannot send anyone a text message without permission.

The optimal way is for your customers to opt in, it should not be a surprise, and they should know that they are on your SMS campaign list.

Besides, all your SMS campaigns should allow customers who receive the texts to opt-out quickly. They should get the option to tell the sender to stop receiving text messages anytime and get off the list. According to the Telephone Protection Consumer Act (TCPA), businesses cannot send a text or call subscribers before 8 AM or after 9 PM, Monday to Friday.

1. Host a contest

You can run contests to create a customer phone number list. Hosting a contest doesn't require effort to collect digits. Customers can text their numbers to enter a contest and get rewarded. Your contests should entice customers to play and exchange their contact details. You should also reward them with an excellent gift for sharing their valuable information.

2. Use a keyword campaign

A keyword campaign allows people to sign up for SMS marketing by texting a number with a word. For example, Text Sales to 51542 to be the first one to get updates about upcoming sales.

3. Offer incentives that have real value for customers

You can also offer incentives, free demos, discount codes, e-books, etc. It could be anything providing real value to your customers. Collect their phone numbers when they sign up for your free resources at your website, at an event, or during shopping.

4. Align email and SMS marketing together

Another easier way to collect customers’ phone numbers is by aligning email and SMS marketing. You do not have to send as many SMS messages as emails, but when you have similar messaging, it allows you to align your marketing calendar. Your email subscribers are already interested in your product or service, so getting them into your SMS list is more effortless.

Send your subscribers an email asking them to sign up for SMS, but ensure an incentive and a clear understanding of the number of messages you will send per month. They should also know about the feature to opt out at any time.

5. Ask directly

Another way you can collect customers’ phone numbers is by asking them directly to sign up for your SMS campaign. This strategy works great for e-Commerce, consultation, booking appointments, follow-up details, etc., and you can gain incredible results.

Practical Tips to Collect Phone Numbers

Your customers’ phone inbox is a personal space, and you must ensure to avoid spamming their SMS inboxes with irrelevant or repetitive messages. As a business, you can implement specific practical tips and strategies to easily collect customers’ phone numbers without losing them.

• Always ask for your customer's consent before you send them SMS messages. Your customers choose to opt-in before they receive your promotional messages. Make sure you have their permission, or you might lose some potential customers.

• Do not go for paid lists. People’s numbers never opted in to receive your text messages. Hence they will be less interested in your promotional material and might opt out soon. Your messages will find a place in the spam folder, and you will not be able to build engagement.

• Sometimes, people might not be willing to share their contact numbers immediately. Give them time and space to share it in the future according to their convenience. Do not make it compulsory for them to give out their information soon. People possess different natures; some might be more active in sharing their phone numbers, while others take time and do not want to do it forcefully.

• You should also inform customers about the number of text messages they will receive. Your customers will not appreciate their inboxes flooded with spammy messages. If you have a weekly or monthly strategy of sending SMS, inform them beforehand when they exchange their phone numbers. They should also know to opt out of text message marketing at any time and that some messages require standard charges.

• With your customers exchanging their details, ensure you do not lose their trust and spam them with irrelevant messages.

• Always remember to:

• Allow customers to opt-out

• Safeguard their private details

• Commit not to spam their inboxes

• Offer value with your SMS marketing

Now you have learned how to make a database of your potential customers, start using a text reminder service for free.