 Message overload!! The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) regulates telemarketing calls, auto-dialed calls, prerecorded calls, text messages, and unsolicited faxes. But there’s more to it than that. There are many government and state agency's you have to learn guidelines and laws to. Better yet have an attorney draw up your companies privacy policies and procedures. Why is this even important? Look into last year's 2017 TCPA Dish Network having to "dish out 341M" because of their violation of TCPA. Below is a short overview: Dedicated short codes are unique to each individual business but expensive to rent. There are two types of dedicated short codes - “random” and “vanity”. “Random” dedicated short codes are a random combination of numbers (for example 468591), whereas “vanity” short codes are those which are easiest to remember (for example 112233). You could also use a vanity short code if your business had a six-letter name that could be spelled on a keypad (for example Costco = 267826). Random short codes I suggest using for one off events or if the business has to save monies starting out. Vanity Short Codes are great for repetitive events, restaurant specials, or custom branding of the business that has a more established customer base. ***side note here: Even if you have email permission please make sure to get new Text Marketing Opt-in. Regulations: Mobile marketing can be a great tool for your business, but you should know that SMS marketing is not a free-for-all. There are some laws and best practices you should follow and consider when you plan your campaigns. TCPA The TCPA, or Telephone Consumer Protection Act, which was developed by the FCC, has some laws that you need to be sure you follow while you’re collecting contacts and sending out text messages. Not everything in the TCPA applies to text message marketing, but it’s still a good idea to review these laws and be sure you are compliant with them. Some protocols you want to be sure you follow include: Get permission from every contact before you start sending mass text messages to them Only send text messages between the hours of 8 am and 9 pm. Remember that this is in the time zone of the person you are texting and not necessarily the time zone from which you are sending messages. CTIA & MMA The CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association) and MMA (Mobile Marketing Association) have similar guidelines on how to appropriately use text message marketing. These guidelines are not laws, but they do provide best practices you should consider following. Some of these best practices include: Don’t use the term “free” unless you have a free-to-end-user program. All advertising should include program name, production description and quality, link to terms and conditions, stop instructions, and the message and data rates may apply message. Or, you can have all this information available when the customer texts HELP. Have opt-in approval prior to sending messages You must allow your customer the option of opting out Opt-in and opt-out records should be maintained for at least six months You should not directly advocate the use of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs Age verification may be required for some text message marketing campaigns A few companies I would suggest: http://www.mobiniti.com/#hero https://trumpia.com/ https://www.slicktext.com/ https://www.eztexting.com/ PS: Here is another site you might want to follow regarding this topic tcpablog.com/ This is a very general overview and in no way to be considered legal advice.  I for one am grateful that someone is raising a red flag. I mean it's been out since 2015 "in beta" yet people are being paid to promote this app on their profiles and most people do not think before they leap onto the "latest" item of interest.
#DeleteVero hashtag on twitter has been blowing up the last few days. After having read through ALL of their legal jargon and understanding not only can they change terms without any notification; they can share with 3rd parties without your permission; move the DATA aka your personal information at any given time to any given system without your permission. Here is another BIG issue: In layman's terms you have no protection from others stealing your content and using it. "The User Content you create remains yours; however, by providing or sharing User Content through the Service, you agree to allow others to view, edit, and/or share your User Content in accordance with your settings and this Agreement" Direct from their own website. This is a lesson to research EVERY Application you're interested in before submitting your personal or business information. Below are a few more links of good company's calling out this app. Oh btw, trying to delete your account is a huge headache being there is NO immediate delete; it's a submission process. Shady History ~ The Daily Beast Vero is Bad ~ Gizmodo WerSM ~ How to Delete Your Vero Account : Not as easy as it should be.
A easy answer would be to save you and your own business more time in order to serve your clients in a more efficient way. The following are 3 tips.
1) With you passing along the information it is showing a trust with your clients. Also, it allows you to stay at top of mind for the passing along of referrals. 2) Why would you bother with passing along information your clients may not understand? A} It immediately allows you to explain your own ideas and concepts for how your client can use the information to their own advantage thus positioning you as the expert you are. 3) What about the time to format the curated content; does it not take away time from my clients? A} With the programs that are out there you can even take your current business Facebook page and instantly convert your past posts into a email. This is one suggestion there are over 200 different ways you can do this. Think carefully before doing this and answer the questions on the following information graphic. I bet anything that you are already compiling information everyday and sharing it but not reaching your client base as you should. Let me know how else I may be of service via: Contact ![Do You Have What It Takes to Publish a Curated Email Newsletter? [Infographic]](http://netdna.copyblogger.com/images/650/copyblogger-curated-email-newsletter-decision-tree-infographic.png "Do You Have What It Takes to Publish a Curated Email Newsletter? [Infographic]")
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