Mobile FAQ

Terminology

1. What is a text message?

Text messaging or "texting" is the common term for the sending of short (160 characters or fewer) text messages from mobile phones using the Short Message Service (SMS). There are over 250 million mobile phone subscribers in the United States. More than 80% of those subscribers are able to receive text messages and more than 50% are sending and receiving text messages on a monthly basis.

2. What is a shortcode?

A shortcode is a 5 or 6 digit number used to send and receive SMS and MMS messages on cellular networks. Companies that use shortcodes are approved by the carriers to send text messages into their networks. When you sign up for the Opt It Mobile service, all of your messages will be deliverd using shortcodes ensuring that your message is received by the cellular carriers and delivered to the intended recipient. To learn more about short codes and keywords.

3. What is a keyword?

People join your community by texting a keyword provided by you. People text keywords to your shortcode – 01234, for example - to join lists or trigger an auto-response message. Examples:

Text OPTIT (OPTIT is the keyword) to 46786 (46786 is the shortcode)
to join the Opt It mobile VIP group.

Text SAMPLE (sample is the keyword) to 46786 (46786 is the shortcode)
to have an auto response message sent back to your mobile phone.

Every Opt It client has their own keyword(s) for creating their unique mobile programs. Keywords can also have an unlimited number of sub-keywords and interests allowing clients to segment the members in their mobile community. To learn more about short codes and keywords.

4. What is a sub-keyword?

Sub-keywords enable you to extend the functionality of your keyword. You can provide information on specific events, segment your list of members and provide auto-response messages for RSVP's or time sensitive offers. For example:

Text OPTIT INFO (INFO is the sub-keyword) to 46786 to join a mobile community, receive an auto-response or forward the return message into Opt It Mobile to either a cell phone number, email address, your inbox or to a URL.

Members can be placed into interests by texting in sub-keywords allowing you to track and segment based upon usage patterns.

5. What is a sub-account?

A sub-account provides the ability to assign specific privileges and access to only certain keywords. Example: Your night manager only has access to KEYWORD1 and only the ability to send messages and unsubscribe members. There are multiple privileges available to create user roles based upon responsibilities for that person.

6. What is a mobile community?

When you have your keyword setup as a subscription allowing people to opt-in and receive text messages from you they are joining your mobile community. A mobile community is made up of all the people who have opted-in – they agree to receive periodic updates from you directly to their mobile phone.

7. What is an interest?

Interests enable you to segment your mobile community and provide the ability to send messages to those smaller groups inside your mobile community. This is useful for segmenting your list by gender, location, opt-in date, sub-keyword sent in or even for delivering messages to your employees.

General

1. To what networks can I send messages?

We are approved by and directly connected to all of the major carrier networks and most of the little ones too. Our access reaches 98% of all cell phones in the US.

2. How many characters do I get to use for my text message?

Text messages are 160 characters in length and we do not add any ads or other information in messages so that you can use the full number of characters for delivering your message.

3. Is there a limit to the number of people I can have in my mobile community?

There is no limit to the number of people you can have in your mobile community. With our newly launched Mobile Message Queuing (MMQ) technology, messages are being delivered up to 15x times faster which means your messages reach the members of your mobile community within minutes of sending your message.

4. How quickly are messages delivered?

Messages are delivered immediately from Opt It Mobile, or can be scheduled for future delivery. Our proprietary Mobile Message Queuing (MMQ) technology enables delivery of messages 15x faster.

5. How do members opt-out of my mobile community?

At any time a member can text KEYWORD STOP to remove themselves from your mobile community. You can also remove members while logged into your Opt It Mobile account.

6. Do the members of my mobile community get charged to receive my messages?

There are no additional charges beyond the standard rates that your members pay to their carriers for sending and receiving text messages. Most people that do a lot of texting have unlimited plans for sending and receiving text messages to their mobile phones, and are aware of the costs involved in becoming a member of your mobile community.

Pricing and Billing

1. What does it cost to setup my account?

Pricing for our Opt It Mobile product is available here - Opt It Mobile pricing.

2. What is the cost?

Most text messaging companies charge on a per message basis resulting in varying costs every month. Opt It Mobile includes pricing for both per-message and unlimited messages based on the number of members in your mobile community and allows you to send an unlimited number of messages. This means NO MORE month to month variation in costs, allowing you to budget your text messaging campaigns more effectively.

For more than 13,000 mobile numbers or if you have questions regarding pricing for custom or more complex programs the easiest way to get started is to call Opt It at 312-784-6400 and speak with one of our staff members.

3. Do I have to sign any long term contracts?

All of our plans are designed to accommodate our clients' needs and can be month to month or longer depending upon requirements.

My Account

1. How do people join my mobile community?

People join your mobile community in multiple ways including:

Directly from their mobile phone by simply sending your keyword or a combination of your keyword & sub-keyword(s) to 46786.
Through any website including your own by using our web form that includes the ability to collect additional demographic data on your members.
At www.optit.com.

When sending out text messages you control what the message says, when it goes out and who it goes to - all through your account at www.optit.com.

2. Can I have more than one mobile community?

Mobile communities are based upon keywords and you can register as many keywords as you would like.

3. How do I know how many members are subscribed to my mobile communities?

When logged into your account you can view the number of members in each of your mobile communities, and you can sort your members to see how many people have joined over the last 7days, last week, last month, etctera.

4. Do I have to know the cellular carrier of my members?

You do not need to know the cellular carrier of your members. Opt It can work with any carrier. All we need is the cellular number of your member.

Support

1. What kind of support do I receive with my account?

When you have questions or problems regarding your account, there are three options for support:

Phone: 888-577-6577 from 8-6pm CST
Email: support@optit.com
Your account: While logged into your account you can view the Opt It user guide and also view demo videos of how to use the Opt It Mobile applications.

Whenever you have questions regarding our applications, your account, or additional features you would like to see – contact us via phone, email, or online.

Message Types

1. Can I text coupons to my customers?

Coupons can be sent to the members of your mobile community for redemption on a web site or at a point of sale (POS) system. A unique code in your message enables your members to take advantage of your offer by using the code during the redemption process. Opt It Mobile also supports unique codes for each cell number so that you a can track your offer down to each individual member. Contact us for more information about using unique promotion codes to track the effectiveness of your messages.

2. What types of text messages can I send?

Opt It Mobile works for clients in a variety of industries who seek immediacy and effectiveness in marketing and promotion:

Retail stores deliver coupons that can be tracked by POS systems
Bars, restaurants, and nightclubs text time sensitive promotional offers
Newspapers leverage existing content to increase advertising inventory and revenues
Financial data is being customized and delivered in real-time
Businesses communicate updated schedules and announcements to employees
Mobile voting programs are incorporated into sponsorship programs
Text-to-win programs are used to distribute redeemable codes at web sites or physical locations
Demographic information is collected on-premise by event marketers using opt-in programs
Tradeshows drive traffic to keynote events, demonstrations, and booths

This sampling of uses for Opt It Mobile text messaging indicates the power of the medium for users of all kinds. To unlock the value of text messaging for your marketing program, contact us for innovative ideas that you may not have considered. We’ll learn more about your business objectives and demonstrate the ways in which text message marketing creates value in your business.

Free 30 Day Trial. Learn more…

News

02/19/10 - Opt It featured on CBS 2 Monsters and Money

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Mobile FAQ

Terminology

General

Pricing and Billing

My Account

Support

Message Types

Terminology

General

Pricing and Billing

My Account

Support

Message Types

News

local. social. mobile.