Ensuring your SMS marketing is compliant with industry regulations is crucial for maintaining trust with your audience and avoiding penalties. Sonikit simplifies this process by automatically handling opt-in and opt-out management for you. Here's what you need to know about SMS compliance when using Sonikit.
How Sonikit Manages Compliance
Sonikit follows SMS industry best practices and regulations, such as the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and CTIA guidelines. We handle the following compliance steps automatically:
1. Opt-In Management
Fans must provide explicit consent to receive SMS messages from you.
When a fan submits their phone number via a Sonikit form, they are automatically recorded as "opted-in" to receive your messages.
Sonikit maintains a record of consent for each opted-in fan, ensuring you have the necessary documentation if needed.
2. Opt-Out Management
Fans can opt out at any time by replying with standard keywords such as STOP, UNSUBSCRIBE, or CANCEL.
When a fan opts out, Sonikit automatically excludes them from future SMS campaigns.
Fans who attempt to re-subscribe will need to explicitly opt back in.
3. Automated Compliance Messages
When a fan opts in, Sonikit automatically sends a confirmation message that includes:
Your identity (e.g., "You are now subscribed to ArtistName alerts").
Instructions on how to opt out.
When a fan opts out, Sonikit sends a confirmation message to confirm they will no longer receive messages.
4. Message Frequency and Content
While Sonikit does not enforce a strict message frequency limit, we recommend clearly communicating how often fans should expect messages to reduce opt-outs and maintain engagement.
Ensure your message content is relevant, respectful, and non-intrusive to your audience.
Best Practices for Staying Compliant
While Sonikit automates key compliance steps, there are additional best practices you should follow:
Be Transparent: Clearly state what type of messages fans will receive and how often.
Identify Yourself: Every message should include your name or brand so fans know who is contacting them.
Respect Opt-Out Requests: Sonikit handles opt-out requests automatically, but avoid re-adding opted-out numbers unless they explicitly opt back in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I manually add fans to my SMS list?
No, all fans must provide explicit consent to receive SMS messages. Manual additions without consent are not permitted.
Q: What happens if a fan accidentally opts out?
Fans who wish to resubscribe can text START or JOIN to your number, or they can submit their phone number again through a Sonikit form.
Q: How can I ensure my content is compliant?
Ensure messages are clear, relevant, and avoid misleading language. Providing clear opt-out instructions in each message is also a good practice.
By leveraging Sonikit's automated compliance features, you can focus on building meaningful connections with your fans while maintaining peace of mind knowing you're following industry best practices.