Send Text Messages - StratusTEXTING

Discover the different ways you can send and respond to texts using your StratusTEXTING services.

Updated at January 7th, 2025

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Table of Contents

Start a Conversation Step 1: Obtain Consent Step 2: Compose a Message Use a Template Scheduled Texts Edit Scheduled Texts and Drafts Delete a Scheduled Text Request a Review

Start a Conversation

As a StratusTEXTING user, you have many ways that you can send an SMS message to your customers and partners. To start texting one of your contacts, you will need to obtain consent from that person being contacted and then start a text conversation.

What are Opt-Ins?

An opt-in is a message that asks a customer can agree to if they want to be messaged by your business. The opt-in message must be clear about what the customer can expect from your SMS messages. What type of message do you intend to send them, and for what purpose?

Use the menu below to learn more about how you can ensure your Opt-In messages are properly written and handled:

No Forced Opt-Ins

Fields for entering a phone number cannot be required on the website where opt-in is collected. This field must be optional.

If emails or voice calls are other forms of communication offered, a separate opt-in should be collected for each of these types of communication that an end-user may want to receive.

No Double Dipping

You cannot repurpose an opt-in message for one kind of communication to use for other kinds of communications.

For Example… A user who gives you consent to receive a one-time password (OTP) via text message is not consenting to marketing texts. The customer would need to agree to a separate opt-in message to receive marketing texts as well.

Double Opt-Ins Are OK

Many companies use double opt-ins to verify that the user fully consents to the SMS messages being sent. This is commonly done by sending a customer a welcome (or initial message) after they first opt-in reminding them that they signed up, and asking them to respond and positively confirm their consent with a keyword (e.g., “Y”, “Yes”, “OK”, “Begin”, etc.)

✔ Double opt-ins are not an industry requirement, but it is best practice to include these confirmation messages.

Required Information for Opt-In Messages

Use the table below to reference the information that is required in your company's initial opt-in messages:

Requirement	Description	Example
Company Name	Ensure that your SMS or website's opt-in language includes your company's name.	“By clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to receive text messages from ABC Company at this mobile number.”
SMS Disclaimers	Include a disclaimer that message and data rates may apply on your opt-in form or in your first text to a customer.	“Message and data rates may apply.”
Message Frequency	Note how many messages the subscriber will receive or state that the message frequency will vary.	“Message frequency varies." or “You will receive up to four messages regarding your order from our store.”
Use Case	Describe the purpose of your SMS messages. Are your SMS subscribers receiving reminders, promotions, alerts, company updates, etc.?	"By subscribing, you agree to receive delivery update messages from ABC Company.”
Opt-Out Instructions	Explain how subscribers can opt-out or unsubscribe from SMS messages. Ensure that the opt-out process is easy and accessible for users.	“Text STOP or UNSUBSCRIBE to unsubscribe from text updates at any time. Once we receive your message, you will no longer receive text messages from us."
Terms and Privacy Policy Information	Include a link to your company’s terms of service and privacy policy to ensure complete transparency with your SMS message subscribers. Ensure that your privacy policy mentions that personal information will not be sold.	“By subscribing for text updates, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.” “ABC Company maintains strict privacy policies, ensuring that personal information of our users and members is not sold, rented, released, or traded to other parties."
Customer Help Information	Include your customer support team's information to your opt-in language to make it easy for your subscriber to find help and support.	“Text HELP to speak with ABC Company's support team.”

Opt-In Methods

There are many ways you can allow your end-users to opt-in for communications from your company. Some commonly used methods to allow end-users to opt-in include the following:

• Entering a phone number in a form on a website.

For Example… Customers opt-in by visiting www.examplewebsite.com and adding their phone number. They then check a box agreeing to receive text messages from the example brand.

NOTE: If you are using a website to collect opt-ins, please provide a direct link to the submission form. If this is missing, the campaign will be rejected.

• Clicking a button on a mobile webpage.

NOTE: If this is how the opt-in is being collected, please provide a website link in the CTA/Message Flow field.

• Sending a message from the consumer’s mobile device that contains an advertising keyword.

For Example… Consumers opt-in by texting START to (111) 222-3333

NOTE: You will need to describe how the end-user is informed to text the keyword/initiate the text messaging conversation.
Acceptable explanations of how the consumer is informed include:
• A link to a webpage where the keyword opt-in is advertised
• An attached screenshot of the keyword opt-in advertisement

• Signing up at a point of sale (POS) or another message sender on-site location.

NOTE: If the opt-in is collected verbally, you must provide a copy of the opt-in script read to the consumer.

• Opting in over the phone using interactive voice response (IVR) technology.

Keep Record of Opt-Ins

Under TCPA rules, there are also certain types of opt-ins – including for automated SMS marketing messages – which must be documented in writing. If you plan on sending promotional messages to customers, make sure you’re properly logging all opt-ins.

What are you expected to keep track of in your records? Here’s a quick guide to what you should take note of when documenting opt-in requests:
  • Timestamp of consent acquisition
  • Consent acquisition medium (e.g., cell-submit form, physical sign-up form, SMS keyword, etc.)
  • Capture of experience (e.g., language and action) used to secure consent
  • Specific campaign for which the opt-in was provided
   dress used to grant consent (if applicable)
  • Consumer phone number for which consent to receive messaging was granted
  • Identity of the individual who consented (name of the individual or other identifier, e.g., online username, session ID, etc.)
  • Documenting all opt-ins for at least six years is required by some mobile network operators. It provides proof that you have received consent to send to that destination number

✔ Please refer to the CTIA Messaging Principles and Best Practices for a comprehensive run-down of how to best manage opt-in messaging.

Once you have gotten a person's consent to start sending them SMS messages, you can track their consent status using the Consent Management Tool located on the right of the page.

✔ Using this tool, you can easily see and adjust the consent level assigned to a contact. This can help ensure your organization and users are staying in compliance while using your StratusTexting SMS messaging services.

What are Consent Levels?

There are three types of SMS consent a contact can provide your business: Conversational, Informational, and Promotional consent. The consent a customer gives you for SMS messaging can be combination of these. A customer can also withdraw consent at any time.

Use the module below to learn more about the three levels of consent tracked by StratusTexting's Consent Management Tool:

Conversational

Conversational consent is only obtained when a contact texts you. The contact implies, by sending a text, that they are willing to receive a reply message back. Your replies should be relevant to the subject mentioned when the customer texted you.

Conversational consent DOES NOT give your company permission to continue texting the contact about any unrelated matters.

Informational

Informational consent allows your business to send informational text messages (not a direct reply to a received SMS message) to a contact that has that are relevant to the type of information they agree to receive. Informational consent does not permit companies to promote products or services to the contact.

For example, if a patient agrees to receive appointment reminders via SMS messaging, they can receive text messages for appointments until they withdraw consent by opting out.

Informational consent can be obtained in many ways, such as a text, web form, verbally, etc.

Promotional

Promotional consent must be obtained through "express written consent". This means promotional consent is only provided if the contact agrees to receive optional promotional messages by texting a keyword or using a webform.

Make sure to maintain evidence of consent being provided by the contact. Promotional consent is the level of consent required if you are sending any kind of marketing material. Make sure to provide relevant and valuable information to these contacts ensuring you keep the level of consent they’ve provided.

To view a history of when this person gave consent for SMS messaging, you can open and filter the Contact Journey menu. To do this…

Click the Contact Journey icon.
In the FILTER BY section of the Contact Journey menu, select Consent.

Step 2: Compose a Message

Now that consent has been obtained for contacting a customer/client, you can safely send that party SMS messages in accordance with the type of consent they have given.

To send a new text message to someone…

Click the Compose icon.
Do one of the following:
- Type and select the phone number of someone new that you are texting.
- Type and select the name of an existing contact.
In the text input box, type the message you would like to send.
Do the following to add flair to your message:
- Click the Emoji icon to add an emoji to your message.
- Click the Attach Files icon to select a media file to share from your PC.
- Click the Gifs icon to select and add a gif to your message.
When you are ready, click the SEND button.

✔ Now you can view the message you sent and reply to any responses.

Use a Template

If your StratusTEXTING account has templates that have been created, you can select a template to help with preparing a message to send to someone.

Note: If you want to learn more about creating personal and shared templates, check out this guide.

To use a template…

Click the Templates icon.
Use the filter to view your Personal templates or your company's Shared templates.

Note: If needed, you can click the Create template button to add another template.
Next to the template you want to use, click the USE button.
You should see the template inserted in the text input box. When you are ready, click the SEND button to send this message.

Scheduled Texts

If there is a message you would like to have sent to someone at a later date and time, you can schedule a text using the Scheduler tool of StratusTEXTING.

To schedule a text for a later date and time…

Click the Scheduled Text icon.
Use the menu that appears to select the date and time that the message should be sent.
Click Set.
In the text input box, type the message you would like to send on that date.
Click the SCHEDULE button.

✔ You should see a confirmation message that the text has been scheduled for the date you selected.

Once that date and time arrives, the scheduled text will automatically be sent.

Edit Scheduled Texts and Drafts

Once a text has been scheduled, you have until the date and time the text was scheduled for to edit, delete, or re-save the message as a draft.

Navigate to the Tools tab.
Select Scheduler.
In the Select Department section, use the dropdowns to filter for texts or internal notes scheduled to be sent by a specific department.
Select whether to view upcoming scheduled texts or drafts.
Click the Manage button next to the scheduled text that needs adjustment.
In the Manage Scheduled Text menu, edit the message's recipient, text, attachments. date, and recurrence as needed.
Do one of the following to save your changes:
- To save and reschedule the text, click the SCHEDULE TEXT button.
  
  ✔ You should see a confirmation message that the text has been scheduled for the date you selected.
  
  Once that date and time arrives, the scheduled text will automatically be sent with the changes you have made.
- To save without scheduling the text, click the SAVE DRAFT button.
  
  ✔ This message will now be saved as a draft. This draft can be viewed, edited, and rescheduled as needed.
  
  Schedule a Draft to be Sent
  
  If you are ready for a drafted text to be scheduled, do the following:
  
  1. Go to the Drafts tab and click the Manage button next to the drafted message.
  
  2. Edit the draft as needed.
  
  3. Click the SCHEDULE TEXT button to schedule this message to be sent the date and time you select.

Delete a Scheduled Text

If a draft or a scheduled text needs to be removed, you can do so while managing the message in the Scheduler.

Navigate to Tools → Scheduler.
Select whether to view upcoming scheduled texts or drafts.
Click the Manage button next to the draft or scheduled text that needs to be deleted.
Click the DELETE SCHEDULED TEXT button.
To confirm the deletion of this text, click the CONFIRM DELETE SCHEDULED TEXT button that appears.

✔ Once you confirm deletion, you should see a confirmation message that the scheduled text has been deleted.

Request a Review

If your StratusTEXTING account has URLs to your review sites added and Review Templates created, review requests can be sent out to people that your business is texting.

Note: To learn how you can prepare your review sites' URLs and create review templates, check out this guide.

To send a review request message to a person you are texting…

Select the conversation you are having with the recipient.
Below the text input box, click the Request Review icon.
Review and edit the message as needed and click the SEND button.

✔ Now the recipient will receive a text with the URL(s), which they can tap to leave your company a review.

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