SMS short codes are the best way for you to increase engagement with your audience, enabling you to make an impact in the world.
With all of the hard work you’re doing, you need to get your valuable messages to your audience: donation requests, important reminders and updates, event reminders, messages from your leadership, and more. In a crowded digital landscape, from social media to email, what will ensure your message gets read and acted on? SMS texting campaigns are the answer.
SMS texting campaigns are the best solution to increase engagement, donations, clicks, and responses. By leveraging short codes and powerful texting strategies, you can create instant connections with your audience and drive meaningful results. Let’s explore how SMS short codes can redefine your communication efforts.
What Are SMS Short Codes?
An SMS short code is a 5- or 6-digit number used for sending and receiving text messages. These codes are specifically designed for mass texting. This makes them incredibly efficient for engaging large audiences. Here’s how organizations are using short codes instead of toll-free numbers to their advantage:
- High Engagement Rates
Texting is the preferred communication channel, with 95% of messages read and responded to within minutes. This immediacy makes short codes a primary choice for your communication efforts. - Simple and Memorable
Unlike long 10-digit numbers, short codes are easy to remember and quick to use, simplifying audience participation. - Versatile Use Cases
From promoting events to encouraging donations, SMS short code services allow nonprofits to connect with their audience instantly to a device everyone owns and is on hundreds of times per day.
By utilizing SMS services, your organization can maximize communication success while meeting all regulatory standards.
Types of Text Short Codes
Not all short codes are created equal. Understanding the three types of short codes will help you determine what’s best for your organization.
Shared Short Codes
Regulators have banned shared short codes, leading to their imminent shutdown. They’re marking messages as SPAM and blacklisting these numbers. This also means if another organization claims a keyword, it becomes unavailable for your use, limiting your options.
Pros
Lower cost upfront.
Cons
High compliance risk. Won’t be available soon. Banned by regulators.
Dedicated Short Codes
A dedicated short code is exclusive to your organization, ensuring a safe, compliant, and branded messaging experience.
Pros
Powerful branding potential and increased memorability.
Cons
Slightly higher leasing costs.
Vanity Short Codes
Vanity codes are custom, memorable sequences like “12345,” designed for branding purposes that you choose.
Pros
Powerful branding potential and increased memorability.
Cons
Slightly higher leasing costs.
By investing in a dedicated or vanity short code, you can secure a reliable and effective messaging pathway for your organization.
How to Get a Short Code SMS Service
Acquiring a short code is simpler with the right partner.
- Apply through a Provider
Begin by partnering with an SMS texting service provider. They’ll handle the leasing and registration with the US Short Code Registry. Make sure to choose a provider who is a premier provider with the registry like Powered By Text 😉. - Complete the Registration
Your provider should submit your application, outlining specific use cases and ensuring compliance with carrier guidelines. Not all providers offer this service. Choose one that does as the application process is intricate. - Approval and Activation
Once approved, your short code is set up and ready to support campaigns like event reminders, donation drives, and more.
Maximizing Impact with SMS Short Code Marketing
Short code marketing is a game-changer, providing avenues to boost fundraising outcomes, donor engagement, event participation, and more. Here’s how to make it count:
- Engagement Through Keywords
Empower your audience with keywords like “GIVE” or “HELP” on your short code. These make participation effortless while gathering valuable insights. - Proven Campaign Success
AI-powered message composers and short codes have helped partners achieve remarkable results, including a 30% increase in subscribers, three times higher clickthrough rates compared to email, and investment returns of 1000x in some instances. - Integrated Communication Strategy
Pair short code SMS with existing channels like email and social media for a holistic approach, driving greater overall engagement.
For example, an organization using a keyword to your 5-digit short code like “GIVE” can boost donations by sending an accompanying multimedia messaging service (MMS) video from a representative of your organization, showing them the impact of their donation. Then, you provide a link in the message to your mobile-optimized donation website for them to complete. This example has shown to significantly increase your donation return.
Ensuring Compliance with SMS Code Regulations
Compliance is key to maintaining trust and avoiding fines in your SMS campaigns. With regulators enforcing strict rules, here’s how you can stay on the right track:
- Follow Carrier Standards
Ensure your short code is properly registered and only used for pre-approved purposes. With Powered By Text, compliance is built into our software and our team are experts in keeping up with all of the strict compliance requirements. - Avoid SPAM Practices
Always send messages to opted-in contacts and provide clear opt-out options. - Work With Experts
Regulatory navigation can be complex, but providers handle compliance for you, giving peace of mind as you scale.
The Benefits of a Short Code SMS Service for Your Organization
Short codes aren’t just good for compliance; they actively boost results. Here’s what makes them invaluable for nonprofits seeking to amplify their reach:
- Higher Engagement
Powered By Text partners have seen anywhere from 2X to 10x donation returns when using the right strategies and a dedicated short code. Nonprofits using short codes have also seen subscriber growth leap by 30% and clickthrough rates triple. This real-time impact is unparalleled. - Building Trust
Have you ever recieved a SPAM message from a short code? The answer is no. That is because dedicated short code offers legitimacy, showing your audience that your messages are authentic, trusted and worth responding to. - Stronger Connections
Texting fosters a sense of community, enabling you to create deeper, more meaningful relationships with your audience. You can’t recreate a personal experience with any other channel besides texting.
Short Code Texting FAQs
Can short codes be traced?
Yes, short codes can be traced back to their registered owner through the US Short Code Registry. This ensures accountability and compliance, as each short code is tied to a specific organization or service.
How do I find the owner of a shortcode?
You can identify the owner of a short code by contacting the US Short Code Registry or working with your SMS service provider.
How does a short code SMS service differ from regular phone numbers?
Short codes are 5- or 6-digit numbers designed for mass texting, whereas regular phone numbers are typically used for individual communication. Short codes also offer higher deliverability rates and are built to support compliance with carrier regulations.
How is SMS short code marketing used in promotions?
SMS short code marketing uses memorable codes and keywords to engage audiences, encourage participation, and drive actions like donations or event sign-ups. For instance, nonprofits can use a keyword like “GIVE” on a short code to streamline fundraising.
Short Code Texting with the Right Partner
Whether you’re doing support drives, encouraging repeat donations, or simply communicating important updates to your audience, we’re here to help you achieve infinite impact.
