How Sierra's Texting Best Practices Protect Your Business

Why This Feature Matters

Adhering to Sierra's texting best practices is crucial as text messaging regulations increase. By following these guidelines, you can:

Deliver texts successfully, avoiding carrier blocks.
Comply with federal laws like the TCPA and CASL.
Maintain a strong business reputation trusted by leads.
Prevent costly fines, opt-out spikes, and carrier filtering.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to implement effective texting strategies:

Get Written Consent
- Always obtain written opt-in from cold leads before sending promotional texts. For example, utilize forms with clear consent checkboxes.
Introduce Yourself
- In every initial message, share your name, company, and the reason for contacting the lead (e.g., "Hi, I'm [Your Name] from [Your Company]. I'm reaching out to discuss [purpose].").
Include Opt-Out Language
- Clearly explain how recipients can unsubscribe (e.g., “Reply STOP to unsubscribe”).
Avoid Long Texts
- Use a text segment counter to stay within 1-2 segments. Avoid messages that break into multiple SMS parts.
Audit Your Campaigns
- Regularly review campaigns for:
  - Over-texting inactive leads.
  - Messages with high opt-out rates.
Avoid Spam Trigger Words and Formatting
- In your first texts or automated campaigns, do not use terms like:
  - Offer, Refinance, Buy Now, Get Rich, Loan, Credit.
    Also avoid:
  - ALL CAPS, excessive exclamation points, excessive emojis, or free URL shorteners (e.g., TinyURL).
Be Strategic with Bulk Texting
- Don’t send mass texts to cold or unengaged leads. Instead, use automations triggered by lead behavior (e.g., contact forms).
Use One-to-One Conversations
- Sierra’s tools are designed for personalized, interactive texting—not blast marketing.

Avoiding 30007 Error Code Violations

Error Code 30007 indicates that your message was blocked by a mobile carrier. Carriers evaluate your number based on:

Answer Rates
Frequency and Time of Messages
Opt-Out Rates
Complaint History

Following Sierra’s best practices is your best defense against these filtering issues.

What Sierra Is Doing to Help

Sierra is committed to helping you maintain compliance by offering:

A2P 10DLC Compliance registration assistance.
Improved Opt-In/Opt-Out flows.
Coming Soon (Q2 2024):
- Email notifications to Primary Managers when usage falls out of compliance.
- Live webinars to review texting rules, industry changes, and delivery optimization strategies.

Tools to Maintain a Healthy Reputation

Sierra Branded Caller ID
Text Segment Counter
Spam Word Avoidance Guide
Twilio US SMS Guidelines
Twilio Canada SMS Guidelines
Free Caller Registry
First Orion Registration Portal

Historical Context: Who Regulates What?

Federal & Industry Regulators:

FCC: Oversees TCPA compliance.
FTC: Protects consumers from deceptive marketing.
TCPA: Restricts marketing calls and texts without consent.
CASL: Canadian anti-spam law.

Mobile Carriers:

Enforce private filtering rules and have implemented A2P 10DLC to regulate business messaging.

Messaging Providers (like Sierra):

Facilitate compliant texting and assist clients in maintaining good standing but rely on you to follow best practices.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

My messages are being blocked: Review your content, message frequency, and consent processes.
I’m receiving Error 30007: You may be using flagged words, violating opt-in rules, or over-texting.
My delivery rates are dropping: Reduce message frequency, avoid bulk texts, and clean your lists.

FAQs

Do I need consent to text a lead?
Yes, especially for promotional or automated messages. Consent must be written and explicit.

What’s the difference between cold and warm leads?
Cold leads haven’t engaged with you yet—warm leads have responded or opted in through forms or conversations.

How can I monitor text message performance?
Use Sierra reporting tools to monitor deliverability, opt-outs, and response rates.