How to Upload a Batch List of Contacts in OtterText

Warning: You cannot upload a list unless your customers have consented to receive texts from you. It is crucial to ensure that all customers have opted-in to receive messages before uploading their contact details.

1. Share Your Custom Link for Opt-In

You can easily share your custom link to allow customers to opt-in directly to your SMS list. To find your link and custom phone number:

• Go to Settings > Organization in your OtterText dashboard.
• You will see your custom link and custom phone number.
• Share the link with your customers through your marketing materials, website, or print media. Customers who click the link will opt-in to receive messages.

2. Create a QR Code for Your Register with Your Custom Link

A simple and effective way to get customers to opt-in at your physical store is by creating a QR code linked to your custom opt-in URL.

Instructions:

• Go to Settings > Organization to find your custom link.
• Use a free QR code generator tool (such as QR Code Generator) to create a QR code for your link.
• Print the QR code and display it at your register or around your store. Customers can scan it to easily join your SMS list.

3. Opt-In via Keyword

Another effective way to onboard customers is by having them opt-in using a keyword. This allows customers to easily sign up by texting a specific word to your custom number.

Instructions:

• Set up a Keyword through your OtterText dashboard. A simple example is having customers text JOIN or another relevant word to your custom number.
• Customers can then text the keyword to opt-in to receive messages, ensuring their consent.

4. Manually Add Contacts on Your Computer (Verbal Consent)

If you need to manually add customers, you can do so through the Inbox section of your OtterText dashboard. If a customer provides verbal consent to receive messages, you can add them to your list.

Instructions:

• Go to Inbox and click on Add Customer.
• Fill out the customer's contact information, ensuring you have received their verbal consent.
• Add them to your contact list.

5. Integrations with Other Platforms

You can also easily add contacts from one of our many integrations. OtterText supports seamless integrations with various platforms, allowing you to automatically import contacts and sync them with your SMS marketing list.

 

6. Add Contacts via Zapier

For even more flexibility, you can integrate OtterText with Zapier. This allows you to set up automated workflows (called "zaps") to add contacts to OtterText from hundreds of other apps and platforms.

 

7. Staff Training for Membership Enrollment

If you need help training your staff on how to encourage customers to opt-in, check out our guide on Staff Training: Implementing Automatic Membership Enrollment at a Firearms Retail Store. This guide provides tips for successfully enrolling customers in your SMS marketing program.

A Note on Carrier Compliance

Because of SHAFT regulations and carrier compliance, we cannot upload a list of contacts directly to our system. Carrier policies are very strict about protecting against spam, and uploading a list of contacts without their explicit consent is considered non-compliant.

• For SHAFT customers: You cannot upload a list through the system. Please email a CSV file to [e-mail] to request assistance with uploading your contacts.

• For non-SHAFT customers: If you are not in the SHAFT industry, you can upload a list of contacts as long as they have explicitly opted in to receive messages from you.

Important Reminder: Once your list is uploaded, you must ensure that your customers continue to follow one of the above methods to opt-in moving forward.

If you need further assistance or have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!