What are best practices for sending texts?

Six questions to ask before sending mass texts to help ensure deliverability

Developing the habit of thinking through your responses to these questions will help you ensure the effectiveness and deliverability of the texts.

1. Who really needs to get it? You shouldn't text your entire database, which likely includes first-time, event-only guests, and even people who have moved to another area. If you do, your message is typically not concise enough to meet the needs of the people who are getting them, and those for whom the message is not intended may be bothered. Target your texts to reduce the likelihood of someone blocking them. 
2. Where is it pointing to? Your website is your ministry hub, not their texting app. You could devalue your website if you rely on texts to provide with the necessary information - some will start relying on text messages rather than going to your website. You want people to get into the habit of going there for the latest updates and information. Texts should be a signpost, not a destination. 
3. Is it under 159 characters?   If you are sending longer texts, consider sending an email instead. A short sentence with a link to more information or a call to action should do it. Keep it short and sweet. (Hint: carriers don't like shortened links like bit.ly or TinyURL. Please don't use them so mobile carriers will not block your text as spam. We will alert you with a message if your text does contain one of these shortcodes.)
4. Can I send it any other time than Sunday Morning? A short text with a link to your online worship service is okay. But please don't text announcements! (See #3.)  Add a link on your online worship page, or create and publicize a Text-to-Church keyword to direct them to your website announcements page. 
5. Do you know if this text has already been sent? If it has, please don't send it again. If you do it will slow down the system's ability to get your text out. If you don't get the text right away, please be patient. It will come.
6. Is this text worth their time? Will they see the content of this text as important? Or as intrusive? Don't bombard people with texts. They will start tuning them out or block them. Send only those things that add value for people. Use social media or email for other stuff.