What is a broadcast text message?

Broadcast text message

A broadcast text message sends a single SMS or MMS to many recipients at once, with each person receiving it as an individual message. Unlike group texts where everyone sees each other's replies, broadcast messages keep conversations private between you and each recipient.

Think of it like BCC in email, but for texting. You write one message, send it to your entire list or a segment of it, and each customer sees only their own conversation with your business. They can reply directly to you without exposing their phone number to anyone else.

Businesses use broadcast texts for flash sales, appointment reminders, emergency alerts, and any situation where you need to reach many people quickly with the same information.

How broadcast text messaging works

Broadcast texting requires a business messaging platform rather than your regular phone. Here's the basic process:

You upload or sync your contact list to the platform, then compose your message. The platform connects to mobile carrier networks and delivers your text to each recipient individually. When someone replies, their response comes back to your shared inbox where your team can see and respond.

Most platforms let you personalize messages with fields like first names, schedule sends for optimal timing, and track delivery rates. You can also segment your list to send different messages to different groups based on purchase history, location, or engagement level.

The key technical difference from group texting: broadcast messages use application-to-person (A2P) messaging infrastructure designed for high-volume sends. This ensures reliable delivery even when you're reaching thousands of contacts.

Broadcast texts vs. group texts

The distinction matters more than you might think.

Group texts create a shared conversation. Everyone in the group sees all messages and all replies. Your phone's native messaging app supports this, but typically limits you to 10-50 recipients depending on the carrier.

Broadcast texts create individual conversations. Each recipient gets a private thread with your business. They don't know who else received the message, and their replies stay between you and them. There's no practical limit on how many people you can reach.

For business communication, broadcast wins on privacy, scale, and professionalism. Customers don't want their phone numbers exposed to strangers, and you don't want one person's reply cluttering everyone else's inbox.

Common uses for broadcast text messages

Broadcast texting works for nearly any situation where you need to reach many people with time-sensitive information.

Promotions and flash sales drive immediate action. A "20% off for the next 4 hours" text creates urgency that email can't match.

Appointment reminders reduce no-shows. A quick confirmation text the day before gives customers an easy way to reschedule if needed.

Emergency alerts reach people fast. Weather closures, service outages, or safety notifications get seen within minutes rather than hours.

Order and delivery updates keep customers informed without requiring them to check an app or website.

Internal team communication works well for shift reminders, schedule changes, or urgent updates to distributed teams.

Event invitations and reminders boost attendance. A reminder text the morning of an event catches people who missed or forgot the email.

Ready to add SMS to your marketing mix? Explore ActiveCampaign's SMS marketing features to see how broadcast texting fits into your automation workflows.

Best practices for broadcast text messages

Getting broadcast texting right means respecting both regulations and your recipients' attention.

Get explicit consent first. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) requires written opt-in before you send marketing texts. This means checkbox confirmations on forms, keyword replies to shortcodes, or clear agreement at point of sale. Purchased lists are never compliant.

Identify yourself immediately. Recipients should know who's texting them within the first few words. "Hi Sarah, this is Riverside Dental" works. A mysterious discount code from an unknown number doesn't.

Keep messages focused. One clear message, one clear action. If you're promoting a sale, include the offer and a link. Don't try to cover three different topics in 160 characters.

Time your sends thoughtfully. Marketing texts should go out during reasonable hours, typically between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. in the recipient's time zone. Segment by location if you're reaching people across multiple time zones.

Make opting out easy. Include clear instructions like "Reply STOP to unsubscribe" and honor those requests immediately. Beyond being legally required, this builds trust with the people who stay subscribed.

Personalize when possible. Using someone's first name or referencing their last purchase makes a broadcast feel less like spam and more like a message meant for them.

Choosing a broadcast text messaging platform

The right platform depends on your volume, integration needs, and how you plan to use texting alongside other channels.

Look for these capabilities:

• Contact management that syncs with your existing CRM or customer database
• Segmentation tools to send targeted messages to specific groups
• Scheduling and automation for timed sends and triggered messages
• Two-way messaging so recipients can reply and you can respond
• Delivery reporting to track what's getting through
• Compliance features like automatic opt-out handling and consent tracking

If you're already running email marketing campaigns or marketing automation, choose a platform that integrates with your existing tools. Disconnected systems create extra work and make it harder to see the full picture of customer engagement.

FAQs

Can I send broadcast texts from my iPhone or Android?
Not true broadcasts. Your phone's messaging app only supports group texts with limited recipients. For broadcast messaging to hundreds or thousands of contacts, you need a business SMS platform.

How much does broadcast texting cost?
Pricing varies by platform and volume. Most services charge per message sent, with rates decreasing as volume increases. Expect to pay somewhere between $0.01 and $0.05 per message for typical business volumes.

Is broadcast texting legal?
Yes, when done correctly. You must have explicit consent from recipients, identify yourself in messages, send during appropriate hours, and honor opt-out requests. Violating TCPA regulations can result in significant fines.

How many people can I send a broadcast text to?
With a proper business messaging platform, there's no practical limit. You can reach hundreds of thousands of recipients with a single campaign, though very large sends may be staggered over time to ensure delivery.

Will my messages get marked as spam?
Properly registered business numbers with compliant messaging practices rarely face spam filtering. Platforms that support A2P 10DLC registration help ensure your messages reach recipients' inboxes.

Want to see how broadcast texting works alongside email and automation? Start your free ActiveCampaign trial and send your first campaign in minutes.