Build a text list: your first 100 contacts

Your first 100 contacts can come from people who already know you. Ask each person to agree to your texts, and write down how and when they agreed. A written record of that agreement is good list practice.

What counts as a good first contact?

A good contact is someone who knows who you are, gave you their number, and said yes to texts from you. The yes should be clear and about texting, not only about being in touch.

For every contact, keep three things: the person's name and number, the date they agreed, and where they agreed. Furcata has three custom fields on each contact. You can use one for the source and one for the date.

Where do the first 100 contacts come from?

Here are five ways to ask people who already know you. In each one, the person decides whether to say yes.

1. Ask in person. Say what you will text about and how often, then ask if you may text them. Record the date and the word "in person".
2. Use a paper sign-up sheet. Put a line at the top that says what the texts are for and that people can stop at any time. Keep the sheet, and record the event and date.
3. Share your sign-up page. Every Furcata account has a hosted SMS sign-up page that collects name, phone and email. Record "sign-up page" and the date.
4. Ask your existing email list. Write to people who already hear from you and invite them to join by text. Say clearly that they are joining a text list, and add only the people who reply with their number and a clear yes.
5. Ask for a reply. Invite current contacts to text you first. Their message shows they are willing to be answered, not that they agreed to marketing texts, so ask in your reply whether they would like to hear from you by text, and record their yes and its date.

Why should you record how and when someone agreed?

A clear record lets you answer the question "how did you get my number?" in a calm, honest way. It also helps you sort your list later, for example by source or by the date people joined.

The consent and opt-out guide explains what counts as consent and the subscription messages carriers expect. It is worth a read before your first send.

How do you add them to Furcata?

You can add contacts one at a time, or import a file in bulk. The contacts and import guide covers both. For a first list of around 100, a spreadsheet with a column for source and a column for date works well.

What should your first message say?

Send a welcome message soon after someone joins. It confirms they are on the list, says who you are, and tells them how to stop. Here is an example you can adapt.

Furcata adds your account name at the start and a short unsubscribe line at the end of every bulk message, and both count toward the length. With them, the examples below use 2 segments each. In the US and Canada, one segment uses one credit, and every message also carries one flat messaging fee.

Hi {first_name}, this is [organization]. Thanks for joining our texts about [topic]. We will send about [number] a month.

Keep it short. In the US and Canada, one segment uses one credit, and a segment is up to 160 characters. The header and footer count toward the length of every bulk message, so a short English message usually uses 2 segments. Every message also carries one flat messaging fee, whatever its length or type.

STOP and HELP keywords are handled automatically. Replies arrive in your inbox, and incoming texts are billed at the same rate as outgoing texts.

Should you buy a list of numbers?

We suggest you do not. People on a purchased list have not agreed to hear from you, and they do not know who you are. Texts to them are unlikely to be welcome.

A smaller list of people who said yes serves you better. When you note the source and date in your custom fields as you add each person, you can see later how and when they agreed.

How much does it cost to start?

You pay only for what you send. Users and contacts are at no cost, and you can add as many as you need, so a growing list does not raise your bill by itself. Current prices are on the pricing page, and the billing guide explains what you are charged for.

If you would like to see how the pieces fit, the contacts and import guide is a good next step when you are ready to add your first people.