The Ultimate Guide for Beginners 2024

These days, most people are glued to their phones and love to communicate through text messages. In fact, research shows that 81% of Americans text regularly!🚀

Texting has become one of the main ways we connect and share information quickly and conveniently. 

That’s why many organizations have started using peer-to-peer texting platforms to reach large groups of people at once. Peer-to-peer SMS allows volunteers to send mass texts through an online program. 

In this guide, we’ll explain how P2P texting works and how you can use it to spread your messages. 

Whether you want more people to vote, donate to a cause, or learn about an event, P2P texting could be a useful tool for your organization to try out.

What Is Peer-to-Peer Texting?

Peer-to-peer (P2P) texting is the exchange of messages between 2 to 10 people, allowing for more personal and interactive conversations, as opposed to large groups or mass messaging. This method, also referred to as peer-to-peer SMS, allows for direct, individual conversations.

Sales agents, charity volunteers, and business owners use peer-to-peer text messaging to have individual text conversations with customers or others. 

If you’ve ever had an Uber or Lyft driver text you when they arrived, and you texted back to let them know where you were, that’s an example of P2P texting in action. It’s all about starting with a group text and then responding individually to have a personalized discussion through messages.

P2P texting lets you customize individual messages, enabling personalized discussions. However, mass texting involves sending hundreds or thousands of people the same text, like for advertising sales, but there’s no interaction since it’s impersonal messages rather than conversations. On the other hand, Application-to-person (A2P) texts are automated, just like password reset codes that some apps send.

Some common uses of P2P texting are political campaigns contacting supporters, nonprofit groups fundraising by text, and companies engaging customers.

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What Are the Key Features of Peer-To-Peer Texting Platforms?

Peer-to-peer texting platforms provide helpful tools to help organizations communicate effectively through text messaging. 

Some of the main features that make P2P texting valuable are:

• Direct Communication: P2P texting allows you to text other people directly without using other apps or services. You can also have private one-on-one chats.

• Real-time Messaging: When using P2P texting, your messages are sent immediately, and you can have conversations in real-time, just like talking on the phone. Replies come through quickly, so discussions feel like live.

• Scalability: P2P texting can easily be expanded to include more people. Whether you need to text a few close friends or your whole team, the platform works just as well for small or large groups.

• Personalization: You can customize the texts you send to friends with name-specific messages, inside jokes, emojis, or other details, making discussions more personal.

• Compliance with Regulations: P2P text platforms must follow privacy laws and guidelines to protect user data. Messages are secure, and information isn’t shared without permission.

• Analytics and Reporting: P2P apps provide stats on messaging habits, such as the most talked-with contacts and the times people text. This data helps optimize communication strategies.

• Integration Capabilities: P2P texting integrates easily into other platforms and programs through software development kits (SDKs), allowing you to coordinate texts with other apps you use.

How Does Peer-to-Peer Texting Work?

Peer-to-peer texting uses software platforms that let campaign teams and volunteers send individual text messages to a group of people.

Here are the basic steps for how P2P texting works:

1. Create Contact List

The first thing to do is make a list of people to send texts to. This list usually comes from places that have voter info or supporters’ contacts. 

It needs to have everybody’s cell phone numbers as well as some details about them, like where they live or other background. 

2. Write Sample Texts

After making the list of contacts, come up with different sample texts to use. Make texts for specific types of people in your list based on things like what interests them, their views, or background info. 

This helps the messages really connect with each person by being about stuff they likely care about.

3. Get a P2P Texting Account

To actually send the text messages you created, you need an account on a P2P texting platform. These platforms are based online, so you can access them from any phone, tablet, or computer using the internet. 

Such platforms make it easy to manage all the parts of the texting effort like keeping track of volunteers doing the messaging, the sample texts you wrote, and the lists of contacts. 

4. Provide Training

The next important step is to teach everyone how to use the texting platform. The people sending the texts, whether they are staff or volunteers, need to learn about how the system operates and also understand peer-to-peer texting rules. 

They need to get familiar with the example texts that were created and any rules or laws around texting lots of people.

5. Start Texting

Once everyone is trained, it’s time for volunteers to start sending the actual texts. They sign onto the P2P texting platform and begin messaging people from the contact list. How many texts a volunteer can send per hour really depends on the specific website being used. 

But in general, these types of texting programs let volunteers send a huge number of messages in just one hour, usually hundreds or even thousands! 

6. Engage in Conversations

If anyone getting the texts decides to message back, the volunteer sending them can have a direct conversation. 

Being able to talk to people in real-time through texting helps the volunteer connect better with that person. 

This rapport is important because it makes the desired result, like getting people out to vote or to come to an event, more likely to happen. 

7. Collect Data

As texting happens, peer-to-peer texting platforms keep track of things like how many people replied, whether their replies seemed positive or negative, and if they did anything in response to the texts, like attending an event. 

Analyzing all this collected data later helps figure out how well the texting campaign went and what worked best.

8. Adhere to Legal Requirements

For people who don’t want any more texts, P2P texting platforms need to have a simple way for them to stop getting messages. 

If a contact asks not to receive texts anymore, their name and Phone Number must be deleted from the list right away to adhere to compliance with legal requirements.

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What are the Benefits of Using P2P Texting?

Using a peer-to-peer texting platform can be helpful in several ways. A few of the key benefits include:

1. Personalized Communication

One of the best things about P2P texting instead of mass texts is being able to customize what you say to each person. Using peer-to-peer SMS enables more personalized communication than mass messaging methods. 

When you mass text, everyone gets the exact same message. But with person-to-person texting, you can make each text more personal. P2P texting lets you have actual back-and-forth conversations rather than just sending notifications. Mass texts don’t allow talking directly to the person.

2. High Response and Open Rates

P2P Texting leads to really high percentages of people opening and responding to texts compared to things like email or phone calls. When you send a text, 95% of recipients will see it within a few minutes (Source: Shift & Mailchimp). 

That’s way better than emails which sometimes people don’t notice right away. Because texts get seen so fast, a lot more people will reply to texts, too. The response rate for person-to-person texts is much higher than other ways of communicating like email. 

3. Flexibility and Scalability

P2P texting offers a lot of flexibility and can be adapted to different situations. Whether you need to reach out for a political campaign, nonprofit work, or talk to customers, P2P texting can be molded to fit different contexts. 

Texting works for big companies trying to engage customers just as well as for smaller nonprofits trying to spread awareness. You can scale up or down the number of people you text depending on your needs. This versatility allows texting to be used in various scenarios and customized for different goals. 

4. Cost-Effective

P2P texting saves money compared to other options because you don’t need to pay for advanced systems to send automated messages or for other companies to handle it for you. P2P texting uses the normal texting that already exists, so there are no added fees when you contact people directly. 

This makes texting a cost-effective way for groups like businesses or organizations to talk to the people they want to reach without spending a lot. Since it doesn’t require special software or services, P2P texting is appealing to any company or nonprofit that needs to get its message out while still staying within its budget. 

5. Real-Time Insights and Feedback

With P2P texting, you get quick feedback and insights because people can reply right away. When organizations text people, those recipients can respond, and the organization finds out people’s thoughts in real-time. 

Getting live feedback can be really valuable. It helps adjust strategies, customize upcoming messages better, and boost engagement overall. Instead of guessing what people want, P2P texting gives real answers straight from those getting the texts. 

👋 Take a look at: Business Text Messaging: How to Craft Messages for Maximum Impact

Comparing Peer-to-Peer Texting with Other Texting Methods

Even though peer-to-peer texting is a useful tool, it’s not the only way groups can communicate by text. There are some other texting options as well, so it’s good to look at the differences between them. 

Let’s check out how P2P texting compares to a couple of alternatives:

SMS Vs P2P Texting

SMS is the basic text messaging feature built into all phones. It allows text exchanges between any phones via phone numbers. However, SMS has downsides like character limits that P2P addresses.

• SMS uses phone numbers but has character limits. P2P has no limits.
• SMS is compatible with virtually any phone as long as it has a cellular signal. P2P (peer-to-peer) messaging uses internet data and requires both the sender and receiver to have the same installed app to connect.

MMS Vs P2P Texting

MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) enhances SMS by enabling media sharing in messages. However, unlike P2P texts, MMS content counts against data plans.

• MMS allows media sharing, like photos. P2P is just text.
• MMS counts against data limits. P2P texts do not.

Instant Messaging Apps Vs P2P Texting

Messaging apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, etc. offer rich features but require an internet connection and matching contact’s use of that app. P2P uses only phone number contacts.

• Messaging apps require data and WiFi, and P2P works via a cellular network.
• Messaging apps rely on contacts being on the same platform. P2P uses phone numbers.

Mass Texting Vs P2P Texting

Mass texting involves sending the same text message to many recipients at once, such as for marketing. But, it lacks interaction compared to personal P2P chats.

• Mass texts go to large lists, but P2P is one-to-one or group chats.
• Mass texts have no reply option. P2P enables back-and-forth conversation.

RCS Vs P2P Texting

RCS (Rich Communication Services) aims to enhance SMS with multimedia, but it still needs carriers and contacts to support RCS for it to work. P2P is more compatible such that P2P’s direct user-to-user approach makes it less dependent on carriers and a more universally compatible option for messaging features like media sharing.

• RCS allows multimedia. P2P is basic text only.
• RCS needs carrier support. P2P works cross-carrier on any phone.

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What Are the Use Cases of Peer-to-Peer Text Messaging?

P2P texting can be applied in lots of different situations to help accomplish various kinds of goals.

Some popular use cases of peer-to-peer text messaging are:

1. Customer Support

Many companies now use texting as part of customer service. With a company number, people can text questions and get fast answers from support staff 24/7. Texting is popular for quick service issues that don’t take long to address. 

Companies can also use automated texts to notify customers when their requests are received, when updates are available, and when issues are resolved.

2. Appointment Reminders

Waiting rooms can send reminders to patients about upcoming appointments through automated texts. Salons, spas, and other service providers likewise remind clients when it’s time for treatments or schedule changes. 

When people are reminded through texts, there are fewer missed appointments. Texts are also helpful for informing customers about appointment delays, schedule changes due to emergencies, or other unplanned updates.

3. Marketing and Promotions

Stores will forward promotional codes, coupon links, or alerts about sales through text lists. This way, subscribers can feel connected to brands, and it’s an easy way to drive sales. Charities and non-profits also use text campaigns to raise money and awareness for their causes. 

Marketers can gain valuable insight from messaging analytics, too, like click-through rates that reveal popular promotions.

3. Event Coordination

Planning big gatherings takes a lot of work. Texting helps in event coordination, whether it’s reminding speakers of the start time, coordinating volunteers, or keeping attendees updated right on their phones about schedule changes. 

Venues can send parking information, will-call lists, and more. Texts are also useful for last-minute cancellations, route information for gathering spaces, and polls and feedback forms about events.

4. Internal Team Communication

Group texts keep coworkers constantly in the loop no matter where they’re working from. Fast help requests, file sharing, brainstorming sessions, or informal check-ins strengthen offices that use texting to bond their internal teams. 

Managers can also send praise, recognition, or thanks through group texts to boost office morale.

10DLC Compliance For Peer-To-Peer Texting In The US

10DLC, or 10-digit long code, is a way for companies and groups to send texts using regular 10-digit numbers instead of special ones. It aims to make texts arrive better, cut down on spam, and follow local laws.

The big phone carriers in the US (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint) now all use 10DLC to improve texting.

If you want to do P2P texting in the US, you have to stick to certain rules set by the government. The organizations that run phones and texts in the US, like the FCC and CTIA, made guidelines companies must follow.

Some important things to remember for compliance are:

• You must get permission from people before sending texts. The best way to do this is to offer an option for them to sign up to receive texts from you.

• Messages can’t contain anything bad or inappropriate, such as adult content, threats, or harassment. Also, don’t use misleading or confusing language.

• Make it clear how people can stop getting texts. Usually, they can reply, “STOP.” If they do that, you need to remove them from the texting list right away. Keep a do-not-contact list, too.

• Don’t send too many texts, or it could be seen as spam. Limit how often you text and tell people up front how frequently they might get messages when they sign up.

• Keep all the information and data you receive from people during texting private. Use good security so no unauthorized people can access it or steal it.

👋 Take a look at: A2P Vs P2P: Difference, Benefits & Uses

What Are the Best Practices for Texting Campaigns?

When starting a texting campaign, it’s important to do things the right way to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Here are a few of the tips experts recommend keeping in mind to run texting efforts the best way:

1. Get Permission

The first thing you need to do is get people’s permission to text them. It’s super annoying to get random messages, so only text people who sign up. Ask them to “opt-in” by texting a certain code or filling out a form. Make sure the opt-in process is easy, though. 

People may not bother if it’s too complicated. Clearly explain what they’re signing up for and how often they’ll receive texts. Being upfront gains their trust. You should also make it clear how they can opt back out if they change their minds later.

2. Limit Frequency

Don’t blow up people’s phones! Stick to sending no more than one text a day or week. People will get sick of you if you spam them. Space things out so they actually read your messages. Too many texts will make them feel overwhelmed and less likely to engage. 

Pay attention to how people respond over time, too—if replies drop off, back it down to less frequent messaging. Solicit feedback as well to gauge the preferred schedule.

3. Make it Personal

Add the person’s name to start texts, like “Hey John!”. People are more likely to read texts that feel personal instead of like copy-and-paste blasts. Customize messages for different groups too if possible. 

Try including details about their past interactions with your business to personalize the conversation. You could also ask them questions to continue the conversation.

4. Provide Value

Make sure every text gives people useful info or something in return. Saying thanks or giving a coupon builds goodwill. Readers won’t care what else you say if you don’t give them value upfront. 

Offer varying types of value over time as well, like helpful tips, contests, or product updates to keep things fresh. Regularly re-evaluate the type of value provided to maximize engagement.

5. Include Call to Action

Include a clear “call to action” or thing you want people to do, like “Text BACK to join!” or “Visit our site to learn more.” Tell them what you want as a result, not just random info. 

Make the action easy and quick, so it’s not a hassle. Provide incentives when possible to boost response rates. Make sure people know the deadline, if any, to complete the desired action as well.

Wrapping up

P2P SMS gives groups an effective way to connect with people quickly through their phones. Texting platforms make it simple to set up contact lists, write customized texts, send them out, and see how people respond.😊

When you text the right way, like only messaging people who signed up first and limiting how often you text them, P2P SMS campaigns make a difference. 

Whether your goal is helping more voters, fundraising for a good cause, or keeping customers more engaged, texting might help take your communication to another level.🚀

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