If you need to send a ton of texts but don’t want to annoy people—or get your account flagged—this guide is for you. Whether you’re wrangling volunteers, following up on leads, or just trying to keep a group in the loop, blasting out bulk messages can work. But, if you do it wrong, you’ll wind up in the spam folder or, worse, burned bridges. Here’s how to use Textus to schedule and automate bulk messages without spamming, plus a hard look at what actually works (and what’s just asking for trouble).
Why Bulk Messaging Gets a Bad Rap (And How to Avoid It)
Let’s not kid ourselves: most people hate spam. Carriers do too. They’re getting better at blocking it, and so are your recipients. The line between a helpful reminder and a “why are you texting me?” moment is thin. If you want your texts to be read—and not reported—you need to:
- Send messages people actually want.
- Pace your sends to dodge carrier filters.
- Make it easy for folks to opt out.
- Personalize where it matters.
Bulk messaging isn’t about getting your info out fast—it’s about getting it out right.
Step 1: Get Your List in Order
Before you even log into Textus, make sure your contact list is solid.
Do: - Use a clean, up-to-date list. Remove duplicates and obvious junk. - Only message people who’ve opted in to receive texts from you. Seriously, don’t skip this. - Double-check consent if your list is old—laws change and so do people’s preferences.
Don’t: - Buy lists. You’ll get blocked, fined, or both. - Ignore opt-outs or bounces from past campaigns.
Pro Tip:
Keep records of how/when people opted in. If someone complains, you’ll want a paper trail.
Step 2: Craft Messages That Don’t Scream “Spam”
Textus makes it easy to send messages, but what you send matters just as much.
Keep messages: - Short and clear. People skim texts. - Relevant to the recipient—don’t send fundraising asks to people who just unsubscribed. - Personalized, at least with a first name or detail if you can.
Avoid: - ALL CAPS, weird links, or too many emojis 🚫 - Generic blasts (“HEY THERE! CHECK OUT OUR DEAL!!!”) - Including multiple links—carriers hate that.
Example of a decent message:
Hi Jamie, quick reminder: our volunteer call is at 6pm tonight. Reply STOP to opt out.
Step 3: Set Up Your Message in Textus
Once you’ve got your audience and message ready, here’s how to do it right in Textus.
- Log in and navigate to your campaign dashboard.
- Upload your list (CSV or Excel is standard). Double-check the mapping: make sure names, numbers, and custom fields line up.
- Create your message template. Use Textus’s merge fields (like
{{first_name}}) to personalize. - Preview messages. Send a test to yourself. No one wants to be “Hi, {{first_name}}.”
- Set scheduling options. You can pick a date/time or spread sends over a window (this helps avoid spam filters).
Pro Tip:
If you’re sending to a large list (1,000+), stagger sends over hours or days. Textus lets you drip messages—use it.
Step 4: Mind the Timing (and Throttle)
Carriers are on the lookout for sudden, massive blasts from one number. Here’s what actually helps:
- Send during reasonable hours (think 9am–7pm local time).
- Use Textus’s throttling options to control how many texts go out per minute/hour.
- Rotate sending numbers if you’re sending huge volumes (Textus can help with this, but don’t overdo it—too many numbers looks spammy too).
What doesn’t work: - Trying to “game” the system by sending thousands of texts at once. Carriers will catch this. - Ignoring local time zones—no one likes a midnight text.
Step 5: Make Opt-Outs Easy (and Respect Them)
If someone wants out, let them go—fast. Textus lets you automate opt-outs by keyword (like “STOP”). Set this up before you send anything.
Best practices: - Always include clear opt-out instructions in every message. - Remove opt-outs from future sends immediately. - Don’t try to “win back” people who opted out. It’s not worth it.
What to ignore:
Any advice telling you to “hide” opt-out instructions or make them tiny. That’s illegal and just plain shady.
Step 6: Automate—but Don’t Over-Automate
Textus offers automation features like scheduled sends, drip campaigns, and follow-ups. Use them to save time, but keep things human.
- Schedule messages for when people are likely to read them.
- Space out follow-ups—don’t nag.
- Monitor replies: if someone responds, take them out of the automation and handle it personally.
Warning signs you’re over-automating: - People get the same message twice. - Replies go unanswered. - You forget what you actually sent out.
Automation is great, but you still need to pay attention.
Step 7: Watch Deliverability and Adjust
After the send, don’t just walk away. Textus gives you analytics on delivery, responses, and opt-outs. Check them.
- High bounce or opt-out rates? Your list or message needs work.
- Few responses? Maybe your content is off, or you’re sending at the wrong time.
- Carrier filtering? Slow down your sends, simplify your content, and avoid suspicious links.
What not to worry about:
A handful of opt-outs is normal. If the majority are opting out, that’s a problem.
FAQ: The Hard Truths About Bulk Messaging
Q: Can I just use one phone number for everything?
A: For small lists, maybe. For bigger sends, you’ll need to rotate numbers or risk getting blocked.
Q: Is there a “magic time” to send messages?
A: Not really. Aim for daylight hours, and test what works for your audience.
Q: What about buying SMS lists?
A: Don’t do it. Ever. You’ll get garbage results and probably flagged as spam.
Q: Can I automate replies too?
A: You can set up auto-responses for common keywords, but someone should monitor replies. People can tell when a robot is talking.
Common Pitfalls (and How to Dodge Them)
- Over-messaging: If you’re sending more than once a week, reconsider unless you have a really good reason.
- Ignoring replies: Bulk doesn’t mean “set it and forget it.” People expect a response.
- Skipping tests: Always preview and test before a full send.
- Not updating your list: The older your list, the higher your bounce and opt-out rates.
Keep It Simple—And Iterate
Bulk messaging with Textus isn’t rocket science, but it does take some care. Keep your messages relevant, respect people’s time, and use the tools to automate the boring stuff—just don’t let it make you lazy. Start small, learn what works, and tweak as you go. The goal isn’t to send more texts. It’s to get more of the right people to actually read them—and not hate you for it.
Good luck!