How to set up TCPA compliance tools in Convoso for lead generation

Looking to generate leads without tripping over legal landmines? If you’re running outbound campaigns and want to avoid the “TCPA police” (and lawsuits), you need to get compliance right. This guide is for anyone using Convoso and wants a no-nonsense, step-by-step walkthrough to set up its TCPA compliance features—without wasting a day clicking through menus or reading vague vendor promises.

Let’s cut through the noise and make your lead gen safer, smoother, and a lot less stressful.

What Is TCPA, and Why Should You Care?

The TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act) is a U.S. law meant to protect consumers from unwanted calls and texts. If you’re dialing or texting leads, you must follow TCPA rules, or you risk fines that can drown a small business. The basics:

  • Consent matters: You need proof of consent for each contact.
  • DNC (Do Not Call) lists: You can’t contact people who’ve opted out.
  • Calling hours: No late-night or early-morning spam.
  • Robocalls and auto-dialers: Special rules, especially for cell phones.

Convoso has tools to help, but they’re only as good as your setup. Don’t trust “set it and forget it” promises—TCPA compliance is a process, not a checkbox.

Step 1: Get Your TCPA “House” in Order

Before messing with software settings, make sure you’ve got your legal and process basics covered:

  • Source of leads: Only upload leads you acquired legally, with proper consent.
  • Proof of consent: Store the date, time, and method of consent for each lead.
  • DNC policies: Have a process for honoring opt-outs—both national and internal DNC lists.
  • Written policy: Document your compliance process, even if it’s just a Google Doc.

Pro tip: If you don’t have clear records for your leads, Convoso won’t save you. No platform can.

Step 2: Map Out Your Compliance Needs in Convoso

Convoso offers a lot of bells and whistles, but you don’t need everything. Figure out what you actually need:

  • Are you calling, texting, or both?
  • Are you dialing cell phones?
  • Do you need to scrub against national DNC, state DNC, or just your own?
  • Are you using prerecorded messages or auto-dialers?

Jot this down. You’ll be less likely to get lost in the weeds when you start clicking around.

Step 3: Set Up DNC (Do Not Call) Scrubbing

This is non-negotiable. Here’s how to do it in Convoso:

  1. Upload Internal DNC List:
  2. Go to DNC Manager.
  3. Upload your current internal DNC list (CSV or TXT).

  4. Set auto-updates if you have a process to keep it fresh.

  5. Enable National and State DNC Scrubbing:

  6. Convoso lets you integrate with third-party DNC services (like DNC.com).
  7. Set up API credentials or upload lists as needed.

  8. Turn on automatic scrubbing for every campaign. Don’t rely on manual checks.

  9. Map DNC Rules to Campaigns:

  10. Double-check which campaigns need which level of DNC protection.
  11. Set rules to block calls/texts to DNC numbers, not just “warn.”

What to ignore:
Don’t bother with one-off, manual DNC checks—they’re error-prone and easy to forget. Automate it.

Step 4: Configure Consent Capture and Tracking

If you get audited, you’ll need to show “how and when” you got permission to contact each lead.

  1. Use Custom Lead Fields:
  2. Add fields for “TCPA Consent Date,” “Consent Source,” and “IP Address” (if web form).

  3. Make these fields required on lead import.

  4. Audit Your Lead Upload Process:

  5. Set up import rules to block leads missing consent data.

  6. If possible, use Convoso’s API to automate lead uploads from your (compliant) source.

  7. Tag Leads by Consent Type:

  8. Use tags or custom statuses for “Express Written Consent,” “Implied Consent,” etc.
  9. Route leads differently based on consent level (e.g., don’t autodial cell numbers without the right consent).

Be honest:
Most platforms—including Convoso—can only store what you give them. Garbage in, garbage out. Don’t fudge consent data.

Step 5: Limit Dialing Hours and Speed

TCPA restricts when and how often you can call or text.

  1. Set Permissible Calling Hours:
  2. Go to Campaign Settings > Calling Hours.

  3. Set your timezone and limit calls to 8 a.m.–9 p.m. (recipient’s local time).

  4. Control Dialing Modes:

  5. Turn off predictive/auto-dialing for cell phones unless you have express written consent.

  6. Use manual preview dialing for questionable records.

  7. Set Call Frequency Limits:

  8. Limit the number of attempts per lead per day/week.
  9. Use throttling to avoid “call bombing” anyone.

What works:
Err on the side of caution with hours and frequency. Over-dialing is a fast track to trouble.

Step 6: Set Up Opt-Out Mechanisms

TCPA requires you to honor opt-outs quickly.

  1. Add Opt-Out Options:
  2. For calls: Make sure your agents know how to mark a lead as “Do Not Call” in Convoso.

  3. For texts: Include “Reply STOP to opt-out” in all messages.

  4. Automate DNC Updates:

  5. Set Convoso to instantly add opted-out numbers to your DNC list.

  6. If you use external texting tools, sync DNC status between platforms.

  7. Test the Process:

  8. Opt yourself out and make sure it works—every time.

Ignore:
Don’t rely on “we’ll manually update the DNC list after each campaign.” That’s asking for mistakes.

Step 7: Recordkeeping and Audit Trails

If you ever get questioned, you’ll want records.

  1. Enable Call Recording (with consent):
  2. Make sure you’re allowed to record (check state laws).

  3. Store recordings securely—don’t keep them forever if you don’t have to.

  4. Keep Consent Data Accessible:

  5. Regularly back up lead data and consent proof.

  6. Audit your records quarterly.

  7. Run Audit Reports:

  8. Use Convoso’s reporting to show call logs, opt-outs, and DNC compliance.
  9. Save copies—don’t count on the cloud to remember everything for you.

Be skeptical:
No software covers you 100%. If your process is sloppy, Convoso’s logs won’t save you in court.

Step 8: Train Your Team (and Yourself)

Even the best setup can be undone by a careless agent.

  • Hold regular TCPA training: Make it short, clear, and practical.
  • Have a cheat sheet: “What to do if…” for opt-outs, DNC requests, or consent questions.
  • Spot-check activity: Randomly review calls and texts for compliance.

What to Skip (and Why)

  • “TCPA Certification” add-ons: These are often just a logo and a line in a contract. They don’t actually protect you.
  • Assuming plug-and-play compliance: You can’t “buy” compliance. You have to build it into your process.
  • Relying only on Convoso: Good software helps, but it’s not a legal shield.

Wrapping Up: Keep It Simple, Stay Out of Trouble

Don’t get paralyzed by a million features or the fear of doing it wrong. Set up DNC scrubbing, track consent, train your team, and audit regularly. Start with the basics, stay organized, and tweak as you go. You can always add more tools later—but you can’t undo a lawsuit.

Stay sharp, keep it clean, and let your lead gen run without the legal drama.