FAQS

What is the service?

PointBlank is a web based product that provides businesses the ability to launch their own text message marketing campaign

What is a shortcode?

Shortcodes are 5-6 common numbers that allows our platform to interact with all cell phone carriers. They are shorter easier to remember phone numbers when compared to traditional 10 digit phone numbers.

What is a keyword?

Keywords are used to identify a particular campaign on a given shortcode. Users will text a keyword to a shortcode to participate in a campaign.

What cell carriers do you support?

Supported carriers include: Alltel, AT&T, Boost, Cellular One, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular, Verizon, Virgin Mobile.

How is text message marketing regulated?

The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) has committees that create general best practices for Mobile Marketing and strives to stimulate industry growth. However, the individual carriers have their own set of rules and guidelines for marketing to their customers.

What is an SMS text message?

A message sent via a Short Message Service. 160 characters(20 characters reserved) in length and most commonly referred to as a text message.

How do customers sign up or participate?

With subscription list campaigns, your customers can opt-in or subscribe in two ways: (1) Your customers can signup or participate in a text message marketing campaign by sending a simple text message with the campaign KEYWORD to a shortcode. (2) Customers can subscribe by entering their phone number at your website using a website signup form we provide to all clients.

How do customers opt-out or unsubscribe from a subscription list campaign?

The process through which a Subscriber revokes consent to participate in a program. A subscriber replying to an SMS message with the phrase "Unsubscribe" would remove the subscriber from the list.

Wouldn't my customers be annoyed?

The carriers have strict policy regarding unsolicited messages. All campaigns are required to be 100% opt-in or permission based – there is no exception to the rules. If customers are interested in receiving promotional messages from you (find a perceived value in participating in your campaign or receiving your specials) then they will opt-in to the program with the ability to opt-out when they are no longer interested in your program. The key is to always provide high value to retain your customers or boost campaign response rates.

How much is a customer charged to receive a text message?

Customers are charged Standard Text Messaging rates per their cell phone plan. What that means is that a message counts against their text message plan (if they have one) or they incur the standard text message rate per their cell phone plan.

Tell me about your customer support.

PointBlank offers phone support and marketing assistance. We’re only successful if you are. Each account is assigned to an account manager who is responsible for providing one-to-one live web demo tutorials and ongoing support.