How To Get Your Own SMS Common Short Code
Cingular Ad on AmericanIdol.com
In some earlier posts we’ve been looking at how the small to medium sized Content Developer can use open source SMS Text Messaging to deliver content to mobile devices.
SMS can be a solid strategy for getting your content into the hands of a mobile audience. But how can the Content Developer make is easier for your mobile audience to communicate back to you?
One way is by getting your own Common Short Code.
A Common Short Code (CSC, Short Code) is one of those four, five or six digit codes that content providers use to make it easy for a mobile audience to text messages back to them.
American Idol uses Short Codes to help collect votes. Fox Sports Radio lets you send text messages to their in studio hosts via their own CSC. Those are just a few examples of the way Common Short Codes have quickly moved into the communications mainstream. Many would even argue that short codes are now the first choice way to respond for the younger demographics many advertisers crave to reach.
Alright, we get it. Short Codes are the bomb. So how exactly do you get a Common Short Code of your own to help you build relationships with your content’s audience?
In the United States, Common Short Codes are administered by the Common Short Code Administration.
According to the CSCA, leasing your own code will cost you $500 a month for a random code and $1000 a month for a custom code. A three month minimum is required.
But just leasing the code doesn’t get you there. You’ll still need to negotiate agreements with each of the wireless carriers to activate your short code. And approval is up to them. Here is how the CSCA explains the process:
Each participating wireless service provider must decide for itself whether or not to accept the routing of your CSC within their network. Wireless service providers will make their decision based on a number of criteria, including i) the content provider; ii) their experience in working with you and your partners; iii) the type of CSC application; iv) the amount and type of promotion of the CSC; v) the estimated message volumes; vi) the timing of your CSC; and vii) the number of other CSC applications in implementation.
Still interested? Apply for your own Common Short Code today.
You can WHOIS Short Codes to see who the owner is and there is a US Short Code Directory to search for content owners short code.
Coming soon I’ll be looking at some third party solution providers that are trying to reduce the number of these hoops you need to jump through to use common short codes to communicate with your mobile audience.
Paying for your own shortcode is not the only way to reap the benefits of this fabulous way to communicate with your customers on the mobile networks. Several companies that have shortcodes will lease you the use of their shortcode. By using unique keywords to differentiate your message from potentially thousands of others using the same shortcode, you can achieve the same results at a fraction of the cost.
i.e. texting “AUDI” to a shortcode might get you an instant text message, coupon or contest entry from your local Audi dealer, while texting JBARG to the same shortcode might get you a text message good for a free appetizer at Joes Bar and Grill.
No jumping through hoops and no steep learning curves.
Cheers!
George
note: comment edited by admin