Are you unknowingly jeopardizing your business with the wrong texting platform?
As a business in the firearms sector, you’re not just selling products; you’re operating in a field laden with legal intricacies and public scrutiny. The choice of your texting platform can either be a silent partner in your success or an unexpected enemy leading to operational hiccups and, worse, great financial losses.
We’ll expose the hidden traps that text message “woke” providers pose to your business. We’ll also equip you with the knowledge to distinguish the wheat from the chaff, ensuring your choice in texting service doesn’t backfire.
From understanding the nuances of S.H.A.F.T. compliance to identifying platforms genuinely tailored to the firearms industry, this is your guide to making an informed decision that protects your business interests and aligns with your industry values.
The Pitfalls of ‘Woke’ Texting Platforms
Not all texting platforms are created equal, especially for those in the firearms industry. Let’s look at three major pitfalls of using ‘woke’ texting platforms that might not align with the unique demands of your business.
1. Risk of Sudden Service Termination
One day, you send out texts to your clients, and the next day, your service is gone. Just like that. This is a real risk with some texting platforms. They might seem fine at first, but if they decide your business doesn’t fit their standards – particularly if you’re in the firearms industry – they can shut you down without warning. This sudden loss of service isn’t just inconvenient; it can disrupt your communication with customers and hurt your business operations.
2. Damaged Relationships with Carriers
Using the wrong texting platform can harm your reputation with carriers – the companies that deliver your texts. If your platform doesn’t follow the right rules, it could lead to a situation where you need to get a new phone number. This switch can confuse your customers, potentially causing you to lose contact with them. Maintaining a stable and reputable relationship with carriers is crucial; the right texting platform can help maintain this.
3. Regulatory Non-Compliance and Fines
The firearms industry has specific rules and regulations; not every texting platform is up to speed on these. Your business could face fines if they don’t understand the importance of age verification, privacy policies, and other legal requirements. It’s not just about sending texts; it’s about sending them correctly, in line with industry standards.
How to Evaluate a Firearms SMS Provider
When searching for a trustworthy software provider in the firearms industry, it’s crucial to conduct thorough research to ensure the provider is not only compliant with industry standards but also genuinely understands and supports the specific needs of your business.
Here are steps to guide you through this process:
1. Examine Their Blog
The blog of a software provider can be a goldmine of information. It reflects their knowledge, expertise, and commitment to the firearms industry.
Look for articles that address specific challenges and regulations in the firearms sector. A provider who regularly publishes relevant, insightful content is more likely to be well-versed in the industry’s nuances.
2. Review Their Clientele and Affiliations
Investigate who they currently work with and any professional organizations they are part of. Partnerships and client lists can tell much about a company’s reputation and reliability.
A provider well-connected with respected entities in the firearms industry is more likely to be credible and knowledgeable. Check if they work with:
- Gun Owners of America (GOA)
- NSSF The Firearm Industry Trade Association
- Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC)
- USCAA
- National Rifle Association (NRA)
- Firearm point of sale such as AXIS powered by GearFire or AIM by Tritech.
3. Research the Founder on LinkedIn
Understanding the background of the company’s founder can provide insights into the company’s ethos and expertise. A founder with a history in the firearms industry or related fields is a positive sign. Their professional journey, endorsements, and network on LinkedIn can reveal much about their credibility and the respect they command in the industry.
4. Search for SHAFT/S.H.A.F.T./Firearms Content on Their Website
Conduct a detailed search on the provider’s website for keywords like ‘SHAFT’, ‘S.H.A.F.T.’, and ‘firearms’. The presence of detailed articles, case studies, or compliance guidelines on these topics is a strong indicator of their specialization in the firearms sector.
Do they offer helpful documents for passing 10DLC compliance? What about templates for your firearm business growth? If such content is absent, it might suggest that the provider lacks the necessary expertise or is not as focused on the firearms industry as they claim.
Remember, a company that genuinely understands and caters to the firearms industry will try to demonstrate its knowledge and compliance with industry-specific regulations and challenges.
SMS Marketing for Firearms: The Smart Way
Communication is key to business success, especially for firearm companies. But here’s the twist – not all texting platforms are friendly to this sector. Many big names in the SMS world turn their backs on firearm businesses. Why? Because they’re playing it safe with rules and regulations, leaving these businesses in a tough spot.
OtterText for Firearm Businesses
But it’s not all doom and gloom. OtterText is a platform that gets the firearms industry. We’re not just about sending texts but about understanding your world. Here’s what we bring to the table:
- Automated Age Gating: We understand the importance of compliance in the SHAFT industries. That’s why we have implemented an innovative, automated age-gating feature in our opt-in SMS process. This ensures that your marketing efforts always target the appropriate audience, keeping you in line with industry-specific regulations.
- Robust SMS Dashboard: We offer a comprehensive SMS dashboard that empowers you to advertise various products, including ammunition, firearms, and range time. We strictly adhere to CTIA and TCPA policies, assuring you of a marketing platform that is effective and fully compliant.
- Expertise in Compliance and Marketing: With over 30 years of combined experience in marketing and advertising, we bring a wealth of knowledge to your business. We support you every step of the way, from onboarding and list growth to campaign recommendations, ensuring that you remain compliant while achieving significant growth.
We tailor our services to meet the specific needs of SHAFT industries, offering you a reliable, efficient, and compliant way to maximize your digital marketing strategies.
Our Educational Resources
To further support your journey in navigating the complexities of SMS marketing in the SHAFT industries, we provide a range of educational resources:
- Do SMS Platforms Hamper Your Firearm Marketing Efforts? We Can Help: In this article, we tackle the challenges specific to SMS marketing in the firearms industry and how OtterText effectively addresses these.
- Firearms Questions and Answers from NSSF Webinar: We provide insights from a National Shooting Sports Foundation webinar, offering valuable knowledge for the firearms industry.
- Text Marketing Compliance for S.H.A.F.T. Industries: A Roadmap to Success: This comprehensive guide helps you understand and navigate the compliance requirements for text marketing in S.H.A.F.T. industries.
- SMS Marketing for S.H.A.F.T. Brands: 10DLC, Short Codes, and Toll-Free Numbers: We explore various SMS marketing tools and their relevance in S.H.A.F.T. industries.
- Navigating the Price Increase for Unregistered 10DLC Numbers: A Comprehensive Guide: This guide discusses strategies for adapting to the pricing changes in 10DLC numbers.
- Mastering 10DLC Compliance: A Clear, Comprehensive Guide: We provide a detailed resource on 10DLC compliance, which is crucial for businesses in the firearms industry.
Our commitment at OtterText is to empower your firearms business with the knowledge and tools necessary for successful and compliant SMS marketing strategies in the challenging landscape of S.H.A.F.T. industries. Get started today for FREE and see why we’re perfect for you.
