How to Get Consent for SMS Referrals

To run an SMS referral campaign that stays within the law and builds trust, you need to follow clear rules for obtaining consent. Here’s the gist:

Consent is mandatory: You need explicit written permission before sending promotional texts. A referral alone doesn’t count as consent.
Follow TCPA and CTIA rules: These laws require clear disclosures, STOP/HELP instructions, and opt-in processes that are easy to understand.
Use compliant methods: Options include referral links for self-opt-in, keyword-based opt-ins, or personal texts from members with clear instructions for the recipient to opt in directly.
Avoid common mistakes: Don’t send unsolicited texts, use vague language, pre-check boxes, or bundle SMS consent with other agreements.
Double opt-in for safety: After collecting a number, send a confirmation text requiring a “YES” reply before any further messaging.

How To Set Up SMS Opt-ins For 10DLC Registration

Getting SMS referral consent right is essential for building a messaging program that stays compliant with the law and earns your members’ trust.

To send SMS marketing messages, you need Prior Express Written Consent (PEWC). This means the person receiving your texts must give explicit, written permission – specific to your business – before you send them anything.

Here’s what doesn’t count as consent: a referral from a member. Even if a member provides their friend’s contact info, that friend must directly and actively agree to receive messages from your gym. Simply having a phone number isn’t enough.

Consent can take various written forms, including digital ones like web forms, mobile opt-ins, or text message responses. However, the consent must be clear, specific, and come directly from the individual who will receive the messages.

Key Compliance Standards

Your SMS program must align with two major sets of rules:

The TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act) outlines the baseline legal requirements.
The CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association) provides additional best practices that carriers use to assess messaging campaigns.

CTIA guidelines stress the importance of visible, unbundled disclosures. This includes clearly stating your business name, the types of messages recipients will get, how often they’ll receive them, any potential fees, and simple STOP/HELP instructions – all before sending the first message.

Another requirement is 10DLC (10-Digit Long Code) registration. When you register your SMS campaign, carriers review your opt-in process to ensure it’s up to standard. If your consent process is unclear or missing key elements, your campaign could be rejected, and your messages won’t go through.

The FCC recently updated its rules to tighten consent requirements even further. For example, in "lead generation" scenarios, where businesses collect consent and share it with others, the FCC now requires consent to be specific to the business sending the messages. For gyms, this means no generic consent forms or shared agreements – you need consent that applies solely to your gym.

Knowing these rules helps you avoid common compliance missteps.

Common Compliance Mistakes

When the rules are clear, mistakes like vague opt-ins or bundled consents can easily be avoided. Yet, these errors are still common:

Sending unsolicited "invitation" texts: Using phone numbers provided by members to invite friends without their direct opt-in violates consent rules.
Vague opt-in language: Phrases like "Stay connected" or "Get updates" don’t clearly explain that recipients are agreeing to SMS messages about your gym’s classes, promotions, or services.
Pre-checked boxes: Opt-ins must be an active choice. If someone fills out a form on your website, they must actively check an unchecked box or click a clear opt-in button to agree.
Bundling consent: SMS consent must be optional. You can’t require someone to agree to receive texts as a condition for signing up for membership or booking a class.
Missing STOP and HELP functionality: Every recipient must be able to text STOP to immediately end messages and HELP to get program details. Without this, your campaign will fail 10DLC review.
Frequency mismatches: If your opt-in disclosure says “occasional updates” but you send daily messages, you’re violating the terms of the consent.
Poor record-keeping: Failing to document when, where, and how someone gave consent can lead to trouble during audits or legal disputes.

Up next, we’ll dive into practical methods to obtain SMS referral consent the right way.

When it comes to SMS referrals, staying compliant is key – not just for legal protection but also for building trust with potential members. Below are three methods you can use to secure clear, explicit consent while keeping your gym’s referral program effective and risk-free.

Method 1: Member Shares Link for Self Opt-In

This method is the gold standard for compliance. Members simply tap on a "Refer a Friend" option, generating a personalized link. They share this link with their friend, who is then directed to a landing page that outlines the program details and includes an opt-in form.

Here’s how it works: The referred friend visits the landing page, reviews the disclosures, and submits their phone number. Afterward, they receive a confirmation text asking them to reply "YES" to finalize their enrollment.

Why it’s effective: This approach ensures that consent is given directly to your business, with full transparency. It aligns perfectly with CTIA guidelines and carrier requirements because the consent is specific, clear, and documented. Plus, the landing page not only keeps things compliant but also promotes your gym’s value, turning referrals into loyal subscribers.

Method 2: Keyword Opt-In via Digital or Printed Invite

This method uses a keyword and short code for referrals. For example, your member might tell their friend to "Text BARRE to 12345 for alerts and offers."

Once the friend texts the keyword, they receive program details and a confirmation request. By replying "YES", they officially opt in. You can share these keywords through flyers, emails, or even social media to make it easy for members to spread the word.

Why it works: It’s simple and direct. The friend’s text demonstrates clear intent to join, and the process captures consent directly through SMS. This method also offers flexibility, as it works across multiple channels.

Method 3: Member Sends Personal Text Message

In this approach, the member uses their personal phone to text their friend, including either a referral link or keyword. For example, they might send, "Hey! My studio FitCore has a guest week. Want class reminders and offers? Tap [referral_link] to join."

This strategy relies on the trust between friends. However, your business only engages with the referred friend after they explicitly opt in using one of the first two methods.

Method	Best For	Main Advantage
Member Shares Link	Maximum compliance	Complete transparency
Keyword Opt-In	Simple referrals	Cross-channel compatibility
Member Personal Text	Relationship-based referrals	Personal trust

Each of these methods ensures that the referred individual takes the final step to opt in directly with your business. This way, you maintain compliance while also growing your SMS subscriber list. Up next, we’ll dive into the specific elements your opt-in process needs to meet regulatory standards.

Required Elements for Compliant Opt-In

To secure SMS referral consent and stay compliant, your opt-in process must include specific elements. These aren’t optional – they’re essential for protecting your gym and maintaining trust with your audience. Skipping any of these could lead to carrier rejections, legal troubles, or strained relationships with potential members.

Required Disclosures

Your opt-in process must include six key disclosures, displayed clearly before someone submits their phone number.

Program name and brand identity: Be specific about who’s sending the messages. Instead of generic terms like "fitness updates", use clear labels such as "FitCore Studio SMS Alerts" or "PowerYoga Text Messages." This ensures subscribers know exactly who’s contacting them.
Purpose and content description: Explain the types of messages subscribers will receive. For example, "Get class schedules, last-minute openings, and exclusive member offers." Be upfront about whether you’re sending reminders, promotions, or confirmations.
Message frequency: You don’t need an exact number, but provide a general idea. Phrases like "recurring messages", "up to 4 messages per week", or "occasional promotional texts" work. Avoid leaving this undefined.
"Msg&data rates may apply": This industry-standard phrase is non-negotiable and recognized by mobile carriers.
STOP and HELP instructions: Make it easy for subscribers to opt out or get support. Use simple language like "Reply STOP to cancel, HELP for support" or "Text STOP to opt out, HELP for help."
Links to Terms of Service and Privacy Policy: These must be easy to find and lead directly to the relevant pages. Don’t bury them several clicks deep on your website.

Once these disclosures are in place, ensure your form avoids methods that imply consent.

Pre-checked boxes are a no-go. Compliance requires that every subscriber actively opt in. This means checkboxes must start unchecked, and users must take deliberate action to agree to SMS messages.

Avoid bundling SMS consent with other agreements like membership registration or email signups. Each type of communication needs its own separate, clear consent. For example, SMS opt-in should not be tied to agreeing to class bookings or newsletters.

Another critical rule: selling or transferring consent is prohibited. If a subscriber opts in to receive messages from your gym, that consent cannot be shared with other businesses, franchises, or marketing partners. It applies only to your specific program.

Beyond these rules, how you present the opt-in form matters just as much as the content.

Clear and Easy-to-Read Messaging

Compliance isn’t just about ticking boxes – it’s about making the information easy to understand. Your disclosures should be written in plain, straightforward language and formatted for readability.

Use readable fonts and proper contrast to ensure text is legible.
Position your disclosures directly beside the phone number field, not buried at the bottom of a long page.
Test your form with members to confirm that everything is clear and user-friendly.

Placement and prominence are key. Put consent language right above or next to the phone number field so it’s impossible to miss. The goal is informed consent, meaning subscribers should clearly understand what they’re agreeing to.

Stick to plain language. For instance, instead of saying, "By providing your telecommunications contact information, you consent to receive recurring promotional communications", go with something simpler like, "By sharing your phone number, you agree to get text messages about classes and offers."

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Double Opt-In Flow: Setup and Templates

Double opt-in helps establish a clear and documented consent trail, ensuring your gym is protected while confirming that subscribers genuinely want to receive your messages. This process requires subscribers to confirm their interest after initially providing their phone number, giving you the proof of consent that carriers and regulators require.

This method is especially effective for SMS referral campaigns. It weeds out accidental signups and ensures you’re building a list of engaged subscribers who are more likely to book classes and respond to your messages. Below is a simple, three-step guide to setting up your double opt-in process.

Step 1: Collecting Initial Opt-Ins

The first step happens when someone provides their phone number, either through a referral landing page or by texting a keyword to your number. At this point, you’re gathering their contact details and presenting all required disclosures, but they’re not officially enrolled in your SMS program yet.

Make sure the necessary disclosures are easy to find. Your templates might look like this:

For landing page opt-ins:
"By subscribing, you agree to receive recurring SMS messages from [Your Gym Name] about class schedules, last-minute openings, and member offers. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to cancel anytime, HELP for support. [Terms & Conditions link] | [Privacy Policy link]"
For keyword opt-ins:
After someone texts your keyword, send an auto-reply with the required disclosures:
"Thanks for your interest in [Your Gym Name]! To get class alerts and member offers, reply YES to confirm. Recurring messages. Msg&data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. [Terms link] | [Privacy link]"

The main difference between these two methods is timing. Landing pages show disclosures before someone submits their phone number, while keyword opt-ins include them immediately after the initial text.

Step 2: Sending the Confirmation Text

The confirmation text is where you secure explicit consent. This message should go out within minutes of the initial opt-in and ask for a specific reply – typically "YES" – to complete the enrollment.

Here’s a template you can use:

"[Your Gym Name]: Reply YES to receive class reminders, last-minute spots, and exclusive offers. Recurring messages. Msg&data rates may apply. Text HELP for support, STOP to opt out."

For a personal touch, you can reference the referral source:

"Hi from [Your Gym Name]! [Member Name] thought you’d love our classes. Reply YES to get schedules and member deals. Msg&data rates apply. HELP for support, STOP to cancel."

Your system should only recognize "YES" as confirmation. However, you can program friendly responses to other replies, guiding people toward confirming correctly. If someone doesn’t respond within 24–48 hours, it’s okay to send one gentle reminder – but avoid messaging unconfirmed numbers repeatedly.

Once confirmation is received, follow up immediately with a welcome message to engage the subscriber and deliver value.

Step 3: Sending the Welcome Message

After someone replies with "YES", send a welcome message to confirm their enrollment, provide immediate value, and set clear expectations. This is your chance to make a great first impression.

Here’s an example of a welcome text:

"Welcome to [Your Gym Name] SMS! 🎉 Here’s your first week free: [booking link]. We’ll send class updates and member perks."

For referral campaigns, you can acknowledge the person who referred them:

"Welcome! Thanks to [Member Name], you’re getting [Your Gym Name] class alerts and exclusive offers. Book your intro session: [link]."

Send this message right after the "YES" confirmation to maintain momentum and take advantage of their interest while it’s fresh.

Referral Campaign Best Practices for High Performance

Crafting an SMS referral campaign that delivers results while staying compliant requires a thoughtful approach. Here are three key strategies to help you maximize performance while maintaining compliance.

Offer Rewards to Both Sides

The best referral campaigns provide incentives for everyone involved – both the referrer and the referee. This dual-reward system motivates your members to share your gym with friends while giving prospects a reason to explore your services.

Consider offering guest passes, free weeks, or discounted memberships. For instance, a "Bring a Friend Free Week" allows both the referring member and their friend to attend classes for a limited time. Importantly, rewards should never require a purchase. Be transparent by presenting all program details and disclosures upfront, so participants know exactly what they’re agreeing to.

Design rewards that deliver immediate value while encouraging long-term engagement. A free week gives potential members enough time to experience your gym’s community, while a first-month discount makes the transition to a paid membership easier.

Experiment with different reward combinations to see what resonates most with your audience. Some members might value exclusive perks like early class bookings, while others may prefer straightforward discounts or complimentary sessions.

Track Attribution and Performance

Accurate tracking is essential to identify your top referral sources and determine which campaigns generate the most revenue. Use unique referral links with UTM parameters or personalized keywords to tie each opt-in back to the original referrer.

For example, provide members with a personalized URL like "yourgym.com/refer?member=jane123" that directs to your opt-in landing page. Alternatively, use keywords such as "Text JANE123 to 12345" to automatically link referrals to the corresponding member.

Leverage tools like RevText to track referrals at every stage of the customer journey – from the initial referral to opt-ins, trial bookings, paid memberships, and eventual revenue. This data allows you to focus on your most effective referral channels and fine-tune underperforming campaigns.

Remember to look beyond initial conversions. Members who join through referrals often stay longer because they join with the support of friends already in your gym community. Focus on lifetime value metrics to measure the full impact of your campaigns.

Respect Quiet Hours and Message Limits

Timing plays a crucial role in the success of your referral campaigns. Poor timing can lead to complaints, opt-outs, and even carrier filtering.

Stick to sending messages during local daytime hours, typically between 8:00 AM and 9:00 PM in the recipient’s time zone. For referral campaigns, send welcome messages and follow-ups during business hours when recipients are more likely to respond positively. Limit your messages to about four per month per recipient, spacing them 2–3 days apart to avoid overwhelming new subscribers.

Timing Practice	Compliance Benefit	Engagement Benefit
Send between 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM	Reduces complaints and filtering risks	Boosts open rates and responses
Limit to ~4 messages/month	Prevents excessive messaging issues	Lowers unsubscribe rates
Space messages 2–3 days apart	Respects subscriber preferences	Maintains interest and engagement

Keep an eye on opt-outs and complaint rates. If you notice a spike after certain campaigns, revisit your timing, frequency, or message content. By adhering to these timing guidelines and respecting consent requirements, you can build a referral campaign that’s both trustworthy and effective.

Conclusion: Growing with Trust

The key to a thriving SMS referral program lies in earning consent the right way from the very beginning. By prioritizing lawful consent over shortcuts, you set a strong foundation that shields your business from TCPA violations, preserves relationships with carriers, and builds lasting trust with your members and their friends.

The three compliant referral methods we’ve covered – member-shared links for self opt-in, keyword campaigns, and member-initiated personal messages – all focus on one critical element: giving the referred person control over their choice to receive messages. This approach not only aligns with CTIA guidelines and 10DLC requirements but also creates a smoother, more positive experience for everyone involved.

Make sure your opt-in process is simple and transparent. Use clear disclosures and include easy-to-follow STOP instructions. This not only keeps you compliant but also encourages engagement and reduces complaints.

The strategies we’ve outlined – dual rewards, attribution tracking, and respectful timing – work because they strike a balance between compliance and delivering value. Compliance isn’t a roadblock to growth – it’s what makes sustainable growth achievable. When your campaigns adhere to TCPA and carrier guidelines, your messages consistently reach inboxes, delivery rates remain high, and your business steers clear of costly legal risks.

These methods don’t just ensure compliance – they work seamlessly with the right tools. Platforms like RevText make it easier to track referrals, manage opt-ins, and document compliance. Whether you’re running a single studio or overseeing multiple gym locations, having the right technology in place ensures your referral campaigns grow smoothly and securely.

Start with one compliant referral method that matches your communication style. Test it, refine it, and track the results. As you grow, you’ll confidently expand your referral channels while ensuring every subscriber joins the right way.

Trust is your most valuable asset. Protect it by making compliance the foundation of every referral campaign you create.

FAQs

Failing to get proper consent for SMS referrals can lead to serious legal trouble. Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), businesses can be fined anywhere from $500 to $1,500 per violation, depending on the circumstances and whether the violation was intentional.

But it’s not just about the money. Ignoring compliance can damage your brand’s reputation, erode customer trust, and even spark legal battles. The solution? Always make sure you have clear, prior express written consent before sending any marketing texts. It’s a simple step that can save you from big headaches down the road.

How can I make sure my SMS referral campaign follows TCPA and CTIA rules?

To make sure your SMS referral campaign follows TCPA and CTIA guidelines, you need to get prior express written consent (PEWC) from the referred person before sending any marketing texts. This means the person must clearly agree to receive messages after being fully informed about the program’s purpose, how often they’ll receive messages, and any potential costs.

A compliant opt-in process is key. You can use methods like a landing page with clear consent language or a double opt-in process, where the person confirms their subscription by replying "YES" to a text. Your disclosures should clearly cover:

The program’s name and its purpose
How often messages will be sent (e.g., recurring messages)
Instructions for opting out (e.g., texting STOP) or getting help (e.g., texting HELP)
A notice about possible message and data rates

Avoid risky practices like using pre-checked boxes or sending unsolicited texts to numbers provided by someone else. By keeping consent specific to your brand and program, you not only stay compliant but also minimize legal risks and meet carrier standards for approval.

What are the best practices for creating a compliant and effective SMS opt-in process?

To set up a compliant and effective SMS opt-in process, start by securing prior express written consent (PEWC). This consent must be clear, specific to your brand or program, and adhere to both FCC and CTIA guidelines. Transparency is key – make sure to include important details like the purpose of the messages, how often they’ll be sent, potential message and data rates, STOP/HELP instructions, and links to your Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Implementing a double opt-in process is a smart move. For instance, after a user enters their phone number on a landing page with explicit consent language, send them a confirmation text asking them to reply YES to confirm their subscription. This method not only ensures clarity but also aligns with carrier requirements. Another option is to use keyword opt-ins, where users text a specific keyword like "JOIN" to a designated number, or personal peer-to-peer (P2P) messages, where users voluntarily opt in through shared links or keywords.

Steer clear of risky practices, such as sending unsolicited messages to contacts provided by third parties. These actions can lead to legal trouble and penalties from carriers. Always focus on obtaining clear consent and maintaining transparency to build trust and ensure compliance.

How to Get Consent for SMS Referrals