Question about marketing via text messages

[DaveinHackensack]

Does anyone know of where you can buy a directory of cell phone numbers organized by geographic area?

[TimW]

I believe there is a law about sending text message ads to people who haven't signed up for it, since text messages cost money.

[kamakiri]

Not the case in japan. SMS marketing is huge here. Most email services are opt in, but the normal SMS is free...well, not really free, but you pay about $3 or you don't.

On the flip side, any of those purchasable lists are serious garbage.

My main question is why would you want to focus on a single geographic area with text messages? That is a tactic for restaurants and retail stores, not stock advice.

[DaveinHackensack]

My main question is why would you want to focus on a single geographic area with text messages? That is a tactic for restaurants and retail stores, not stock advice.

It's for a venture relating to restaurants. Maybe the way to go is to build a squeeze page for cell phone numbers.

[TimW]

Now a squeeze page, with appropriate disclaimer language, would a reasonable way to do it. I know that I, and many of my friends, hold our cell phones sacrosanct here, and HATE sms spam. You should know the firestorm that has been caused every time the urban legend about Verizon, etc., selling/making their cellphone lists public...so I know I am not outside the bell curve on this.


I will never do business with a company that does that.

[DaveinHackensack]

I wouldn't just rely on disclaimers, I'd be 100% straight forward, e.g., "Enter in your cell phone number to get texted about last minute X% off deals at restaurants near you. We hate spam too, and won't share your number with anyone else. We'll only contact you when we have great deals for you in your area". Something like that. And just in case, give them an opt-out link in the text messages themselves.

[Merlin]

Could you focus on offering FourSquare or Gowalla deals? Might still be too small a market, but something to pursue.

Also, could be an interesting iPhone app idea...