Have you ever received a random text from a business trying to sell you something? Of course, you have—we all have. That, my friend, is cold texting. And while it often gets a bad rap, when done correctly (and legally), it can be a powerful tool in your sales strategy.
If you’re wondering whether you should incorporate cold texting into your sales process at Golden Fleece CRM, there are a few things you need to know first. Let’s break down the legal aspects, best practices, and how to turn cold texts into warm conversations that actually close deals.
What is Cold Texting for Sales?
Cold texting is sending an SMS message to a lead or prospect with whom you have had no prior interaction. It’s like cold calling but through text. And just like with cold calls, you need to tread carefully to avoid being labeled as spam.
Is Cold Texting Legal?
In most cases, no. Pure cold texting (sending messages without any prior opt-in) is not legal in many countries, including the U.S. Regulations from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) require businesses to obtain explicit consent before sending SMS messages.
Buying contact lists for bulk cold texting? That’s also illegal. In Europe, GDPR mandates opt-in consent before any outreach.
However, this doesn’t mean all business texting is off-limits. There are ways to legally and effectively use text messaging in your sales funnel. Let’s explore how.
3 Key Benefits of SMS Outreach (When Done Right)
When used strategically, texting can turn cold leads into engaged prospects. Here are the top reasons why SMS should be part of your outreach strategy:
- Sky-High Open Rates – SMS messages have an open rate of up to 98%, meaning your message is almost guaranteed to be seen.
- Frictionless Engagement – Texts are easy to respond to, leading to a 45% response rate, significantly higher than emails.
- More Personal Conversations – When done right, texting feels personal and engaging, helping to build relationships faster.
Now, let’s dive into how to do this legally and effectively.
5 Steps to (Legally) Use Cold Texting for Sales
1. Get an SMS Opt-In on Your Website
One of the best ways to make cold texting compliant is by gathering opt-ins from inbound leads. Here’s how:
- Use a chatbot to capture phone numbers and allow visitors to start a text conversation.
- Include an SMS opt-in option in your website’s contact forms.
- Ask leads to select their preferred communication method.
This way, your outreach isn’t completely cold—it’s lukewarm at worst, making it more effective and legally sound.
2. Make Your Business Phone Number Public
Encourage prospects to initiate the conversation by making your SMS-enabled number easy to find. Add it to:
- Your website contact page
- Email signatures
- LinkedIn profiles
- Business cards and social media bios
When prospects text you first, you have implicit permission to continue the conversation.
3. Use a Texting Short Code for Easy Opt-Ins
Shortcodes allow customers to opt in to your messages by texting a keyword (e.g., TEXT “DEALS” to 12345). You can promote this across various channels:
- Social media campaigns
- Digital ads
- In-store signage or business cards
This method ensures you only text people who want to hear from you.
4. Ensure You’re A2P 10DLC Compliant
A2P 10DLC (Application-to-Person 10-Digit Long Code) is a messaging regulation for businesses sending SMS to U.S. numbers. Registering ensures your messages don’t get blocked or flagged as spam.
If you use Golden Fleece CRM, we handle compliance for you, ensuring all messages align with carrier regulations.
5. Find Publicly Available Phone Numbers
If a prospect has publicly listed their number on LinkedIn or their website, it might be fair game for outreach. However, tread carefully—just because it’s public doesn’t mean they’ve opted in to receive texts.
For better engagement, warm up these leads by connecting on LinkedIn before texting.
5 Proven Cold Texting Templates That Get Responses
1. The Double Opt-In Approach
“Hi [Name], this is [Your Name] from Golden Fleece CRM. We help businesses streamline their sales workflows with automation. Would you be open to learning more? Reply YES, and I’ll send over details. If not, no worries!”
This ensures they opt in before you continue the conversation.
2. The LinkedIn Contact
“Hey [Name], I saw we’re connected on LinkedIn! I wanted to reach out personally—we help businesses like yours optimize sales follow-ups through SMS automation. Open to a quick chat?”
3. The Warm Introduction
“Hi [Name], I noticed you checked out our CRM platform. If you have any questions, I’m happy to help. Just reply, and I’ll get back to you ASAP!”
4. The Qualification Message
“Hey [Name], are you still looking for ways to automate your sales process? If so, let’s set up a quick call to explore how Golden Fleece CRM can help.”
5. The Voicemail Follow-Up
“Hey [Name], I left you a voicemail earlier. I wanted to see if you had time for a quick call about improving your sales outreach. Let me know when works for you!”
5 Cold Texting Tips to Turn Leads into Customers
1. Use Texting for Follow-Ups
If a prospect isn’t responding to emails or calls, SMS can re-engage them. The high open rate makes it ideal for reminders and check-ins.
2. Keep It Short and Personal
Avoid long-winded sales pitches. A single, clear message is far more effective than a wall of text.
3. Offer Real Value
Instead of hard-selling, provide helpful insights, exclusive deals, or personalized recommendations.
4. Use SMS for Appointment Reminders
Reduce no-shows by sending text reminders before meetings or demos.
5. Use a Sales-Focused CRM with SMS Integration
With Golden Fleece CRM, you can track conversations, automate SMS follow-ups, and ensure compliance without switching platforms.
Make SMS Work for Your Sales Team
Cold texting, when done wrong, is spammy and ineffective. But when done strategically, it’s a powerful tool for nurturing leads, following up, and closing deals faster.
With Golden Fleece CRM, you can streamline your SMS outreach, track conversations, and stay compliant while engaging prospects the right way.
Want to see it in action? Try Golden Fleece CRM for free today!
