To ensure all communications are compliant with regulations and to provide a professional experience for golfers, our system requires consent before sending text messages. This opt-in process applies to all phone numbers that are added to the database for the first time.
In this article, we will give an overview of the opt-in process, including how it works, how to view subscription statuses and errors, and its impact on existing golfers.
How It Works
When a text message is sent to a phone number that has not previously received texts from Golf Genius, the process is as follows:
Opt-In Invitation: The golfer receives an automated text message asking for their consent to receive notifications from Golf Genius. The original message you sent is held and will be delivered only after consent is given.
Providing Consent: The golfer must reply with the word START to the automated message. Once they do, their subscription status is updated, and the original message is then delivered. If the golfer does not reply or replies with any other message, their subscription status remains unsubscribed, and the original message is canceled.
This is a one-time process. Once a golfer has opted in, they will not be prompted to do so again for any future messages, even if they are associated with multiple clubs.
Subscription Status and Error Reporting
Our system includes tools to help you manage your contacts and identify subscription issues. Navigate to the Message Delivery Reports (as shown below):
Customer Center Messages: Navigate to Master Roster > Manage Text Messages > Message Delivery Report.
Event League Messages: Navigate to Golfers > Manage Text Messages > Message Delivery Report.
Rounds Messages: Navigate to Rounds > Manage Text Messages > Message Delivery Report.
From this page, to effectively manage and review messages based on the opt-in process, you can filter error messages and review the error message to determine why a recipient isn't receiving a message:
Filtering: You can use the filter options in the Text Message Delivery Report to easily find all golfers who have unsubscribed or have not yet opted in. This allows you to maintain an accurate contact list for all your messaging needs.
Unsubscribed Recipient: When a message is not delivered due to a lack of consent, the Text Message Delivery Report will show the error message, "Unsubscribed recipient: The recipient either replied with STOP to a previous message or has not yet subscribed to notifications from Golf Genius" (as shown below).
Subscribing or Re-Subscribing Golfers to Text Messages
If a user never responded with "Start" to the opt-in text message, they have unsubscribed, or want to re-subscribe, they can text "START" or "UNSTOP" to the original Opt-in text message or any other text message thread previously received from Golf Genius. Once they have opted in, they will receive all future messages that are sent.
If the user has deleted the text messages, you can verify the number they need to send "Start" to resubscribe. Hover your mouse over the info icon next to the phone number on the message that failed to send. This will provide you with the correct number to send the "Start" message to (as shown below).
Alternatively, have them send the "Start" message to both of the following numbers:
+1-855-559-8763
+1-201-885-5464
Note: Managers will not receive any replies to the text message. We suggest communicating with the recipients that this is a "Do Not Reply" text message.