Members receive your text messages only after they opt in themselves. They can opt in when they create their account, when they edit their profile, or from a Text Sign Up link in one of your emails. Admins can't opt anyone in.

Applies to: Org admins who send texts, and the parents and players who receive them · All plans · Legacy and Editor 2.0 (CMS) websites (the Text Sign Up link works on legacy websites only)

Where: Communications > Send Communication (Text Sign Up Link) and Programs > Configurations > General (Account Creation)

Note: Text messages can only be sent to people who have opted in to texts from your organization.

Ways members can opt in

How to turn on opt-in when members create an account

1. Go to Programs > Configurations > General.
2. Set Account Creation ("Add Text Opt In when new accounts are created.") to Yes. It's Yes unless someone has changed it.
3. Click Save.

What members see

1. When they enter Phone 1 and choose Cell as its type, a checkbox appears: "I consent to receive text alerts. This includes event notifications and Marketing and Promotional Messages from (your organization). Message Frequency may vary, MSG & Data rates may apply. Text Stop to opt out or HELP for support."
2. If they check it, a code is texted to that phone after they save.
3. They enter the 4-digit code in Activation Code and click Validate, or click Skip to finish without opting in.

Members who aren't opted in see the same checkbox when they edit their profile and their Phone 1 is a cell phone. It appears there even if Account Creation is set to No.

How to send a Text Sign Up link (Editor 2.0 websites)

Editor 2.0 (CMS) websites: The Text Sign Up Link option doesn't appear on the send options page. Ask members to opt in from their profile instead. Turning on Account Creation covers new members.

1. Go to Communications > Send Communication, check the list you want to email, and click Next.
2. On Create Your Message, type a subject and message, then click Next.
3. On the create message page, select the link for whichever website page you have the "Communications Sign Up" Widget on your site.

How to send a Text Sign Up link (legacy websites)

1. Go to Communications > Send Communication, check the list you want to email, and click Next.
2. On Create Your Message, type a subject and message, then click Next.
3. On the send options page, check Text Sign Up Link ("Include a link to the Text Sign Up page so you can text your contacts.").
4. Click Send.

The email includes a link to the Sign up for Text Alerts page. There, the member:

1. Enters their Mobile Number.
2. Checks both consent boxes: one for event notifications, and one for marketing and promotional messages from your organization.
3. Clicks Send a code to my phone.
4. Enters the code from the text in Activation Code and clicks Validate.
5. Sees "Congrats! You're done."

How to see who has opted in

• In Communications > Send Communication, people who have opted in show Text Enabled next to their name.
• When you edit a parent on Customers > Account Management, an orange icon (Text Enabled) appears next to a phone number that has opted in. It's display only. You can't opt someone in or out there.

If it doesn't work

• "You must check both consent boxes to receive text messages." On the Sign up for Text Alerts page, both boxes must be checked.
• "This mobile phone number is already subscribed." The number is already opted in to texts from your organization.
• "Invalid activation code." The code was mistyped. Enter it again, exactly as texted.
• "Mobile Number is required." Enter the phone number before asking for a code.
• The consent checkbox doesn't appear. Phone 1 must be set to Cell. For new accounts, Account Creation must also be set to Yes.

Good to know

• Opting in is tied to your organization and the phone number, so a member opts in separately for each organization that texts them.
• Members opt out by replying STOP to any text. For help, they reply HELP.
• Admins can't opt members in for them, because consent has to come from the member.

Related articles

• Text Messaging
• How do my customers opt out of text messaging? Or opt back in?