Text Messaging Setup

There are a few steps that all organizations must go through in order to begin sending text messages:

TCR stands for The Campaign Registry. It's the official registration hub for A2P 10DLC messaging in the U.S.

Texting Account (Brand) Registration

Brand registration helps ensure your messages are recognized by carriers as trustworthy, which improves deliverability and reduces the chances of getting filtered as spam.

The following will need to be provided:

Identifying information about your business (including name, business type, website URL, EIN or similar identifier, and industry)
Up to two representatives for your business (i.e. CEO, Director, or other)
The location of your business (including address, city, and state)

The approval process can officially take up to 1-2 weeks, but generally finishes within a few days.

Text Messaging Campaign Registration

Once your business (brand) is registered, the next step is to create a text messaging campaign. This tells carriers what kind of messages you’ll be sending, to whom, and how you’re collecting consent (opt-in).

You’ll need to provide the following information:

Message flow (detailing how a consumer opts-in to the campaign, giving consent to receiving text messages)
App-to-person usecase
Opt-in keywords (optional)
Opt-in message (optional)
Whether you allow embedded links in your text messages
Whether you allow embedded phone numbers in your text messages
Two sample text messages

SMS Opt-In page

All organizations with OneClickPolitics have the ability to utilize our provided SMS Opt-In page. This is considered a valid opt-in method for use in the Message Flow as part of A2P 10DLC campaign registration. The only prerequisite for the page is that a valid Privacy Policy and Terms And Conditions link is provided. These links are required by carriers and TCR, and must generally contain special disclosures related to SMS messaging.

After approval

Once you are fully verified by TCR, you can create groups and begin aggregating texting contacts to those groups. Text Messages that you create must select one or more Groups to send the text message to.

Sending a text message

You can send a text message by clicking “New Text Message” and filling out the text message body. You will then need to indicate which group(s) of contacts will receive the text message, and if you’d like the text message to send Now (instantly) or if you’d like to Schedule for a later date.

FAQs

Which app-to-person usecase fits my organization?

Most advocacy organizations would fall under one of the following usecases:

Political (If your group is engaging in election-related messaging, lobbying, or political organizing)
- Example text: “Tell Congress to pass the Clean Air Act - visit this link to send a message to your representatives.”
Mixed Use (if you are unsure or need a catch-all category)

What must a Privacy Policy document contain to be accepted by TCR?

Your Privacy Policy should explain:

What data you collect (e.g. phone numbers)
Why you collect it (e.g. to send updates, alerts, etc.)
How it's used (e.g. only for campaign-related texts, not shared or sold)
How users can opt out (e.g. by replying STOP or contacting you)

Example language: “When you provide your phone number, we may use it to send you SMS text messages about our campaigns and related updates. We do not share or sell your phone number. You may opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message or contacting us directly.”

What must a Terms and Conditions document contain to be accepted by TCR?

Your Terms of Service should include:

User agreement to receive texts
Message frequency & cost notice
Instructions for opting out and getting help
Disclaimer of carrier liability

Example language: “By submitting your phone number, you consent to receive recurring SMS messages from [Organization Name]. Message frequency may vary. Message and data rates may apply. To unsubscribe, reply STOP. For help, reply HELP or contact us. Wireless carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.”

Why is the TCR approval process so intensive?

In recent years, text messaging has become more regulated to help reduce spam and protect consumers. To support this, mobile carriers introduced something called A2P 10DLC (which stands for Application-to-Person messaging using 10-digit long codes).

If your organization sends text messages to advocates, A2P 10DLC helps make sure those messages are properly registered and trusted by carriers. It also improves deliverability and ensures your messages reach your audience without getting flagged or blocked.

No legitimate SMS provider can bypass A2P 10DLC when sending messages to U.S. phone numbers using long codes. Carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile now require this registration for all business messaging using 10-digit numbers, and unregistered traffic is either throttled, blocked, or heavily penalized.