Peer-to-peer (P2P) texting has grown in popularity among political campaigns, non-profit groups, and corporations because of its personal and interactive character. It enables enterprises to contact a huge number of recipients at once with individualized messages, facilitating meaningful conversations. 

P2P texting outperforms traditional mass message broadcasting methods due to its personalization and interactivity. Political campaigns employ peer-to-peer texting to directly communicate with potential voters, arrange volunteer events, and send updates on funding efforts. Nonprofits use peer-to-peer texting to strengthen relationships and gain support from their audience. 

This is a powerful marketing and customer service tool for businesses, allowing them to send tailored messages to clients, make personalized product recommendations, and respond to customer inquiries in real time. Let’s take a detailed look at what peer-to-peer is, its practices, benefits, and how it’s employed in 2024.

What is Peer to Peer (P2P) Texting 

Peer-to-peer (P2P) texting is another form of communication in which people send direct, one-on-one text messages. This technique results in a more personalized and engaging experience. P2P texting is used by political campaigns, organizations, advocacy groups, and event organizers to reach out to their followers via SMS, resulting in deeper connections and participation.

P2P messaging involves individualized discussions initiated by skilled volunteers or professionals, as opposed to mass texting. Direct communication provides for more honest and effective encounters by avoiding the constraints of traditional mass communications platforms.

P2P texting is a very effective way to communicate time-sensitive information, such as event reminders, candidate updates, or urgent calls to action. The conversational character of this method invites users to respond, ask questions, and share their ideas, resulting in a beneficial feedback loop for organizations.

However, to secure privacy and consent, P2P messaging must follow all applicable laws and best practices. P2P messaging allows companies to cut through the noise of digital media by employing technology to support direct and personalized contact.


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How Does Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Texting Works?

Peer-to-peer (P2P) messaging utilizes software that enables campaign staff and volunteers to send individualized text messages to contacts. It all starts with creating a contact list, usually drawn from voter databases or supporter lists, and includes phone numbers and demographic information for personalized messages. 

Next, organizations construct text message scripts that are specific to particular audience segments based on interests, political convictions, or demographics, ensuring that communications are relevant and engaging.

To send these texts, you need a P2P texting platform account. These cloud-based platforms are accessible from any device with an internet connection and effectively handle volunteer texters, scripts, and contact lists. 

For example, HubDialer intends to launch such a platform in the fall of 2023. Training staff or volunteers on how to use the P2P texting platform is critical; they must comprehend the procedure, scripts, and any applicable legal obligations.

Volunteers log into the platform and begin sending messages to contacts. Depending on the platform’s capabilities, they can send hundreds or thousands of messages per hour. When the recipient responds, the volunteer begins a two-way conversation. 

This real-time communication promotes rapport, boosting the possibility of favorable outcomes such as voter participation or donations.

The P2P platform captures data from these interactions, such as response rates and sentiment, to assist develop future messaging tactics and assess the campaign’s efficacy. Furthermore, the platform must enable receivers to opt out of future messages. When someone opts out, their contact information is erased by legal regulations.


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Regulatory and Compliance Requirements for P2P Texting 

When using peer-to-peer messaging in the United States, it is critical to adhere to the compliance criteria established by regulatory agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA). These restrictions ensure that messaging campaigns meet legal requirements, protecting both the sender and the recipient.

One key compliance method is 10DLC, or 10-digit Long Code, which enables businesses and organizations to send text messages using conventional 10-digit phone numbers. 

Major US carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint, have implemented 10DLC to improve the messaging environment by increasing deliverability, decreasing spam, and assuring compliance with local rules. To comply with 10DLC requirements, all accounts with p2p messaging platforms require an Account Owner to complete the Brand Registration.

The Campaign Registry (TCR) serves as the central registration point for 10DLC messaging campaigns, and it collaborates with carriers and manufacturers to define A2P 10DLC message standards. 

Campaign Verify is a vetting partner that verifies political campaigns, PACs, and 527 organizations. To distribute communications to certain carriers, these groups must first register with Campaign Verify.

To ensure TCPA compliance, volunteers manually send texts from a ten-digit number. This lets you legally SMS everyone you have a phone number for, whether they have opted in or not. People who have opted in, on the other hand, respond and interact more positively to campaigns.


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Best Platforms for P2P Texting 

Hustle, DialMyCalls, Peerly, RumbleUp, and Drift are the top five peer-to-peer messaging services and applications.

DialMyCalls

DialMyCalls is a cloud-based communication platform for political campaigns and advocacy groups. Robocalls, text messaging, email, and surveys are among the features offered. It’s simple to use and ideal for sending reminders or emergency warnings.

Hustle

Hustle is a platform for sending personalized text messages. It allows organizations to communicate directly with their supporters and customers. A mobile texting platform for corporations and organizations. Provides features such as drip campaigns, automated answers, and analytics.

Peerly

Peerly is a peer-to-peer texting platform. It allows organizations to send personalized messages and track reactions. This enables volunteers to deliver customized text messages to voters.

RumbleUp

RumbleUp enables you to send personalized and interactive text messages. It is utilized by political campaigns, non-profit organizations, and corporations. RumbleUp uses templates and analytics to boost response rates and campaign outcomes.

Drift

Drift is a platform for conversational marketing. It communicates with website visitors using chatbots and live chat. Drift makes capturing leads, arranging meetings, and providing real-time assistance easier, resulting in smoother and more personalized client experiences.  Includes live chat, chatbots, and email marketing.


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Ways to Make Use of Peer-to-Peer Texting 

To optimize your P2P messaging and texting for organizations, especially for charities and nonprofits:

  1. Coordinate Volunteers: Confirm volunteers’ participation and arrange event details while sending them personalized SMS RSVPs and thank-you notes. Send team pictures and thank-you messages along with any last-minute updates.
  2. Limit Your Messages: Send P2P messages in groups to control the amount of responses you receive. This keeps your calendar from being too full and makes it easier to respond to client requests for things like membership renewals.
  3. Split Testing to Iterate and Improve: Refine messages using P2P messaging for A/B testing depending on real-time answers. This makes it easier to predict responses and swiftly adjust your approach.
  4. Encourage volunteers: Fundraisers with conversational P2P messaging to support peer-to-peer fundraising. The HEADstrong Foundation follows up with college students to monitor their progress, provide assistance, and issue reminders.
  5. Reaching Out to Top Funders: Use P2P texting to establish a personal rapport with top donors. Use this technique to connect with donors by requesting meetings and gathering information.

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Best P2P Texting Practices in 2024 

  • Define goals and objectives: First, establish specific goals and objectives for your P2P texting campaign. This allows you to measure your success and make more informed decisions.
  • Segment your audience: Segment your audience based on demographics, interests, or previous interactions. Targeted messaging boosts engagement and conversions.
  • Craft concise messages: Create concise, clear, and engaging messaging. Personalize each message by using the recipient’s name.
  • Use Reliable Platforms: Choose a reliable P2P messaging platform that includes templates, automation, and reporting. Ensure that it complies with requirements.
  • Train Volunteers and Staff: Train your volunteers or staff on how to use the texting platform and create messages for various purposes. Make sure they grasp the campaign’s goals and guidelines.
  • Monitor and optimize campaigns: Monitor data such as open rates, response rates, and conversions. Using these findings, adjust your messaging and strategy.
  • Observe regulations: Familiarize yourself with regulations such as the TCPA in the United States. Obtain the required permissions and allow recipients to opt-out.
  • Encourage two-way communication: Ask open-ended questions and encourage people to respond. Maintain a conversational tone and respond quickly to gain trust.
  • Measure success: After the campaign, compare its performance to your objectives. Use this information to enhance future campaigns.
  • Include clear CTAs: Every communication should contain a clear call to action. Guide recipients on what steps to take to improve involvement.
  • Budget wisely: P2P texting is affordable. For example, a campaign targeting 10,000 contacts could cost roughly $268 depending on response rates and volume.
  • Use Emojis: Encourage volunteers to use emojis. They make communications more entertaining and personable, emphasizing that you are texting with a real person.

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Benefits of P2P Messaging 

Peer-to-peer messaging provides NGOs with a streamlined communication channel, ensuring critical messages reach supporters quickly. Compared to emails, phone calls, or social network postings, text messages have high open and response rates.

1. Streamlined Communication

Peer-to-peer texting enables NGOs to convey crucial communications rapidly. Text messages have a high opening and response rate. People are always on their phones, so text messages are a surefire way to engage supporters.

2. Personalized Interaction.

Personalization is a significant advantage of P2P texting. Personalized notes help supporters feel valued. This personal touch deepens relationships and promotes loyalty. For example, an animal welfare organization can deliver individualized stories. This strategy enhances the supporter experience and encourages ongoing participation.

3. Real-time responses.

P2P messaging allows NGOs to respond to supporter questions in real time. This ensures quick, tailored responses. Quick communication elevates the supporter experience and fosters a sense of connection. Messages resonate more, resulting in higher engagement rates.

4. Higher engagement rates

People frequently check their text messages. This results in higher response and click-through rates. For organizations, this implies stronger connections and increased engagement in campaigns and programs.

5. Interactive Engagement

P2P messaging allows for participatory involvement through surveys, polls, and event invitations. This two-way conversation strengthens connections and yields useful insights. Peer-to-peer messaging enables NGOs to convey critical information, tailor conversations, reply promptly, and engage supporters effectively.


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Conclusions 

Peer-to-peer (P2P) messaging is a popular tool for political campaigns, charitable organizations, and enterprises. It enables tailored, interactive communications, resulting in more meaningful interactions and deeper connections. P2P messaging exceeds traditional approaches by providing personalized experiences. DialMyCalls, Hustle, Peerly, RumbleUp, and Drift are all platforms that enable you to send personalized messages and track your answers. Setting goals, segmenting audiences, designing succinct messaging, educating staff, and adhering to rules all contribute to effective communication and engagement methods.

Frequently Asked Questions on Peer-to-Peer Texting 

What is the Meaning of P2P texting?

P2P texting, also known as peer-to-peer texting, is the practice of sending individualized text messages directly from one person to another. Organizations often employ it to encourage individual connection with their audience.

How Much Does P2P Texting Cost in 2024?

The cost of P2P texting varies based on the platform and number of messages, however, it usually ranges between 1 and 2 cents per outgoing text and slightly less for incoming texts.