Key Takeaways
According to a report, there are even more mobile phone subscriptions (8.31 billion) than people on the planet (8.02 billion) and 65% of those subscribers communicate via text message globally.
SMS is a reliable and versatile channel for both personal and business communication. It reaches recipients instantly, even in areas without internet access, and effectively prompts action.
Businesses often use SMS for:-
- SMS marketing campaigns,
- Customer interactions like confirmations or PIN codes,
- Internal communications, especially for remote teams, and
- OTP SMS verification for user authentication
Sending a text to multiple recipients is simple, but doing so discreetly, without revealing recipients to one another, is similar to using the BCC feature in emails. BCC group texts allow businesses to communicate efficiently and privately.
What are BCC Text Messages?
BCC text messages are mass texts sent to multiple recipients, but each recipient sees the message as if it were sent only to them. This is the feature which makes it different from group texting.
Similar to the "Blind Carbon Copy" (BCC) feature in emails, this ensures recipient privacy. Unlike group chats on platforms like WhatsApp, where participants can see each other's identities and responses, BCC texts keep all recipient details hidden.
Sending BCC Text Messages
You can send BCC text messages from your personal Android or iPhone using the native messaging app. There is usually a limit to the number of contacts you can add to a group message (e.g., iMessage may allow up to 25-32 contacts). Ensure your phone settings are configured properly to prevent recipients from seeing others' replies.
- On an Android Phone via SMS
Android phones don’t have a built-in BCC text feature, but you can use workarounds depending on your messaging app. However, many users opt for Google Messages for SMS texting. To send a BCC text message from your android phone
- Open the Messages app.
- Tap the user account icon in the top-right corner.
- Navigate to Messages settings.
- Select the phone number you're using (listed under the General option).
- Tap Group messaging.
- Choose 'Send an SMS reply to all recipients and get individual replies (mass text)'.
- Compose a new SMS and send it to the selected recipients.
- On an iPhone via SMS
iPhones don’t natively support true BCC texting, but you can send blind texts by adjusting the settings
- Open Settings.
- Scroll down and tap Messages.
- Turn iMessage off.
- Under SMS/MMS, toggle Group Messaging off.
- These steps disable iMessage and switch to SMS, ensuring each recipient receives your message individually and replies remain private, avoiding group messaging.
Sending Group Text Privately Using an OTT Messaging App
Here’s how you can send group text privately using an OTT messaging app on iPhone or Android
- For a smoother BCC texting experience, use OTT messaging apps like WhatsApp, Signal, Viber or Telegram, which offer built-in features to send messages discreetly.
- Apps let you create a list like a WhatsApp broadcast list, send messages to multiple people individually and receive replies in separate chats without forming a group.
- These apps avoid SMS charges and allow sharing of rich media like photos, videos and stickers.
Receiving Replies to a BCC Group Message
- Not all texting platforms support replies to bulk texts; this may depend on the sender ID type or require a premium feature.
- Some platforms may not support this functionality at all.
- If replies are supported, responses from recipients will appear in your inbox as separate messages.
- Recipients won’t see others' replies, ensuring privacy and protecting identities.
Some Mass Texting Use Cases
- Welcome Your Contacts
A welcome text is your opportunity to make a strong first impression and set clear expectations for future communications. Your welcome message can include- a thank-you message, message frequency, unsubscribe instructions, a coupon or offer, a call-to-action or website link.
- Conduct Polls and Surveys
SMS text-to-vote polls are an interactive way to understand your audience's preferences. It not only engages your audience but also builds stronger customer relationships by showing you value their input.
You can also use transactional SMS to ensure timely communication of important information to the users.
- Drip Campaigns
While one-off campaigns work for announcements or urgent offers, automating your messages through drip campaigns is ideal for nurturing leads and staying top of mind. Drip campaigns can include- links to valuable blog articles, weekly tips and tricks, insights into your brand’s story, tailored product suggestions.
- Sending Promotions
Sending promotional messages via SMS ensures your contacts will see and act on them. Here are some promotional text message ideas- exclusive discounts, limited-time offers, product launch alerts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a BCC text message allows you to send the same message to multiple recipients while keeping their identities private. It ensures that each recipient perceives the message as a one-on-one communication, making it a discreet and professional method for both personal and business use. Whether using native messaging apps with specific configurations or leveraging OTT messaging platforms, BCC texting is a valuable tool for maintaining privacy and efficiency in mass communication.
