What is Text to Join?

Introduction

Are you struggling to keep patients engaged while managing their communication preferences? In a world where 98% of text messages are read within minutes, healthcare practices can’t afford to overlook the power of SMS. Yet, building an effective SMS subscriber list can feel overwhelming, especially when juggling patient outreach and daily operations.

This is where the text to join becomes a game-changer. You can create a direct and personalized communication channel by allowing patients to join your SMS mailing list simply by texting a keyword. Not only does this simplify sign-ups, but it also helps you collect valuable data like patient preferences and demographics to deliver tailored messages.

Let’s dive into this blog to explore how text to join can transform your practice, covering its benefits, use cases, and how Emitrr makes it easy to implement.

Another topic you might be interested in- A Complete Guide to SMS for Business Communication

What Is Text to Join?

Understanding the basics is the key to implementing text-to-join successfully. This feature allows patients to opt into your communications with ease, creating a direct line for engagement.

Text to join is a feature that allows individuals to opt into receiving SMS communications by texting a specific keyword to your short code or 10-digit phone number. Once they text the keyword, they’re automatically added to your subscriber list, and their data can be used for personalized follow-ups.

This feature is commonly used for appointment reminders, health tips, promotional offers, and event updates. For healthcare providers, text to join is an efficient way to enhance patient communication and ensure timely engagement.

Now that you know what text to join is, let’s look at the benefits it can bring to your healthcare practice.

How Text to Join Works?

Implementing text to join is simple yet powerful, streamlining how individuals connect with your healthcare practice. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

1. Choose a Keyword and Number
   Start by selecting a memorable keyword (e.g., “JOIN” or “CARE”) and pairing it with your designated phone number or short code. This keyword acts as the entry point for patients to join your SMS list.
2. Promote the Keyword
   Make the keyword visible across touchpoints like your website, social media, email campaigns, in-office signage, or appointment receipts. Clear instructions such as “Text JOIN to 12345 to receive updates!” ensure patients understand how to opt-in.
3. Automate the Opt-In Process
   When a patient texts the keyword, your text-to-join system sends an automated reply confirming their subscription. This response can include a thank-you message and additional information about what they’ll receive.
   Example:
   “Thank you for joining our updates! Stay tuned for appointment reminders, wellness tips, and exclusive offers.”
4. Collect Subscriber Data
   Enhance engagement by requesting optional details, such as their name or preferred appointment times. This data enables personalized communication and helps streamline interactions.
5. Integrate with Communication Tools
   Sync the subscriber list with your patient communication platform for seamless follow-ups, whether it’s for appointment reminders, health alerts, or promotional campaigns.
6. Engage Regularly
   Once patients opt in, keep them engaged with consistent, valuable messages. Ensure the content is relevant and non-intrusive to maintain trust and satisfaction.

Now that we understand how text to join works, let’s explore the benefits it offers.

Benefits of Text to Join

Adopting text-to-join technology offers several advantages. Here’s how it can transform communication and engagement in your practice.

1. Effortless Opt-In Process

Patients can join your text mailing list with minimal effort—no lengthy forms or complex sign-up procedures. This simplicity encourages more subscribers.

2. Boosted Engagement Rates

With SMS open rates exceeding 98%, text to join ensures your messages are seen and acted upon promptly, whether it’s an appointment reminder or a flu shot campaign.

3. Valuable Data Collection

Text to join services can collect additional data like patient preferences, zip codes, or medical needs, enabling you to craft targeted messages that resonate.

4. Compliance with HIPAA Guidelines

With the right platform, such as Emitrr, your text-to-join campaigns can be fully compliant with privacy regulations, ensuring that patient data remains secure. 

Once you understand the benefits, the next step is figuring out how to put text-to-join into action. Let’s explore some use cases where it truly shines.

Use Cases for Text to Join in Healthcare

Text to join is more than just a way to collect patient phone numbers—it’s a tool for creating meaningful and ongoing engagement. By incorporating it into your communication strategy, you can strengthen relationships with patients and improve operational efficiency. Let’s delve deeper into how healthcare providers can leverage text-to-join campaigns effectively.

1. Appointment Reminders

A dental clinic sends appointment reminders to patients who join their SMS list, significantly reducing no-shows and last-minute cancellations. These messages often include options for rescheduling or confirming the appointment, improving overall operational efficiency.

Missed appointments can disrupt schedules and lead to revenue losses. By using text to join, healthcare providers can ensure patients stay updated about their appointments, reducing no-shows and fostering accountability.

• Template:
  “Thank you for joining our SMS list! Reminder: Your appointment with Dr. Smith is on [Date] at [Time]. Text STOP to unsubscribe.”

2. Health Education

Clinics and healthcare providers use text-to-join campaigns to share tailored health tips. For instance, pediatric clinics often send updates to parents about child nutrition or developmental milestones via SMS, fostering better-informed patient care.

Empower patients to take charge of their health by sharing educational content on topics like preventive care, chronic disease management, or healthy lifestyle tips.

• Template:
  “Stay informed! Join our health tips list by texting WELLNESS to 123456. Receive weekly advice straight to your phone.”

3. Promotions and Discounts

Healthcare providers such as dermatology clinics use SMS to offer discounts on elective procedures or slower season promotions, attracting more bookings during off-peak times.

Exclusive offers sent via SMS can encourage patients to book services, especially during slower periods.

• Template:
  “Join now and get $20 off your next dental cleaning! Text SMILE to 123456.”

4. Patient Feedback Surveys

Feedback surveys are sent out via SMS to patients who have joined the healthcare provider’s list. For example, some practices link short surveys post-appointment, offering small incentives like gift cards to boost participation rates.

Feedback is essential for improving patient experiences. Text to join simplifies the feedback collection process, encouraging patients to share their thoughts.

• Template:
  “We value your feedback! Take this 1-minute survey and receive a $5 gift card: [Link].”

5. Event Invitations

Clinics use text-to-join to promote events such as flu shot drives or wellness fairs. By sharing updates via SMS, they achieve higher participation rates and better engagement with the local community.

Promote community health events like vaccination clinics, workshops, or wellness fairs through text-to-join campaigns.

• Template:
  “Join us for our free flu shot clinic this Saturday! Text FLUSHOT to 123456 for updates.”

6. Recall Notices

An optometry practice reduces missed follow-ups by 50% by sending recall notices for overdue eye exams. Regular check-ups and treatments are vital for maintaining patient health. Recall notices help ensure patients stay on track with their care.

• Template:
  “Your annual wellness exam is due. Text RECALL to 123456 to schedule your appointment today!”

Learn How To Automate No Show Follow Ups and Ensure Patients Never Miss An Appointment

7. Emergency Alerts

During unexpected closures or emergencies, such as severe weather, healthcare providers use their SMS lists to notify patients immediately about changes, minimizing confusion.

Unexpected events, like office closures or rescheduling, require immediate communication. Text to join allows you to notify patients in real-time.

• Template:
  “Attention: Our office will be closed tomorrow due to severe weather. Text INFO to 123456 for updates.”

These use cases show the versatility of text to join in improving communication and engagement. 

Also read: How to Send A Group Text?

FAQs

Conclusion

The text to join feature is a game-changer for healthcare practices, making it easy to engage patients and improve communication. With Emitrr’s comprehensive platform, setting up and optimizing text-to-join campaigns becomes a hassle-free experience.

Ready to transform your patient outreach? Start using Emitrr’s text-to-join services today to experience seamless, efficient communication that drives engagement and boosts satisfaction!