How Contacts Join Your Group(s)

Contacts can join your Text-Em-All groups directly from their mobile devices by texting keywords to your account's text number. This self-service option lets people opt in without requiring manual contact list management from administrators.

How contacts join the Everyone group

The Everyone group accepts any contact who texts the basic JOIN keyword to your account. This creates an automatic opt-in process that adds their phone number to your default contact list.

Steps for contacts to join Everyone

1. Text the word JOIN to your account's text number
2. Receive an automated confirmation reply: "You have signed up and will now receive text alerts from [Company Name]."

Note: The contact's phone number appears in the Everyone group with the note "Opted in via JOIN to [your text number]". Text-Em-All does not automatically pull the contact's name into the system. Adding names or notes requires manual entry.

You can customize the automated join reply message to match your organization's voice and include specific information.

How contacts join specific groups

Contacts can target specific contact groups instead of the general Everyone list. This feature works with both group names and custom keywords you've configured in your account.

Option 1: Join by group name

1. Text JOIN followed by the exact group name to your account's text number
2. Example: Text "JOIN STAFF" to join the Staff group
3. Receive a confirmation message that they've been added to the specific group

Option 2: Join by group keyword

1. Text JOIN followed by the group keyword to your account's text number
2. Receive a confirmation message about group placement

To create group keywords or customize automated replies, read our Customized Join Reply article.

Important: Contacts who join specific groups are added to both the Everyone list and their targeted group. This ensures they receive general announcements as well as group-specific messages.

What happens with incorrect group names

When contacts misspell group names or use non-existent keywords, Text-Em-All handles the error gracefully while still capturing their opt-in intent.

Error handling process

• Contact's phone number is added to the Everyone group only
• They receive an automated message: "We couldn't find a group named 'STAFF', but you are now signed up for text alerts from this number."
• Join attempts do not appear in your Inbox unless a conversation already exists with that number

Important details about group management

• Name changes don't affect existing members: If you rename a group, contacts who previously joined that group remain in the newly named group
• Timing restrictions apply: All automated responses follow standard messaging windows and compliance requirements
• Manual cleanup available: You can move contacts between groups or remove them from specific groups through your Contacts page

The JOIN keyword system provides a simple way for contacts to self-manage their messaging preferences while ensuring your contact lists stay organized and compliant with opt-in requirements.