--- title: The Difference Between Promotional and Transactional Messages description: When a brand sends a text message to their customers, it’s likely for one of two main reasons. Promotional messages are used primarily to drive awareness and sales around specific products and events. image: https://www.mobivity.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/04-14-Hero.jpg --- [Skip to Main Content](https://www.mobivity.com/mobivity-blog/2017/04/the-difference-between-promotional-and-transactional-messages#main-content) [![mobivity-logo](https://www.mobivity.com/hubfs/Mobivity_September2020/Images/Home-Page/mobivity-logo.svg "mobivity-logo")](https://www.mobivity.com/) - How It Works - [Overview](https://www.mobivity.com/how-it-works/overview) - [Retailers & Brands](https://www.mobivity.com/how-it-works/brands) - [Game Developers](https://www.mobivity.com/how-it-works/developers) - Resources - [Resource Center](https://www.mobivity.com/resources-center) - [Blog](https://www.mobivity.com/mobivity-blog) - [Events](https://www.mobivity.com/content-and-resources/events) - [Partners](https://www.mobivity.com/partners) - Company - [About Us](https://www.mobivity.com/about-us) - [Careers](https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/search/?currentJobId=3781550215&f_C=389308) - [In the News](https://www.mobivity.com/about-us/news-events) - [Press Releases](https://ir.mobivity.com/press-releases) - [Investor Relations](https://ir.mobivity.com/) - [Contact](https://www.mobivity.com/about-us-contact) - [Support](https://support.mobivity.com/) - [Login](https://recurrency.mobivity.com/) [![Request Demo](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/529587/4b804251-cca8-4ded-9c0f-9e6135856699.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/529587/4b804251-cca8-4ded-9c0f-9e6135856699) Published 14 Apr 2017 # The Difference Between Promotional and Transactional Messages ![The Difference Between Promotional and Transactional Messages](https://www.mobivity.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/04-14-Hero.jpg) When a brand sends a text message to their customers, it’s likely for one of two main reasons. Promotional messages are used primarily to drive awareness and sales around specific products and events. Transactional messages, on the other hand, are used to automate interactions with customers. As you may expect, there are varying best practices for these two message types, and the laws surrounding how customers interact with brands via SMS also depend on the type of message you’re sending. ![Messaging Paths](https://www.mobivity.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/04-14-inner1.png) ### Marketing to Your Customers with Promotional Messages Promotional or marketing messages typically refer to any message sent for promoting, up-selling, or advertising a business. This could be regarding a flash-sale on a new product, or an incentive to come in and try a new flavor of ice cream, and these types of messages are typically only sent from 9am to 9pm. Outside of adhering to the [required opt-in procedure](https://www.mobivity.com/2017/03/restricting-upload-lists/), these messages are typically not solicited by the recipient, and are meant to attempt selling something to that specific customer. Brands who want to send out promotional messages to their consumers must first obtain permission from those recipients, and typically aren’t able to simply purchase and upload a list. Permission can be obtained through a variety of formats – including an SMS opt-in text message, a web-based signup page, or even a physical signature. When advertising your text club with the goal of increasing opt-ins, potential subscribers must be made aware of recurring message programs through a disclosure of “periodic messages per month,” or a specific message frequency such as saying that you’ll send a “max of 10 messages per month.” Recipients should also be made aware of how to unsubscribe from these types of text programs, such as including language that states they should “Reply STOP to opt-out.” ![Types of Messages](https://www.mobivity.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/04-14-inner2.png) ### Automating Interactions with Transactional Messages Transactional messages are sent to consumers with the goal of passing on information about a product or service that they are already using. Because these messages do not contain any kind of marketing or promotional content, and are typically requested or queried by the consumer at the time they are sent, they can be sent at most times throughout the day. Disclosure of message frequency does not apply to transactional messages as these are dependent on the recipients’ interaction with a business, although consumers should still be made aware of how to unsubscribe from these types of text programs, should they choose to opt-out in the future. ![Different Transactional Messages](https://www.mobivity.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/04-14-inner3.png) It is essential to understand the difference between both types of messages as heavy fines can be incurred if a transactional message service starts sending out promotional content and recipients have not provided consent to receive these types of messages. ### Conclusion Morbi sed imperdiet in ipsum, adipiscing elit dui lectus. Tellus id scelerisque est ultricies ultricies. Duis est sit sed leo nisl, blandit elit sagittis. Quisque tristique consequat quam sed. Nisl at scelerisque amet nulla purus habitasse. Nunc sed faucibus bibendum feugiat sed interdum. Ipsum egestas condimentum mi massa. In tincidunt pharetra consectetur sed duis facilisis metus. Etiam egestas in nec sed et. Quis lobortis at sit dictum eget nibh tortor commodo cursus. **by [Mobivity](https://www.mobivity.com/mobivity-blog/author/mobivity)** [info@mobivity.com](mailto:info@mobivity.com) [Copy link](https://www.mobivity.com/mobivity-blog/2017/04/the-difference-between-promotional-and-transactional-messages) ### Leverage the Power of In-Game Brand Rewards Increase your reach without increasing your marketing budget. Our simple 3-step process makes getting started–and getting results–easier than ever. 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