How a 1 to 5 person service business texts back missed callers without turning it into a blast

One text that says you missed them, asks what the job is, and offers a human. That is the product. A second text with a discount code is marketing. Those usually belong in different programs with different consent.

If you type the text yourself from the phone that rang, you are answering a person who just called. If a platform sends a text to every missed number, you are running a messaging program. Most providers require you to register. Write the first line. Decide when a person takes over.

FCC rules in 47 CFR 64.1200 restrict autodialed calls and texts. Autodialed informational texts to wireless numbers generally need prior express consent. Telemarketing to wireless numbers using those tools generally needs prior express written consent: a signed writing that authorizes the seller to send autodialed or prerecorded telemarketing to a listed number, and that clearly says the person is not required to agree as a condition of buying anything. Consent for covered calls and texts can be revoked by any reasonable method that clearly says stop, including a reply of stop, quit, end, revoke, opt out, cancel, or unsubscribe. The rule says to honor that in a reasonable time, not more than ten business days, and not to pick an exclusive opt out method. A one time confirmation text is allowed if it only confirms the stop and has no marketing. (47 CFR 64.1200)

CTIA Messaging Principles treat a business text as non consumer messaging. Business senders are expected to obtain consent generally, obtain express written consent before marketing texts, and let people revoke consent. For informational texts (appointment reminders, alerts), CTIA still expects the person to agree to texts for that purpose when they give the number. If the person texts first and you reply quickly with a single relevant message, CTIA treats that as conversational and does not expect extra permission for that reply. A missed voice call is not the person texting first. Your first text after a missed call is not that conversational case. Adding a sales call to action can move the text into promotional. (CTIA Messaging Principles and Best Practices)

10DLC is the application to person channel on 10 digit local numbers. The Campaign Registry verifies brands and campaigns before that traffic is allowed. If you are the company sending, you are a Brand. Direct registration with The Campaign Registry is not available for Brands. Most providers require you to register through a Campaign Service Provider (your texting platform or carrier partner). If you have no provider, TCR lists CSPs. (The Campaign Registry)

• Most providers require the brand and campaign to exist at your CSP before you turn on auto text.
• CTIA expects senders to keep a record of how the number was obtained (they called you, they booked, they opted in on a form).
• Marketing language usually belongs outside the missed call template.
• A lawyer can review consent if you text people who did not call you.

Use two first lines. A 2 p.m. text that says you are closed is dishonest. An 11 p.m. text that says you can come today sets a promise you will miss.

Ask for name, job, and area first. Not email. Not a life story. If this is an automated program, include how to stop. If a person is typing, still treat a STOP reply as a request to stop.

Template 1, busy on a job (business hours):

Template 2, after hours:

Template 3, existing customer:

CTIA says the confirmation of a recurring program should include the program name, how to get help, how to opt out, that messages are recurring, frequency, and that message and data rates may apply. A one off missed call reply is not a recurring campaign. If your vendor sends more than one automated text, CTIA expects those disclosures in the first automated text and in the campaign registration. (CTIA Messaging Principles and Best Practices)

• Name (so the callback is not Hey you).
• Job type in their words (water heater, clog, estimate for a fence).
• Area or address enough to know the service zone.
• Then stop. Do not interview them for insurance, photos, and a card on file in the first text.

If they answer all three, a person books it or you send a quote request into the quote follow up log. If they send a novel, read it. Do not auto reply with Template 1 again.

Automation drafts. A person sends anything that commits a time, a price, or a diagnosis. An assistant may book from a written window the owner already approved on the board.

47 CFR 64.1200(a)(10) treats stop, quit, end, revoke, opt out, cancel, or unsubscribe in a reply text as a reasonable revocation. Other words count if a reasonable person would read them as a request to stop. The rule says to honor it within a reasonable time, not more than ten business days, and not to require a portal or a phone tree as the only method. A one time confirmation text with no pitch is allowed. (47 CFR 64.1200)

CTIA says senders should support multiple ways to opt out (text, email, phone) and honor all of them, send one final confirmation per campaign, and not send further messages after that. Standardized STOP wording in your texts, and still act on normal language. CTIA also says to keep opt in and opt out records. (CTIA Messaging Principles and Best Practices)

Download the missed call text back playbook. One row per case. Paste the three templates into your platform. A person still takes the handoff list.

The AI assistant can draft the first reply from the missed call and the three facts. You approve anything that leaves the business. You still buy your own AI seat so the account stays yours.