This is a guest post from Damon Remy, REI Blackbook. He will be MAREI’s Guest speaker in January 2024.

Let’s cut to the chase:

The FCC just changed the game on lead gen. No more cold calls or texts without explicit yeses from customers.

That’s right, no implied, sorta-kinda consent. We’re talking crystal clear, documented, “yes, call me!” kinda consent.

What You Need to Know about Cold Calling and Cold Texting

Key Points:

New Rules Against Scam Communications: The FCC has adopted new rules to protect consumers from scam texts and calls, targeting significant vulnerabilities in the U.S. communications system.
Blocking “Red Flagged” Robotexting Numbers: The FCC can now flag certain numbers, requiring mobile carriers to block texts from these flagged sources. This is a direct move to reduce the frequency of unwanted and potentially fraudulent texts.
Do-Not-Call List for Text Messaging: The rules extend the protections of the Do-Not-Call list to text messaging, making it illegal to send marketing texts to numbers registered on the list.
Opt-In for Email-to-Text Messages: The FCC encourages providers to switch to an opt-in model for email-to-text services, which are a common source of unwanted texts.
Closing the Lead Generator Loophole: The new regulations require that lead generators and comparison shopping websites obtain individual consent for each seller before sending calls or texts. This means a single consent cannot apply to multiple telemarketers simultaneously.
Future Measures Against Robotexts: The FCC is considering further steps to combat robotexts, including additional blocking requirements, text message authentication protocols, and mandating opt-in for email-to-text services.

What’s the big deal for Real Estate Investors?

For starters, say goodbye to those days of maybe-okay leads from third-party lead generation companies. Now it’s all about genuine, interested people who actually want to hear from YOU. No more shooting in the dark.

This is huge for industries like debt collection, timeshares, and mobile carriers. But it’s even bigger for you, the small business owner. Why? Because it’s your chance to stand out. You’ve got to up your game, get personal, and really connect with your customers.

The best part? It’s a win-win. Customers get fewer annoying calls and texts, and you get leads that are actually interested in what you’ve got. No more wasting time and money on dead-end leads.

So, how do you adapt?

Think quality over quantity. Build relationships, not just contact lists. Focus on people who genuinely want your product or service. This is your chance to shine, to show your customers that you respect their time and choices.

I’ve been screaming at the rooftops for years, but now more than ever you must build your evergreen inbound lead machine!

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