Texting Guide for BDRs

Business development representatives win with speed, clarity, and relevance. Short texts help you warm cold accounts, convert hand-raisers, and book meetings without long email threads. TextUs gives you a fast workflow that connects every conversation to your CRM.

How TextUs Fits BDR Workflows

TextUs Campaigns can reach targeted lists for outbound, event follow-ups, and inbound lead response. You can attach PDFs or images, such as one-pagers, customer snapshots, or invite cards, so prospects can evaluate in seconds.

Keywords like YES, DEMO, or INFO can enroll contacts in Sequences that send links and reminders automatically.

Replies appear in the Shared Inbox where BDRs and AEs can collaborate. Integrations can log messages, clicks, and outcomes to your CRM so attribution stays clean. You can review deliveries, replies, and clicks, then export CSVs for weekly performance.

What to Set Up First

Connect your CRM so lead lists, stages, and owners sync both ways. Register 10DLC numbers and keep opt-out handling active so STOP and UNSUBSCRIBE can process automatically. Define segments like “Inbound Last 24 Hours,” “Event Leads,” “Cold Outbound ICP,” and “No Reply 7 Days.”

Create templates for first touch, follow-up, reschedule, and demo confirmation. Set Shared Inbox coverage by time zone so hot replies get immediate attention. Align tone and objection handling with sales leadership.

How to Create an SMS Campaign With TextUs

1. Choose your audience: Open Campaigns in TextUs and select a CRM segment such as “Inbound Last 24 Hours.” This can make sure your message reaches active leads.
2. Write your message: Keep it short and specific. Example: “Hi {{first_name}}, saw you checked out [Product]. Want a 10-minute look at how it solves [Pain]? Reply YES and I’ll send a link to pick a time.”
3. Attach media: Add a one-pager or mini case snapshot when helpful. Attachments can answer quick questions without a call.
4. Set up an A/B test: Change one element, such as opener or CTA. Keep the version with the higher reply rate.
5. Schedule your campaign: Send during prospects’ local business hours. For inbound, aim to respond within 5 to 15 minutes of activity.
6. Create a keyword: Add a keyword such as YES, DEMO, or INFO and reference it in your text. TextUs can recognize and route replies automatically.
7. Link to a sequence: Connect the keyword to a two-step sequence. For example, “Step 1: Send the scheduling link. Step 2: Follow up after 24 hours if there is no booking.”
8. Send and monitor: Launch your campaign, watch replies in the Shared Inbox, and assign an owner immediately.

Example sequence messages:

• Step 1 (auto-reply): “Thanks, {{first_name}}. Here is the scheduling link: [short URL].”
• Step 2 (reminder): “Quick nudge in case you missed it. You can grab a time here: [short URL]. Happy to text a one-pager if easier.”

Segmentation and Personalization Strategy

Segment by source, fit, and intent. Useful lists include ICP by industry, event registrants, pricing page visitors, and no-response leads. Exclude closed or recently contacted records to protect deliverability.

Personalize with the first name and one relevant context field, such as the page viewed or the event. Example: “Hi {{first_name}}, great to meet you at [Event]. Want a quick overview that maps to your [Team/Use Case]? Reply INFO.” Use fallbacks to keep messages clean if a field is missing.

Refresh lists daily so you stay focused on current activity. Clean data can lift reply rate and meeting creation.

Template Library for BDR Scenarios

Keep a compact set that covers the moments you repeat most. One ask per message and one action.

• “Hi {{first_name}}, saw you were looking at [Feature]. Want a quick walkthrough? Reply DEMO.”
• “Great meeting you at [Event]. Want the recap and next steps? Reply INFO.”
• “Quick check on your interest in [Product]. Ready to see times for a 10-minute chat? Reply YES.”
• “Missed you earlier. Want to reschedule? Reply TIMES and I will send options.”
• “Here is a 1-page snapshot from a similar customer: [short URL]. Want the highlights that match your use case?”

Review the template performance monthly with compliance. Rotate stronger openers, and keep files under 1 MB.

Reporting and Attribution Workflow

Export deliveries, replies, clicks, and keyword activity from TextUs weekly. Join that data with CRM outcomes like meetings booked, stages created, and opportunities opened. Keep campaign name, segment, keyword, and send time consistent for clean analysis.

Track reply-to-meeting and meeting-to-opportunity conversion. Compare A and B variants to learn which opener and timing perform best. Share a one-page summary with delivery rate, reply rate, meetings booked, and top-performing template.

Prospecting Cadence and Event Follow-Up

Use a light cadence for outbound: first touch, one reminder 48 hours later, then move to a slower sequence. Keep each text focused on one outcome, usually booking a short call. If there is no signal after two touches, recycle to email or a nurture sequence.

For events, send a same-day thank-you, a next-morning recap with a resource, and a 3-day check-in. Reference the session or booth to keep context clear. Ask one simple question to earn a reply.

Managing Replies in the Shared Inbox

All replies can appear in the Shared Inbox so BDRs and AEs share context. The first responder assigns the thread to themselves so ownership is clear. Templates provide consistency, and a short personal line can keep the tone human.

Use tags like Inbound, Event, Outbound, Pricing, and Reschedule to stay organized. Add a note when handing off to an AE with the pain point and timing. Keep notifications on during business hours to capture interest quickly.

Compliance and Deliverability for BDRs

Use registered 10DLC numbers for all prospecting traffic. Keep opt-out handling on so STOP and UNSUBSCRIBE can process automatically. Include “Reply STOP to opt out” in your first message.

Avoid all caps, multiple links, and heavy punctuation. Send during local business hours and limit to two texts per prospect per week. Keep attachments relevant and concise.

FAQs About Texting Guide for BDRs

Can I attach intro materials or case snapshots?

Yes. TextUs allows PDFs, images, or GIFs in both campaigns and one-to-one messages. Many BDRs send a single one-pager or short customer snapshot to support the ask.

Can I automate demo confirmations and reminders?

Yes. You can link keywords like YES or DEMO to Sequences that send a scheduling link and a timed follow-up.

How do Keywords and Sequences reduce manual work?

Keywords standardize intent and enrollment. A reply with YES can trigger the scheduler now and a reminder later if no booking happens.

How does the Shared Inbox help BDR to AE handoff?

All replies appear in one shared view where owners can be assigned, threads tagged, and notes added. This prevents duplicate outreach and keeps context for the AE.

What should I measure to improve meeting creation?

Track delivery, reply, and meeting rates by segment and template. Compare send times and opener variants. Small changes to clarity and timing can lift reply rate by 15%.