Glossary
Plain-language definitions for text-to-join, short codes, and lead capture terms.
Audience response system
An audience response system (ARS) is a tool that lets everyone in a room answer a question at the same time and shows the combined results to the presenter or the whole audience. Early systems used handheld clickers; most now run on attendees' phones through a web page, an app, or text messages.
ReadBadge scanning (lead retrieval)
Badge scanning, also called lead retrieval, is how trade show exhibitors collect visitor contact details by scanning the barcode or QR code on attendees' name badges with a device or app. Each scan pulls in the details the attendee gave when they registered for the show.
ReadCapture flow
A capture flow is a short, automated text conversation that starts when someone texts a keyword or scans a QR code. It asks for their details one question at a time, delivers what was promised, and sends the contact on to other tools. Capture flow is Textiful's name for this; it's also called a text-to-join flow.
ReadConnection card
A connection card is a short form churches use to collect contact details and requests from visitors and members during a service, typically name, email or phone, whether it's their first visit, and prayer requests or next steps. Paper cards are still common, and many churches now also offer a digital connection card by text, QR code, or web form.
ReadConversation (Textiful pricing)
In Textiful pricing, a conversation is each time someone texts your keyword or scans your QR code and starts your flow. However many questions or replies, it counts once; if they come back later and start again, that's a new conversation. STOP and HELP never count.
ReadCTIA
CTIA is the US trade association for the wireless industry, whose members include the major mobile carriers. For texting, it's known for publishing messaging principles and short code guidelines that carriers use to approve and monitor short code programs.
ReadDouble opt-in
Double opt-in is a sign-up process where a person confirms their consent a second time before being added to a list, usually by clicking a confirmation link in an email or replying to a confirmation text. Only after confirming are they added.
ReadEmail service provider (ESP)
An email service provider (ESP) is software that stores an email list and sends emails to it, such as newsletters, welcome emails, and automated follow-ups. ESPs also handle sign-up forms, unsubscribes, and delivery. Mailchimp, Kit, and ActiveCampaign are examples.
ReadKeyword (texting)
In texting, a keyword is a word someone texts to a short code to start a specific program, such as SLIDES to get a slide deck or JOIN to sign up for a list. On a shared short code, the keyword tells the system which organization and which program the message belongs to.
ReadLead capture
Lead capture is the process of collecting contact details, usually an email address and name, from people interested in what you offer, so you can follow up with them later. Common methods include web forms, paper sign-up sheets, trade show badge scanning, and text-to-join.
ReadLead magnet
A lead magnet is something useful offered for free in exchange for a person's contact details, usually an email address. Common examples are slide decks, checklists, guides, templates, recordings, and discount codes.
ReadLive poll
A live poll is a question put to an audience in real time, with answers collected from people's phones or devices and results shown as they come in, often on the screen behind the speaker. It's used for audience participation, quick feedback, and group decisions during talks, classes, services, and shows.
ReadOpt-in
An opt-in is a person's permission to receive messages from an organization, given through an action they take themselves, such as texting a keyword, ticking a box, or submitting a sign-up form. It's the record that someone asked to hear from you.
ReadQR code to SMS
A QR code to SMS is a QR code that, when scanned, opens the phone's texting app with the recipient number and message already filled in, so the person only has to tap send. It turns a camera scan into a text without typing a number or keyword.
ReadResponse rate
Response rate is the share of people who respond to a request out of everyone who received or saw it. For a live event, it usually means the number of people who text in or scan a QR code divided by the number of people in the audience.
ReadShort code
A short code is a five- or six-digit number that organizations use to receive and send text messages at volume, most often for text-to-join sign-ups, voting, and requests for information. Mobile carriers review each short code program before it goes live.
ReadSTOP and HELP keywords
STOP and HELP are standard reply words in US texting. Texting STOP to a program unsubscribes the sender from its messages, and texting HELP returns a message saying who runs the program and how to get support. Carriers expect every short code program to respond to both.
ReadTCPA
The TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act) is a US federal law passed in 1991 that restricts telemarketing calls, autodialed and prerecorded calls, and text messages sent without the recipient's consent. Text messages are treated as calls under the law, which makes it the main US law behind consent rules for texting programs.
ReadText-to-join
Text-to-join is a way to sign up by text: a person texts a keyword to a short code, or scans a QR code that opens a pre-filled text, and answers a question or two to join a list, get a download, or register for something.
ReadWebhook
A webhook is an automated message one app sends to another the moment something happens, delivered as an HTTP request to a URL you provide, usually with the details in JSON. It lets systems react to events as they happen instead of checking for changes on a schedule.
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