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Marketing
Check out new ways to stand out and capture your audience's attention and increase engagement rates.
Conversational marketing is an emerging framework that focuses on creating personalized, one-to-one interactions with customers through mobile-first chats. This approach prioritizes the wants and needs of the consumer, meeting them where they are in a convenient and desirable way. With the rise of digital outreach strategies, conversational marketing is becoming increasingly important in creating effective customer engagement. Effective customer engagement is crucial for businesses as it drives conversions, strengthens customer relationships, enhances brand awareness, and creates a host of other benefits. Conversational marketing embraces tools and solutions that allow enterprises to prioritize one-to-one, back and forth customer conversations through brief, snappy messages on lightweight platforms like SMS and in-app chat. This approach to marketing is on the rise as it is proven to produce effective customer engagement. Customers who are fully engaged represent a 23% higher share in profitability, revenue, and relationship growth. Businesses that use conversational marketing can meet the needs of customers by connecting with them at a direct level, providing immediate responses and showing empathy and concern. Conversational marketing also unlocks advanced personalization as it requires a personalized approach to engagement where businesses develop rich customer personas and maintain a comprehensive record of all communications. By treating customers as individuals, businesses can meet their needs and expectations, leading to increased customer loyalty and satisfaction. Allow Alive5 to show you how its unparalleled mix of SMS broadcasts, one to one replies and automation can give your business a potent tool for conversational marketing strategies.
Chatbot marketing has the potential to enhance the customer experience for businesses of all types. Learn more about how you can become an expert in chatbots in 7 simple steps.
Support
Reducing support and operational costs with a streamlined messaging platform.
Why is a compliant Privacy Policy required?
By collaborating with our SMS vendors and partners, we've created these guidelines to assist you in completing the 10DLC compliance process in the most efficient way possible. To avoid delays, be prepared to take on the necessary tasks such as contacting your web developer or legal team. Related: 10DLC and What it Means for Business SMS/Texting 1. Matching EIN and Legal Business Name An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, and is used to identify a business entity. This allows The Campaign Registry to verify the identity of your organization (Brand), which is a requirement for any Campaign to be registered on 10DLC. It is crucial that the "EIN" matches the "Legal Business Name" (above) of the Brand you are registering for it to be correctly verified. TIP: Refer to IRS forms (W2, SS-4) for correct EIN and Legal Business Name. 2. Valid Web/Online Presence Your organization must have a valid web presence in order to use A2P SMS services. If you do not have a business website, a social media profile (Facebook Page or LinkedIn profile) may be used instead. The social media profile should indicate an operational business (active followers and engagement). Some examples of failed approvals: Website is not functional or is not secure (no HTTPS). Website contains malware. Website does not represent the registered business. Social media profile does not represent the registered business. Website Alternative: Social Media Profile If your Brand only has an established online presence, such as a Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn page, instead of a website, you can still get approved. Here are some tips for each Facebook and Instagram pages – these should be professional accounts (not personal) where the Brand is clearly identified. It’s best if the email address and phone number shown on the page also match what you used in the 10DLC registration details. LinkedIn page – This also needs to be a company listing, not a personal profile (that will be rejected). The email address and phone number should match the 10DLC registration details, and the ‘About’ section should have Privacy Policy and Opt-in language disclaimers. Don’t use LinkedIn for Sole Proprietors. We strongly advise you to use an established website, Facebook, or Instagram page over a LinkedIn company page. In summary (if you use social profiles for web presence): Use company listing type of profile pages, not personal. Must have Privacy Policy and Opt-In Language disclaimers. These can be in About sections or pinned posts. See example: https://www.facebook.com/wearealive5/about_privacy_and_legal_info 3. Opt In Language If you utilize a contact form where you are capturing any phone numbers, opt in language must visible to the user when completing the form. Example verbiage which may be used: "By providing a telephone number and submitting the form you are consenting to be contacted by SMS text message from {your Business Name (DBA) here}. Message frequency may vary. Message & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt-out of further messaging. Reply HELP for more information. See our Privacy Policy {your Privacy Policy URL here}" Be sure to replace the contents {your Business Name (DBA) here} and {your Privacy Policy URL here} with your actual business details.
12/1/2024 Updates On February 1st, 2025, mobile carriers will be blocking all unregistered A2P (application to peer) 10DLC (10-digit long code) SMS phone numbers from sending texts. The previous deadline of 12/1/2024 was deferred until this new date. Sole proprietors are now required to have a valid IRS EIN number to apply for 10DLC Brand and Campaigns. 11/8/2023 Update Toll free numbers (TFNs) require full vetting and verification before texting capability can be enabled. Previously, texting capability was available right after port without full verification (with limits). Vetting process is done by Twilio/Zipwhip which takes on average 4 weeks (reduced from previous 6-8 weeks). 10/6/2023 Updates Update 1: A compliant privacy policy is now required for any type of business, except SOLE PROPRIETORS. Update 2: For "Provisional Compliance", throughput is no longer limited to 2k per day. Throughput limits are now 25 messages per minute (a message consisting of 160 characters or less). For example, if you want to send a Broadcast to 5000 contacts, it should take about 3.3 hours. Update 3: 10DLC approval ETA has now increased from 2 weeks to 4-6 weeks for each review and approval. With Alive5, we have a solution which allows you to start texting within 24-72 hours (assuming your website, opt-in language, and privacy policy is compliant). 8/1/2023 Updates On September 1st, 2023, mobile carriers will be blocking all unregistered A2P (application to peer) 10DLC (10-digit long code) SMS phone numbers from sending texts.
Sports
How Alive5 plays in the world of professional and NCAA sports and fan engagement.
The rise of the mobile first world has fundamentally changed the way fans approach watching games, checking scores, following their favorite play and now, buying tickets to the big game.
Our team recently interviewed Logan Welch, Manager of Sales & Service team at Clemson Athletics about the Alive5 platform. In the interview, he shares how his team leverages the chat platform for text messaging at scale, managing customer communications, and customer chat via its website.
Higher Education
See what we're doing to improve student journeys through admissions, attendance, and alumni engagement.
College Enrollment Post-Covid is Down Dramatically from Pre-Covid Levels
If you use Zipwhip, read this. Questions to ask when finding a Zipwhip replacement. Schedule a demo of the perfect alternative.
Recruiting
In a hot job market, recruiters need all the tools they can get to make sure candidates get placed with the right jobs, fast.
An Interview With Alive5 Client Doherty
Compliance
Learn how to stay compliant and ways Alive5 makes it easy.
See what changed for TCPA and 10DLC compliance in 2026, including registration rules, consent requirements, and state texting hour limits businesses must follow.
Why is a compliant Privacy Policy required?
By collaborating with our SMS vendors and partners, we've created these guidelines to assist you in completing the 10DLC compliance process in the most efficient way possible. To avoid delays, be prepared to take on the necessary tasks such as contacting your web developer or legal team. Related: 10DLC and What it Means for Business SMS/Texting 1. Matching EIN and Legal Business Name An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, and is used to identify a business entity. This allows The Campaign Registry to verify the identity of your organization (Brand), which is a requirement for any Campaign to be registered on 10DLC. It is crucial that the "EIN" matches the "Legal Business Name" (above) of the Brand you are registering for it to be correctly verified. TIP: Refer to IRS forms (W2, SS-4) for correct EIN and Legal Business Name. 2. Valid Web/Online Presence Your organization must have a valid web presence in order to use A2P SMS services. If you do not have a business website, a social media profile (Facebook Page or LinkedIn profile) may be used instead. The social media profile should indicate an operational business (active followers and engagement). Some examples of failed approvals: Website is not functional or is not secure (no HTTPS). Website contains malware. Website does not represent the registered business. Social media profile does not represent the registered business. Website Alternative: Social Media Profile If your Brand only has an established online presence, such as a Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn page, instead of a website, you can still get approved. Here are some tips for each Facebook and Instagram pages – these should be professional accounts (not personal) where the Brand is clearly identified. It’s best if the email address and phone number shown on the page also match what you used in the 10DLC registration details. LinkedIn page – This also needs to be a company listing, not a personal profile (that will be rejected). The email address and phone number should match the 10DLC registration details, and the ‘About’ section should have Privacy Policy and Opt-in language disclaimers. Don’t use LinkedIn for Sole Proprietors. We strongly advise you to use an established website, Facebook, or Instagram page over a LinkedIn company page. In summary (if you use social profiles for web presence): Use company listing type of profile pages, not personal. Must have Privacy Policy and Opt-In Language disclaimers. These can be in About sections or pinned posts. See example: https://www.facebook.com/wearealive5/about_privacy_and_legal_info 3. Opt In Language If you utilize a contact form where you are capturing any phone numbers, opt in language must visible to the user when completing the form. Example verbiage which may be used: "By providing a telephone number and submitting the form you are consenting to be contacted by SMS text message from {your Business Name (DBA) here}. Message frequency may vary. Message & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt-out of further messaging. Reply HELP for more information. See our Privacy Policy {your Privacy Policy URL here}" Be sure to replace the contents {your Business Name (DBA) here} and {your Privacy Policy URL here} with your actual business details.
12/1/2024 Updates On February 1st, 2025, mobile carriers will be blocking all unregistered A2P (application to peer) 10DLC (10-digit long code) SMS phone numbers from sending texts. The previous deadline of 12/1/2024 was deferred until this new date. Sole proprietors are now required to have a valid IRS EIN number to apply for 10DLC Brand and Campaigns. 11/8/2023 Update Toll free numbers (TFNs) require full vetting and verification before texting capability can be enabled. Previously, texting capability was available right after port without full verification (with limits). Vetting process is done by Twilio/Zipwhip which takes on average 4 weeks (reduced from previous 6-8 weeks). 10/6/2023 Updates Update 1: A compliant privacy policy is now required for any type of business, except SOLE PROPRIETORS. Update 2: For "Provisional Compliance", throughput is no longer limited to 2k per day. Throughput limits are now 25 messages per minute (a message consisting of 160 characters or less). For example, if you want to send a Broadcast to 5000 contacts, it should take about 3.3 hours. Update 3: 10DLC approval ETA has now increased from 2 weeks to 4-6 weeks for each review and approval. With Alive5, we have a solution which allows you to start texting within 24-72 hours (assuming your website, opt-in language, and privacy policy is compliant). 8/1/2023 Updates On September 1st, 2023, mobile carriers will be blocking all unregistered A2P (application to peer) 10DLC (10-digit long code) SMS phone numbers from sending texts.
SMS opt-in permission can be tricky to navigate, with all the rules and regulations surrounding texting. At Alive5, we're here to help you understand the best ways to build a compliant SMS opt-in list, so you can communicate with your audiences confidently. Here's a quick "Crash Course" on some the most common ways to obtain SMS permissions.
Learn TCPA compliance requirements for SMS texting. Alive5 helps businesses send compliant text messages without legal risk. Get started free.
Trouble Shooting
Common issues and solutions when using Alive5.
Goals and Objectives Now that you have live chat configured for your Alive5 account, it's time to optimize and measure everything in efforts to create the best Visitor experience based on your current team resources. We'll cover: How to measure the performance of your live chat agents through various reports (Performance, Conversations, Agent Activity) Configure live chat settings for your organization's call center set up (Max Chat, Ring Mode, Chat Timeout). Measure performance KPIs (key performance indicators) of your team to see where you can improve. Predict future trends for staffing team members for optimum effectiveness.
This guide was created to make sure your team is set up to receive every type of notification in Alive5 so you don't miss a customer request. I'm not receiving Desktop (browser) Pop Up Notifications Agents not getting browser notifications (pop-ups & sound) for new Live Chat, SMS, or Facebook Messenger requests is a common issue that can be resolved quickly by following the steps below. Step 1: Check your Alive5 Settings  Admin: For SMS Make sure you have Live Chat & SMS notifications enabled under 'Settings & Visual Notifications'. Log into your alive5 account, and visit https://app.alive5.com/settings/notifications . You should see the options below - toggle the options ON for the sounds and popups you wish to see and hear:
API & Integrations
See how you can further integrate with Alive5 outside the box.
Attention Developers!  Alive5 offers a public API which allows you to read/write and update conversational data within Alive5. Organized using the POSTMAN API model, the API can be accessed: www.alive5.com/api . Some examples of usage include: Pulling SMS and live chat conversions and pushing it to your internal databases. Pulling chat statistics (reporting data) and analyzing it within your own systems. Sending SMS/MMS texts outbound from your 3rd party systems (scheduling). Getting a list of channels and users within Alive5. If you don't find an API endpoint in our library, feel free to contact us at support@alive5.com.
This document will highlight the steps you need to obtain UTM Parameters from your web chat sessions. This only applies to live (web) chat , not SMS or Facebook Messenger interactions. If you need further assistance, help or support, please contact support@alive5.com . Why Would You Need This?  If you are focused on marketing attribution (trying to find out who or what ad campaigns are bringing you traffic) analyzing UTM Parameters ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UTM_parameters ) are a must. If you are embedding the Widget Code on a web page, Alive5 will automatically capture UTM parameter variables and save them with the specific chat session. Example: If a Facebook Ad sends a visitor to your website, it will append UTM parameters to your website URL: https://www.example.com/page?& utm_campaign =campaign1& utm_medium =social& utm_source =facebook.com& utm_content =banner1 Then, you can go to reporting within Alive5, and download the Conversations report, and see all the captured UTM variables:
This document will highlight the steps you need to pass custom variables into your web chat sessions. This only applies to live (web) chat , not SMS or Facebook Messenger interactions. If you need further assistance, help or support, please contact support@alive5.com . Why Would You Need This? This creates a customize web chat experience by automatically including Visitor data (first name, last name, email, phone number) into every chat session. For example, if your web site has a member portal and if you have access to their session information (usually stored in your database), you can pass that information into Alive5 to creating a personalized experience without prompting the Visitor to manually enter their name and other details. When a chat starts, the Agents will be able to easily identify who is chatting in. Before you can pass in a Visitor’s name, email, phone, etc, you will need to be able to pull that information from YOUR system. For example, if you store that information in a cookie, you will need to expose it and embed it into our chat code. This may require help from your web developer, or just let us know and we can help. How Is It Done? If you’d like to pass in your own custom variables into chat, such as first name, last name, emails, and other account specific information, this can be done with some minor code additions to the existing web widget or short link. There are 2 ways to pass variables into Alive5 web chats - through the Widget and through a Short Link. Passing Variables into a Short Link (integration with web link) An example of a short link: https://alive5.com/UiwIgpU There are 5 variables currently available that can be passed into each request:
Other Interesting Reads from Alive5
Perspectives and general announcements from our team.
See what changed for TCPA and 10DLC compliance in 2026, including registration rules, consent requirements, and state texting hour limits businesses must follow.
Compare Intercom Fin AI Agent pricing against SMB friendly alternatives like Alive5, which combines AI chat, SMS texting, and live chat in one platform for less.
See 2026 SMS marketing benchmarks for open rates, response rates, and click through rates compared to email, plus tips on using SMS well.
Compare Alive5 and Chatbase on pricing, channels, and features to find the right AI chatbot platform for a business that also needs SMS and live chat support.
What is Alive5 and Why We Built It.
