Promotional SMS campaigns you can measure
Announce sales, launches and events to thousands of customers in Hindi, English or any Indian language. MsgClub scrubs DND numbers, personalises every message, schedules inside the allowed window and shows exactly who clicked your link.
- DND and NCPR scrubbing
- Short URL click tracking
- Excel and CSV personalisation
- Scheduling, drip and auto-repeat
What is promotional SMS?
Promotional SMS is a marketing text message, such as an offer, a sale, a launch or an event invitation, sent to many customers at once. In India it uses a numeric sender ID and a DLT-approved promotional template, is delivered only between 10 am and 9 pm, and does not reach numbers registered on the DND list.
Updated
What are the rules for promotional SMS in India?
TRAI's TCCCPR 2018 regulations and the DLT platform set five rules every promotional campaign must follow. MsgClub applies them automatically so your campaign is not blocked halfway.
10 am to 9 pm only
Promotional messages are delivered only inside this window. Schedule campaigns to start after 10 am and finish well before 9 pm.
No delivery to DND numbers
Numbers that block commercial messages on the NCPR are removed before sending.
Numeric header
Promotions use a numeric sender ID, shown with a -P suffix, instead of your brand header.
Approved promotional template
The text must match a template registered in the promotional category, with changing parts as variables.
Whitelisted links
Links and callback numbers in templates must be whitelisted on the DLT platform, or messages carrying them are blocked.
Consent and DPDP
Use contact lists you have the right to message, honour opt-outs, and follow the DPDP Act 2023 for personal data.
What tools do you get for SMS marketing?
Everything below is included in the panel and API. For opted-in customers who use WhatsApp, you can run the same offer as a WhatsApp marketing campaign with images and buttons.
Personalisation from Excel or CSV
Upload your list and merge names, cities, amounts or coupon codes into each message. Hindi and regional scripts work with Unicode SMS, and the panel shows character count and parts before you send.
Short URLs with click tracking
Each recipient gets a unique short link. See who clicked, when and how often, and export clickers for a follow-up call or WhatsApp message.
Scheduling
Pick a date and time inside the allowed window. Campaigns go out on their own.
Drip campaigns
Send a planned series over days, such as launch, reminder and last day of a sale.
Auto-repeat
Repeat a message weekly or monthly, for example a weekend offer or a monthly newsletter.
Groups and phone book
Save contacts in groups by city, product or segment and reuse them across campaigns.
HLR lookup
Check whether numbers are active before a large campaign to clean old lists.
Campaign reports
Submitted, delivered, failed and clicked counts per campaign, with per-number detail.
How do you run a promotional SMS campaign?
- Register the templateSubmit the offer wording in the promotional category with a numeric header. Whitelist any link domain.
- Upload your listImport Excel or CSV and choose the columns to merge.
- Scrub and previewDND numbers are removed; preview a few personalised messages.
- SchedulePick a time after 10 am, add drip follow-ups if needed.
- Measure and follow upTrack delivery and clicks, then send clickers to sales or WhatsApp.
How do you write a promotional SMS that gets clicks?
- Put your brand name first, because the sender is a number.
- State one offer and one deadline: "30% off bedsheets till Sunday".
- Use the customer's name, and their language where you know it.
- Add one short link to a page that matches the offer.
- Stay within one or two parts: 160 characters in English, 70 per part in Unicode.
- Send a test to your own team first to check the link, the merge fields and the sender.
Hi {#var#}, Diwali sale is live at Kavya Home Decor.
Flat {#var#} off on bedsheets and curtains till
{#var#}. Shop now: {#var#} T&C apply.Hi Priya, Diwali sale is live at Kavya Home Decor.
Flat 30% off on bedsheets and curtains till
Sunday. Shop now: kvya.in/d/Rk9 T&C apply.Sample wording. The link domain must be whitelisted on the DLT platform, and some portals ask you to tag URL variables separately.
Promotional SMS key facts
- Delivery window
- 10 am to 9 pm
- DND numbers
- Not reached; scrubbed before sending
- Sender ID
- Numeric header with -P suffix
- Tracking
- Delivery reports and short URL clicks
- Automation
- Scheduling, drip and auto-repeat
- Pricing
- Per SMS part; see pricing
Related: transactional SMS · DLT registration guide · SMS API · API and webhooks · contact sales
Frequently asked questions
What time can promotional SMS be sent in India?
Promotional SMS can be delivered only between 10 am and 9 pm under TRAI rules. Messages submitted outside this window are held or rejected by the operator, so schedule campaigns inside it. Transactional and service messages, including OTPs, are not limited by this window.
Do promotional SMS reach DND numbers?
No. Numbers registered on the National Customer Preference Register (NCPR) with a full block, or a block for your category, do not receive promotional SMS. MsgClub scrubs your list before sending and shows how many numbers were removed.
Why do promotional SMS come from a number instead of a brand name?
Under DLT rules, promotional SMS use a numeric header, usually 6 digits, instead of the 6-letter brand header used for service messages. Customers see it with a -P suffix under current TRAI rules. Mention your brand name in the message text so customers recognise you.
Can I personalise promotional SMS?
Yes. Upload an Excel or CSV file and merge any column, such as name, city, last purchase or points balance, into the message. Each merged field must sit in a variable position of your approved DLT template, and the final text must still match that template.
How do I track clicks on promotional SMS?
Turn on short URL tracking when you create the campaign. MsgClub replaces your long link with a short link per recipient and reports who clicked, when and how often. You can export clickers as a list for a follow-up call, WhatsApp message or retargeting.
Can I send promotional SMS to my existing customers on DND?
Only as service explicit messages, and only if you hold their explicit consent registered through the DLT consent process. Without valid consent, a promotional message to a DND number is blocked. Ask customers to opt in at checkout, in your app or by a missed call.
How much does promotional SMS cost in India?
Promotional SMS is charged per message part from prepaid credits, and the rate depends on your monthly volume. Long or Unicode messages use more parts, so a 2-part Hindi offer costs twice a 1-part English one. MsgClub quotes by volume and shows in the quote whether any operator DLT scrubbing charge is included.
Related products
Use them together from the same MsgClub account, with one API and shared reports.
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