If you want to do any SMS marketing, you’ll come across 10DLC registration and The Campaign Registry. Any business that uses 10-digit numbers to send text messages must register their numbers with the mobile carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) through a program called The Campaign Registry.
You must register whether your business is a sole proprietorship, nonprofit, private profit business, etc. But for any incorporated business, partnership, nonprofit, or business that employs at least one person, you must provide your Employer Identification Number, or EIN.
So, what exactly is an EIN, and how can you obtain one for your business? And once you get your EIN, how do you complete 10DLC registration with The Campaign Registry? We’ll walk you through all you need to know.
What is an EIN?
An EIN is a nine-digit number the IRS assigns to businesses and other similar entities for tax purposes. Think of it as a Social Security number for your business, but don’t confuse your business EIN with your personal Social security number. EINs use an XX-XXXXXX pattern, while social security numbers use an XXX-XX-XXXX pattern.
The most common reasons you need an EIN:
- You employ one or more people
- Your business operates as a partnership, corporation, or LLC
- Your business is a nonprofit
Obtaining an EIN
Applying for an EIN is a simple process that you can complete online for free through the IRS website.
Before you start, understand that the information you eventually need to provide in 10DLC registration (legal name, legal business name, tax ID number, etc.) must exactly match the information displayed on official IRS-issued documents. Carefully provide your legal name and legal business name to the IRS to make 10DLC registration a simple process.
Here’s the basics of obtaining an EIN for your business. Once you start the application, you must complete it in one session because you can’t save it and return later.
- Go to the EIN application page on the IRS website.
- Choose the type of entity you are applying for (sole proprietorship, corporation, LLC). The IRS provides brief explanations if you’re unsure which type to choose.
- Fill out the application with your business information, including your name, business address, Social Security number, and other identifying information.
- Submit your application and wait for your EIN to be assigned. Usually, your EIN is available immediately upon completion.
- Download your EIN Confirmation Letter and save it for your records.
Keep this number and confirmation letter accessible but secure, as you need it for various business activities, including registering any 10-digit phone number with The Campaign Registry.
Benefits of Having an EIN for 10DLC Registration
When you register for 10DLC, you must provide your EIN if your business is an LLC, corporation, etc. or SSN if your business is a sole proprietorship to verify your business.
The mobile carriers want to ensure that you’re a legitimate business, and registration enhances your reputation as a trustworthy sender. It helps prevent fraud and spam texts, which protects consumers from unwanted or malicious messages.
Improperly registering, such as registering as a sole proprietorship when your business is actually an LLC, may result in fines or legal action.
In general, registering your business texting number with The Campaign Registry means…
- more messages get delivered
- messages send faster
- messages won’t be filtered as spam
- you avoid large fees invoked by the carriers
- recipients of your messages can trust that you’re sending them legitimate messages
- you save money because you don’t have to rely on shortcode
Business with an EIN benefit even more. The carriers give those businesses greater messaging capabilities that sole proprietorships don’t receive. Put simply, the mobile carriers allow those businesses to send even more messages per day and at even faster speeds.
How to Register Your Business Texting Number with The Campaign Registry
Once you have your EIN, you’re ready to register your 10DLC number with The Campaign Registry.
If you don’t know what your EIN is, but know you have one, look at your SS-4 confirmation letter for that information or on a previously filed tax return for the entity that matches the EIN you need. You can also call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax line at 800-829-4933 and ask them for your EIN.
To register with The Campaign Registry and enjoy all the benefits of 10DLC, you’ll be asked to provide information like the following. This is not a completely comprehensive list but an overview to give you an idea of the process.
- company name
- company contact details (including a text-enabled mobile number)
- company EIN
- website
- industry
- company address
- messaging use cases
Again, make sure all the information you’re entering, such as your legal name, business name, EIN, etc., exactly matches the information on your official IRS-issued documents. Any difference in the business name, such as additional spaces, hyphens, apostrophes, accents, etc., will result in an error.
As of January 12, 2023, you must complete a mobile verification. The phone number you provide when completing the brand registration must be a text-enabled mobile number.
After submitting your brand registration, you will receive a text message that you must reply “YES” to in order to complete verification. Failure to do so means your brand will not be verified and your business text messaging platform may not allow you to send text messages.
You’ll then complete the messaging use case registration.
All brand and use case information is then submitted to the mobile carriers. As set by the mobile carriers, verification may take 5-10 business days. This means you won’t be able to send any text messages until your verification is confirmed. Your chosen business text messaging service should provide instructions for what will occur during this time.
Get an EIN and Register Now
While at first the application process for an EIN and 10DLC registration seems daunting, the benefits they offer to your SMS marketing and business communication efforts are significant. These processes verify your business as legitimate, increase message delivery and speed, and protect your customers from spam and fraud.
