Frequently Asked Questions

Most of the common questions can be answered on this page. If you do not find the answer that you are looking for, please contact the Account Representative that gave you the link to this web site. Your Account Representative will answer your inquiry as quickly as possible.

The Basics

What is an autoresponder?

An autoresponder is a software application that allows for the advance creation of a message sequence, and then the messages are delivered to subscribers at predefined intervals. Most people are familiar with signing up to receive an email newsletter that arrives weekly, or an email course that delivers a new training segment every third day, etc. There are sophisticated email autoresponders that incorporate multiple features and tools that are designed to enhance direct marketing, as well as basic email autoresponders that simply send a single automatic reply to tell the sender that you will be out of the office. The Prospect Power Pro platform is a unique, full featured autoresponder that is capable of sending email, SMS, MMS, and voice broadcast messages through a single message sequence.

What do you mean by multimedia messaging?

Multimedia messaging is simply the ability to send different types of media as a message. For example, the Prospect Power Pro platform is a unique, full featured autoresponder that is capable of sending email, SMS, MMS, and voice broadcast messages through a single message sequence. That's multimedia. Other brands of autoresponders are mainly one dimensional, capable of delivering only a single media or message type through a message sequence. All things considered, including price, there is no reason to settle for a one dimensional autoresponder.

What if I am new to online and mobile?

We may be biased, but there probably isn't a better platform for you to get started with. With Prospect Power Pro, you can get started with an inexpensive account and build your online and mobile marketing business at your own pace. If you have a dedicated Account Rep and a Bronze, Silver, or Gold account we will manage your account and prepare, schedule and send up to four messages per month for you. If you have compared the prices and features of one dimensional autoresponders, we think that you'll agree that the Prospect Power Pro platform will provide you with the overall best value, as well as being extremely easy to learn and use.

Why is SMS/MMS marketing important?

  • In 2013, over one billion smartphones were shipped in a year for the first time ever.
  • Some 5.1 billion out of the 6.8 billion people on Earth own a mobile phone.
  • Over 90 per cent of all SMS messages are opened within 3 minutes of delivery, but only 12 per cent of Facebook posts and 29 per cent of tweets are read.
  • Some 80 per cent of consumers haven't received SMS marketing messages from their favorite brands.

Why is voice broadcasting important?

  • Voice broadcasts reach more people for significantly less money than direct mail or traditional advertising.
  • Voice broadcasts add personalization and urgency, not found in other direct marketing methods.
  • Complete message delivers to voicemail if recipient does not pick up.
  • Increase subscription and/or renewal rates.

What are message credits?

A package of message credits are included with every account and are recharged each month. Each SMS, MMS, and voice broadcast message that you send uses message credits. Since each of these message types vary in cost to send, message credits, or fractions of message credits, are how we charge for multimedia messages. If you ever run short of message credits before your monthly renewal, you can purchase packages of non-expiring additional message credits directly through your control panel. Email messages do not use message credits, so you can send as many email messages as your account allows. Currently, there are hundreds of different rate possibilities due to the number of different phone, SMS, and MMS providers around the globe. Message credits cost between 1.75 and 3.00 cents per credit, depending on the quantity of credits purchased. A single 145 character SMS message or a 60-second voice audio message can be delivered to a US or Canada number for a single message credit - or 1.75 to 3.00 cents per message. Credit usage to countries outside the US and Canada varies and will be billed to your account as a multiple of message credits used per message. The easiest way to determine the cost to countries outside the US and Canada is to send a message from the platform to a number in that country and then check the sent log in your control panel.

Which account do I need?

The account that you need is a matter of preference, based upon your needs and goals. Each account includes the same control panel, it's just a matter of which features and capabilities that you need or want. Even the most basic and inexpensive Prospect Power Pro account includes everything that you will need for managing your lists and sending multimedia messages, including a package of message credits that are recharged each month. There are even email only and free email only accounts available but these accounts do not include message credits or phone numbers. You can add additional phone numbers and message credits to your account at any time, regardless of your account type.

Upgrades and downgrades

Account upgrades are easy, downgrades are a bit more difficult. For example, each phone number in your account will allow you to set up a single mobile autoresponder, capable of delivering multimedia messages. That autoresponder can have a number of different Groups associated with it. Let's say that your current account has three phone numbers and you want to downgrade to an account with one phone number. There is no way to transfer the subscribers from two of the mobile autoresponder lists to an account that is only capable of supporting a single mobile list. One solution is to backup your subscribers before downgrading, thereby eliminating the downgrading problem of the two extra mobile subscriber lists. A better solution is to simply select the account that you think you will need, in terms of your current and near future list size goals. You can add phone numbers and message credits to your account as you need them, thereby making any downgrade as easy as it was when you added the extra features. If your business grows to the point where you want a single large account, please contact your Account Representative for our enterprise account pricing.

Platform Questions

Why do you use phone numbers?

That's a great question. The answer is three-fold. One part of the equation is speed of message delivery, another part is cost, and the other part is the number of included keywords. Short codes can deliver SMS/MMS messages at a rate of 30 messages per second, phone numbers deliver only 1 SMS/MMS message per second. Since you can add as many phone numbers to your account as you need to support your list size you can upgrade your message delivery speed on the fly. When you select the "Send From All Numbers" feature you can increase your message delivery speed to short code delivery speed with only 30 numbers, but if you have more than 30 numbers you can deliver messages faster than a short code delivery platform. Short codes cost thousands, and most people end up with a shared short code platform, which unfortunately limits the available keywords to only one or two without paying extra for more. The Prospect Power Pro platform allows for an unlimited number of keywords per phone number, and since every multimedia account includes at least one phone number, each account can create vastly more keywords than virtually all shared short code platforms. Finally, the cost of a Prospect Power Pro account is a fraction the cost of a short code, and substantially less than the cost of a limited feature shared short code account. The Prospect Power Pro platform can be scaled from a minimal cost platform with robust features to a system that can out-perform short code delivery speed with just a few clicks whenever you need to add more horsepower.

How do I transfer my lists to my account?

Transferring your existing list to your Prospect Power Pro account is actually quite simple. Many times people are concerned that they will lose subscribers because the subscribers won't reconfirm to a new list, even if they are disgusted with and overcharged by their existing autoresponder provider. Nothing could be further from the truth if the majority of your subscribers are legitimate followers of your brand. List building is a constant process anyway, with a constant ebb and flow of new subscribers and unsubscribes. If you do your job well, and deliver what your subscribers want, your list will grow. This is especially true of mobile lists; two or three wrong moves and the subscriber removes himself/herself from your list more quickly than clicking a link in an email. So, assuming that you have a good relationship with your list, here is the proven formula to transfer your list:

  • Send a notice from your existing list provider to inform your subscribers of your intention to move the list to a new provider.
  • Send a second notice from your existing list provider to inform your subscribers of the exact date that the move to the new list provider will begin AND offer an incentive for them to reconfirm.
  • Craft your confirmation required message so that it is obvious that this is the message that you have been telling your subscribers about.
  • Import your subscribers into your Prospect Power Pro account.
  • If your list size exceeds your account's daily import limit and you want the entire list loaded at the same time, contact us to upload your list in a single file.
  • When they confirm, deliver the incentive that you promised.

The subscribers that reconfirm are the core that are worth keeping.

If you have a dedicated Account Representative and your subscriber list has previously opted in and confirmed their intent to receive messages from you, contact your Account Representative for details on how we can import your list without requiring your subscribers to opt in again.

Why would I need a dedicated Account Rep?

In many cases small to medium sized businesses are already doing about all they can with their existing staff. Not to mention learning the platform, setting it up, adding subscribers, or sending messages. For a fraction of the cost of an employee we can do all of those things for you. Most people consider it a bargain.

How do I . . . ?

When you first create your account you will have the opportunity to download the User Guide. The User Guide will walk you through initial setup and detail virtually every feature. You should make sure to download the User Guide at your earliest opportunity and save it, so that you can refer to it when needed. We have also created an on page help system. At the top of most pages you will see a question mark help icon. Click that help icon and a screen will pop up with help for the exact page that you are needing help with. If you cannot find the answer in these FAQ's, the User Guide or the help pages, you can create a support ticket directly from your Prospect Power Pro account.

If you have a dedicated Account Representative and a Bronze, Silver, or Gold account we will complete the set up for you and help manage your account. You should still download and save a copy of the User Guide for your reference.

What is the Spam policy?

You should review the Prospect Power Pro Terms of Service for the complete Spam policy. Our email service is completely CAN-Spam compliant and we have integrated opt-in and opt-out features into our SMS/MMS and voice broadcast autoresponders as well. All message types require opt-in to your lists prior to receiving messages from you. While we believe that we have integrated opt-in and opt-out features that comply with regulations in the areas that we serve, you should proactively learn about the regulations in your area and insure that you are compliant in your local area. As a platform provider, Site Steering is not responsible for your activity and you are responsible for legal compliance within the jurisdictions that you serve. We are committed to honest and legal message delivery.

Can I send broadcast messages to my list?

Yes, you can send broadcast messages of all message types to your subscribers. You can select to send the message instantly, or you can schedule the broadcast for a later day and time. Additionally, you can select to send broadcasts to specific Mobile Groups associated with an autoresponder.

Which countries are serviced by Prospect Power Pro?

As of January 1, 2017 all multimedia autoresponder accounts come with at least one US or Canadian phone number. A US or Canadian number on our platform can deliver SMS, MMS, and voice broadcast message types internationally, while numbers from other countries will only deliver SMS or voice broadcast messages domestically within the country where the number is based. So, by using a US or Canadian number for your account you will be able to deliver your messages globally. Currently, you can select and purchase additional local phone numbers for France, Germany, Israel, Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom through your control panel, but SMS and voice audio messaging delivery will be restricted to domestic local numbers from those country's numbers.

What are the SMS/MMS deliverability rates?

United States: 99%          Canada: 96%

Most other countries have similar deliverability rates.

Does Prospect Power Pro have email only accounts?

Yes, Prospect Power Pro has a number of email only autoresponder accounts, including two Free email autoresponder accounts. All email only accounts have access to all of the mobile features menus, however, you would need to purchase phone numbers and message credits to use the mobile features. The free accounts are a great way to get started with email marketing and easy to upgrade when you are ready. Click Here to check out our email only autoresponder accounts.

Does Site Steering have an affiliate program?

Yes, we have a great affiliate program where you can resell all account types except for the Bronze, Silver, and Gold accounts that include a dedicated Account Rep. Please Click Here if you would like more information on the Site Steering affiliate program.

Billing Questions

How does the 21-Day guarantee work?

If you are not 100% satisfied with your Prospect Power Pro account purchase (qualified account types) within the first 21 days, we will be happy to provide a full refund - no questions asked. All account types are covered by the 21-Day satisfaction guarantee except for the $1 limited time trial accounts that are offered from time to time. If you purchase a $1 limited time trial account you are risking $1.

Are extra phone numbers refundable?

No, the extra phone number packages are not refundable. You should set up your account during the 21-Day satisfaction guarantee and only add additional billable items after you know that the Prospect Power Pro platform is right for you. If you do not have a large mobile list you probably don't need additional phone numbers anyway. A single phone number can deliver mobile messages at a rate of one per second, which is 60 per minute or 3600 per hour.

Are extra message credit packages refundable?

No, the extra message credit packages are not refundable. You should set up your account during the 21-Day satisfaction guarantee and only add additional message credits if you need them. If you do not have a large mobile list yet you probably won't need additional message credits. Each account comes with a set number of message credits that are recharged every month. You should purchase extra message credits only when you know that you need them.

How do I cancel my account?

While we would hate to see you go, we do realize that some people will need to close and cancel their account. To close and cancel your account, login to your control panel and click on Account Details, and then click on My Billing Subscriptions. Follow the instructions on that page for closing and cancelling your account. Closing your account is immediate, permanent, and cannot be undone. If you choose to close your account, please save a backup of all your subscribers before you close your account. We cannot recover your subscribers after your account is closed.

Are there partial month refunds?

No, there are no partial month refunds. This means that any time you close and cancel your account after the 21-Day satisfaction guarantee period or the $1 trial period, there are no refunds for any partial month of service that you might have remaining. For example, if you decide to close and cancel your account a day, an hour, or a minute after your monthly charge has been processed you will not receive a refund. Please remain aware of your monthly recurring billing date and avoid the situation shown in our example here.

Can I buy with PayPal?

Yes, you can select PayPal on the payment page and your charges will be deducted from PayPal each month. You can also use PayPal to purchase extra phone numbers and message credit packages. Whether you choose to use PayPal or a credit card, your recurring monthly charges will be automatically charged to your selected payment method each month.

 

Don't Leave Empty Handed! Enter your name, email address, and mobile number to instantly download my Ultimate Guide to an Ultra Profitable List.

Enter Your First & Last Name:
Enter Your Email Address:
Enter Your Mobile Number:

 

Complete this form to download the Ultimate Guide to Ultra-Profitable List Building.

You have everything to gain and nothing to lose. If you don't like what you see and hear simply click the link at the bottom of every email or reply STOP to any text. Thank you again!