Why you should have your Messenger subscribers’ email address and/or SMS number.
With Messenger, you don’t fully own your subscriber list. If you simply have Messenger permissions to message subscribers, you’re leasing them at best - see the “24 + 1 Window”… or known as the “24 Window” come January 15, 2020,*.
*UPDATE AS OF 12/20/19: The deadline for policy changes has been extended to March 4, 2020. Also, Facebook is expected to release a one-time notification API in February 2020.
Email Lists & SMS Lists are still arguably the only thing that you can own in the realm of digital marketing.
Some other reasons:
- Omni-Channel Marketing is shown to convert higher than simply using one communication channel in isolation.
- You can send Email and SMS messages whenever you want, regardless of past engagement.
- SMS and Email are still cheaper than Sponsored Facebook Messages and won’t harm your Messenger Efforts.
- You can use SMS and Email channels to re-engage your Messenger promotion window.
- If your Messenger privileges get suspended or permanently revoked, you’ve not lost your list.

How to gather these pieces of information from your current list
We’ve created a free plug & play Messenger Flow with the help of ManyChat’s product development team to collect the email addresses and phone numbers of your current Messenger Subscribers. All you need to do is fill out the form below to get a 1-click link to install this Flow in your current account.
How do I activate it?
For users that are still inside of the 24-hour promotional window, or those that have the + 1 message left: All you have to do is set up a Broadcast Message to go out to your users with this Flow attached, sit back, and watch your permanent email and SMS lists grow.
For subscribers outside of the 24+1 Window:
Set up a Sponsored Message inside of ManyChat to send this Flow to your users. Yes, it costs money (right now about $30 per 1,000 impressions). However, this is a small price to pay to lock in your subscribers and effectively own their information on your email and SMS lists.
“Anticipated” - FAQs
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What if I already have their Email/SMS number?
The Flow will bypass questions asking for info you already have on each subscriber.
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Why are you giving this away for free?
We’ve seen a lot of people on Defcon 1 in Facebook Groups shouting “Facebook is killing Messenger!”… but, they’re not. You’re a capable Marketer, and there are tools and strategies to help you adapt and thrive. We want to give you the first tool so you don’t give up.
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Why should I give you my email?
Were you blindsided by this most recent round of Facebook Messenger changes? Well, we’ll help you stay informed well in advance. And better yet, we’ll give you the tips and tools to adapt.
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Okay… what’s the “pitch”?
We knew you’d ask that, you savvy Digital Marketer, you. Right now, we have an offer for custom ManyChat account audits to get you prepared for January 15th, 2020 - the roll out of the next big set of changes to Messenger’s TOS - or, if you’re freaking out (aka. Messenger Apocalypse). It’s more informative than anything, letting you know that there is additional help if you need it.