As a business owner or marketer, your ultimate goal is to reach out to your target audience and turn them into loyal customers. With the rise of technology, there are various channels that sms marketing can be used to reach out to your customers, including email, social media, and SMS marketing. SMS marketing, in particular, has proven to be an effective tool for businesses to connect with their customers and increase their sales.
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SMS (Short Message Service)
Marketing involves sending promotional messages to customers via text messaging. It’s a cost-effective and efficient way to communicate with customers, especially as almost everyone has a mobile phone and regularly checks their messages. In this article, we’ll delve deeper into SMS marketing and how you can use it to boost your business.
Why SMS Marketing?
SMS marketing has several advantages over other marketing channels. Firstly, SMS messages are read more often than emails or social media posts. According to a study, SMS messages have a 98% open rate, compared to only a 20% open rate for emails. This means that your message is more likely to be seen by your customers if you send it through SMS.
Secondly,
SMS messages have a higher response rate compared to other channels. In fact, SMS messages have a response rate of around 45%, compared to only 6% for email. This means that you’re more likely to receive a response from your customers if you send your message through SMS.
Finally,
SMS messages are immediate. Unlike emails, which can sit in a customer’s inbox for days or even weeks, SMS messages are delivered instantly and are often read within minutes of being received. This makes SMS marketing ideal for time-sensitive promotions, such as flash sales or limited-time offers.
How to Get Started with SMS Marketing
To get started with SMS marketing, you’ll need to choose a provider that offers SMS marketing services. There are many providers to choose from, and you’ll want to select one that offers the features you need at a price you can afford. Some of the features to look for include the ability to schedule messages, segment your audience, and track your results.
Once you’ve chosen a provider
You’ll need to build your SMS list. You can do this by offering incentives, such as a discount or freebie, to customers who opt-in to your SMS list. You can also promote your SMS list through your website, social media, and other marketing channels.
When building your SMS list
It’s important to obtain explicit consent from your customers. This means that they need to opt-in to your list and give you permission to send them promotional messages. You can do this by having customers fill out a form or by using a keyword opt-in system.
Once you’ve built your SMS list
You can start sending messages to your customers. It’s important to keep your messages short and sweet, as SMS messages have a 160-character limit. You’ll also want to include a clear call-to-action, such as a link to your website or a coupon code.
Best Practices for SMS Marketing
To make the most of SMS marketing, there are a few best practices you’ll want to follow:
Keep it Short and Sweet
As mentioned, SMS messages have a 160-character limit, so it’s important to keep your messages short and to the point. You’ll also want to avoid using abbreviations or acronyms that your customers may not understand.
Provide Value
Your customers will be more likely to engage with your SMS messages if they provide value. This could be in the form of a discount code, exclusive offer, or insider information about your brand.