This month, we’re talking about best practices for text message marketing or SMS marketing. One of the most valuable places you can reach your customers is right on their mobile phones. But rather than using SEO to get your customers on your website, text messages provide endless opportunities to connect with your customers in real-time with offers, promotions, reminders, and much more.
Are you using SMS marketing in your digital campaigns? If not, time to get on board with this popular and conversion-rich campaign asset. Let’s explore how to win at text message marketing.
Why Text Message Marketing
Looking for a fast, reliable, and cost-effective way to reach your customers right now? Text message marketing is all this and more. In fact, a notable survey by Twilio shows that 85% of customers want to engage with brands via text message. That means the majority of your customers are most likely opt-in ready.
Speed is one of the core benefits of SMS marketing, especially when measured against other digital efforts like email marketing. Keep it short, and actionable, and be sure to offer a discount with a deadline for optimum conversion. While most companies typically use text only, you can explore more colorful options like GIFs, photos, and other multimedia as well if it fits with your brand.
#DYK your text messaging marketing software can integrate with your customer relationship management (CRM) software? This allows additional automation and integrations to reach your customers throughout their lifecycle.
Best Practices in Text Message Marketing
The most important practice is, of course, ensuring the recipients of your SMS messages have opted in. A great way to do this is by having customers send a short word or phrase to your text number to subscribe. It’s standard practice to include an easy way to opt out spelled out clearly in that first text message response as well. STOP is an easy and straightforward one. Once your customers have opted in, let the automation commence!
Check out our list of best practices to ensure you know how to win a text message marketing in the Central Florida market, Southeast region or wherever your brand takes you.
- New Contact, Who Dis?
Clearly identify who is reaching out to a customer, not just the first time but every time. This is critically important, as you don’t have the luxury of a subject line or pretty header graphic. Rather, your message is coming from an unknown number so be sure your customer knows it’s you. Every time.
- Time (Zone) It
To make the most impact, make every effort to contact your customers during waking or even business hours. Having the right software makes this easier than it sounds, as it can scroll through service providers to ensure you are contacting your customers at an appropriate time using their time zone. And just because it’s quick and relatively easy to reach your customers via text, don’t take it for granted.
A good way to see an increase in opt-outs is by overscheduling and bombarding them with repetitive messages. Respecting your customers’ boundaries is the right way to show them you are a trusted partner, not a spammer. Equally important is not under-texting so they don’t forget who you are or why they signed up in the first place. Think consistency. A slow and steady drip approach will better earn your customers’ appreciation…and dollars.
- What In It For Me?
Text messages are short, so get to the point. Identify yourself, make the offer and make it clear how to take advantage of it. Using a deadline can help increase conversions.
Exclusivity can help lure customers into that click well. Text message customers want first access to flash sales and other promotions. To get the most conversions, keep the offer focused on SMS subscribers only.
Another best practice is to use text messages for helping the customer with time-sensitive reminders. Shopping cart abandonments, order confirmations, return updates or last day of a sale reminders are value-add for the customer, so consider using these as part of your text messaging campaigns.
- Keep Out
Speaking of privacy, don’t even think about requesting credit card or other personal information via text. You also must ensure it is 100% clear you are who you say you are, as we noted above. But nonetheless, many customers are wary of links in text messages. Use a legitimate offer with plain language that’s not overhyped and doesn’t require personal information to claim. A simple link to a trusted website where customers can log in comfortably to take advantage of promotions works best.
Follow these simple steps and you’re well on your way to win at text message marketing. Get started by contacting us today!