SMS marketing is a big deal for Aussie businesses because it allows them to engage their customers wherever they are.
You might be thinking, “I can do the same with email or social DMs,” and you’d be right, but how long would it take that person to get around to reading your email or DM?
If you want to get their attention and response from someone in minutes, email and social DM’s ain’t going to cut it, it can be a few hours for a DM to be read and days before an email might be read.
SMS messages are typically read within the first 3 minutes of receipt.
Also, nearly 100% of people will read your text (anywhere between 82-98%).
Email? 20-30%.
Alright, so SMS is great when it comes to engagement, but how can businesses like yours get the most out of this marketing channel?
In this short guide, we’ll cover some of the best ways to use SMS marketing to help your business grow.
Key Takeaways
- SMS marketing has a 98% open rate, outperforming email marketing
- Local businesses have an advantage in SMS marketing over major chains
- 95% of text messages are read within three minutes
- It’s a cost-effective strategy with high engagement rates
- SMS can be used for various purposes, including alerts and reminders
Types of SMS Marketing Campaigns
SMS marketing campaigns have many forms.
Each one has a special role in your strategy.
Knowing these types helps you make messages that connect with your audience.
Promotional SMS Marketing Campaigns
Promotional sms campaigns aim to get people interested in what you offer.
They might have special deals or limited-time offers.
With a 98% open rate, they’re great for boosting sales and keeping customers engaged.
Transactional SMS Marketing Campaigns
Transactional campaigns send out important updates quickly.
These include order confirmations and shipping updates.
They help keep customers in the loop and cut down on service calls.
Benefits of SMS Marketing
SMS marketing is great for your business. It can change how you market and get customers involved. Let’s look at why using an SMS marketing tool is good.
High Open and Response Rates
Most people check their texts within five minutes.
This makes SMS perfect for urgent messages for example, if you have an special event coming up, reminders are essential to get more people to your event, and for this you need people to open your reminders, SMS is the best for this.
With 1 in 3 checking texts in a minute, your message gets noticed fast.
Speed and Efficiency of Communication
SMS marketing lets you talk to your list quickly. It’s great for urgent updates or special offers. Marketing messages are more likely to be read fast.
This speed lets you reach customers quicker than other ads.
Complementing Other Marketing Channels
SMS marketing works well with other marketing. It can make email campaigns better or get more social media visitors. Adding SMS to your marketing makes a strong mix.
This mix can make customers loyal and increase sales. With 91% of people wanting business texts, it’s a smart choice.
6 Best Practices for SMS Marketing
SMS marketing is a great way to quickly reach customers. It’s a powerful tool in digital marketing. It’s important to follow best practices when sending SMS messages.
Obtain Consent
Always get permission before sending marketing messages via SMS. This builds trust and ensures you’re reaching interested customers. Offer incentives like exclusive discounts to encourage sign-ups.
Clear Opt-out Options
Make it easy for recipients to unsubscribe. Include a simple opt-out instruction in every message. This respects customer choice and keeps your list engaged.
Concise and Clear Messaging
Keep your texts short and to the point. With a 160-character limit, focus on delivering value quickly. Avoid abbreviations that might confuse readers.
Privacy Regulations
Adhere to privacy laws (ACMA). This protects your business and builds customer confidence in your SMS marketing campaigns.
Remember, SMS is a personal marketing tool. Use it wisely by sending timely, relevant messages during business hours. Aim for one message per week and include a clear call to action. By following these practices, you’ll create effective SMS campaigns that resonate with your audience.
Business SMS Marketing Strategies
SMS marketing platforms have great tools to help your text marketing. Use personalisation and good call-to-action techniques. This way, you can make campaigns that really connect with your audience.
Leverage Personalisation
Personalisation is very important in SMS marketing. Use customer data to make your messages special. Mention their name, talk about past buys, or suggest products based on what they’ve looked at.
Many SMS marketing software tools let you segment your audience. This means you can send messages to groups based on what they’ve bought, who they are, and how they’ve interacted with you. Sending messages that are just right for each group can really increase your sales.
Effective Call-to-Action Techniques
Your call-to-action (CTA) is very important in text marketing. It should be clear, short, and exciting, making people want to act right away. Good examples are “Shop Now,” “Claim Your Discount,” or “Reserve Your Spot.” A strong CTA can make your campaign much more successful.
Don’t forget to try out different CTAs to see what works best for your audience. Many SMS marketing platforms have A/B testing tools to help you improve your messages. By always trying to do better, you’ll make SMS marketing campaigns that really work for your business.
Creative SMS Marketing Strategies with Examples
SMS marketing can really help your business grow. Let’s look at some cool strategies that show how SMS marketing can benefit you.
Welcome Messages for New Subscribers
When someone joins your SMS list, make them feel special. Send a warm welcome with a special offer.
For example, Vinomofo, an Australian online wine retailer, reported impressive results from their SMS marketing efforts, achieving a 120X return on investment (ROI) and a 21% conversion rate.
Abandoned Cart Recovery Messages
Transactional SMS is great for getting back lost sales. Send a reminder about items left in the cart with a discount. This method works well, with a 36% click-through rate for abandoned cart recovery texts.
Notifications for Back-in-Stock Items
Keep your customers updated with back-in-stock alerts. This SMS marketing can boost sales and make customers happier. Yarn saw a big jump in engagement by using SMS and MMS for sales.
These creative strategies show how email and SMS can improve your marketing. The Hamper Emporium saw a 36% increase in repeat buys and 50% revenue growth with SMS marketing. Using these tactics can help your business grow too.
Choosing the Right SMS Marketing Software
Finding the best SMS marketing software is key for your strategy.
Key Features to Look For
When picking SMS marketing service, focus on features that boost your campaigns. Look for easy setup, help with rules, and reliability.
Integrating SMS Marketing with Other Channels
Using different SMS marketing campaigns with other channels can make your marketing better. By mixing SMS with email and social media, you get a strong plan. Each channel’s strengths are used well.
Combining with Email Marketing
Pairing SMS with email makes a great team for marketing. SMS is quick and direct, while email has more room for details. This mix can significantly raise your revenue.
To grow your SMS list, use email to promote your text service. Offer special deals to those who sign up for both. Personalize your messages with customer data on both platforms.
Utilising Social Media to Boost SMS Signups
Social media is great for getting more SMS subscribers. Run contests that need SMS opt-in or offer special deals via text. This can quickly grow your audience and engagement.
When sending a text, make sure it fits with your social media. Share user content on both SMS and social media. This makes your brand feel connected across all touchpoints, improving your marketing.
Metrics to Measure SMS Marketing Success
It’s key to track the right metrics for your SMS marketing. By watching important indicators, you can improve your strategies. This way, you can get the most out of your investment.
Understanding Deliverability and Engagement Rates
Delivery rate is a basic metric to keep an eye on. It shows how many texts get to their recipients.
Open rates for SMS are usually high, often over 90%. To see how people engage, look at click-through rates. A good rate is around 11.19% for SMS marketing.
Assessing the Impact on Revenue Generation
To see how your SMS campaigns affect your sales, check conversion rates and ROI. Find your conversion rate by dividing conversions by delivered texts. For ROI, divide total sales by SMS cost.
Some brands have seen big wins. For example, a performance footwear company got a 78x ROI from SMS automation.
Another important metric is list growth. Watch new subscribers and unsubscribes to find your monthly growth.
Using SMS with email and other channels can make your marketing stronger. It helps you reach and connect with your audience in many ways.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in SMS Marketing
SMS marketing is great for reaching customers, but mistakes can hurt your campaign. When you start using SMS, knowing what to do and not to do is key.
Over-Communicating with Subscribers
One big mistake is sending too many texts. Try to send messages only once or twice a week to keep things interesting without being too much.
Failing to Personalise Messages
Not making messages personal is another mistake. Good SMS marketing uses customer info to make messages that really speak to people.
Using SMS marketing automation can help you avoid these mistakes. It lets you send texts at the right time and with content that matters to your customers. This way, you keep your subscribers happy and your list healthy.
Future Trends in SMS Marketing
SMS is a powerful tool for marketing. The future of promotional SMS messages is exciting.
To make your SMS campaign stand out, you’ll need to use new technologies.
Rich Communication Services (RCS) will also change SMS marketing. It will make messages more interactive and fun. Remember to follow the 6 SMS marketing best practices to keep your text message marketing legal and effective.