Imagine that every time you sent out a promotion or an essential marketing message it was ignored by 70-80% of the people you sent it to?
Unfortunately, this is the reality of email marketing.
We still think email marketing is an incredibly powerful marketing channel but there is a lot of waste and hurdles to overcome just to improve your open rates by a few percentage points.
SMS, on the other hand, is almost guaranteed to have a 100% open rate—without a specialist, coders, copywriters, or proofing and testing team.
You could grab anyone from the street and have them type up a message for your company and once they hit send anywhere between 82-97% of that list will open and read that message.
This is why SMS marketing has become an essential tool that businesses now have inside their marketing mix.
With all that said, there are still things you need to keep in mind before sending out an SMS campaign to further optimize results as well as stay out of legal trouble.
Let’s dive in…
Understanding SMS Marketing Strategy
Using SMS marketing can greatly benefit your campaigns.
It’s an effective way to engage with customers, with a 98% open rate. This method lets you send messages quickly, perfect for promotions and updates.
More and more consumers actually prefer SMS as a method of communication from businesses which can give any business a competitive advantage in terms of speed and also brand to customer connection.
Key Benefits of SMS Marketing
SMS marketing is great for sending timely info. People usually read messages quickly, helping you meet their needs fast. This leads to high response rates, making your campaigns hit home with your audience.
It’s also very affordable. You can send messages to lots of people for much less than traditional ads, as I mentioned before, you don’t need copywriting gurus, graphics designers, coders, etc. which dramatically increases the cost of an email campaign.
How SMS Differs from Other Marketing Channels
SMS offers a personal touch that other channels can’t match. Unlike emails, SMS messages get people to act right away. This makes customers more engaged and loyal, thanks to tailored offers and reminders.
Plus, SMS lets you add interactive stuff like links and videos. This makes the experience better than what other platforms can offer.
Building An Opt-In SMS Subscriber List
Starting a strong SMS marketing plan means having a good subscriber list – you cannot use SMS without a list.
My recommendation is to segment list before you start to build it which will allow you to send hyper-targeted messages.
SMS Lists Are The Most Qualified Subscribers
When people give you their mobile numbers, they’re showing a very high level of interest in what you offer.
This leads to better engagement and marketing results.
Importance of User Consent
Getting clear consent isn’t just good practice; it’s crucial for protecting your business. Australian laws, particularly the Spam Act 2003 and the Privacy Act 1988, make it clear that you need permission before sending marketing messages.
This approach not only keeps you compliant but also builds trust with your audience.
Strategies for Growing Your Subscriber List
To grow your SMS list, offer great incentives. Discounts, early sales, or loyalty rewards can draw in more subscribers. Use prompts on social media, your website, and in stores to get more people to sign up.
Make your text-to-join keywords memorable. This helps people remember your brand. Being clear about what subscribers will get helps keep them interested.
Crafting Compelling SMS Messages
Message marketing is all about making your SMS messages stand out. Focus on being clear, relevant, and personal. This way, you can connect with your audience better. Adding a strong call-to-action (CTA) helps guide people’s actions and boosts your reach.
Keeping your brand voice consistent across all platforms is also key. It helps you stay true to your identity.
Best Practices for Message Content
Following best practices is crucial for a positive response to your SMS. Start by making your content relevant to your audience. This personal touch can greatly improve your message’s impact.
Steer clear of jargon to ensure your message is clear. Testing different message styles can help you find what works best. This approach can increase engagement over time.
Keeping Messages Concise and Effective
With SMS limited to 160 characters, being brief is essential. Aim for a message that is both short and clear. Every word matters, and a concise message is more likely to grab attention.
An effective SMS creates a sense of urgency. This can prompt quicker responses. Many people prefer texting, making these strategies very useful for your campaigns.
Effective SMS Broadcast Tactics
Creating urgency and personalising your messages can really boost your SMS game. These strategies make your messages hit home with your audience. They also get people to act fast.
Creating Urgency in SMS Messages
Adding a sense of urgency to your messages can get people to respond quickly. Using phrases like “limited stock” or “offer ends soon” creates a fear of missing out (FOMO). This is great for promotions or sales that are only on for a short time.
Remember, SMS has an amazing open rate of up to 98%. It’s perfect for sending messages that need to be seen and acted on right away.
Utilising Personalisation for Better Engagement
Customising your messages with subscriber data can really up your engagement game. By mentioning past purchases or using the recipient’s name, your messages feel more personal. This approach strengthens your bond with customers and increases the chance of a positive response.
As SMS marketing keeps growing, using these personal touches will help your campaigns shine. They’ll keep your audience engaged and interested.
Timing Your SMS Campaigns
Timing is key to the success of your SMS campaigns. Finding the best times to send messages can greatly improve engagement and response rates. Knowing when your audience checks their phones can make your messages hit home.
Best Times to Send SMS Broadcasts
This will largely depend on the type of subscribers you have but generally speaking you’ll want to send your text messages during typical business hours.
How Timing Affects Response Rates
The timing of your SMS campaigns can greatly affect response rates. Sending messages at chosen times can lead to quicker engagement.
Testing different times will help you find what works best for your audience.
Steer clear of sending messages at busy times like the start of the hour. Instead, choose odd times to stand out.
Tracking metrics like open rates and conversions will help refine your timing strategy. Understanding customer behaviour helps you connect better and boost your business.
Leveraging Automation in SMS Marketing
Automation is key in changing how you handle SMS marketing. It lets you set up automated SMS replies. This makes communication smoother, saving time and making customers happier.
Setting Up Automated SMS Responses
Automated SMS offers many benefits. You can set up workflows for reminders, nurturing messages, or cart abandonment alerts. Studies show timely messages cut down on missed appointments, showing their value.
Using automated SMS, you can give your customers a better experience. It also helps you make the most of your marketing efforts.
Benefits of SMS Marketing Software
SMS marketing software has clear advantages. It makes managing campaigns easy, from planning to tracking results. It also gives you insights into how customers interact with your messages.
For instance, SMS campaigns can get twice the clicks of emails, especially during big sales. With good SMS marketing software, your business can work better and build stronger customer ties.
Maximising Engagement with CTAs
To get the most out of SMS marketing, you need to create *strong calls to action*. These actions tell your audience what to do next. Using clear language and placing CTAs where they’re seen can make a big difference.
Creating Strong Calls to Action
Good CTAs can really boost your *engagement rates*. Phrases like “Shop Now” or “Join the Event” make customers feel they’re getting something good. Adding a personal touch, like using the recipient’s name, can also help.
Examples of Effective CTAs
Testing different CTAs can show you what works best. Look at how many people respond to see what’s most effective. Offering special deals or useful info can make people more likely to act.
Monitoring SMS Campaign Effectiveness
To make your SMS marketing work, you need to keep a close eye on how it’s doing. By looking at key metrics, you can see how your messages are doing and make them better. Let’s explore which metrics are most important and how to use them to get the best results.
Key Metrics to Track
When checking your SMS campaign’s success, focus on click-through rates, and conversion rates.
The conversion rate shows how many people do what you want them to after seeing your message. It’s calculated by dividing the number of conversions by the number of messages sent, then multiplying by 100.
Click-through rates are also key. They show how many people click on links in your messages.
By understanding these numbers, you can see where you can do better. Opt-out rates tell you how many people don’t want to hear from you anymore. Using tools to track these numbers helps you see how well your campaigns are doing.
Integrating SMS with Other Marketing Channels
Using SMS with other marketing channels can really boost how well you connect with your audience. By mixing email and SMS, you create strong campaigns that get your message across. This way, your customers get the same message everywhere, making them more likely to act.
SMS has a huge open rate of 98%, while emails get about 20%. So, using both together lets you reach people fast with SMS and share more with emails. This mix not only helps your marketing but also builds a closer bond with your audience.
Adding SMS to social media also grows your reach and makes the customer experience better. A good omnichannel campaign lets you quickly respond to what customers need and what’s trending. As SMS marketing grows, combining it with other channels is key to meeting your goals and connecting deeply with your audience.