It can be frustrating.
You put effort into your messages, but sales aren’t climbing like you hoped.
What if there was a smarter way?
A way to combine two powerful tools you might already be using, but separately?
Get ready. We’re diving into how pairing email marketing with SMS marketing can seriously boost your sales.
Grab More Attention: Why Email + SMS is a Power Couple
Email and SMS are very similar but have very different and unique strengths, and using them together covers all your bases.
Email is great for nurturing. It’s perfect for:
- Sharing detailed product information.
- Sending newsletters that build connection.
- Running longer promotions with visuals.
- Building trust over time.
Email lets you explain things thoroughly.
It’s great for nurturing leads and keeping customers informed.
SMS (text messaging) is your attention grabber. Its power lies in:
- High delivery and open rates (think near 100%!).
- Creating urgency for flash sales or limited offers.
- Sending quick reminders for appointments or events.
- Getting critical information seen immediately.
SMS cuts through the noise like nothing else.
It feels personal and demands attention right now. You can find out more about the key differences between email and SMS marketing.
When you combine them? Magic. You get the depth of email and the attention-grabbing power of SMS.
You can reinforce messages and reach people who missed an email with a quick text nudge.
Cater to different communication preferences. It’s like having a detailed conversation and a quick, impactful reminder system.
Key Takeaway: Email builds the relationship, SMS often helps seal the deal quickly.
Bringing Your Channels Together
Okay, so how do you actually make this work? It starts with the basics.
First, you need permission. When people sign up for your list, ask for both their email address and their mobile number. Be clear about what they’re signing up for (e.g., “Get newsletters by email and sale alerts by text”). Offering a small discount or incentive can help encourage sign-ups.
Next, use tools or platforms that let you manage both email and SMS contacts together, or at least integrate easily. This prevents sending duplicate messages or accidentally texting someone who only wanted emails. Keeping things streamlined saves you headaches.
Crucially, always provide easy opt-out options for both channels in every message. Respecting preferences and privacy laws is non-negotiable. Make it simple for people to choose how they hear from you.
This direct approach is powerful, but requires responsibility. Ensure you understand the nuances of SMS as direct marketing.
[Callout Box] Pro Tip: Don’t assume! Ask your subscribers directly. A simple poll or preference center asking “How do you prefer to hear about sales?” or “Email or SMS for order updates?” can provide helpful insights and show you respect their choices.
Smart Strategies for Email & SMS Synergy
Simply having both channels isn’t enough. You need smart strategies to make them work together for maximum impact. Let’s explore some proven tactics.
1. The Follow-Up Power Play
This is a classic for a reason. It works.
- Step 1 (Email): Send a well-crafted email detailing a new product launch, a special promotion, or valuable content. Include all the necessary details and appealing visuals.
- Step 2 (SMS): Wait 12-24 hours. Send a short, punchy SMS. “Hey [Name], heads up! Our big sale ends tonight. Did you see our email? Grab the deal here: [Short Link]”
Why it works: It catches people who missed the email or forgot about it. The SMS adds a sense of urgency that drives immediate action. You leverage email’s detail with SMS’s immediacy.
2. Segment Like a Pro for Relevance
Stop blasting generic messages to everyone. It’s annoying and ineffective. Instead, divide your audience into smaller groups (segments) based on:
- Purchase history: What have they bought before?
- Engagement level: Do they open emails often? Click links?
- Location: Useful for local events or store-specific offers.
- Stated preferences: What did they tell you they like?
Example: Send an SMS flash sale alert for winter coats only to customers in colder regions who previously bought clothing. Email a detailed setup guide for a specific gadget only to those who recently purchased it.
Why it works: Hyper-relevant messages feel personal, not spammy. They dramatically increase the chance someone will click and buy because the offer actually matters to them. You avoid frustrating customers with things they don’t care about.
3. Rescue Lost Sales with Cart Recovery
Aren’t you tired of seeing abandoned carts just sit there? Combining email and SMS can recover a surprising number of them.
- Step 1 (Email – 1 Hour Later): Send a friendly email reminder. Show the item(s) left behind. Maybe ask if they had trouble checking out. Keep it helpful.
- Step 2 (SMS – 24 Hours Later): Hit them with a quick text. “Still thinking about [Product Name]? Complete your purchase now and get free shipping! Offer ends soon: [Short Link]” Urgency + incentive.
- Step 3 (Email – 48 Hours Later): If they still haven’t bought, try one last email. Include customer reviews, address common concerns (shipping, returns), or offer a small, time-limited discount if it makes sense for your margins.
Why it works: You tackle the problem from multiple angles at different times. The SMS provides a direct, urgent nudge that email alone might miss. You address potential concerns and sweeten the deal across channels.
4. Make VIPs Feel Truly Special
Use your channels to create an exclusive experience for loyal customers.
- SMS: Perfect for surprise flash sales only for VIPs. Send early access codes for new product drops via text. This makes them feel like insiders.
- Email: Use email for more detailed VIP program updates, exclusive content (like behind-the-scenes looks), or personalized annual summaries of their purchases and rewards.
Why it works: It rewards loyalty in tangible ways. Making customers feel special encourages repeat business and positive word-of-mouth. It leverages the instant, exclusive feel of SMS and the detailed nature of email.
5. Nail Your Event Reminders
Got a webinar, online sale event, or in-person appointment? Ensure people show up!
- Step 1 (Email): Send the initial invitation with all the key details: date, time, location/link, what to expect.
- Step 2 (SMS – Day Before): A simple reminder text. “Friendly reminder: Your workshop starts tomorrow at 10 AM! Link to join: [Link]”
- Step 3 (SMS – 1 Hour Before): Final nudge. “We’re starting soon! Join the webinar now: [Link]”
Why it works: People are busy and forgetful. Email provides the details upfront, while SMS delivers timely reminders right when they need them, significantly boosting attendance rates.
Key Takeaway: Strategic coordination is key. Don’t just send messages; orchestrate them across channels for maximum effect.
Sidestep Pitfalls: Keep Your Audience Engaged, Not Annoyed
Using these powerful tools comes with responsibility. Avoid these common mistakes that can hurt your brand and sales:
- Sending Too Much: Bombarding people daily (or multiple times a day!) is a fast track to opt-outs. Find a reasonable frequency. Less is often more. Respect their space.
- Being Irrelevant: If you sell pet supplies, don’t text someone who only bought cat food about a dog leash sale. Use your segments! Irrelevance feels like spam.
- Ignoring Permission & Privacy: Always get clear consent before adding someone to your email or SMS list. Make opt-outs easy and obvious. Breaking trust (and potentially laws) is terrible for business.
- Forgetting Mobile Users: Most emails and all texts are opened on phones. Ensure your emails are mobile-responsive. Test that links in SMS messages go to mobile-friendly pages. A frustrating mobile experience kills conversions.
- Weak or Missing Call-to-Action (CTA): Don’t make people guess what to do. Use clear, action-oriented language. Shop Now. Claim Your Discount. Register Free. Learn More. Tell them exactly what the next step is.
“Treat your customer’s inbox and phone number with respect. It’s the digital equivalent of being invited into their home.” (Okay, maybe not a real quote, but solid advice!)
Remember this. Respect earns trust, and trust drives sales.
See Your Success: Measuring What Matters
How do you know if your combined strategy is actually working? You need to track your results.
Focus on key metrics for both channels:
- Email: Open Rate (who opened it?), Click-Through Rate (CTR – who clicked a link?), Conversion Rate (who bought?), Unsubscribe Rate (who opted out?).
- SMS: Delivery Rate (did it arrive?), Open Rate (assume it’s high, but harder to track perfectly), CTR (who clicked?), Conversion Rate (who bought?), Opt-Out Rate (who replied STOP?).
Use tracking links (like UTM parameters) in both your emails and SMS messages. This tells your website analytics exactly where a click or sale came from. Did that purchase originate from the email campaign or the SMS follow-up? Knowing this is golden.
Don’t be afraid to A/B test! Create two versions of an email subject line or SMS message. Send version A to half your segment, version B to the other half. See which performs better. Test different offers, send times, and calls to action.
Why measure? Data replaces guesswork. You’ll learn precisely what resonates with your audience, allowing you to refine your strategy and invest your effort where it delivers the best return. Stop hoping, start knowing.
Key Takeaway: Track consistently, test often, and let the data guide your decisions for continuous improvement.
What This Means For You: A Better Business Future
Imagine this for a moment. Your marketing messages aren’t just going out; they’re connecting. You see higher open rates on your emails. More clicks on your texts. Those abandoned carts? More of them are turning into completed sales.
Picture your sales reports showing steady growth. Feel the relief of knowing your marketing efforts are efficient and effective. You’re building stronger bonds with customers because you communicate relevantly, respecting their preferences.
What could your business truly achieve with a communication strategy that fires on all cylinders?
[Callout Box] The Goal:
- More Consistent Sales? Yes.
- Happier, More Loyal Customers? Yes.
- Less Wasted Time & Money? Absolutely.
This isn’t a far-off dream. It’s achievable by thoughtfully combining email and SMS marketing.
Ready to Power Up Your SMS Marketing?
Feeling the potential of SMS as part of this dynamic duo? Getting started or upgrading your SMS capability should be easy. Look for a platform that is simple to use, reliable, and offers the features you need without unnecessary complexity.
For businesses here in Australia, 160.com.au offers a robust yet incredibly user-friendly online SMS platform. We’ve been helping businesses like yours connect with customers via text reliably since the year 2000.
What makes 160 helpful?
- It’s genuinely easy to use. You don’t need to be a tech wizard.
- No annoying monthly fees. Pay only for the messages you send.
- High security for your data and messages.
- Features like personalization tags, scheduling, detailed reporting, and easy integration, including an Email to SMS feature that lets you leverage your existing email system to send texts.
- Great deliverability, ensuring your messages get through.
If you’re serious about leveraging SMS marketing alongside your email efforts, we invite you to see how simple and effective it can be.
Start Selling More, Starting Today
Stop thinking of email and SMS as separate tasks. They are two sides of the same coin – connecting with your customer.
By integrating them smartly, personalizing your messages through segmentation, and carefully measuring your results, you create a powerful engine for driving sales.
Take the first step. Review your current process. Can you collect both email and SMS permission? Can you segment your list better? Can you implement just one of the combined strategies, like the cart abandonment sequence?
Start small, test what works for your audience, and build from there. Your customers – and your sales figures – will thank you for it.
The path forward is clear: Integrate, personalize, measure, and sell more.