In today’s digital world, where attention spans are shrinking, most digital marketing techniques have slowed down. But SMS marketing still remains one of the most effective strategies.
SMS marketing has proven its track record by boosting sales, driving communication, and fostering relationships. Many think SMS is an old technique that is going out of style. But the results speak for themselves. SMS accounts for 98% of the world’s messaging traffic.
But what is SMS marketing exactly? Let’s find out!
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What is SMS Marketing?
Short-message service marketing, or SMS marketing, is a highly effective mobile marketing technique that involves sending SMS messages to your target audience. These messages contain promotional content, alerts, and updates that a consumer might be interested in.
This form of marketing takes full advantage of the convenience that mobile phones provide. Mobile phones make it much easier for brands and businesses to engage with their audience. And this principle is seen in full effect in SMS marketing.
SMS marketing is usually permission-based. This means consumers opt in and provide consent for their favorite brands to receive promotional content. SMS content is usually short and to the point. This is because there is a character limit on each message.
SMS marketing has proven itself to be a very effective technique because of its various benefits. Let’s explore those!
Benefits of SMS Marketing
Mobile marketing through SMS messages offers a lot of benefits for businesses looking to engage their audience on a more personal level. Here are some of these benefits:
High Open Rates
This is by far the biggest benefit of SMS marketing. This form of marketing has ridiculously high open rates. It almost seems too good to be true. Consumers open SMS messages a whopping 98% of the time. Compared to other marketing channels, this is extraordinary. These open rates guarantee that a large audience will read your marketing content.
Cost Effective
SMS is one of the cheapest ways to market your products and services. The cost to send an SMS is just a fraction of what it costs to use other marketing channels. This is especially true if you compare it with traditional marketing, such as TV ads and print media. This makes it a good and accessible choice for most businesses, but highly beneficial for SMBs. It levels the playing field for them, as they are often constrained by their limited budgets.
Timeliness
Timeliness is a key quality of SMS marketing. You don’t have to waste time designing stellar graphics to go with your text. All you need is good copy that falls within the character limit, and you’re good to go. These messages are quick to produce, making them very valuable for time-sensitive events such as flash sales, limited-time offers, and urgent notifications.
Direct
Most people are really attached to their phones. They always tend to have them on their hands and spend a lot of time using them. SMS marketing ensures that your content reaches the consumer exactly where they are: on their mobile phone. This is the most direct channel in digital marketing. This directness also ensures that brands can create a personal connection with their target audience. It leads to trust and brand loyalty.
High Engagement
The high open rates feed into the response rates as well. Since more people are opening the messages, more people are also responding to them. It’s very easy and convenient to respond to SMS messages compared to emails and other channels. This is why people tend to respond more. The high engagement of SMS marketing also results in higher CTR and conversion rates.
SMS Marketing: Key Strategies
These are some strategies that will lay the foundation for a highly effective SMS marketing campaign:
Build A High-Quality Subscriber List
The success of an SMS marketing campaign is largely dependent on the quality of your subscriber list. A well-curated list will lead to a more effective and successful campaign, and vice versa.
When building your list, you have to focus on quality over quantity. Encourage your customers to opt in to your campaign by showing them the value they can derive from your messages.
It’s illegal to text someone who hasn’t given you explicit permission to do so. So make sure to get proper consent and ensure compliance with all regulations. Keep cleaning your lists to keep them updated.
Craft Compelling Content
Your SMS message content is crucial to its success. Since you have limited characters, you have to be careful with how you craft your message. It needs to deliver value in a concise way. You don’t have to go into too much detail or explain your content.
Start your message with a strong opening line that grabs attention immediately. Follow this up with a clear call to action. Personalize the message by using your subscriber’s name and talking about any past interactions you may have had.
A/B test your content formats to ensure that they will bring the result you want.
Nail Your Timing
Timing plays a significant role in SMS marketing. You have to consider the time zones and preferences of your subscribers. If you send them your message at the wrong time, you risk losing the benefit of high open rates and engagement.
Most people have alerts turned on for text messages. But you don’t want to wake them up in the middle of the night with your texts. Research the best times to text your target audience and schedule your messages accordingly.
Forge Stronger Connections With SMS!
SMS marketing has emerged as a powerful tool in every marketer’s arsenal. It offers exceptional open and engagement rates, saves them time and money, and creates a personalized channel for marketing communication. This makes it a compelling choice for all businesses that seek direct communication with their audience.
Have you tried any SMS marketing campaigns? Talk to us below!
Let us help you get started! At EvolveDash, we’re passionate about helping businesses grow and evolve in the digital world. Our team is here to help every step of the way, from developing custom mobile apps to creating personalized websites.
With a proven track record of helping over 100 satisfied customers and 450 completed projects, we’re confident we can help you achieve your goals too. Let’s turn your business vision into success!
FAQs
- What are the legal requirements for SMS marketing?
In many countries, businesses must get explicit consent from customers before sending them SMS marketing messages. They must also comply with regulations such as the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) in the U.S. and GDPR in Europe. Ensure that all subscribers have opted in and have the option to opt-out anytime.
- How often should I send SMS marketing messages?
It’s important not to overwhelm your subscribers with too many messages. A good rule of thumb is to send one to three messages per week, depending on your audience and the content’s value. Always ensure that your messages are relevant and timely.
- Can SMS marketing be automated?
Yes, SMS marketing can be automated. Many SMS marketing platforms allow you to set up automated campaigns based on specific triggers, such as welcome messages for new subscribers, special offers, or reminders for abandoned carts.
- How can I measure the success of an SMS marketing campaign?
Success can be measured by tracking key metrics like open rates, click-through rates (CTR), conversion rates, and opt-out rates. Additionally, the engagement and response levels from your audience will also give insight into how well your campaign is performing.
- What are the limitations of SMS marketing?
One limitation of SMS marketing is the character limit for each message. This forces marketers to be very concise. Additionally, there’s the potential for recipients to feel overwhelmed if they receive too many messages, leading to opt-outs. Furthermore, it may not be suitable for all types of promotions or audiences.
