SMS Marketing is a widely used technique nowadays, yet not always successfully. Some companies choose to completely embed SMS Marketing Campaigns in their business promotion strategy, while others just use SMS Campaigns as a side project. If we take into account that the vast majority of people have a smartphone attached to their hand for most part of the day, then it is clear which strategy will bring the best results.
Here are some tips and tricks to maximize the outcome of your SMS Marketing Campaigns.
1.Create an SMS Marketing Team
Successful SMS Marketing Campaigns are not projects than one can do it alone. What you need is a variety of specialized professionals, in order to make the most of your SMS marketing strategy. One or more people can cover many of these roles, but in general you will need: an SMS marketing specialist, a retailer, graphic designers, a social media manipulator, a PR specialist, an analyst budget. And that’s just to start!
2.Get to know your customer
Successful SMS Marketing Campaigns are not projects than one can do it alone. What you need is a variety of specialized professionals, in order to make the most of your SMS marketing strategy. One or more people can cover many of these roles, but in general you will need: an SMS marketing specialist, a retailer, graphic designers, a social media manipulator, a PR specialist, an analyst budget. And that’s just to start!
3.Send clear messages
You have to express your message in 160 characters. The least you can do is to be clear and concise. Choose simple words and everyday language. Avoid abbreviations, too many emoji and capital letters (no need to yell).
Do not use open messages. An example of an open message is one that invites customers to bid, but does not say when the bid ends. The customer has no idea if it is for a day or a month. By giving a specific date when an offer expires or putting an expiration date on a coupon, customers are more likely to be actively involved, because you have given them enough information and incentives.
4. Use Call-to-Action Buttons
Call-to-action invitations increase customer engagement with SMS marketing. That’s exactly what you want from them: be dedicated, appreciate the texts you send, read them, and interact with them. Here are some examples of call-to-action:
“Show SMS”. Asking customers to show you the text you sent them to get a discount is a clear and effective way to get them to participate in your bid. Example: “Show this text for 50% of your dinner tonight.”
“Click here”. Sometimes you do not have enough space in the SMS to include all the information your customer will need. In this case, a Click Here button will provide a link to the necessary details.
Invitation to poll. Activate customers by inviting them to take part in your own survey to find out what they think about your company in terms of services, product quality, pricing, and more.
“Buy now”. This is the perfect call to action for a targeted message. If you know that a customer is systematically purchasing a particular product, you can send a text promoting that product with a Buy Now button to facilitate purchasing.
5. Choose proper timing
The biggest advantage of SMS is the immediacy. People open messages in an average of three minutes. Customer responses to sales, promotions and events promoted via SMS are most effective when it comes to last minute impulses. If you have a store opening on Friday night, send the message on Friday afternoon. If you have dinner at your restaurant, send it at the end of the business day, not in the morning. Remember that acceptable hours are between 8am and 9pm, you don’t want to be annoying!
6. Promote opt-in by all means
The best way for your customers to participate in the SMS campaigns is to enable them to participate through any platform you have.
Social media: Add a “Mobile Number” field to your Facebook subscription page and a “Join” button to sign in to your SMS campaign.
Website: Make sure SMS opt-in is an important feature on your page.
SMS: You can also send an SMS with the query if you wish to participate: “Access messages (Company Name) per month for SMS-only discounts. Text 1234 to participate.”
7. Focus on your best customers
Your best customers are those who are loyal, consistently buying from you, giving you feedback and promoting your brand in their circle. A clever strategy is to identify this circle of customers and devote extra time and resources to them. They know and love your brand. Leverage their knowledge to your advantage and provide more meaningful feedback from your mass customers. These customers are VIP to your company, so reward them with special offers and extra benefits.
Regardless of your company type, you can maximize the benefits of the SMS marketing campaign by taking time to create effective messages, analyze your customers’ demographics, invest in a specific SMS marketing team, and promote the SMS campaign. marketing using all the means available to the company.
