Despite the fact that SMS marketing campaigns may appear dated to some, they are an extremely effective marketing strategy for others.
Every minute of every day last year, an average of 456,000 tweets were sent out on Twitter.
It is an incredible number, isn't it?
The figure, though, appears to be insignificant in comparison to the 15.2 million text messages exchanged per minute.
Furthermore, messaging app communications is not included in this figure.
While internet chat options, such as Skype, are clearly having an impact on this number, SMS continues to be a highly popular mode of communication for individuals all over the globe.
Creating SMS marketing campaigns are quite simple and well worth the effort (and expense).
Direct marketing channels such as SMS are the most effective.
There are higher engagement rates with this method, and it is far less bothersome than cold calling.
In extreme cases, the open rate of SMS messages might reach 99 percent, according to some reports.
This is significantly higher than the average open rate for email marketing, which, according to HubSpot, is 32 percent on average.
SMS marketing initiatives may create significant returns for businesses because to the lack of spam filters and the fact that consumers incessantly check their phones rather than their email inbox.
And now that most people are using smartphones, it's also a great medium for driving people to your website and should be a priority in the minds of digital marketers.
Tips to improve your SMS marketing campaigns.
Segment up your text messages.
Because text messages are sent to clients less frequently than emails by most organisations, it is critical that your text messages be read and taken into consideration.
In order to do this, it is important to segment your audience in order to deliver them messages that are tailored to their interests. Your SMS will be more likely to be received positively by your customers and to result in a conversion.
It is recommended that you combine your customer relationship management system with the messaging platform you are already using.
Based on the information you have saved, you may send messages to people based on their demographics, purchasing history, or even their geographic location.
SMS marketing efforts from well-known businesses such as Pizza Hut and Kiehls have shown to be quite effective at targeting customers based on their geographic region.
Pizza Hut in the United Kingdom used SMS geofencing to target consumers who were within a half-mile of any of its locations. In accordance with the Tatango SMS marketing tool, this campaign was discovered to be more effective in generating money than the company's online advertising effort.
Customers were also invited to sign up for an SMS campaign by the cosmetics company Kiehl's, which sent them offers depending on their geographic location.
People who signed up for the newsletter said that they had purchased anything as a result of the news.
Set up triggered messages.
You may also target clients based on their behaviours - or even their inactivity - rather than their demographics. Using triggered messages, you may communicate with your consumers on a constant basis.
When they buy a specific item on your website, e.g. for example, a laptop, send them a text suggesting that they might like a related item example a laptop sleeve.
Perhaps you could even provide them with a discount.
Because of the immediate nature of SMS, you can even send the text before the visitor has left your site.
Triggered messages can be beneficial for marketing to clients after they have completed a variety of tasks.
Timing is everything.
My phone buzzes when a text message is received, and I open it much more quickly than when an email notice appears on my computer's screen. While timing isn't the most important factor to consider when sending emails, it is something that should be carefully considered while delivering text message marketing campaigns. If someone receives a text message in the middle of the night, they may even get out of bed to check it out - therefore choose a more convenient hour for your consumers!
When it comes to sending messages rather than emails, it was discovered that the end of the work week is the most popular period, with the number of campaigns sent on Friday jumping by 44 percent when compared to the next most popular day.
As an alternative to sending emails, many marketers also send messages on weekends, particularly in the early morning.
As SMS marketing is immediate, it is also a good idea to incorporate time-sensitive offers or discounts in your SMS marketing strategy.
As a result, individuals will be more likely to take action rather than putting it off for another day.
Keep your message concise and to the point.
When sending SMS messages, it is critical to go straight to the point. If your text is longer than 160 characters, most texting systems will divide it up into parts. Although most modern telephones will combine the messages into one coherent message of up to 918 characters, it is better to be brief. People don't want to receive long, spammy looking messages, and you are likely to be billed for every block as well.
Insert a call-to-action.
A strong call-to-action should be included in your text messages, just as it should be included in any other marketing content. When you tell them about a fantastic new deal, they will prompt the reader to pick between "click here" and "purchase now."
Take, for example, a brief message such as: "Get a 30 percent discount on your next order before Sunday."
It would be beneficial to get now: Nike Sneakers Discount.
When doing SMS marketing campaigns, use branded links.
Even if the majority of call-to-actions include a link to your website, you don't want to use a long, unattractive URL that's packed with UTM parameters, especially if you're limited to 160 characters.
While it may be tempting to shorten your links with a generic URL shortener, it is far preferable to develop a personalised short link that includes your company's name.
By include a branded URL in your SMS marketing campaigns, you may not only boost your brand's visibility while also creating a more aesthetically pleasing text message, but you can also raise your click-through rates by as much as 39%.
Branded links get more clicks than generic short URLs since they are perceived as more trustworthy.
This is especially crucial for SMS marketing efforts since individuals are well aware that SMS messages may originate from anybody on their phone, making them more vulnerable.
However, once customers recognise that your company's name is linked with the link, they will feel more comfortable about clicking on it, knowing that their information will not be shared with spam or phishing sites.
If you do not include branded links in your SMS messages, you are definitely missing out on a valuable chance to improve brand visibility and recognition.
