In a digital age where every morning starts with checking messages and social media, SMS marketing remains one of the most powerful tools in a business's arsenal for achieving a direct connection with its audience.
Contrary to popular belief that the SMS era is a thing of the past, this communication channel has not only remained relevant but has demonstrated a unique ability to deliver high levels of customer engagement. In this article, you will learn:
SMS marketing is a marketing strategy in which companies use short messages (SMS) to advertise their products, services, or brand to a target audience. This strategy involves sending short but capacious SMS that can carry information about products, services, or promotions directly into consumers' pockets. SMS marketing is characterized by high read probability and open messages, providing direct interaction with the audience. Key benefits of SMS newsletters include instant message delivery, high readability, content personalization, and the ability to quickly drive sales or inform customers of important events and offers:
Catch a 30% discount on 4 Cheese pizzas. The promotion is valid until 12/06
The opening of our new coffee shop is tomorrow! We are waiting for you at...
SMS marketing remains an effective communication tool between brands and their customers for several reasons:
Efficiency:
Almost every SMS message sent by a company reaches its recipient. Moreover, most people read the SMS immediately after receiving it, which ensures a high level of attention to the information the business wants to convey.
Instant Interaction:
SMS texting allows information to be delivered instantly, which is ideal for urgent messages such as the latest news, special offers, or reminders.
Broad audience reach:
Since cell phones are one of the most common devices among the population, bulk SMS newsletters allow you to reach a wide audience, including those who may not have access to the internet.
Personalization:
SMS campaigns can be easily customized for different audience segments, increasing the relevance and effectiveness of messages.
Simplicity and accessibility:
Creating and sending SMS messages requires little cost or complex training, making SMS marketing accessible to even small and medium-sized businesses.
High ROI (return on investment):
Due to its high effectiveness and relatively low cost, SMS marketing often results in a high ROI compared to other marketing channels.
Immediate Response:
SMS marketing allows you to receive instant feedback from customers, such as through direct responses or the use of shortcodes, which facilitates quick feedback collection and evaluation of campaign effectiveness.
While it is simple to launch SMS campaigns, their success will depend on several important factors, from legal compliance to accurate message personalization. In this block, we have compiled key aspects that will help you understand the basics of SMS marketing to effectively utilize this tool to achieve your business goals.
Action
Details
Obtaining authorization
It is important to gather a base of customers who have given personalized consent to receive communications from your business, complying with legal requirements.
Sending tools
To automate the process, use specialized SMS marketing software or integrated systems that combine loyalty and marketing functions.
Message creation
Strive for brevity and clarity in your SMS, limiting yourself to about 160 characters and including a clear call to action.
Target audience and timing
Segment your customers by behavioral characteristics and send messages according to their preferences and behaviors to maximize effectiveness.
Segmentation and personalization
Use tools that automatically categorize customers into segments based on data to provide the most relevant and personalized communication.
SMS marketing function
Advantages
Business applications
How it works
Example text message
Coupons
Increasing loyalty and attracting new customers
Sending exclusive discounts and offers to drive traffic and sales
SMS with coupons are sent to both regular and potential customers, offering them special conditions
Grab a personalized promo code for your next order
Surveys
Collecting feedback and improving services
Finding out clients' preferences for fitness programs or wellness services
Organization of SMS surveys to assess customer interests and collect suggestions for improvement
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Contests and referrals
Increase engagement and visibility
Promotions with prizes to stimulate activity and attract new audiences
SMS contests where clients can win prizes for referrals or active participation
Fitness Friend Contest Start. Bring a friend and win a free month of training for two.
Autoresponders
Automation of communication and promptness of responses
Automatically welcome new subscribers or thank them for their participation
Configuring autoresponders to send predefined messages in response to customer actions
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To get started with SMS marketing, there are a few important steps to follow to effectively incorporate this tool into your marketing strategy:
Before launching a campaign, clearly define what you want to achieve with SMS marketing. It could be to increase sales, build brand awareness, collect customer feedback, or maintain loyalty.
The law requires that you have explicit consent from recipients to send them an SMS. You can gather this base through online subscription forms on your website, in-store sign-ups, or through special promotions.
Use specialized SMS marketing software that will allow you to automate sending messages, segment your audience, and analyze campaign results.
Create short, clear, and relevant posts with a clear call to action. Make sure each message brings value to your subscribers.
Determine the best time and frequency to send messages to maximize engagement without overwhelming your customers.
Before a large-scale mailing, test with a small group of subscribers to ensure the messages are effective and the platform is technically sound.
After each mailing, analyze key performance indicators (opens, clicks, conversions) and adjust your strategy to improve results.
Starting SMS marketing means not only launching a mailing but also building a communication strategy that meets the needs and expectations of your audience while complying with legal requirements.