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As a small business owner, you know that marketing is essential to your success. But with so many options available, it can be challenging to know where to focus your efforts. That’s where SMS marketing comes in. SMS, or text message, marketing is a game changer for small businesses. It’s a cost-effective way to reach your customers directly, promote your products and services, and increase sales. In fact, SMS marketing has an open rate of 98%, making it one of the most effective forms of marketing available today. But where do you start? In this article, we’ll share tips and tricks to help you get started with SMS marketing and take your small business to the next level. From building your subscriber list to creating compelling messages, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make the most of this powerful marketing tool. So, let’s dive in!
Benefits of SMS marketing for small businesses
SMS marketing has numerous benefits for small businesses. Here are some of the most significant advantages:
1. High open and conversion rates
SMS marketing has one of the highest open rates of any marketing channel, with an average of 98%. This means that almost all of your customers will see your message. In addition, SMS messages have a conversion rate of 45%, which is significantly higher than email marketing, social media advertising, and other forms of digital marketing.
2. Cost-effective
SMS marketing is an affordable way to reach your customers. Unlike other forms of marketing, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on design, production, or distribution. All you need is a phone number and a message to get started.
3. Direct and personal
SMS marketing allows you to communicate with your customers directly, which is much more personal than other forms of marketing. It’s like having a one-on-one conversation with your customers. This can help you build a stronger relationship with your customers and increase loyalty.
4. Quick and easy
SMS marketing is quick and easy to set up and send. You can send a message to your entire subscriber list in minutes, making it an ideal way to promote flash sales, discounts, and other time-sensitive offers.
5. Increased engagement
SMS marketing can help you increase customer engagement. By sending personalized messages, you can encourage your customers to interact with your business and respond to your calls to action.
SMS marketing statistics
SMS marketing has a track record of delivering impressive results for small businesses. Here are some statistics that demonstrate the effectiveness of SMS marketing:
- 98% of SMS messages are opened within 3 minutes of being received
- SMS messages have an average response rate of 45%
- 75% of consumers are comfortable receiving SMS messages from brands after they opt-in
- 64% of consumers think that businesses should use SMS more frequently
- 50% of consumers make a purchase after receiving an SMS marketing message
These statistics show that SMS marketing is an incredibly effective way to reach your customers and drive sales.
Building an SMS marketing list
The success of your SMS marketing campaigns depends on the quality of your subscriber list. Here are some tips to help you build a high-quality SMS marketing list:
- Ask customers to opt-in
The best way to build your SMS marketing list is by asking customers to opt-in. You can do this by adding a sign-up form to your website or asking customers to text a keyword to your number. - Offer an incentive
Offering an incentive can encourage customers to opt-in to your SMS marketing list. Offer exclusive discounts, and notification of sales events. - Use social media
You can use social media to promote your SMS marketing list and encourage customers to opt-in. You could create a post or an ad that directs customers to your sign-up form. - Leverage your existing customer base
If you have an existing customer base, you can ask them to opt-in to your SMS marketing list. You could send an email or a direct mail piece that invites them to sign up.
By using these tactics, you can build a high-quality SMS marketing list that will deliver results for your business.
Crafting effective SMS messages
Crafting effective SMS messages is essential to the success of your SMS marketing campaigns. Here are some tips to help you create compelling messages:
- Keep it short and sweet
SMS messages have a limit of 160 characters, so it’s essential to keep your messages short and sweet. Focus on the most important information and use clear, concise language. - Personalize your messages
Personalizing your messages can help you increase engagement and build a stronger relationship with your customers. Use your customer’s name or include information that is relevant to their interests or purchase history. - Include a strong call to action
Every SMS message should include a clear and compelling call to action. Encourage your customers to take action by offering a discount, promoting a sale, or inviting them to learn more about your products or services. - Use emojis
Emojis can help you convey emotion and add personality to your messages. Use them sparingly, but don’t be afraid to experiment with different emojis to see what works best for your audience.
By following these tips, you can create SMS messages that capture your customers’ attention and drive sales.
Personalizing SMS messages
Personalizing your SMS messages can help you increase engagement and build a stronger relationship with your customers. Here are some tips to help you personalize your messages:
- Use your customer’s name
Using your customer’s name can help you create a more personal connection with them. It shows that you value them as an individual and not just a number on your subscriber list. - Include relevant information
Include information that is relevant to your customer’s interests or purchase history. For example, if you sell clothing, you could send a message promoting a sale on a particular item that they have purchased in the past. - Segment your list
Segmenting your list based on customer behavior or interests can help you send more targeted and personalized messages. For example, you could send a message promoting a sale on running shoes to customers who have purchased running gear in the past.
By personalizing your messages, you can increase engagement and build a stronger relationship with your customers.
Timing and frequency of SMS messages
Timing and frequency are essential considerations when it comes to SMS marketing. Here are some tips to help you get the timing and frequency of your messages right:
- Consider your audience
Think about your audience and their daily routines. When are they most likely to be checking their phones? When are they most likely to be receptive to your message? - Don’t overdo it
Sending too many messages can lead to customer fatigue and opt-outs. Be mindful of how often you are sending messages and make sure that each message provides value to your customers. - Time-sensitive offers
SMS marketing is an ideal way to promote time-sensitive offers, such as flash sales or limited-time discounts. Make sure that you send these messages at the right time to maximize their impact.
By getting the timing and frequency of your messages right, you can maximize engagement and drive sales.
Measuring the success of your SMS marketing campaigns
Measuring the success of your SMS marketing campaigns is essential to understanding what is working and what isn’t. Here are some metrics to track:
- Open rates
Track the number of subscribers who open your messages to get a sense of how engaged your audience is. - Conversion rates
Track the number of subscribers who take action after receiving your messages. This could include making a purchase, visiting your website, or filling out a form. - Opt-out rates
Track the number of subscribers who opt-out of your SMS marketing list. This can help you identify any issues with your messaging or frequency. - Revenue
Track the revenue generated by your SMS marketing campaigns to understand their impact on your business.
By measuring these metrics, you can identify areas for improvement and optimize your SMS marketing campaigns for success.
RJFSOFT Recommendation
After researching many services that offer SMS marketing, RJFSOFT recommends
THIS COMPANY for these reasons:
- Ability to send messages via an online portal and/or a mobile app
- Send text via email (send an email to your account)
- Ability to include links to images
- Create list groups (one for customers, one for consignors)
- You can import your existing phone list
- Option to authenticate new users
- Subscribers can text JOIN to subscribe
- Subscribers can text STOP to unsubscribe
- Only $10.00 month for your Virtual phone number
- $0.049 USD for each text sent (pay-as-you-go billing)
- Inbound texts are only $0.02 each