Essentials of Creating Crisp and Converting SMS Marketing Messages

Short Message Service is an intimate and instant mode of communication, which he also used as an essential marketing tool by businesses. Bulk SMS campaigns and customized personal SMS, automated text replies are some of the most popular modes of SMS marketing. Not just in case of e-commerce, but SMS marketing is largely gaining in popularity in all types of industries to work as a standalone marketing strategy and also to supplement other marketing strategies effectively. Some important considerations which make SMS marketing the best choice include:

 

• There is no need for content designing and ad copies.
• No implementation delays
• Cost-effective and affordable even for the smallest businesses.
• Recipients find texts as more trustworthy.
• Easy to read and understand.
• Easy to track results and plan.

 

As we know, target customers of any business, whatever their demographics or preferences are, always keep their mobile phones with them. This makes SMS marketing a lucrative way to reach to the target audience and instantly communicate the message. Studies also show a quite impressive success rate for SMS marketing.

 

SMS marketing study results

 

Collective insight of various studies to assess the effectiveness of SMS marketing shows some reassuring results as below:

 

• 6 billion people across the globe use cell phones and SMS comes as a default service.

• SMS has an open rate of 98%.
• About 80% of the customers tend to open their text inbox (within first 3 minutes) when they receive a new message notification.
• About 47% of the recipients who click on an SMS-link tend to make a purchase.
• About 32% of the recipients react to the SMS offers, and nearly 31% react to the SMS surveys.

 

Using SMS for your business marketing

 

From the above stats, we can infer that, even though simple, SMS is one of the most powerful marketing tools if you can adeptly utilize it. About 60% of the advertisers prefer to use SMS marketing as an essential promo tool, but many are still confused about planning the best SMS marketing campaigns for their business. Connecting with target consumers on the go is largely critical than ever before, and text messaging is the most primary technique to reach this goal effectively.

 

However, the proliferation of handheld mobile devices won't guarantee SMS marketing success by default. You have to pitch in and resonate effectively with the consumers to engage them and motivate to act. For those who are new to it, click here for more tips to follow while thinking of a successful SMS marketing campaign, some of which we will discuss here.

 

·         Make it brief and focused

 

Always ensure that the text messages you prepare for marketing purpose are succinct and laser focused. In the 160-character restriction, there is no room for any fluffs. Keep the exact target group in mind and speak openly and directly to them There is a scope of redirecting them to a web page or social media feed if you want to communicate more, but avoid any extraneous details while preparing SMS marketing content.

 

·         Avoid abbreviation, slang, or any hype

 

Trying to create hype may sometimes make your text look like spam. So, it is important that you cut out anything which may seemingly be promotional and slick. Avoid the adjectives like "amazing," "unbelievable" etc. Also, try to avoid any local slang and abbreviation in text messages. You can surely maintain a friendly tone, but without cheapening your brand perception.

 

·         Deliver some immediate value

 

People who subscribe to SMS marketing don't want to get some company texts which don't offer any immediate value. As text is a mode of instantaneous communication, you should always try to include some real-time information and offers. Whatever you are trying to inform us, like a sale or a product offer, the text should clearly describe the benefit of immediate action by the customer.

 

·         Identify/Introduce yourself

 

All the first-time messages should have an introductory text and when following up with the already existing customer database, make sure you identify yourself to avoid confusion. A single word about your brand or product is necessary as the customers tend to get promotional SMSs from a large number of companies. Don't sound anonymous to get treated as spam.

 

·         Make the recipients feel special

 

As the users need to opt-in to receive marketing messages, you shouldn't try to clutter their inboxes with frequent irrelevant messages. Instead, you have to consider those opted-in users are premium customers and then make them feel special and gifted by opting in for your promotional messages. Otherwise, they may simply opt out from your text database on getting irate.

 

Some examples of bad SMS marketing texts

 

Next, we will see some bad practices in terms of SMS marketing.

 

• Unbelievable! Check to price at www.abcdmart.com at about 2G2BT.
• Hey there! Don’t miss the sale. www.abcdmart.com must get the deal before it's late.

 

You can see these irrelevantly hyped messages contain unfriendly abbreviations and also slang.

 

Good SMS marketing text

 

Now, let's see some good and clean marketing text examples

 

• Flat 50% off on all items at www.abcdmart.com ending in 12 hours. Use coupon code DEALS at checkout.

 

• Special discounts to you at ABCD mart on 01/01/19. Show this message at the store to get the deals.

 

Above messages state the fact clearly and consist of some straight call to action too. The recipients sense value and exclusivity. The messages also feature deadlines with a sense of urgency, which only text can instill. These just a couple of examples to understand the standard messaging format, but creative marketers can come up with many innovative ideas in terms of making more focused and result-oriented SMS marketing text messages this way.

 

Also, remember that it takes a lot of effort and time to devise the apt marketing messages for your audience. If you find it relevant to your business, then there is nothing wrong in hiring an SMS marketing specialist or approaching a similar service provider to take over your SMS marketing campaigns.