In recent times, SMS marketing has evolved into a powerful tool for businesses to increase their customer engagement through direct communication. Relaying updates, reminders and offers to customers has become easier than ever. An important aspect of SMS marketing, however, is making sure that the collection of phone numbers ensures compliance in order to build and retain customer trust. Let’s get into the definition of SMS marketing, its benefits to businesses and ways to collect phone numbers for these campaigns.
What is SMS Marketing?
SMS marketing is sending alerts, offers, promotions, notifications and other urgent updates via text messaging. It is not only a reliable and cost effective method of reaching your audience but is also rather personal. It can be in different forms such as automated based on a customer’s actions, mass text campaigns to target opt-in subscribers or even one on one communication.
Why People Are Reluctant to Give Their Phone Numbers
There are many benefits of SMS marketing, yet many people remain hesitant to share their phone numbers over privacy concerns and potential scams. These scams can target personal information and lead to identity theft. These potential breaches of privacy make both businesses and customers wary of SMS marketing. One way of dealing with these concerns is to provide transparency as well as clarity as to the reason and advantages why a customer should share their contact details.
Benefits of SMS Marketing
1. Word of Mouth
In order to get word of mouth around, your messages should offer real value, making customers more likely to share them with their friends and family ultimately leading to an amplified reach.
2. Customer loyalty
Making customers feel valued by engaging with them through promotions and updates helps build their loyalty to the business.
3. Cost-effective
Businesses can cut costs on other marketing materials such as letters and brochures by opting for the much more inexpensive method of marketing using the SMS.
4. Fast and Effective
Communication can be made more effective and wide spread due to the rapid nature of SMS marketing, reaching a larger audience in a matter of minutes.
5. Improved Communication
Customer relationships are enhanced by the personal nature of SMS marketing, whether the messages are promotional or simply conveying information.
6. increased Engagement
Statistically text messages are more likely to be read as compared to phone calls and E-mails. Which increases engagement and in turn sales.
7. Wider Audience
No internet connection is required for SMS messages, which makes them more accessible to a wider audience.
SMS Marketing versus Email Marketing
- Open Rates: SMS messages are opened 98% of the time, compared to 20% for emails.
- Click-Through Rates: Links in SMS have a 29% click-through rate, while emails have 2.5%.
- Engagement: SMS messages are responded to within 90 seconds, while emails take about 90 minutes.
- Cost: SMS marketing is generally more cost-effective than email marketing, which can vary based on provider, features, and usage.
How to Collect Phone Numbers for SMS Marketing
It is important to collect phone numbers ethically and legally in order to ensure and positive ROI and compliance. Some strategies to achieve this are:
1. Setting Up a Code
Creating 5-6 digit opt in codes for your customers to use to join your list. Straightforward methods make it easier and more likely for customers to join in.
2. Creating a Unique Keyword
Using keywords that are relevant and easy to memorize that can be used by customers to text to a short code in order to join the list. It is helpful to ensure that this keyword aligns with your brand and is memorable for the customers.
3. Using Pop-Ups on Mobile Devices
Specify pop-us on your website for mobile users. This can increase conversion rates by targeting customers that are already browsing their phone.
4. Offering Perks to Subscribers
Offer incentives including discounts, samples, giveaways and more exclusive offers for customers willing to share their phone numbers. This increases the willingness of customers to opt in.
Conclusion
SMS marketing can be a powerful tool when honing customer relationships and increasing brand awareness. Understanding the advantages of this strategy and learning effective ways of collecting phone numbers can help create SMS marketing campaigns that will increase engagement and business growth. The priority with SMS marketing remains the transparency while collecting phone numbers and value in your communication which builds trust and encourages customers to opt in to your list.
