Texting a promo message helps immediately grab your consumer’s attention. If you struggle with text message marketing, follow these 10 tips.
Did you know that 97% of Americans use their texting app at least once a day? So as a business owner, if you’re not taking advantage of text message marketing and specifics like SMS geofencing, you’re missing out.
But it can be hard to know how to start with SMS promo message marketing if you haven’t done it before.
That’s why we’ve gathered 10 tips that will help you get better at text message marketing. Check them out below!
1. Keep it Simple
It’s no secret that text messages are short. In fact, you only have 157 characters to get your message across.
That’s why every message you send should be concise. One thing to do is to make sure every message only has one purpose.
Also try to use short sentences. This is not the time to show off your large vocabulary. Instead, be clear and concise!
2. Grow Your Mobile List
If you don’t have a list of mobile phone numbers for potential and current customers, who are you going to text? That’s why one of the first things you should implement when starting a texting campaign is a way to gather cell phone numbers.
One great way to do this is to have an opt-in feature on your website. Often, companies will simply ask their audience to text a keyword to a certain shortcode which will opt them into your messages. Once your client contact list is solid, you can start sending important notifications. You can integrate an SMS gateway API service with your existing communication systems. This type of gateway is used to send text messages by adding native bulk text capability to existing software and applications, making this the best way to send notifications to hundreds or thousands of clients at a time.
You can also implement this in offline channels. If you advertise through printed ads in magazines or posters, consider giving away a free download or discount on products. But make it only available by texting in a certain keyword.
That way you can gather phone numbers while still providing value to your customer base.
3. Utilize a Strong CTA
In any marketing campaign, it’s important to include a call to action (CTA). If you don’t, your customers won’t know what to do next.
The same applies in SMS marketing. Always include a CTA in your messages. But don’t overdo it.
Only include one CTA so that your message is very clear. An example of this would be, “Click this link for 25% off your next purchase.”
It’s very obvious what your customers should do next in this scenario.
4. Use Link Shortening
As we talked about before, you need to take advantage of the limited space in your text messages. And if you’re including super long links, those use up your precious characters very quickly.
To avoid this, consider using a link shortening service. This software will turn your link into something much shorter.
This is great because it gives you a lot more space to work with. But they’re also nice because it makes your messages easier to read because your message won’t be cluttered with 30 link characters.
Check out an option like bit.ly or Google’s link shortening service.
5. Provide Instant Value
Customers don’t want to open a text message and find that there’s nothing of value inside. Texting is an instantaneous form of communication and so people expect to receive something valuable when reading a text message from a company.
In other words, don’t send out a text just to send something out. Instead, provide valuable information about a current promotion. You could also give information about a product update.
No matter what, you want your message to entice people to take action right now.
6. Consider the Timing
When starting a text messaging marketing campaign, pay attention to the timing of it all. This is because texts are often opened right when they’re received–so you want to send them out at optimal times.
Don’t send a text too early in the morning or too late at night. At these times, consumers aren’t in the mindset to make a purchase or engage with your business.
Instead, send your messages during the day, typically weekdays. If it makes sense for your company, feel free to send out texts on the weekend.
More than anything, pay attention to the data. Experiment with sending out messages at various times and then see which ones get the highest open and click-through rates.
This information will tell you what works best for your customer base.
7. Reach Younger Consumers
If you’re looking to reach the 18 to 49 year old market, texting is a great form of communication. Gen X and Gen Y grew up with cell phones and are avid users of texting. In fact, one study found that millennials are abandoning calls and turning to texting more and more.
Baby Boomers, on the other hand, aren’t the ideal market for text message marketing.
But if you’re looking to reach younger consumers, try texting. It could be just what your business needs to grow.
8. Don’t Spam Your Customers
The last thing you should do is make your customers feel like they’re being spammed. They are giving you their personal phone number, so respect that trust.
Don’t send a text every day. Instead, try sending one every few days or even just once a week. See what works best in regards to your open rates.
But in all you do, don’t spam your database. Otherwise, they will opt out of your text campaigns altogether.
9. Say Who You Are: Another Promo Message Tip
Ever get a text and have no idea who sent it? If that happens when people open your corporate messages, you’ve made a big mistake.
Instead, always identify yourself. Say who you are somewhere in the message. That way people will know who you are and be more likely to interact with your text.
10. Connect SMS with Your Other Strategies
Last but not least, use your texting campaigns in conjunctions with other areas of your marketing.
Here are a few ideas. You could connect your print and digital campaigns with an invitation to text for a special offer or more information. You could also use your texts to drive traffic to specific landing pages.
The possibilities here are endless!
Closing Thoughts
There you have it. 10 tips to improve your promo message text marketing. Pick your favorite ideas and use them today!
Have questions? Feel free to reach out.
