Marketers have sent SMS for nearly as long as mobile phones have existed. With billions of text messages sent, it is easy to discount SMS in comparison to other marketing channels.
But, with a staggering 98% open rate, and usage by both smartphones and feature phones, SMS remains a key part of your marketing arsenal. That said, you need to do some things right to extract maximum value from SMS.
Here are a few of the essential steps that both small business owners and enterprises can keep in mind to manage a best in class SMS marketing strategy.
Build a targeted customer database
If you want to maximize returns with a winning SMS sales strategy, you need to build a targeted customer database. First, gather data through sign-up forms, purchase history, and customer interactions, and use this information to segment your audience based on demographics, buying behavior, and interests. This targeted approach will yield better results, as your customers will receive relevant content that resonates with them.
Use your branding
Register your Sender ID or get a short code that reflects your brand instead of a random 10-digit phone number. By displaying your company name as the sender, you ensure that recipients immediately recognize the source of the message. This establishes trust and credibility while reinforcing brand awareness. Customers are more likely to engage with messages from familiar, trusted sources.
Acquire consent
Before you hit the send button, it’s crucial to obtain consent from your customers to comply with privacy regulations, like the GDPR and TCPA. Ensure that you have a clear opt-in process that allows customers to subscribe to your SMS marketing list willingly. This step not only keeps you legally compliant but also builds trust with your audience. Transparency is key; inform your customers about the frequency and content of your messages, and always provide an easy opt-out option.
In India, the TRAI and other regulators have started implementing multiple measures to ensure marketers get consent from customers every 180 days. We are guiding our customers through this process and will share more content around this. If you have questions about obtaining customer consent using DLT, please contact us.
Balance brevity with value
With only 160 characters to work with, writing effective SMS content can be challenging. However, this constraint can also inspire creativity. Focus on crafting concise, value-driven messages that grab your audience’s attention. Use action words and a clear call-to-action (CTA) to encourage engagement. Personalize your messages using customer names or referring to previous purchases, and always test your content before sending it out to ensure it appears correctly on various devices.
Timing is everything!
Timing is crucial for the success of your SMS sales strategy. Research indicates that text messages have a higher open rate within the first three minutes of delivery. Capitalise on this by sending time-sensitive offers or reminders to create a sense of urgency. An SMS to order biryani on a weekend evening will most likely get you better results that one sent on a weekday morning!
In addition, be mindful of the frequency of your messages. Too many texts can lead to customer annoyance, while too few can cause your audience to lose interest.
Offer exclusive deals
Customers love exclusive deals, so offer them through SMS. You can offer discounts, free shipping, or exclusive content. This will incentivise customers to act and make a purchase.
Track, analyze, and optimize
Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), such as delivery rates, open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates. Use this information to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement. Continuously optimize your campaigns by testing different message content, timing, and targeting strategies to find what works best for your audience.
One way to streamline and enhance your SMS sales strategy is by using a reliable and powerful SMS API, like EnableX SMS.
By incorporating EnableX SMS API into your SMS sales strategy, you can streamline your SMS communication, increase engagement, and boost conversions. Whether you’re looking to automate your messages, customize your content, or enhance your security, EnableX SMS API can help you achieve your goals.
More information:
You can sign up for a trial account here.
If your business is based in India, and you are yet to obtain a DLT registration, see our quick guide here
Access our developer documentation for building an SMS API here.
