We've got a few more tips to utilize your SMS marketing.

 

If you're lost, start here. 

 

You've got your list going, you have sent out a few messages. Now let's make sure you get more numbers on that list, more texts sent, and making that conversion rate sky high. 

1.) Utilize a keyword

Don't just buy the keyword and sit on it. Market it! Toss it in your next e-mail. Pin it to your Facebook group, slap it in your stories and be sure it goes into a highlight. *You can also put it in your header or pop-up on your site. Canva is your new best friend. The more creative and easy you can make it, the better. 

2.) Make the message clear

SIMPLIFY: You only have 160 characters to express yourself. Do it in less if you can. Make sure the message is clear and concise, written in plain English. Avoid abbreviations, emoticons, or anything unnecessary. 

Don’t use open-ended messages. An example of an open-ended message is one that invites clients to a sale but doesn’t say when the sale ends. The client has no idea if it is for a day or a month. By giving a specific date when a sale ends or putting an expiration date on a coupon, clients are more likely to act because you’ve given them enough information and incentive.

3.) Call To Action

Calls-to-action increase customer engagement with your SMS marketing texts. That’s exactly what you want from them: to be engaged, to value the texts you send, to read them, interact with them, and act on them.

Here are some call-to-action winners:

• “Show this text.”  Example: “Show this text to score 15% off your purchase.”
• “Click here.” Sometimes you don’t have enough space in your SMS message to include all the information your customer will need. Embedding and simply putting "click here" will allow more information in one punch. 
• Text-to-Win.Who wouldn't want to win something?  Asking them to text in order to enter the contest helps increase customers’ engagement. If you’re not offering a sale or hosting an event, Text-to-Win campaigns are an effective way to remind customers of your existence and continue increasing traffic and sales.
• Text-to-Vote. Engage customers in mobile polling to find out how your company is doing in terms of service, product quality, prices, and more.
• “Buy now.” Quick. To the point. We like it! 

4.) Timing

SMS is all about the now. It takes people an average of three minutes to open messages. Clients’ responses to sales, promotions, and events promoted on SMS are most effective when they’re last-minute impulses. 

Be careful not to tread on thin ice by sending messages out too early in the morning or too late at night. Acceptable hours are between 8am and 9pm.

5.) Opt-In Oppurtunities

The best way to get customers to opt-in is by utilizing every platform they may see. 

• Social Media. Add a “Mobile Number” field to your Facebook page sign up and an “Opt-in” button for them to sign on to your SMS campaign.
• Website. Make sure SMS opt-in is a prominent feature on your website.
• Newsletter. Make SMS opt-in visible on your newsletter.
• Point-of-sale. Make sure employees are asking if customers want to opt-in for SMS texts for promotions and sales.
• Snail mail. When you send coupons or promotional mail through the post, make sure instructions for SMS opt-in are printed on it.
• SMS. You can also send a text asking if they wish to opt in: “Get access to 6 (Company Name) texts per month for SMS-only discounts. Text 1234 to Opt-in.”
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6.) Pivot

This is all about learning. When you have a really successful campaign, be sure to note what the magic was around it. The timing? The sale? Analytics never lie to you. 


We hope this helps you make the most of your Text Marketing. 
Let us know your favorite thing about SMS below.