ITL Group strongly believes in SMS marketing and Mobile Marketing, and for this reason, it offers services aimed at developing the strategy of this type of marketing that best suits your company.
Text messages have a 98% read-rate, and of these, 95% are read in the first 3 minutes.
83% of millennials open an SMS message within 90 seconds of receiving it (while an email is read within 90 minutes).
This is the main reason why SMS marketing has become a widespread mobile marketing strategy and advertising channel for many companies.
SMS marketing uses text messages to communicate updates, offers, and reminders to customers.
There is a different kind of communication:
- One-on-one conversation between company and customer or between company and employee.
- Automated text (as a reaction to a customer action).
- Mass text to a group of customers who have opted to receive texts from a business.
But that doesn’t mean you can send too many messages; in this way, you only risk being blocked.
In the infinite nuances of marketing, SMS marketing is an opportunity not to be missed because it is really direct. However, SMS must be done correctly; the message might contain, for example, a link where you can get more information or an appointment reminder. It has to be short, clear and concise. It can also be helpful for internal company communication.”
Luigino Bottega, ITL Marketing Head of Division
Other advantages of this kind of marketing are:
- SMS marketing is one of the customers’ favorites.
75% of customers are ok with receiving SMS messages from companies.
- Most adults have a phone.
81% of adults in the US own a smartphone in 2019
- Consumers prefer SMS rather than phone calls.
89% of consumers prefer to interact with businesses via SMS rather than a phone call.
The SMS are much less intrusive; you can look at it, ignore it, delete it or respond to it.
- Suitable for expanding markets:
If a business works in countries where data is expensive, and wi-fi is not very widespread, SMS is a perfect way to communicate.
Tips for a successful SMS marketing strategy
1. Receive permission from the contacts to send them SMS messages.
SMS marketing is useless if you send messages to people who don’t want them. Furthermore, opt-in is required in most countries.
2. Find a text messaging platform that fits your company.
3. Invite people to text your number for offers or information.
4. Decide what kind of communication you want to implement.
- Promotions
“Take 40% OFF all sportswear this weekend only!”
- Reminders
“Don’t forget your appointment with Joe scheduled for 10/3/21 at 5:00 pm”
- Confirmations
“Thank you for your purchase, see you next time.”
- Online Review Requests
“We hope you had a great experience with us. If you want, leave us a review of our service.”
- Service Updates
“Your car has been repaired and is ready for pickup.”
- Urgent updates about events or customer orders
SMS is perfect for updates; you can easily communicate any cancellations or changes with better real-time engagement than email or other channels.
- Internal alerts
If a company has many employees, it could be challenging to communicate urgent messages to everyone simultaneously. If you send them an email, they may not see it. SMS is a great way to guarantee that everyone receives your message on time.
5. Pay attention to the times you send messages
You don’t have to disturb contacts at odd hours in the day
Some countries even have laws about sending marketing text messages (e.g. France does not allow SMS marketing on Sundays, holidays, or anytime after 10 pm).
6. It’s essential to include your company’s name in the message.
The SMS marketing messages are sent from “short codes,” and not from full telephone numbers.
Countries like the US do not allow sender information to be changed. So your message will appear as a text message from a short code your provider used (not from your business).
That is why it is essential to put the company’s name in the message.
Who needs it most?
Every business needs an SMS marketing strategy, but some cannot live without this strategy:
- E-commerce stores: that have to send promotional campaigns, offers, or order/shipping confirmations.
- Service businesses that require appointments: remembering the appointments will save time and money wasted on no-shows and late appointments.
- Large organizations with 100+ employees: for Internal communication the SMS marketing is perfect: fast and effective.
SMS or Email marketing?
SMS and email marketing are complementary.
Use email for more detailed information and SMS to communicate more time-sensitive or urgent information.
Why SMS marketing?
SMS marketing is one of the best marketing strategies, especially in these years when everyone has a phone. And compared, for example, with emails, it is much more direct and effective because it allows you to communicate with your customers how they prefer.
What are you waiting for? Develop a successful SMS marketing strategy with us.
Contact us here: marketing@itlgroup.hu
