Useful Things You Should Know About SMS Marketing and How To Use It

SMS marketing has been around for a while now, but it is still a powerful tool that businesses of all sizes can use to reach their target markets. SMS marketing is a form of direct marketing that uses text messages to promote products or services. It is a very effective way to reach customers because almost everyone has a cell phone and SMS messages are read quickly.

To use SMS marketing effectively, you need to know the basics of how it works. You also need to understand the different ways you can use SMS messages to promote your business.

Here are useful things you should know about SMS marketing and how to use it.

The Length and Format of SMS Messages

One important thing to know about SMS marketing is that there are limits on the length of text messages. Most mobile carriers allow SMS messages to be up to 160 characters long. This includes spaces and punctuation. If you try to send a message that is longer than 160 characters, it will be split into multiple messages, and your customers will be charged for each message.

Because of the character limit, it is important to use SMS messages wisely. You need to make sure that your message is clear and concise. Avoid using abbreviations or slang, as they may not be understood by everyone. You can also use free calculator tools to help you determine how many characters your message will be. This can be helpful when you are planning your campaign, for example.

It is also a good idea to format your SMS messages, so they are easy to read, by using proper grammar and punctuation. Use of all caps should be avoided, as it can be difficult to read. You may also want to consider using bullet points or numbered lists to make your message easier to read.

The Best Times to Send SMS Messages

Another thing to keep in mind when you are planning your SMS marketing campaign is the best time to send messages. You want to make sure that your message will be read by as many people as possible. The best times to send SMS messages are during business hours, on weekdays.

You may also want to experiment with sending messages at different times of day or night to see when your message is most likely to be read. It is important to test different times and days to find what works best for your business and your target market.

The Frequency of SMS Messages

Another important thing to consider when you are planning your SMS marketing campaign is the frequency of messages. You don’t want to bombard your customers with too many messages, as they may become annoyed and unsubscribe from your list. However, you also don’t want to send too few messages, as people may forget about your campaign altogether.

It is a good idea to start by sending one or two messages per week. You can then increase the frequency if you see that people are responding well to your campaign. Just be sure to monitor how many people unsubscribe from your list, so you don’t overdo it.

How to Get People to Opt-In to Your SMS Marketing Campaign

One of the most important things to know about SMS marketing is that you need people to opt-in to your campaign to receive your messages. This means that they need to give you their permission to send them text messages.

There are a few different ways that you can get people to opt-in to your campaign. One way is to include a keyword in your promotional materials, such as on your website or in print ads. When people see the keyword, they can text it to a short code to sign up for your campaign.

Another way to get people to opt-in to your campaign is to include a call-to-action on your website or in your email signature. For example, you can include a statement such as “text join to 45645 to sign up for our SMS marketing campaign.”

You can also use physical signage to promote your SMS marketing campaign. For example, you can put up posters in your store or office with keywords and shortcodes. You can also include the keyword and short code on business cards or receipts.

Once you have a way for people to opt-in to your campaign, you need to make sure that you are sending them messages that they will find valuable. This means that your messages should be relevant to their interests and needs. You can use demographic information, such as age, gender, location, and interests, to segment your list and send targeted messages.

SMS marketing can be a valuable tool for businesses of all sizes. By using proper grammar and punctuation, formatting your messages to be easy to read, and sending messages during business hours on weekdays, you can increase the chances that your message will be read by as many people as possible.

Finally, by segmenting your list and sending targeted messages, you can ensure that people are receiving content that is relevant to their interests and needs.