SMS marketing is taking the world by storm, but is it worth it? In an age where attention spans becoming increasingly short, SMS marketing seems to be the answer when it comes to direct communication. As businesses join in on SMS potential, incorporating mobile marketing strategies and highlighting the benefits of SMS marketing, the question remains: Is SMS marketing truly worth the hype, or is it another trend that will come and go? Discover effective SMS marketing techniques to stay ahead.
In this article we'll discuss:
What is SMS Marketing?
SMS (standing for Short Message Service) marketing, also known as text message marketing, involves sending alerts, promotions, or notifications directly to the customer's or potential customer’s phone number. Mobile marketing strategies, such as SMS marketing, continue to be the most immediate way to reach individuals.
Why do I need SMS marketing?
From door-to-door sales, cold calls, to email marketing, search, and social media, marketing efforts have evolved. Companies failing to keep up with these changes fail to flourish. SMS marketing, a key mobile marketing strategy, has proven beneficial in recent years. We’re not saying to completely ditch your current marketing methods, but integrating SMS marketing can significantly aid campaigns. The benefits of SMS marketing make it a powerful tool for businesses. Let's explore some effective SMS marketing techniques.
1. High Open rates:
When compared to other forms of communication, SMS has higher open rates. Forbes reported that message open rates can reach up to 98% compared to emails with an average rate of opens varying from 17% - 28% on the high end. The high open rate of SMS messages can be chalked up to a variety of reasons.
One reason for the high percentage of open rate is that SMS messages are often short and direct. If given the option of reading a lengthy email or a quick text, people are more likely to read a short message that comes directly to their phone. Mobile marketing strategies often leverage this tendency to boost engagement.
Another reason for SMS having high open rates can be attributed to the fact that people are constantly checking their text messages throughout the day. Even when juggling multiple things throughout the day, chances are when you feel that notification go off you’re going to pick up your phone to see what it was. The benefits of SMS marketing are evident in these high open rates.
When it comes to your business, a high open rate leads to a greater ROI. SMS marketing techniques, therefore, play a crucial role in achieving this.
2. HIGH engagement:
SMS marketing messages have high engagement rates, with many recipients interacting with the message by clicking on links or replying directly. Since the open rates are proven to be significantly higher on text messages, you can bet your customer engagement will be higher as well. There's a high possibility you’ve heard about the marketing rule of 7. The rule of 7 is based on many marketing studies with the principle that potential customers need to see a message or ad at least 7 times before they are provoked to buy in. They first coined the rule of 7 in the 1930s - it has stood through the test of time and is still applicable today.
Think about the last viral item you bought, chances are you caved after you saw multiple people use it or talk about it. On top of that, you probably saw ads about it on different platforms, all of which led you to want to try it out yourself. The high engagement rate that SMS brings to marketing helps your potential consumers reach that rule of 7 that much sooner leading to more sales more frequently.
3. Direct communication/ instant delivery:
What's something you don’t leave your house without? Your phone. Chances are even when you leave your wallet at home, your phone is in your back pocket. Mobile marketing strategies such as SMS allow for direct communication with your audience. This can be especially beneficial for time-sensitive promotions or deals. With social media algorithms constantly changing, it’s never assured your target market will even see your posts.
Inboxes are already busy enough. Between promotional emails and random retailer emails you signed up for years ago, it’s easy for an email to go unnoticed or even straight into the spam file. Benefits of SMS marketing include messages typically delivered instantly, which ensures that your business's marketing message reaches its recipients quickly through effective SMS marketing techniques.
4. wide reach:
Almost everyone has a mobile phone, and SMS marketing enables you to reach a broad audience with a broad age range, including those who might not regularly use email or social media. Sending text messages for a product or service can target anyone in your business's contact list no matter where they are in the world. This highlights the benefits of SMS marketing and its importance in mobile marketing strategies.
5. trackable results:
SMS marketing messages are very trackable. Most, if not all, SMS marketing platforms offer analytics that allow you to track the performance of individual text campaigns in real-time. You can monitor open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates. All of these allow you to optimize your future SMS marketing campaigns to have better results for your target audience. These SMS marketing techniques are essential for achieving successful outcomes.
6. email marketing is out for the up-and-coming generation:
Gen Z is on their way to not using email at all. They are way more likely to use direct messaging than any other type of communication. If given the option, odds are they are going to look at a text inbox and not their overflowing and often overwhelming email inbox. According to Business Insider, the office workspace continues to change as Gen Z enters the workplace.
Thanks to their disdain for emails, Instant Messaging (IM) apps such as Teams and Slack are on the rise with no sign of slowing down. Gen Z has been known for straying away from the norms of formality. According to a survey by ResumeBuilder, nearly three-quarters of managers and business leaders have identified Gen Z as the "most challenging generation" to collaborate with.
This reputation may stem from Gen Z's tendency to question established workplace norms that other generations have typically overlooked or just dealt with. The move away from emails could be seen as another incremental step in Gen Z's broader initiative to permanently reshape office culture. This shift emphasizes the growing relevance of mobile marketing strategies.
feeling stuck?
The world of digital marketing is always changing. It’s getting harder and harder for businesses to be able to stay ahead of the curve. SMS marketing can be a valuable addition to your marketing strategy, offering a direct, cost-effective, and highly engaging way to communicate with your audience. If you’re struggling to manage marketing by yourself or know you can step your game up to reach more potential consumers, ThrivePOP can help. Schedule a discovery meeting with us today to see how your business can be taken to the next level.
