Posted by SMS stands for short message service and is also called texting or text messaging. SMS messages or ‘texts’ are usually sent from one mobile phone to another, but can also be sent from a business to customers’ mobile phones.
More and more businesses are using SMS marketing, either in conjunction with their other marketing efforts, or as a stand-alone channel.
And since it’s proven to be one of the strongest forms of marketing today, you might want to consider adding it to your marketing arsenal. Here’s why:
1: SMS is Proven to Work
Text message marketing is phenomenally effective, with 8 times the engagement rate of email marketing.
8 times the engagement! Text messages have an almost 100% open rate, and most people read them within a few minutes of receiving them.
And text marketing has a higher conversion rate than most other marketing channels, making it proven and powerful at moving the sales process forward.
2: Text Messaging is Popular
Today, text messaging is one of the most common forms of communication, especially among Millennials. Over 90 percent of American adults have a cell phone, and 81% use it to text. These numbers are even higher for younger generations.
In the UK, over 93 percent of adults own a mobile phone, and send over 117 texts per month on average.
3: Customers Like It
In one study, approximately 70 percent of customers say they want businesses to communicate with them through text messaging.
And since commercial texting is an opt-in service, everyone you are texting has signed up to receive your messages, making them receptive to your SMS offers.
4: SMS is Convenient
One of the best features of SMS is just how convenient it is. Most people are carrying their cell phones with them nearly all of the time. If they choose to opt into your campaign after they see your ad, they simply need to text in a keyword and it’s done.
This makes for high open rates, high engagement rates and an extremely convenient way for customers to redeem your offer without having to remember to bring along a coupon or print something out.
5: Plenty of Untapped Potential
While it’s becoming more popular, SMS is still virtually untapped compared to other marketing mediums.
This means there’s not as much spam, and customers aren’t overwhelmed by too many messages. At least, not yet.
In this regard, SMS is a better choice than email marketing. And it also helps you to stand out from your competition, too.
6: SMS is Affordable and Easy to Use
Most text message services are quite inexpensive, with monthly plans available if you’re sending a high volume of texts.
Even the messages themselves don’t cost much money to create. They are text based, so there are no expensive graphics — and they are digital, so there is no paper or printing cost.
It’s also easy to get started. You simply need to create a list of your subscribers. Then, you can send out scheduled messages to your entire list, specific groups, or individuals.
7: Fast Results
As we mentioned earlier, SMS marketing is immediate and direct.
People view their cell phones as an extension of themselves, so the messages they sign up to receive are important to them.
Because texts are sent directly to the customers and people read them within minutes, you can provide last-minute deals and offers. You can also send out updates in real time.
And texting can even be set up as a two-way communication channel, so you have the option to receive messages directly from customers.
As you can see, text messaging offers a lucrative space for developing your marketing strategy.
You are targeting those who have already demonstrated an interest in your business in a direct, immediate, and convenient manner that benefits both your customers and yourself.