The use of SMS marketing and text messages was started in the late 1980s. Since then the use and pattern of SMS has barely changed. The fundamentals are all the same. Yet it is most popular for business.
Here we will discuss the methods of using SMS as a powerful tool for your business and its multiple advantages.
Why should one use SMS marketing for their business?
Notwithstanding the fact that messages are reliable but also they are quickly analysed, efficient and easy to set-up and use. It also has an immediate effect on the responses and active growth on sales. SMS has far more advantages over email and other marketing methods.
Text messages are preferred over direct calling methods. Text messages are short and convey the message exact to the point. In case of direct calling it requires more time and might irritate the consumer if not done on the right time. SMS provides two way personal communication with few seconds.
According to researchers 90% of text messages are opened within 2-3 minutes.
This instant attention is like a catalyst for marketing.
In recent years SMS has grown to a power Marketing tool. Businesses have chosen SMS to provide their services to the contact and have one to one conversation. SMS can be personalized which builds consumers trust in the brand.
SMS marketing has several more advantages
- Increase customer reaction
- Brand trust and loyalty
- Instant communication
- Attract new customers
- Growth in sales
- Provide a profitable ROI
Working of SMS marketing service
Businesses can use the contact info of the consumers (with permission) for communication and marketing channels.
Many programs run via SMS service providers, one can assign keywords to a particular database. Businesses can also segment these customers into groups, by product, or interest etc.
Consumers can opt in to receive the different kinds of messages . SMS marketing is possible via SMS gateway only. Then it enables the business to communicate with their customers or staff members.
SMS gateway allows customers to send their contact information to the business and then receive the required updates .
Reduction in cost due to SMS marketing.
SMS is digital information. It is possible to analyse it in immense detail. The only requirement of is that the business has segmented their communication effectively such as service text, promotional text, new updates. By doing this all the SMS to one’s customers can be:
- Stored
- Tracked
- Analysis
- Measured
SMS is a kind of easy to handle method. It save the most valuable time and gives clear results . Ad compared to any other Marketing strategy ( newspaper, radio, tv, social media) SMS is highly efficient and reliable.
12 benefits of using SMS marketing
Let’s understand those reasons that make SMS as the best marketing tool.
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Immediate results
Businesses can convey instantly and be able to see who has received it. It is possible to obtain analytical data such as who has opened it,read it and the prominent one that all have responded.
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Immediate delivery
SMS are delivered within seconds and are quickest method of communication. It is the best method to reach the consumers and convey the message within seconds.
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Personal
Since it is one to one communication method, text messages can be personalized. Personalized text messages are well received by the consumers as they feel more familiar to connect. Most results show that personalized next messages are highly efficient in increasing sales.
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Cost-effective
Text messages are cheaper when purchased in bulk. Results achieved via SMS marketing are available through no other marketing strategy.
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Simple
Text messages are short, simple and to the point . They are easy for both the business and consumer . Everyone across the globe uses smartphones and knows how to open, read and write text messages. Because of the character limit of 160 character, it is easy to formulate a text message. Also there is. No need for experts to write a text message as required in email marketing.
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Global marketing
Text messages can reach to all those who have a mobile phone and are connected to network signal. Thus businesses can reach millions of people at anytime, anywhere instantly.
There are about 5 billion phons in use today thus businesses can reach a wider audience via SMS. Actually they can reach the world via SMS.
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Precise
As explained above SMS has a character limit and thus are precise. Businesses that have segmented their target audience can easily convey their messages. Businesses must understand what works for them and what is the expectations of consumers.
This will help them refine the messages and maximise the sales potential.
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Efficient
Efficient SMS marketing is done when
one can save time in planning the campaign. One does not need to write individual text messages, group of people can be targeted and specific messages can be sent .
This method gives more time to engage the staff and experts in other crucial tasks.
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Trackable and analytics
SMS are easy to track. Most SMS service providers offer delivery reports. These reports are highly beneficial as they are a great source for analysis of success.
This helps to analyse the success of the campaign also guides for the other strategy.
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Reliable
None of the mobile phones have spam filters. Therefore chances that the messages have not reached the audience is very rare. Also SMS do not carry any shady documents or spam attachment like email .
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SMS vs email
SMS text messages are opened more frequently than emails. Email are still considered as the most effective marketing tool. But they are lengthy and have very less open rates as compared to SMS.
