Starting an SMS Drip Campaign

Drip Campaign Marketing

Drip marketing is good for a number of objectives that marketers aim to reach:

• • Easier, friendlier onboarding for customers.
  • Messages are automated and they can scale to any number of clients.
  • Improved customer engagement and increased sales.

While it isn’t a new concept, SMS helps to reach more people with greater consistency.  At CCAI, it is our job to provide the tools necessary to get that job done.  We provide the platform you need for automated drip campaign messaging.

Drip Campaign Marketing

Drip marketing is good for a number of objectives that marketers aim to reach:

• • Easier, friendlier onboarding for customers.
  • Messages are automated and they can scale to any number of clients.
  • Improved customer engagement and increased sales.

While it isn’t a new concept, SMS helps to reach more people with greater consistency.  At CCAI, it is our job to provide the tools necessary to get that job done.  We provide the platform you need for automated drip campaign messaging.

Value is Key

Remember that customers have to see the worth of each campaign text message lest they block the sender’s number under the misunderstanding that it might be something malicious.  Execution is the biggest key concept to remember in any sort of marketing campaign and it’s more important in this context.  Even with the right tools, a campaign – and the marketing effort as a whole – can flop if it’s treated with the same approach as spam.  Plan the campaign with the following concepts in mind:

How They Are Applied

SMS drip campaigns make the biggest difference in situations where there is something to be taught.  We apply this method ourselves when introducing users to the application and use of CloudContactAI as a web application and how this can maximize efficiency.  In the case of onboarding new employees, having those extra opportunities for training is also incredibly useful.  SMS with either links to training manuals or extra material will be useful for newer team members.

The Journey Ahead

Think of the drip campaign as a sequence of steps that the customer must be helped along.  Break the entire campaign down into individual segments that represent major points and space out when they launch chronologically – typically in the span of days.  Additionally, think of ways to organize a campaign based on which method the user signed up through.  More importantly, remember what part of the journey customers will be on, as certain verbs will be different between newcomers and long-term members of the brand.

Targeting the Audience

There should be a purpose and goal to the drip campaign.  How the words work together should reflect what is wanted from the audience, whether it be a sale, an opt-in, or a reference.  The steps on how to get there should be clear and signs of confusion should be caused to return to planning the campaign.  Most importantly, brevity is the soul of wit.  The message itself should be succinct and instructive lest the customer gets confused and just prematurely end the conversation.

Build to Them, not the Other Way Around

Taking the time to reach outward will always bear some value.  Personalizing the message is the best way to establish a strong relationship with the customer.  Using first names and what might look like a personal account are two key components in this process.  But as was initially mentioned in this section, each step should have value.  Every SMS must contain content that the customer realizes is valuable.

Value is Key

Remember that customers have to see the worth of each campaign text message lest they block the sender’s number under the misunderstanding that it might be something malicious.  Execution is the biggest key concept to remember in any sort of marketing campaign and it’s more important in this context.  Even with the right tools, a campaign – and the marketing effort as a whole – can flop if it’s treated with the same approach as spam.  Plan the campaign with the following concepts in mind:

How They Are Applied

SMS drip campaigns make the biggest difference in situations where there is something to be taught.  We apply this method ourselves when introducing users to the application and use of CloudContactAI as a web application and how this can maximize efficiency.  In the case of onboarding new employees, having those extra opportunities for training is also incredibly useful.  SMS with either links to training manuals or extra material will be useful for newer team members.

The Journey Ahead

Think of the drip campaign as a sequence of steps that the customer must be helped along.  Break the entire campaign down into individual segments that represent major points and space out when they launch chronologically – typically in the span of days.  Additionally, think of ways to organize a campaign based on which method the user signed up through.  More importantly, remember what part of the journey customers will be on, as certain verbs will be different between newcomers and long-term members of the brand.

Targeting the Audience

There should be a purpose and goal to the drip campaign.  How the words work together should reflect what is wanted from the audience, whether it be a sale, an opt-in, or a reference.  The steps on how to get there should be clear and signs of confusion should be caused to return to planning the campaign.  Most importantly, brevity is the soul of wit.  The message itself should be succinct and instructive lest the customer gets confused and just prematurely end the conversation.

Build to Them, not the Other Way Around

Taking the time to reach outward will always bear some value.  Personalizing the message is the best way to establish a strong relationship with the customer.  Using first names and what might look like a personal account are two key components in this process.  But as was initially mentioned in this section, each step should have value.  Every SMS must contain content that the customer realizes is valuable.

What Else Can Drip Campaigns Accomplish?

• Voice of Authority  –  Customers might not understand the full worth of what there is on offer.  As a source of knowledge on both the product and what role it’s supposed to fill, the recipients of the campaign might feel more open-minded if the greater picture is completely described to them.
• Promotional  –  Especially in the case of a sale event, some customers might need reminders of the sale depending on their own availability.  Seasonal and holiday events are the greatest opportunities to draw in potential customers with offers they would be interested in.
• Lead Them On  –  Make this campaign the proper introduction to a brand.  As well as it being a showcase of the content on offer, some consumers might need several layers of exposure to become comfortable with the brand.  With the right information and presentation, customers will catch on and develop a positive opinion.

What Else Can Drip Campaigns Accomplish?

• Voice of Authority  –  Customers might not understand the full worth of what there is on offer.  As a source of knowledge on both the product and what role it’s supposed to fill, the recipients of the campaign might feel more open-minded if the greater picture is completely described to them.
• Promotional  –  Especially in the case of a sale event, some customers might need reminders of the sale depending on their own availability.  Seasonal and holiday events are the greatest opportunities to draw in potential customers with offers they would be interested in.
• Lead Them On  –  Make this campaign the proper introduction to a brand.  As well as it being a showcase of the content on offer, some consumers might need several layers of exposure to become comfortable with the brand.  With the right information and presentation, customers will catch on and develop a positive opinion.

Closing Thoughts

Drip campaigns are useful across a variety of circumstances.  The primary goal should be keeping an audience informed, whether it be how to use the product, what the product is for, informing customers there is a sale on the aforementioned product, or gradually bringing new members onto the team.  CloudContactAI not only makes this process easy, but provides the tools necessary to simplify personalizing these messages, with contact lists, custom variables, keywords, and scheduling functionality.

Closing Thoughts

Drip campaigns are useful across a variety of circumstances.  The primary goal should be keeping an audience informed, whether it be how to use the product, what the product is for, informing customers there is a sale on the aforementioned product, or gradually bringing new members onto the team.  CloudContactAI not only makes this process easy, but provides the tools necessary to simplify personalizing these messages, with contact lists, custom variables, keywords, and scheduling functionality.