What is SMS Marketing?
Text messaging, also known as SMS, is often used as a type of digital marketing strategy that involves sending promotional messages, offers, updates, and other information to customers and subscribers by sending a message directly to their phone. This type of marketing is highly effective because it has an open rate of 98%, with most text messages being read within three minutes of delivery.
Additionally, SMS marketing is a low-cost and high-impact way for businesses to reach their customers and drive sales. It is also highly personalized, as businesses can send targeted messages based on the customer’s location, interests, purchase history, and other data. Text message marketing also provides businesses with a quick and easy way to communicate with their customers and build relationships, as it is a direct and intimate channel of communication. Overall, SMS marketing is a highly effective tool for businesses today, as it can help them increase customer engagement, loyalty, and sales, while also providing a positive user experience.
Small businesses don’t have the same reach and marketing budget of their larger corporate counterparts. They rely on maintaining quality relationships and their reputation to make sales. One of the ways that small businesses can help increase their reach is by maintaining customer relationships.
Text messaging offers a bit of personalization that other platforms like email don’t. Emails get buried deep in the recipient’s inbox, phone calls don’t get answered, but text messages not only get opened, they get opened fast. In fact, we know of one company who increased their response rates by over 40% utilizing texting over other communication methods. Staying in touch with customers via SMS is one of the best ways a small business can increase brand loyalty and create repeat customers.
Additionally, text messaging can play a crucial role in lead management for growing small businesses. By implementing a text message service designed specifically for lead management, businesses can respond to leads immediately. This quick response time allows them to beat their competition, ensuring that they reach out to leads as soon as they fill out a contact form. This immediate engagement helps maintain high interest levels and increases the likelihood of converting leads into loyal customers.
Furthermore, SMS can be an effective tool for qualifying leads, encouraging appointment bookings, driving sales, and offering quotes. With text messaging, businesses can personalize their lead communication, increasing conversion rates and establishing strong relationships with customers from day one. This personalized approach sets the foundation for ongoing customer engagement and loyalty.
Text Messaging for Small Businesses: The ‘How?’ and ‘Why?’, Plus the Benefits
Businesses have been sending emails since emails were created. For a long time, it was considered the most effective and professional method of communication among businesses. While emails still have their place in today’s market, they aren’t as effective as they used to be. Particularly for small businesses Why is that?
Emails don’t get opened. Or at least, they don’t get opened at the same rate that text messages do. In fact, I’d be willing to wager that as it stands right now you’ve likely got at least 100 unread or unopened emails. My personal email currently has nearly 400 unread promotional emails. Why does this happen? We receive so many emails from all the different places we shop at, all of the social media accounts we sign up for, and everything in between. I will gladly hand out my email address if it means I get 10% off my purchase.
According to sources, when asked about their communication preferences, a significant majority of customers, specifically 90%, expressed a preference for SMS messaging over direct phone calls. Additionally, a staggering 98% of adults residing in the United States own a mobile device that includes text messaging services. These statistics are too big to ignore.
Here’s some proof of how many emails go unread
Small Business SMS Boosts Customer Engagement
Small businesses don’t have the same reach and marketing budget of their larger corporate counterparts. They rely on maintaining quality relationships and their reputation to make sales.
One of the ways that small businesses can help increase their reach is by maintaining customer relationships. Text messaging offers a bit of personalization that other platforms like email don’t. Emails get buried deep in the recipient’s inbox, phone calls don’t get answered, but text messages not only get opened, they get opened fast. In fact, we know of one company who increased their response rates by over 40% utilizing texting over other communication methods.
Two-Way Businesses Texting
Staying in touch with customers via SMS is one of the best ways a small business can increase brand loyalty and create repeat customers.
CloudContactAI’s easy-to-use interface keeps you in touch with all of your customers and opens the line of communication.
Opt-in Keywords
Offering your customers a simple and easy way to opt-in to monthly discounts, promotions, and other updates your small business may have is a great way to keep them happy, boost your reputation, and increase sales. Keywords let your customers send one text, and opt-in to receive your messages.
Bulk Business Texting
Getting your message across to customers or clients has never been easier. With CloudContactAI, you can send:
- Discount codes
- Appointment reminders
- Closure notifications
- Policy changes
- Tracking information
And much More!
Compliance Requirements
The CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association) has established a set of compliance regulations for SMS marketing campaigns. These compliance tips ensure that businesses adhere to certain standards and restrictions when engaging in text marketing activities. According to the CTIA:
1. Do not include offensive content: SMS marketing must not contain material that is considered profane, pornographic, or involves hate speech. This ensures that the messages sent do not offend or harm recipients.
2. Prohibit illegal activities: Any small business texting campaign should not promote or endorse illegal drug use or violence. Your SMS messages should only promote lawful and ethical activities.
3. Obtain proper consent: Just like with other text marketing practices, businesses must ensure that they have permission from recipients before sending them promotional messages. Adhering to permission-based marketing principles helps protect personal privacy and prevents spamming.
4. Follow TCPA regulations: As small businesses engage in text marketing, they must also comply with the regulations set forth by the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). This Act sets guidelines to prevent unwanted or unsolicited messages and to ensure that customers have the right to opt-out of receiving further communications.
Additional Benefits of Using SMS for your Business:
- Faster communication: Check your phone. How many unread texts do you have? Probably far less than unread emails. Texts are usually opened and read within minutes of being received.
- Better customer engagement: By sending personalized text messages, businesses can increase customer loyalty as well as response rates.
- Easier appointment scheduling: Text messages are a great way to confirm or reschedule appointments. This helps reduce the number of missed appointments and improving customer satisfaction.
- Boosted Sales: SMS can be used to promote products or services (SMS Marketing), offer exclusive discounts, and help your sales team close deals.
- Data tracking: Text messaging services often provide data tracking, allowing businesses to see how many messages are being sent, opened, and responded to, enabling them to improve their messaging strategy.
Small Business Text Message Marketing Made Simple
Small businesses often struggle to keep up with current marketing trends. This is true whether you run a ‘mom and pop’ pizza place, or if you’re a print-on-demand ecommerce store. One of the most effective marketing tools you can use as a small business owner is a text blast service.
When you sign up for CloudContactAI, you’ll be met with a simple-to-use interface. Our product makes it easy to upload contact lists so you can start sending bulk text messages as soon as possible. If you’re met with any resistance, feel free to contact us and we’ll put you in touch with our expert client success team. Our mission is simple, we want you to get the most out of our product.
Text messaging can significantly enhance internal communication and coordination within your organization. By utilizing a dedicated tool like CloudContactAI, you can streamline complex workflows, expedite problem-solving, and promote collaboration across different departments.
With CloudContactAI’s SMS platform, you can effortlessly coordinate field teams and disseminate essential information via text messages. This enables quick and efficient communication, ensuring that everyone is on the same page and equipped with real-time updates.
What Industries Can Utilize SMS Marketing?
Automotive
Banking
Debt Collection
Gyms
Healthcare
Hospitality
Political Campaigns
Real Estate
Retail
Restaurants
Sports Facilities
Veterinarians
Not sure if you’re ready to revolutionize the way your business communicates? Sign up for our 14-day free trial!
What do you have to lose?
