Transform your outreach with SMS marketing

SMS Marketing

SMS can be a critical marketing channel for businesses, especially those in retail and automotive industries. This article will be an informational, everything you need to know guide. More specifically, we will cover:

• What is SMS text marketing?
• Benefits text marketing
• Text message marketing examples
• SMS marketing best practices
• Text marketing platforms
• How to do free SMS marketing

What is SMS marketing?

What exactly is SMS or text marketing? It is exactly what it sounds like, it is essentially sending short promo messages directly to a user’s device, but you need their permission first. These messages are typically time-sensitive offers and promotions, alerts, updates, surveys, appointment reminders, etc. Businesses are always trying to find a new, creative SMS marketing technique like personalization. Personalizing an experience, even for mobile marketing, should be a key practice. You should keep in mind that there are privacy laws and regulations in place, so before you start creating a text message campaign, do some research to assure that you have the proper consent needed for your start.

Why is text message marketing so effective?

The whole purpose of marketing is to see results, whether that is to drive engagement, sales, leads, etc. This is why SMS marketing is so effective – it is direct to the customer, also known as super-high engagement. As mentioned above, because of the SMS direct marketing limitations and restrictions it is not the most widely used channel. However, it is way more effective than some of the other forms. This is because you are sending messages directly to users’ mobile devices – almost guaranteeing your audience sees the message. Still not convinced about why this form of marketing matters? Check out these stats:

• Americans check their phones on average 96 times a day– that is nearly every 10 minutes
• Most consumers (75%) prefer to receive promotional texts
• Over half (59%) of users prefer not to have to download an app to receive notifications
• 67% of people would rather text than email or call for scheduling and appointment needs

As you can see texting is the most widely used function of smartphones. Most people prefer text over emails and phone calls, especially millennials. Next, we will cover a few examples of a text campaign!

SMS marketing examples

There are multiple different ways to use an SMS marketing campaign. It all depends on the industry. However, text message marketing for small businesses or large companies can be very similar! Here are a few best practices for SMS marketing:

• Welcome messages and intro. “Thanks for becoming an insider!”
• Sales and promotions. “Take an extra 50% off your order with code SALE.”
• Event invites. “Join us for a free event on 3/1 at 5pm.”
• Confirmations. “Thank you for your purchase! We’ve received your order – keep an eye out for your shipping info.”
• Appointment reminders. “We can’t wait to see you tomorrow at 11AM for your appointment.”
• Security codes. “Your access code is 12345.”

Consumers respond better to text marketing because it is easy to opt-in, easy to opt-out, and it is instant. For companies, it is an easy, fast, and cheap form of marketing. Established companies like Tommy Hilfiger and Petco use an SMS marketing campaign for appointment updates and promotional efforts. Tommy Hilfiger uses a program called “Tommy Texts.” This program alerts customers of new products, sales, and promotions while vowing to never send more than 10 texts per month. Petco uses it to send their grooming department clients updates on their animals’ status and one-time offers. This gives Petco an advantage over its competitors since its clients don’t have to reach out first. Before building an SMS campaign remember to set a limit on the number of texts, be upfront about any mobile carrier fees, and know your audience and the reason why you are sending out these messages. Small businesses and established companies can benefit from SMS marketing.

For best results: Combine email and text marketing

The most effective marketing strategies use a combination of methods to achieve best results. That means you should not rely solely on just one method, instead, use multiple. Combining text and email marketing will be the power duo. Are you not sure how to intertwine them or even what to use it for? Email is a great way to start your initial conversations with individuals like when sending a prospecting introduction email. Text feels a bit too invasive for an introductory prospecting email. Once you have established a connection with the person, and if it makes sense, that’s when you would initiate the next step with texting.

One thing to remember is to make any method you use, personalized. For text and email, you can use video. Sending an email to a prospective client doesn’t have to be the boring, overused way. Stand out in the inbox and message with video! Learn more about some effective sales prospecting email examples or a prospecting email template to help get you started.

Choosing an SMS marketing platform

Using SMS marketing software makes the process of sending an automated text message for promotional efforts, scheduling and appointment, and other business needs more seamless and effective. There are so many SMS marketing services available on the market today. A few of the most popular ones include EZ Texting, Podium, Birdeye, and Textedly. With so many options available it is best to determine your purpose of sending text messages and do your research to find the one that suits your needs and goals best. Even with automated messages, it is important to have a personalized approach. If you are interested in taking a more personalized approach, want to send videos, and/or want to use text messages as a sales tool then Covideo is the avenue for you.

Covideo is not just an SMS software but also a personalized video emailing platform for all types of industries like automotive, education, banking, retail, and more. Many of our customers use it in their sales, marketing, customer service, and corporate departments. These videos are not for the everyday run-of-the-mill email and text marketing content that spams people`s inboxes. These videos are all about standing out in the messages, making a personalized experience in the buying process, making a human connection in this digital age, building trust when you can`t be face to face, making a great first impression for leads, and increasing sales. It’s an easy, effective, and efficient way to send videos and personalize your outreach via email or text message from a mobile device or desktop. It tends to have a stronger impact than a generic, automated, text message.

Getting started with SMS marketing

Let’s recap! SMS marketing is just another channel to essentially send short promo messages directly to a user’s device, but with their permission first. These messages are typically time-sensitive offers and promotions, alerts, updates, surveys, appointment reminders, etc. It is so effective because it is direct to the customer, and the average American checks their phone 96 times a day. However, there are privacy laws and regulations in place. The recipient will need to voluntarily opt-in to receive text messages. Most people prefer text over emails and phone calls, especially millennials. Lots of large companies and small businesses use some type of text message marketing software. Tommy Hilfiger and Petco are just two out of thousands. No matter what size or industry, SMS marketing can be beneficial for you. Most businesses send them for welcome messages, sales and promotions, event invites, confirmations, appointment reminders, and security codes.

For the best results, it is wise to use some sort of combination with other forms of marketing. Combining text and email marketing would create a power duo. Since text can feel a bit invasive, it is best to start with an email. Email is a great way to start your initial conversations with individuals. Then, once a relationship has been established you can start sending texts. There are many options available like EZ Texting, Podium, Birdeye, and Textedly. It is key to do your research and find one that fits your needs and goals. If you want the ability to personalize your messages, send videos, and/or want to use text messages as a sales tool then Covideo is the avenue for you.

Send SMS marketing messages with Covideo

Covideo is a video emailing and texting platform that makes it easy to record, send, and track those video messages. It has a stronger impact than the typical, plain-text messages that spam customer`s inboxes today. Want to try out a free text message marketing platform before committing? Sign up for a  free trial or get in touch with someone on our team to learn more.