What is SMS Marketing? A Beginner’s Guide

According to reports, around 70% of the customers subscribed to SMS marketing in 2022, indicating YoY growth of 12% in opt-in rates. SMS marketing is among the most used platforms for marketing, with a massive open rate.

Gone are the days when marketers used to rely confidently on single-channel marketing. Instead, the world has rapidly transformed into a digital space, and so has the marketing landscape. In this article, let’s explore everything about SMS marketing that matters the most to you.

What Is SMS Marketing?

SMS marketing is a permission-based marketing practice of sending promotional or transactional messages to customers via Short Message Service (SMS).

The objective of SMS marketing can be anything, from building brand awareness to announcing discounts or deals, sending reminders, or even promoting loyalty programs. Moreover, as receiving SMS feels more personal, it can be used to build customer relationships.

Some standard SMS marketing campaigns include personalized promotions, flash sales, appointment reminders, customer service updates, and more. In addition, SMS marketing is an excellent way to reach out to your target audience as it has a high open rate.

How Does SMS Marketing Work?

Customers have to opt-in to receive SMS marketing messages from a business. There are generally two ways to do this:

1. By texting a specific keyword to a shortcode
2. By providing their mobile number on the website or at the store

After opting in, customers start receiving text messages from the business according to the frequency defined by the business. A person can opt-out of the SMS marketing program at any time by replying with the word ‘STOP.’

Now that we know what SMS marketing is and how it works let’s look at what SMS customer service is.

What Is SMS Customer Service?

SMS customer service is a type of customer service provided via text messages. It allows businesses to communicate with their customers in real time. This service has several use cases across multiple industries like ecommerce, food and beverage, travel, etc.

SMS customer service is beneficial as it is convenient for both the customer and the business. In addition, it is a quick way to resolve queries without needing phone calls or emails.

SMS customer service operations can include ticket booking confirmation, order tracking, notifications, and alerts. It is a valuable addition to any business as it can help you improve customer satisfaction.

SMS Marketing Best Practices

Now that we know all about SMS marketing, let’s look at some best practices to help you make the most of this marketing channel.

• Get explicit permission: The first and foremost thing to do is to get explicit consent from your customers before sending them any SMS marketing messages. This can be done by having them opt-in to your SMS marketing program.
• Keep it short and sweet: Since SMS messages are limited in characters, it is essential to keep them short and sweet. Write clear and concise messages that can be easily understood.
• Use engaging content: Use interesting and relevant content in your SMS marketing messages. It will help you capture the attention of your target audience.
• Use personalized messages: Personalized messages have a higher chance of being read and responded to. So, use your customer’s name or other personal information to make your messages more personalized.
• Send timely messages: Timing is everything when it comes to SMS marketing. Make sure to send your messages when they are most likely to be read and responded to.

Wrapping Up!

SMS marketing is a great way to reach out to your target audience.

It’s the right time to opt for a professional SMS marketing tool and service provider to make the most of this marketing channel. Whether you are a startup or a large enterprise, SMS marketing can help you achieve your business goals.