How to Dial Up More Revenue with SMS Marketing
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Did you know that your friendly little texting tool has the power to become a revenue-generating powerhouse? By tapping into SMS marketing, you can connect with your customers on a more personal level, deliver timely promotions, and drive real results for your bottom line.
Whether you're a seasoned affiliate marketing maverick, a determined small business boss, or simply someone who wants to delve deeper into the world of SMS marketing, this guide will help you unlock the money-making potential of your smartphone.
We'll cover everything you need to know to get the information you need to build a thriving contacts list and craft optimized text messages that practically beg to be opened! So, flex those thumbs and get ready to dial up your business with the power of texting!
5 Key Benefits of SMS Marketing:
SMS offers a direct line to your customers. Unlike social media and email marketing, SMS allows you to reach them anytime, anywhere. It's the missing piece in your marketing strategy, and here's why:
1. Instant Impact
When time is of the essence, SMS delivers your messages in a flash. As a matter of fact, 90% of SMS messages are read within 3 minutes of being received. That's faster than a cheetah on a caffeine high!
With SMS, you can share time-sensitive deals, updates, and information that will make your customers take notice immediately.
2. Unmatched Engagement
SMS is the crowned champion when it comes to open rates; again, leaving email and social media in the dust. With an impressive total open rate of over 99%, SMS almost guarantees your messages will be seen and read by your customers.
With SMS, your messages don't get lost in crowded inboxes or buried in endless news feeds. They land directly on your customers' phones, capturing their attention and ensuring that your brand gets the spotlight it deserves.
3. Personal Touch
SMS marketing puts your brand directly in your customers' pockets, creating a stronger bond between you and your customers. By sending messages directly to their smartphones, you establish a unique connection that keeps your brand front and center in their minds.
4. Cost-Effective
With low setup and running costs, SMS marketing offers a high return on investment (ROI). You can reach a large audience, achieve impressive response rates, and drive meaningful conversions without draining your financial resources.
5. Versatility
SMS can accommodate various marketing goals, whether you want to promote new products, run exclusive offers, conduct surveys, or provide customer support. Its adaptability allows you to tailor your messages to suit your specific objectives and engage your audience effectively.
How to Ring In More Revenue (SMS Marketing In 4 Steps)
Now that you understand the “whys” of SMS marketing, it's time to delve into the “hows” and discover the strategies and techniques that will empower you to make the most of this powerful marketing channel.
From building a strong subscriber list to crafting captivating messages, get ready to dial up your success and engage with customers like never before.
Step 1: Build Your Subscriber Contact List
Before you flood your customer's inboxes with fantastic messages, there's an important step you can't overlook – collecting their phone numbers responsibly and respectfully.
Here's a few ways to ethically gather and handle phone data, ensuring a trustworthy approach to your SMS marketing efforts:
Convert Website Visitors
Transform your WordPress website into a subscriber-generating machine with the help of OptinMonster.
With attention-grabbing banners, slide-ins, popups, and floating bars, you'll have website visitors eagerly pasting in their phone numbers to become part of your exclusive SMS subscriber community.
Use a Secure Form Builder
When it comes to handling sensitive phone information, it's crucial to choose tools that prioritize protection and security. Our top recommendations are Jotform and Formidable Forms, both equipped with the option to encrypt data and provide an extra layer of security.
While your form builder plays a significant role in data security, it's only as secure as your WordPress hosting provider. To ensure complete peace of mind for your subscribers, consider beefing up your security with additional plugins that fortify your website's defenses.
Get Express Consent
Always prioritize obtaining express consent from your customers before adding them to your SMS marketing list.
Make sure you're clear, transparent, and upfront about what they're signing up for. And don't forget to include an opt-in checkbox on your contact form, giving them the choice to receive your SMS messages.
By prioritizing consent and openness, you'll build a solid foundation for your SMS marketing strategy while earning the trust of your subscribers.
Provide Value
You know how people protect their grandma's secret cookie recipe like it's gold? Well, they're just as cautious when it comes to their phone numbers. To convince them to share their valuable contact information with you, offer something irresistible in return.
Think of it as offering a special treat: exclusive deals they won't find anywhere else, sneak peeks at upcoming products that'll make them feel like insiders, or even a discount on VIP content perks that'll make them feel like true members of your community.
Once they see the incredible benefits they'll receive, they'll be more than happy to dish out their digits.
Step 2: Craft Compelling SMS Content
Once you've got your subscriber list ready to roll, it's time to get creative. You've got 160 characters to win hearts and wallets – no pressure! Here's how to craft irresistible SMS content:
Make a Friendly Introduction
Let your subscribers know who's reaching out to them right off the bat. It's all about building trust and easing any concerns. Include your brand name at the beginning of the message to put their minds at ease.
Keep it Personal
Remember, you're entering your reader's personal space, so make it feel like a one-on-one conversation. Address them by their first name, use a friendly tone, and tailor your message to their specific interests or needs.
Create Urgency
Want your subscribers to act fast? Inject some urgency into your offer. Limited-time offers or flash sales are great ways to create a sense of urgency and encourage immediate action.
Add a Call-to-Action
Don't just leave your audience hanging. Include a clear call-to-action (CTA) that tells them exactly what to do next. Whether it's visiting your website or checking out your latest product recommendation, guide them with a powerful CTA.
To make your CTA more enticing and less spammy, use Pretty Links to shorten and customize your URL. It also adds extra personalization to your message, increasing the chances of engagement.
Step 3: Master Frequency and Timing of Messages
The key to a successful SMS marketing campaign isn't just about what you say but when you say it. Here's how to ensure your SMS timing is spot on:
Don't Be a Spammer
We all know that one friend who doesn't know when to stop texting. You love them, but sometimes, you wish they'd take a hint. The same goes for your SMS marketing and there's a thin line between staying connected and becoming a nuisance.
Unfortunately, there’s no real agreement between consumers about their preferred level of frequency. But a report by Validity showed that 19% of consumers are happy to receive an SMS from a business once a week. But a significant proportion (12%) only wanted to receive messages once a month.
Overstep the mark and you risk moving into the dreaded spam territory. So, to keep most people sweet, aim to send 2 messages a month. It’s all about balance!
Understand Your Audience
Knowing your customers' habits and preferences can go a long way in figuring out the best time to hit send.
Research by Omnnisend suggests that you should send your SMS burst between 12 pm and 1 pm (lunch hour) for the highest conversion rates. And the best days to send are Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
But depending on your niche, the best days and times may vary. For example, shift workers might take their break at different times. City workers who commute by train might be more likely to buy something to perk up their journey.
Consider Time Zones
If your subscribers are spread across different time zones, make sure to factor this into your SMS scheduling.
Sending a 2 AM text about a shoe sale? That's a quick way to turn a sweet dream into a marketing nightmare! Be mindful of the clock to keep your customers smiling, not squinting at their screens in the middle of the night.
Consider Special Dates
Birthdays, holidays, or anniversaries are great opportunities to send a personalized message. Your customer will appreciate the gesture, and they might just be in the mood to treat themselves to your product!
Step 4: Make Your SMS Shine with Pretty Links
Pretty Links is your ticket to creating short, snappy, and highly clickable URLs that won't eat up precious characters. With Pretty Links, your SMS content will be sleek and engaging, making it easier than ever for your customers to take action with just a tap.
Brand-Centric
With Pretty Links, you can jazz up your URLs to feature your brand name. Not only does this make your links look more trustworthy (and let's be honest, way cooler), it's like a mini shout-out to your brand in every SMS you send.
Track It Like It's Hot
Pretty Links is a data detective, providing you with the who, what, and when of link clicks. With this intel in your hands, you can suss out what's working and adjust your strategy to boost conversions.
Optimized for SMS
Remember, in SMS land, brevity is key. A shortened link saves precious character real estate, giving you more room for your awesome message and an irresistible call to action (CTA).
More Memorable
Your custom, branded URL is easier to remember than a random string of numbers and letters. If a customer wants to revisit your link later, they'll have a smoother ride recalling your prettified link.
Conclusion
Just like a phone call, SMS allows you to have direct and meaningful conversations with your customers, creating a personal connection that goes beyond traditional marketing channels.
Craft messages that capture attention and convey your brand's unique voice. Be the friendly buzz in their pocket, delivering valuable offers, updates, and exclusive content that make them feel special.
With each text you send, you're building trust and loyalty, one tap at a time. Your customers will appreciate the convenience and simplicity of receiving important information right on their phones, making their lives easier and enhancing their overall experience with your brand.
Do you have any questions about the tools and tips mentioned in this blog? Want to share your experience with SMS marketing? Let us know in the comments section below!
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