SMS Marketing campaign: Effective marketing SMS messages for the entire customer journey
In an era dominated by email and social media, text messaging marketing often flies under the radar. Yet, for businesses seeking a direct, immediate connection with their customers, SMS remains one of the most effective communication channels.
But SMS marketing isn’t just about firing off messages from your phone. You need a clear, automated, scalable strategy so you’re reaching the right people at the right time. Read through to learn more about it.
Why SMS over email for marketing?
It’s simple—SMS is instant and highly visible.
On average, people check their smartphones 96 times a day. This means that we’re seemingly never off of our phones. Most people only check their emails a handful of times a day, whereas SMS texts are often read directly from the locked screen. This gives you a far better chance of capturing your customers’ attention than with an email.
What else makes sms marketing superior?
Higher open rates: SMS has an impressive 98% open rate, far exceeding the average open rate of email marketing. While emails can languish in cluttered inboxes, marketing SMS messages are almost always read.
Personalized interactions: Businesses can segment their audiences based on behavior, demographics, preferences, etc., to tailor their text messaging marketing content to resonate more deeply with each customer with a concise message.
Improve customer relationships: Timely, personalized messages can strengthen the bond between a business and its customers, fostering loyalty and engagement.
How to run SMS marketing campaigns?
1. Get consent and build your SMS subscriber list
The foundation of any effective SMS marketing campaign is a strong subscriber list built through permission. Use various channels, such as web forms, social media campaigns, or in-store promotions, to encourage sign-ups. Always ask customers for permission to send them messages to avoid being marked as spam or blocked. Organize opt-in lists with SMS blast software to ensure you communicate with an audience genuinely interested in your offers.
Make sure to allow your SMS marketing recipients to opt-out easily to maintain a clean, compliant subscriber list. This ensures your messages are more likely to reach an engaged audience.
2. Identify your brand earlier in your SMS marketing messages
Since SMS messages are often brief, identify your brand at the beginning of each message for instant recognition. This prevents your messages from being mistaken for spam and ensures that customers know who the message is from immediately.
Explore more about the best practices for SMS marketing here.
3. Draft concise and action-oriented SMS marketing campaign messages and make it worth customers’ while
SMS messages are restricted to 160 characters, so clarity and brevity are essential. Identify your brand earlier in your SMS marketing messages and maintain personalized, engaging, and value-driven ones that deliver immediate value, focusing on a strong call-to-action (CTA) like "Shop Now" or "Claim Discount".
4. Automate SMS marketing campaign blasts to your audiences at the right timing
Engaging your audience only when they are ready and receptive to your message. To streamline and scale your efforts, use SMS blast tools that automate your campaigns. Automation allows you to schedule bulk messages to selected audience segmentation, and send messages at the ideal time.
By sending timely, relevant messages, like promotional offers following cart abandonment, businesses can maximize their chances of converting leads into customers.
Read more: How to use an SMS blast software to send automated bulk messages?
How to run effective SMS message marketing for the entire customer journey (with examples)
When executed strategically, text messaging marketing can effectively guide customers through each stage of the customer journey—from awareness to advocacy.
Awareness stage: Introducing your brand
At the initial stage of a customer journey, your goal is to introduce your brand to prospects and grab attention, without overwhelming your audience. Whether you're launching a new product line, announcing a grand opening, or offering a limited-time service, you can use SMS messages marketing by offering early-bird access.
Example:
[Brand]: Great news! Our new summer collection has arrived—shop now and get 15% off with early access! Claim your discount here: [link]
Consideration stage: Nurturing potential buyers
Once a customer is aware of your brand, they begin to evaluate their options. They need reassurance and incentives to move forward. At this stage, SMS marketing messages should focus on building interest and keeping your brand top-of-mind. Tailor messages based on customer behavior or preferences to nudge potential buyers towards making a purchase.
Example:
Hi {First name}, we noticed you're interested in {Product}. For a limited time, enjoy 10% off your purchase. Use code SAVE10 at checkout
Conversion stage: Sealing the deal
A well-timed SMS marketing message can be pivotal in turning interest into a sale. Businesses can minimize checkout friction and create urgency to push customers toward completing their purchases upon this stage.
Additionally, following up with transactional SMS messages after a purchase reassures customers that their order has been confirmed. Keeps the interaction positive by delivering a smooth and trustworthy buying experience.
Read more: How to use an SMS blast software to send automated bulk messages?
Examples:
"[Brand]: We noticed you left something in your cart! Complete your purchase now and enjoy 15% off. Use code CART15 at checkout: [link]."
"[Brand]: Thank you for your purchase, {name}! Your order is confirmed, and we’ll notify you once it’s shipped. Track your order here: [link]."
Loyalty Stage: Encourage repeat purchases with upselling/cross-selling rewards
Loyalty is built on satisfaction, trust, and consistency. Customers are more likely to return if they have had a positive experience with your brand. Therefore, your focus should now be building long-term loyalty to extend their lifetime value. Businesses can leverage SMS marketing messages for loyalty program updates, personalized special occasions promotions, or even upsell and cross-sell with exclusive offers.
Example:
"[Brand]: Happy birthday, dear {First name}! As a token of appreciation for being with [brand], check the rewards and redeem them before expires: [link].”
Advocacy stage: Encouraging referrals and reviews
Satisfied customers often become brand advocates by referring others to your business, leaving reviews, or promoting your brand on social media. Send SMS campaigns messages to encourage and facilitate these advocacy efforts with incentives. These customers are your “micro-influencers” who can help your business build brand credibility and expand your brand’s reach through word-of-mouth marketing.
Example:
"Love your purchase with [brand]? Share your experience on Instagram and tag us to get 15% off your next order!"
Integrate all messaging channels into one platform
Forget about the old-school way to chat. Team up with colleagues to boost productivity instantly.
Why should you use omnichannel software for your SMS marketing?
Nowadays, customers engage with brands through multiple channels—be it SMS, email, social media, or in-app messaging. The multi-channel interaction presents both opportunities and challenges for businesses.
Consider a scenario in the advocacy stage of the customer journey: a customer might receive an SMS promotion from your business, make a purchase, and then leave a review on Instagram expressing their satisfaction. While this showcases positive engagement, if the customer encounters a different message or tone in your social media response, it can create confusion and diminish trust in your brand.
This is where an omnichannel communication strategy comes into play. An omnichannel strategy consolidates, streamlines, and automates your marketing campaigns across SMS and other channels, ensuring that your messaging is cohesive and consistent.
Automate and broadcast SMS marketing campaign with SleekFlow
With SleekFlow, you can easily implement an omnichannel strategy that enhances your marketing efforts, engages your customers effectively, and ultimately drives better results for your business.
Achieve consistent messaging across all channels, including WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, and SMS, within a unified inbox.
Automatically blast SMS text and messages for other channels to re-engage your lists of potential customers at the right time.
Streamline your business operations by automating workflows such as audience segmentation, follow-up communications, data transfer, and more.
Integrate with external data sources, such as HubSpot, Salesforce, etc. for a comprehensive customer profile alongside the chatbox for personalized engagement.
Track and analyse your marketing campaigns across channels on one easy-to-read and friendly-to-use platform
Want to outcompete your peers with SleekFlow's help?
Book your personalized demo with SleekFlow today and unlock the potential of seamless communication
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