SMS marketing has an average open rate of 98%, which is why many companies are eager to invest in these campaigns.

If that’s you, then we have the perfect guide to get the ball rolling on the first of many SMS marketing campaigns for your business. Keep reading to build the foundations of your next great text campaign!

‍

What’s the difference between SMS messages and text messages? Nothing. 

An SMS, or short message service, is essentially identical to a text message. That means that SMS messages go directly into your target audience’s hands for them to see much faster than other digital marketing tools. 

A smartphone’s text inbox is likely one of the most frequently used functions since the user gets a banner notification anytime a new message arrives.

That means that SMS marketing campaigns get messages directly in front of customers who opt-in, with less competition than an email marketing or search engine strategy.

Those are far from the only benefits of a well-executed SMS campaign.

Time-sensitive messaging

There is no faster way to quickly reach your customers or target audiences than an SMS message since they’ll get a ping in their pocket as soon as you hit send.

For example, if you have a sale ending soon and want to surprise customers with an extra discount for the remaining hours, then a text would be the best way to make sure they know about the new pricing and can act before it’s too late.

Or, if you have a flash sale and don’t have time to build a marketing campaign to announce it, then a text can make your customers aware immediately. 

More personalization options

Text messages don’t just feel more personal than an email; you can also customize them to each customer’s specific preferences. 

You can start by simply adding your customer’s preferred name to immediately make your SMS messages feel like a conversation between them and someone they know. Then easily use customer data to tailor each message you send further to their tastes. That can mean simply reaching out when a sale returns or using segmented data to proactively offer promos and products to your customers.

Streamlined ads

The easiest way to hold someone’s attention is to be concise. That’s why email subject lines and social media captions can make or break your digital marketing efforts.

SMS marketing has the same value because even though you’re limited to 160 characters and don’t have visual elements available, a simple, streamlined text message makes it easy to hold the recipient’s attention.

Advanced data tracking

Text campaigns also allow businesses to gather valuable information about their customers. Some of it can be simple, such as their preferred communication methods or opt-in status for other promotions.

Tracking through links and other advanced data practices offer advanced insight into who your customer is and how they interact with your brand. Although these tools require more expertise to collect data like click-through rates, the benefits can be extremely beneficial to your business.

Easy opt-in and opt-out

Everyone has fallen victim to email marketing that they can’t seem to get out of their inbox, no matter how many times they unsubscribe or mark it as junk mail. SMS marketing messages allow the recipient to easily opt-in or out of a campaign or feature altogether.

Opting out or in is usually as easy as sending one text message, which empowers your customers and builds trust in your brand name.

High open rates

Lastly, data proves that SMS messages are among the best marketing tools in any brand’s toolbelt since their open rates are significantly higher than email marketing.

You’re probably ready to start building out your first campaign or rebuilding your current campaigns to be more successful. The following steps will get your SMS marketing strategy off the ground.

Choose a helpful SMS marketing tool

There are many SMS marketing service providers, so picking one may seem difficult at first. However, if you define your needs and goals beforehand, it will be much easier to choose one. 

For example, most SMS marketing campaigns will require automation to be effective. If you know your keyword strategy and which data tracking features you need, then you’ll have a much easier time finding a texting marketing tool that perfectly fits your requirements. 

Develop a campaign strategy

Once you know how you will use SMS marketing campaigns, you have to decide what to say and how to say it.

Details like your tone, content, and goals all come from knowing who your target audience is and why your product uniquely satisfies their needs.

You can begin to define your target audience by establishing your overall goals for the campaign and then deciding what segment of your customer base is most likely to help you achieve those goals. 

Add your recipients to the list

Text campaigns can grow your brand while building trust with your customers only if they feel like they can opt out at any time.

One way to ethically add mobile phone numbers to your list is by using sign-up forms that clearly state the value of opting into SMS marketing messages and then give your customers the opportunity to enroll.

If you use a sign-up form, It’s important that you choose clear and ethical language that fits industry legal standards. To do so, use an SMS disclosure language template that best matches your campaign. 

Review the details and send out your messages

The last step before hitting send is to double-check that your message contains no typos and meets legal and ethical standards.

After all, misspelled words and poor grammar are among the most common attributes of junk mail. If your texts contain them, they could quickly be marked as spam and blocked.

You also must include the legally required information based on your country’s SMS laws.

The foundation for any successful SMS marketing campaign is to be customer-centric. That means putting their experience first, from your tone to how easy it is to opt out should they choose to do so. 

It also means you should never send text messages to those who haven’t opted in. Doing that (as well as not having a clear way to opt out) is a surefire way to lose your customer’s trust, potentially violate the law, and make sure that your customers don’t even consider reading the content ideas outlined below. 

Announce flash sales and promotions

Text messages already create urgency since they’re much more straightforward than most other marketing tools. If you pair that with a limited sale or offer, your call to action will be even stronger. 

Plus, text notifications are a great way to reward those who enroll in them since you can quickly share valuable sales or other offer information with your enrollees. 

Spread the word about loyalty programs

You can also use SMS notifications to:

• Quickly reward customers for purchases.
• Share rewards information.
• Give out limited-time discount codes so they can quickly act on them.

For example, if you remind customers of their existing rewards from past purchases or an upcoming sale, they’re more likely to take action. You can build upon that momentum by announcing special offers like chances to earn double points or other rewards. 

Give customers information about product restocks and launches

Customers who feel valued by their favorite brands stay loyal to those brands longer. One way to do this is to send out notifications when you restock a product they love so they can make the purchase as soon as it hits the shelves.

You can build on that positive momentum by announcing new products through SMS messages so customers can act immediately. 

Ask for feedback with surveys

Feedback is essential to ensuring your business continues serving your customers as their needs change.

A simple interactive text survey, such as “Respond with 1 if you were satisfied or 2 if you were unsatisfied,” is a quick way to gather important customer data without investing in more advanced tracking.

Remind recipients with event alerts

If your business revolves around attendance or events, then SMS messages are a great way to make sure people know about you even as soon as you announce it.

For instance, if a customer signs up for a webinar a month ahead of its scheduled date, there’s a chance they’ll forget to attend or double-book themselves. A simple text message reminding them of the webinar the day before will ensure that everyone remembers. Plus, with automation, you can set up this text well before the actual day it goes out.

Share exclusive content with loyal customers

If a customer opts into your SMS campaign, chances are they love your product and are the exact type of customer you want. Text messages allow you to treat them the way they deserve by giving them exclusive access to content, deals, or tips on how to best use your product as soon as possible.

Send out order confirmations and updates

Everyone feels better after checkout if they get confirmation that the brand received their order and it’s on the way to their doorstep.

SMS messages are an easy way to do just that with simple and fast confirmation or delivery notifications as soon as someone purchases, ships, or delivers an ordered item.

Relay personalized birthday or anniversary wishes

SMS messages already make your customers feel like they communicate directly with your brand, so take advantage of that connection by wishing them a happy birthday or well wishes on other special dates.

At the very least, it will build goodwill for your brand. If you send the message with a special offer, it could lead to higher conversion rates.

Include segmentation-based messaging

Text message marketing also gives companies the chance to communicate with particular segments of their customer base so they know about deals and products that specifically appeal to them.

Track data like past purchases, categorize customers into segments based on that information and then send a message that appeals to that group to increase your engagement. 

Text message marketing is one of the top ways to drive engagement between your business and your customers. Accrue Savings can add extra fuel to your marketing fire by working hand-in-hand with SMS marketing campaigns to reward customers for purchases.

Accrue Savings partners with excellent brands to give their customers a platform to create goals for important purchases and track progress — then rewards them as they hit their goal through money toward the purchase from the brand itself or crowdsourcing.

Since Accrue Savings helps customers track their savings and how close they are to reaching their target, it perfectly pairs with SMS campaigns, where regular updates are a key feature to driving engagement.

Partner with Accrue Savings to boost your marketing strategies today

SMS marketing campaigns are one of the most reliable ways to get your message in front of your customers and drive engagement. When paired with Accrue Savings, they can support and grow your relationship with your customers as they reach their saving goals and earn exclusive discounts.

See how Accrue Savings can jumpstart your SMS marketing campaign today!