SMS marketing: 8 programs to get started (+ examples)
SMS marketing, also known as text marketing, helps you to connect with customers on the go, whenever you need. You can set up SMS and MMS automations in a matter of clicks using an SMS marketing platform, but which programs should you focus on to get started?
SMS marketing is similar to email marketing, as it allows you to communicate directly with your subscribers on a large scale. Modern customers keep their mobile phones nearby, leading to an impressive SMS open rate of about 98%. This high level of engagement is why many companies are adding SMS to their communication strategies. It’s a channel that really grabs attention, but many still haven’t fully taken advantage of its potential. You can make the most of this effective communication tool with the right SMS software and provider.
Mobile phones help connect users to the wider world. It’s through these devices shoppers are searching for and discovering new brands. They’re already demanding personalized experiences on well-established channels such as email and websites, but the growing dominance of mobile has led to a demand for more personalized mobile experiences.
Personalized SMS experiences
Adding SMS to your marketing channel mix can be daunting; how are you supposed to deliver personalized experiences too? The answer is simpler than you might expect. Marketing automation allows you to send one-to-one communications on a massive scale.
Using an intelligent cross-channel automation platform like Dotdigital, you can use behavioral triggers to deliver the right messages at the right time. This means that every single recipient is receiving a personalized experience.
With Dotdigital, you can personalize messages just like you would an email. Adding data fields such as first name or location helps you send personalized messages with minimal effort. Advanced SMS marketing tools also offer segmentation capabilities, allowing for even more targeted communications.
1. Subscription confirmation
When you collect phone numbers at the point of sign-up or subscription, you can trigger a subscription confirmation message to be delivered to your new contact. This is especially useful as a double opt-in (DOI) tactic to make sure that your contacts really want to receive your SMS messages.
Subscription confirmation texts not only ensure your messaging lists are full of engaged contacts but also assure that the phone numbers collected are valid. This process is important for compliance and maintaining a clean subscriber list.
2. Welcome message
Welcome emails are a must. They help you introduce your brand while getting to know your new contact. But a welcome text message goes one step beyond to surprise and delight. Adding a welcome SMS to your welcome program is about expressing your brand’s personality. It feels personal and will leave the recipient excited about connecting with your brand.
3. Announcements
Do you have quarterly product launches? Do you host events every month? Maybe you run semi-annual sales. Whatever your announcement, creating an SMS campaign will help your messages land with impact. This should be a three-stage program:
- The teaser: let customers know something exciting is coming their way.
- The announcement: shout it from the rooftops and drive customers into action.
- The last chance: just before the end of the sale or the event begins, offer customers a final chance to get on board.
4. Abandoned cart or browse messages
There are various reasons for cart abandonment, but distraction is one of the most common ones. Drive customers back to your website with an abandoned browse or cart text message. Customers who are out and about, at work, or on the move are more susceptible to distraction. Using this channel to offer an exclusive discount code can be the motivation shoppers need to complete a purchase. Integrating your SMS service with your ecommerce platform can automate this process effectively.
5. Birthday alerts
Happy birthday messages, especially those delivered via text, once again allow your brand to connect with customers on a human level. You can choose to deliver exclusive discount codes through this channel or drive them to their email inbox with a ‘keep an eye out’ message. This type of personalization significantly enhances customer loyalty.
6. Order confirmation
Transactional emails are essential for building trust and confidence in your brand. Adding SMS order confirmation automations to your marketing strategy not only reaffirms this trust but also allows you to thank customers for choosing your brand.
Saying “thank you” in your order confirmation message is a perfect way to ensure a customer feels valued. And when a customer feels valued, they’ll become a repeat purchaser and a high spender.
7. Surveys and feedback collection
The only way your brand can grow and continue to meet the needs and demands of your customers is if you know what it is they want. The best way to discover this is to ask them directly through surveys and feedback forms. Using SMS to collect this information helps you gather it quickly and effectively. You can even implement A/B testing in your SMS campaigns to optimize your approach.
Take Ipsos, for instance. This leading global research agency sought a high-engagement channel to enhance its online and telephone surveys. SMS turned out to be the ideal solution. By personalizing each message with a unique link, Ipsos achieved high delivery and engagement rates, successfully reaching a broader audience.
8. Win-back and re-engagement campaigns
Winning back a customer when they stop engaging with your emails can be a tough job, especially using the very channel they have stopped responding on. That’s why an SMS re-engagement campaign is a guaranteed win. Remind subscribers about your brand and drive them back to your site as they lapse with well-timed SMS automation.
Getting started with SMS marketing
These eight SMS marketing automation programs will deliver immediate results. SMS doesn’t have to be complicated or long-winded to add to your marketing channels. You can create these as stand-alone programs or add them as stages in your existing programs. However you choose to integrate SMS into your marketing, there’s no better time to get started.
Why choose Dotdigital for SMS marketing?
You can get started with SMS marketing with Dotdigital. Dotdigital offers a unique set of features and benefits that make it an ideal SMS platform for businesses of all sizes. Here’s a closer look at why Dotdigital should be your go-to solution:
- Seamless integrations: Dotdigital integrates effortlessly with your existing marketing tech stack, allowing you to streamline your marketing efforts and create a truly cross-channel experience for your customers.
- Personalization: Dotdigital’s powerful personalization features allow you to send targeted SMS messages that resonate with each recipient. Use data fields like first name, location, and purchase history to personalize your messages and boost engagement.
- Advanced segmentation: Segment your audience based on various criteria to ensure your SMS messages reach the right people at the right time. This targeted approach can significantly improve your campaign effectiveness.
- Easy campaign management: Dotdigital’s user-friendly SMS platform makes it easy to create, manage, and track your SMS marketing campaigns. Schedule campaigns in advance, monitor performance, and make adjustments as needed.
- Exceptional customer support: Dotdigital’s customer support team is always available to help you get the most out of your SMS marketing. They offer a variety of resources, including training webinars, documentation, and live chat support.
Whether you’re looking for a text message service or a comprehensive SMS messaging platform, Dotdigital has you covered. Start using automated text messages today and see the difference.
