10 Smart Ways to Use SMS Marketing to Engage Your Customers!

As a business owner, I know how important it is to keep my customers engaged.

In today's world, where everyone is constantly on their phones, SMS marketing has become an essential tool for businesses to reach out to their customers and keep them engaged.

1. Personalize your messages

Personalization is key when it comes to engaging with customers.

By using their name in the message or tailoring the message to their interests, you can make them feel valued and increase the chances of them responding positively to your message.

Using Customer's Name

Using the customer's name in the message can make them feel special and valued.

It shows that you have taken the time to address them personally and not just sent a generic message.

Tailoring Messages to Interests

Tailoring messages to the customer's interests can also increase engagement.

For example, if a customer has previously purchased a specific product, you could send them a message about a new product that is similar or complementary to their previous purchase.

Personalization can increase customer engagement and make them feel valued.

2. Use a clear call-to-action

A clear call-to-action is essential in any message you send to customers.

It tells them what you want them to do and makes it easy for them to take action.

Be Specific

Be specific in your call-to-action.

For example, if you want customers to visit your website, provide a direct link to the page you want them to visit.

Use Action-Oriented Language

Use action-oriented language in your call-to-action.

For example, instead of saying Learn More, say Click Here to Learn More.

A clear call-to-action makes it easy for customers to take action.

Timing is everything

The timing of your message can have a significant impact on its effectiveness.

Sending a message at the right time can increase the chances of it being read and acted upon.

Consider Time Zones

Consider the time zones of your customers when sending messages.

Sending a message at a time when they are likely to be awake and available to respond can increase engagement.

Send Reminders

Sending reminders can also be effective.

For example, if a customer has added items to their cart but not completed the purchase, sending a reminder message can encourage them to complete the transaction.

The timing of your message can significantly impact its effectiveness.

3. Send timely messages

Timing is everything when it comes to SMS marketing.

Sending messages at the right time can significantly increase engagement rates.

For instance, sending a message about a sale just before the weekend can encourage customers to visit your store during their free time.

Why timing matters

Timing is crucial in SMS marketing because it can determine whether or not your message will be read.

If you send a message at the wrong time, it may get lost in a sea of other messages or be ignored altogether.

By sending messages at the right time, you can increase the chances of your message being read and acted upon.

Best times to send messages

• Weekdays between 10am and 8pm

• Weekends between 10am and 2pm

Did you know that sending messages during these times can increase open rates by up to 50%?

By sending messages during these times, you can catch customers when they are most likely to be checking their phones.

This can lead to higher engagement rates and ultimately, more sales for your business.

4. Offer exclusive deals

As a personal experience, I have found that everyone loves a good deal, especially if it's exclusive.

Creating a sense of loyalty and making subscribers feel special is important.

Offering exclusive deals to your SMS subscribers can do just that.

Benefits of exclusive deals

• Incentivizes subscribers to continue subscribing to your SMS list

• Increases engagement with your brand

• Encourages word-of-mouth marketing

According to a study, 64% of consumers are more likely to make a purchase from a brand that offers exclusive deals.

Make sure to promote your exclusive deals through your SMS campaigns and social media channels to maximize their impact.

Providing Valuable Information

Sending informative messages that add value to your customers' lives can go a long way in building trust and keeping them engaged.

Example:

If you run a fitness center, you could send tips on healthy eating or workout routines.

Did you know that drinking water before a meal can help you eat less and lose weight?

Benefits of Providing Valuable Information:

• Builds trust with customers

• Keeps customers engaged

• Increases customer loyalty

Studies show that customers are more likely to remain loyal to a brand that provides them with valuable information.

Providing valuable information can also help establish your business as an authority in your industry.

By sharing your knowledge and expertise, you can position your business as a go-to resource for your customers.

5. Make it easy to opt-in and opt-out

It's important to give customers the option to easily opt-in and opt-out of your SMS list.

This shows respect for their privacy and preferences, and keeps you compliant with regulations.

Respect Customer Privacy

Customers should have control over whether or not they receive SMS messages from your business.

By making it easy to opt-in and opt-out, you show that you respect their privacy and preferences.

Compliance with Regulations

Opt-in and opt-out options are required by law in many countries.

By providing these options, you ensure that your business is compliant with regulations and avoid potential legal issues.

Giving customers control over their SMS preferences is not only respectful, it's also required by law in many countries.

Clear and Simple Process

The opt-in and opt-out process should be clear and simple for customers to follow.

This can include providing a keyword to text to opt-in or opt-out, or a link to a web form where they can update their preferences.

A clear and simple opt-in and opt-out process makes it easy for customers to manage their SMS preferences.

Regularly Review and Update

Regularly reviewing and updating your SMS list can help ensure that you are only sending messages to customers who want to receive them.

This can also help you identify any issues with your opt-in and opt-out process.

Regularly reviewing and updating your SMS list can help you maintain compliance and improve the customer experience.

6. Use a clear call-to-action

A clear call-to-action (CTA) can significantly increase the chances of customers taking action on your message.

It's important to make sure your CTA is clear and concise, whether it's to visit your website, redeem an offer, or reply to the message.

Why a clear CTA is important

A clear CTA helps customers understand what action they should take next.

It eliminates confusion and makes it easier for them to follow through on your message.

Without a clear CTA, customers may not know what to do or may not take any action at all.

How to create a clear CTA

When creating a CTA, use action-oriented language and make it stand out visually.

Use contrasting colors or bold text to draw attention to the CTA. Keep it short and to the point, and make sure it's relevant to the message.

Did you know that emails with a single CTA increased clicks by 371% and sales by 1617%?

(Campaign Monitor)

Make sure your CTA is placed in a prominent location, such as at the end of the message or in a button.

Test different CTAs to see which ones are most effective for your audience.

7. Segment your audience

Segmenting your audience is crucial for sending targeted messages based on their interests, behavior, and demographics.

For example, if you own a clothing store, you could segment your subscribers based on gender or age group and send them personalized messages accordingly.

Why segmenting is important

Segmenting your audience helps you to:

• Understand your audience better

• Send relevant messages

• Increase engagement

• Improve conversion rates

How to segment your audience

You can segment your audience based on:

• Demographics (age, gender, location)

• Behavior (past purchases, website activity)

• Interests (preferences, hobbies)

Segmenting your audience helps you to send personalized messages that resonate with them, leading to higher engagement and conversion rates.

Examples of audience segmentation

Here are some examples of how you can segment your audience:

1. Gender: Send different messages to male and female subscribers based on their preferences

2. Location: Send messages about local events or promotions to subscribers in specific areas

3. Behavior: Send messages to subscribers who have abandoned their cart or made a purchase in the past

Segmenting your audience allows you to tailor your messages to their specific needs and interests, resulting in a more engaged and loyal customer base.

8. Use emojis

Emojis are a great way to add personality and emotion to your messages.

They can help convey your message in a more engaging and relatable manner.

Use emojis sparingly

However, use them sparingly and appropriately, as too many emojis can be overwhelming and unprofessional.

9. Keep it short and sweet

SMS messages have a character limit, so keep your messages short and to the point.

Avoid using jargon or complex language that may confuse your customers.

Instead, use simple words and sentences that are easy to understand.

Use Simple Language

When crafting SMS messages, it's important to use simple language that is easy to understand.

Avoid using complex words or phrases that may confuse your customers.

Instead, use simple words and sentences that are easy to read and comprehend.

Remember, the goal of SMS marketing is to communicate a message quickly and effectively.

By using simple language, you can ensure that your message is understood by your target audience.

Did you know that the average person only spends a few seconds reading an SMS message? Keep your messages short and sweet to capture their attention.

Be Concise

In addition to using simple language, it's important to be concise when crafting SMS messages.

Remember, you only have a limited number of characters to work with, so every word counts.

When writing your message, focus on the most important information and keep it brief.

Avoid including unnecessary details or information that may distract from your message.

Studies show that SMS messages with fewer than 160 characters have a higher response rate than longer messages.

Use Clear Calls to Action

Finally, when crafting SMS messages, it's important to use clear calls to action.

Your message should clearly communicate what you want your customers to do next.

Whether you want them to visit your website, make a purchase, or sign up for a promotion, make sure your call to action is clear and easy to follow.

10. Analyze your results

Finally, analyzing your SMS marketing campaigns is crucial to understanding what works and what doesn't.

Use analytics tools to track engagement rates, open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates.

Use this data to refine your messaging and improve your overall strategy.

In summary, SMS marketing is a powerful tool for businesses to engage with their customers.

By personalizing your messages, sending timely and valuable information, offering exclusive deals, and using clear CTAs, you can significantly increase engagement rates.

Remember to analyze your results and continually refine your strategy to ensure maximum effectiveness.