The foundation of a small business is relationships. To generate new business, you must create a customer who is engaged. Today, one of the best ways to reach consumers is through their mobile devices using SMS marketing. SMS marketing is a marketing tool that uses text messaging (SMS) to communicate with customers. Messages communicate time-sensitive offers, updates, and alerts and keep customers engaged with your business.
Did you know that SMS marketing has open rates of 98%?
Phone users, on average, look at their phones ninety-six times per day. Your potential consumers are not only likely to open a message with your latest offer, but they are also more likely to become new customers as SMS marketing has been proven to have high conversion rates. SMS marketing has a 45% response rate, with email marketing being only 8%. According to conversational advertising, 90% of all SMS messages are read within 3 minutes.
Your customers are more likely to interact with a text than an email.
After switching to SMS marketing, businesses have found a significantly higher click-through rate. SMS marketing click-through rates can be as high as 36%. By capturing a connection with a potential customer through text, you have a higher likelihood of spreading that connection across multiple business channels, such as email and in-store visits leading to continued business.
SMS marketing is particularly effective for small businesses.
Small businesses depend on building their client/subscriber list to generate business. SMS marketing engages valuable clients. Potential customers are spending on average four hours per day using their phones. SMS marketing is a highly effective tool for providing your customers with information about your business. Sending a text creates buzz about a new offer or a change in hours, thereby creating a more customer-centered experience. SMS marketing is also a cost-effective way of marketing for a small business as it is lower in cost than other forms of marketing.
The types of businesses that are able to use SMS marketing are diverse, but all have a similar goal, keeping customers satisfied and engaged.
Small businesses could provide a variety of mobile offers to incentive customers and offer value. A restaurant could provide a new or current customer with a mobile coupon for a discounted meal or free drink.
A recent study on mobile coupons found that 60% of consumers would redeem a mobile coupon received through text within a week and 23% would redeem within 3 days.
A gym or yoga studio could send out a coupon for a free fitness class to first-time customers. Businesses could also alert customers to sales or new offers incentivizing in-store or online visits.
SMS marketing can be combined with email marketing.
A customer that connects with you through text messaging is highly likely to engage with your business further. Once you’ve created that connection, you can continue to nurture the relationship through email marketing. Text and email can be used for different types of messages.
For example, for an appointment reminder, a text message would be best. For the latest news with your business in the form of a newsletter, an email would be best. Combining SMS marketing and email marketing is modern-day best practice.
In closing, SMS marketing is a tool that creates customer engagement and increased profits. With business owners and customers using a cellphone, it’s also more fun!
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