Engaging with your customers means reaching them through their preferred channels. Did you know, according to a recent survey, 35% of consumers are open to receiving promotional messages via mobile channels? This suggests that businesses should seriously consider using SMS for communication, as it is a channel that many customers are comfortable with and receptive to.
Many companies are already onto this, particularly during peak sales such as Black Friday. However, there are many opportunities to interact with your customers all year round using SMS, not just during peak times.
Let’s explore ways to use SMS for business communication all year.
Effective ways to utilize SMS business messaging
There are plenty more ways to tap into SMS for your business communication. If you’re keen on reaching more prospects and customers through the text messages they like, here are seven ideas to get started.
1: Engaging Marketing Campaigns
Using SMS for marketing means creating short messages of about 160 characters. Businesses often send single messages with clear calls to action or a series of texts with specific offers over time. The aim is to make it simple for recipients to respond by including links to special landing pages or coupon codes. Effective SMS marketing campaigns announce flash sales, introduce new products, offer time-limited deals, and provide exclusive offers to loyal customers or segmented subscribers.
2: SMS Verification
Verification via SMS means confirming a user’s identity with a one-time password sent to their phone. This extra step, known as two-factor authentication, not only helps businesses prevent scams and cyberattacks but also provides a sense of security to your customers. It’s becoming more common because it reassures customers that their info is safe. For instance, you might get a text with a code to enter when logging into a website.
3: Consumer Interactions
Connecting with customers through personalized text messages is a great way to increase engagement and get better responses. When you know your SMS subscribers well, you can send them messages tailored to their interests, like birthday wishes or special offers based on their past purchases. For example, you can provide discounts to customers in a specific city to express your gratitude for their business. Additionally, addressing them by their name in your messages adds a personal touch that enhances their significance and demonstrates that you respect their unique identity.
4: Two-way messaging:
Were you aware that 90% of customers want the ability to respond to company messages with their inquiries and questions? Unfortunately, various companies lack a means for customers to do so unless they utilize an SMS API.
Through two-way communication, you have the opportunity to address your customers’ requirements quickly and individually. They feel acknowledged, get fast responses to their questions, and value excellent customer service. Moreover, you can talk directly to them, avoiding the need for phone calls or live chat. This provides another way for customers who prefer SMS to engage with your company.
5: Interactive opt-in Campaigns
Interactive opt-in campaigns are a powerful tool for businesses to generate leads and support prospects through SMS. By inviting prospects to opt in, businesses ensure their genuine interest in their offerings. This not only increases the quality of leads but also fosters a sense of exclusivity and value among customers. Businesses can use various channels to implement an interactive opt-in campaign, such as in-store promotions, email incentives, or social media ads. Whether using single or double opt-in methods, sending an automatic welcome message further strengthens the connection and sets the stage for ongoing customer satisfaction.
6: Transactional Alerts and Messages
Transactional notifications, such as shipping updates, purchase confirmations, welcome texts, password authentications, appointment reminders, pay receipts, and purchase information changes, are an excellent use of business text messaging due to their immediacy and convenience. These automated text messages provide customers with timely information about their company interactions. For example, a bank might send a fraud alert to confirm a legitimate transaction, representing the efficiency of transactional SMS notifications in increasing customer experience and ensuring smooth business operations.
7: Omni Channel Integration
To make the most of SMS in your business communication, consider blending it with other channels for better results. This works well for longer campaigns, like holiday sales. For example, you could send emails leading up to the event, couple them with text messages announcing flash sales, and share more details on social media. By engaging customers across multiple channels, you create more opportunities to connect. Each channel has strengths, so combining them helps you reach your audience more effectively. You might even explore using Rich Communication Services (RCS) alongside SMS for a richer, interactive experience.
