Short message service marketing or SMS marketing can effectively reach out to potential and current customers. With most people being on their phones, it's a great way to get in touch with them directly.

Text-based marketing caters to personalized messages and can be very effective in building relationships with your customers. It's important that you maximize the potential of text messaging marketing so that you can get the most out of your investment.

If you're not sure where to start, here are the top five SMS marketing strategies that every business should be using.

Send Welcome Messages Whenever A Person Signs Up

Welcome messages are excellent opportunities for you to engage with your new SMS subscribers. It's a way to introduce yourself and your brand, as well as let them know what they can expect from you.

Let's say, for example, that you own a clothing store. You can include a welcome message with a discount code for their first purchase. Doing so will not only introduce them to your brand but also incentivize them to buy from you.

Or, you can include a call-to-action in your welcome message that encourages them to book a consultation or appointment. Say, for example, that you're a dentist. You can include a message that reads, "Welcome to our practice! Book your first appointment and get 50% off."

Not only will this type of message save you time and money, but it will also increase the likelihood of conversion. Welcome messages can help your business in multiple ways, including:

  • directing customers to your website
  • increasing brand awareness and recognition
  • building trust and credibility
  • establishing a rapport with your customers
  • Order or Shipping Confirmations

Ensure to keep your welcome short, sweet, and to the point. You want to make a good impression, but you also don't want to overload them with information when they sign up.

Send Alerts for Flash Deals or Exclusive Discounts

Another excellent SMS marketing idea that no business should go without is sending alerts for flash deals or exclusive discounts. This is a great way to increase sales and boost your bottom line.

People love getting deals, so it's no surprise that this SMS marketing message can be very effective. You can even sweeten the pot by offering a discount for referrals. For example, you can include a message that reads, "Get 20% off your next purchase when you refer a friend."

It's a superb way to encourage routine customers to come back and make a purchase, as well as introduce your brand to new people. Send incentives like this on a regular basis, and you'll notice a significant uptick in sales.

Send Order Confirmation or Thank You Messages

Each time a customer buys a product or service from your business, you should send an order confirmation or thank-you message. This is a great way to show your appreciation and build brand loyalty.

A simple message that reads, "Thank you for your purchase!" can go a long way in making someone feel valued. You can even include a coupon code for their next purchase or a link to your latest blog post.

Sending a thank-you message is also an excellent opportunity to upsell or cross-sell related products. For example, if someone buys a pair of shoes from your store, you can include a message that reads, "Thank you for your purchase! We also have a great selection of socks."

By doing so, you increase the chances of making an additional sale and boost your bottom line.

Send SMS Messages to Customers Who Abandoned their Cart

Many customers leave items in their cart without completing the purchase. It's not uncommon for people to get distracted or change their minds at the last minute.

Instead of losing that sale, you can send an SMS message to customers who abandoned their cart. It's a gentle reminder that they have items in their cart and encourages them to complete the purchase.

You can even offer a discount to incentivize them to buy. For example, you can include a message that reads, "You left items in your cart. Get 20% off your purchase when you complete it now."

Abandoned cart SMS messaging is an excellent way to boost sales and increase your bottom line. With a simple nudge, you can encourage people to go back and complete their purchases.

Promote Content from Your Company's Website

Text message marketing campaigns are also an excellent way to promote or share content from your company's website. Whether you have a blog, an online store, or both, you can use text messages to drive traffic to your site.

You can include a subscription text message that reads, "Check out our latest blog post!" and include a link to the post. Or you could say, "We're having a sale! Get 20% off your purchase when you use the code 'SALE20' at checkout."

By promoting content from your company's website, you can drive traffic to your site and increase sales. It's a win-win for you and your customers.

Conclusion

In an age where people are glued to their smartphones, it's no wonder that SMS marketing is still such a powerful tool. If you're not using SMS marketing in your business yet, the five ideas outlined in this post can help you get started. And if you are using SMS marketing, be sure to try some of these new ideas to keep your SMS marketing campaigns or SMS marketing strategy fresh and engaging. Use Subflow, a text message marketing software, to easily create and manage your SMS campaign and SMS marketing services. It's an excellent SMS marketing tool that's easy to use and very effective.