Building Contact List and Practices for SMS Marketing

Written by:👤 Teachable Tech

Posted On:📅 07/06/2023

Read Time:🕔 7 Minutes

➤Building a contact list for SMS marketing is a crucial step towards launching a successful SMS marketing campaign. Here are some tips on how to build a contact list for SMS marketing:

Get Consent:
The first step in building a contact list is to get the consent of your customers. You cannot send marketing messages to people who have not given you permission to do so. You can get consent by asking your customers to opt-in to receive messages from you.
Use In-Store Promotions:
If you have a brick-and-mortar store, you can promote your SMS marketing campaign in-store by displaying signage with a call-to-action and short code number. You can also have staff members ask customers if they would like to sign up for your SMS program.
Offer Incentives:
Offering incentives such as discounts or exclusive promotions can encourage customers to sign up for your SMS marketing campaign. You can include a call-to-action in your marketing materials or social media posts, encouraging customers to sign up for your SMS program to receive exclusive deals.
Use Keyword Campaigns:
You can also build your contact list by using keyword campaigns. This involves using a specific keyword that customers can text to a short code number to opt-in to your SMS marketing campaign. For example, you can ask customers to text a specific keyword such as “JOIN”.
Use a Sign-Up Form:
You can create a sign-up form on your website or social media pages where customers can provide their phone numbers and consent to receive SMS messages from you. Be sure to include a clear message explaining the benefits of signing up and the types of messages they can expect to receive.
Import Existing contacts:
If you have an existing customer database, you can import your contacts into your SMS marketing platform. Be sure to get consent from your customers before adding their phone numbers to your list.
Use Social Media:
You can promote your SMS marketing campaign on social media by posting about it and including a call-to-action encouraging followers to sign up. You can also use social media ads to target new customers and encourage them to sign up.
Leverage Events:
If you attend or host events, you can use these opportunities to promote your SMS marketing campaign. Be sure to have a sign-up form or use a keyword campaign to collect phone numbers and consent from attendees.

In summary, building a contact list for SMS marketing involves getting consent, using sign-up forms, offering incentives, using keyword campaigns, importing existing contacts, using social media, in-store promotions, and leveraging events. By following these tips, you can build a targeted and engaged contact list for your SMS marketing campaign.

Best Practices for SMS Marketing

SMS marketing has become a popular and effective way for businesses to communicate with their customers. However, like any marketing strategy, there are best practices that should be followed to ensure success. In this answer, we will discuss some of the best practices for SMS marketing:

Get Permission:
It is essential to obtain permission before sending SMS messages to customers. This can be done by requesting customers to opt-in to receive text messages. Customers must provide consent to receive messages and cannot be added to a list without their permission.
Test and Optimize:
Testing and optimizing your SMS marketing campaigns can help you understand what works best for your business organization. Try different strategies, such as different messaging or call to action, and use the data to optimize future campaigns.
Personalize Messages:
Personalizing SMS messages can increase engagement and response rates. Using the recipient’s name or sending messages based on their purchase history can make them feel valued and more likely to respond.
Timing:
Timing is crucial in SMS marketing. Messages should be sent at appropriate times and not during inconvenient hours, such as early in the morning or late at night. It is also important to consider the time zone of the recipient.
Monitor Frequency:
Sending too many SMS messages can be annoying and lead to customers unsubscribing. It is essential to monitor the frequency of messages and ensure that they are not sent too often.
Provide an Opt-out Option:
Providing an opt-out option is essential for customers who no longer wish to receive SMS messages. The opt-out option should be easy to find and simple to use.
Keep it Short and Simple:
SMS messages have a 160-character limit, which means that messages should be short and to the point. The message should be easy to read, and the call to action should be clear and concise.
Segment your List:
Segmenting your list is essential to sending targeted messages to specific groups of customers. By segmenting your list, you can send messages that are more relevant to their interests or location.
Provide Value:
SMS messages should provide value to the recipient. For example, sending exclusive promotions or early access to sales can make the recipient feel special and increase the likelihood of them making a purchase.
Track Metrics:
Tracking metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates can help you understand the effectiveness of your SMS marketing campaign in a better way. Use this data to optimize future campaigns.

In summary, SMS marketing can be an effective way for businesses to communicate with their customers. Following these best practices can help ensure success and improve customer engagement.

Send Multimedia Messages (MMS) as Part of SMS Marketing

It is possible to send multimedia messages (MMS) as part of SMS marketing. MMS messages allow businesses to add visual elements such as images, videos, and GIFs to their messages, making them more engaging and impactful. MMS messages have a higher character limit than standard SMS messages, which allows businesses to include more content in their messages.

However, it is important to note that MMS messages can be more expensive than standard SMS messages, and not all mobile devices are capable of receiving MMS messages. It is also important to ensure that the file size of the multimedia content is not too large, as this can lead to delivery issues or increased costs.

Keep the Message Concise:
While MMS messages have a higher character limit than standard SMS messages, it is still important to keep the message concise and to the point. The message should be easy to understand and should clearly communicate the intended message.
Test the Message Before Sending:
Before sending an MMS message to a large group of recipients or customers, it is important to test the message to ensure that it appears correctly on different devices and networks. This can help to avoid delivery issues or other problems.
Use High-quality Images:
The images used in MMS messages should be high-quality and relevant to the message being conveyed. Avoid using low-resolution images that appear pixelated or unclear.
Personalize The Message:
Personalization is key in any marketing campaign, including SMS marketing. Use the recipient's name or other relevant information to make the message feel more personal and engaging.
Use Videos and GIFs Strategically:
Videos and GIFs can be effective in capturing the attention of the recipient, but they should be used strategically and only when relevant to the message being conveyed. It is also important to ensure that the file size of the video or GIF is not too large, as this can cause delivery issues.

Overall, MMS messages can be a valuable addition to any SMS marketing campaign, but it is important to use them strategically and to follow best practices to ensure their effectiveness.

Difference Between SMS Marketing and Email Marketing

SMS marketing and email marketing are both popular forms of digital marketing, but they differ in a number of key ways. Some common differences between SMS marketing and email marketing are as follow:-

Delivery and Open Rates
SMS messages are delivered directly to a recipient's mobile phone, while emails are sent to a recipient's email inbox. Because people tend to carry their mobile phones with them at all times, SMS messages are typically opened more quickly than emails. In fact, SMS messages have an open rate of around 98%, while email open rates typically range from 15% to 25%.
Character Limitations
SMS messages are limited to 160 characters, while emails can contain much more text. This means that SMS marketing messages need to be concise and to the point, while email marketing messages can be more detailed and informative.
Multimedia Capabilities
SMS messages can include links, but they cannot include multimedia content such as images or videos. In contrast, email marketing allows for multimedia content to be included, which can make for a more visually engaging message.
Cost
The cost of SMS marketing can be higher than email marketing, as SMS messages typically cost more to send than emails. However, the higher cost can be offset by the higher open rates and engagement levels associated with SMS marketing.
Opt-in Requirements
There are strict regulations around SMS marketing, which typically require that recipients opt-in to receive messages. This means that businesses must obtain explicit consent from their customers before sending SMS messages. Email marketing also requires opt-in, but the regulations are generally less strict.
Timing and Frequency
SMS messages are typically used for time-sensitive or urgent messages, such as appointment reminders or special offers. Emails can be sent at any time, and are often used for less time-sensitive messages such as newsletters or promotional messages. Additionally, SMS messages are typically sent less frequently than emails, as too many messages can be seen as intrusive and annoying.

Overall, SMS marketing and email marketing are both valuable tools for businesses looking to engage with customers and promote their products or services. The choice between SMS marketing and email marketing will depend on a variety of factors, including the target audience, the type of message being sent, and the budget available for marketing.