It’s almost three decades since Neil Papworth sent the first-ever SMS in the world, which read ‘Merry Christmas.’ Several years later SMS is now a crucial inclusion in the digital marketing scope. 

Many companies in different industries such as fashion, retail, healthcare, and food delivery use SMS to optimize their marketing and customer interaction.

Companies make use of text message API to send SMSs to their customers. These platforms or software integration interfaces allow a brand to code and send short text messages through the platform. 

They offer flexible rates, making them ideal for the bulk messages companies send to their many customers.

Gartner claims that SMS has a 45% response rate and 98% open rate, making it a good alternative for reaching out to customers. Out of the 98% opened SMS, 90% are read within three minutes. 

However, SMS marketing is a tricky affair since it is a more personal approach to your customers. That said, you have to opt for specific tips to get it right.

6 Tips to Run a Successful SMS Campaign

It’s essential to consider using the right tips for SMS marketing since it is a personal approach to customers. Some of the SMS and rich media marketing tips include

1. Ask for Permission

Although no one forces you to do so, it is essential to show respect to your customer. Ask for their permission to subscribe to an offer or scheduled promotional messages. 

It creates room for the customer to be the decision-maker, and there are more chances that they’ll give in to the offer. Most of the SMSs without permission requests end up getting rejected and deleted.

2. Opt for the Best Shortcode

Shortcodes are the SMS lines where customers can reach out to subscribe to your promotional messages. 

They are always linked to the text message API, and it automatically begins sending the promotional SMSs when a customer accepts your requested subscription. 

They ought to be short for the reader to easily remember them. They are also meant to be unique.

3. Consider the Timing

Know the right time to send promotional text messages to your customers. For instance, a food delivery company should consider communicating their offers a couple of minutes or an hour before lunch. 

That gives the customers time to order, and the orders will be prepared and delivered in time during the lunch break.

4. Make the SMS Conversational and Fun

Don’t key in a dull and formal language in your text message API. The primary need is to be engaging with your customers. 

That includes having cool language (including slang) and making the message fun. This marketing strategy should be a 2-way conversation and give the customer space and opportunity to air their view. You can include a joke, a pop quick, or a contest.

5. Measure Success Merits

It’s important to consider how well your previous SMS campaign performed before moving forward. 

You have to set goals and make data-driven decisions based on how the past campaign worked. Consider the success merits and trend reports to understand your engagement level with your customers better.

6. Choose the Right Frequency

Do not at any point overwhelm your customers with multiple promotional messages. Brands ought to provide helpful information to their customers, and that should include better deals and promotions. The appropriate frequency should be around 2 to 3 times a month.

SMS marketing is a result-delivering marketing strategy. However, doing it right is good to ensure you don’t miss out on any potential sales.