Short message services (SMS) should be an important part of your marketing. It offers very many advantages including easily reaching many people and having high opening rates. Everyone is on their phone for many hours a day and text messages will easily reach them even if they are not connected to the internet.
Implementing SMS API will help you reach potential clients, inform them about the products you have, and give updates on offers. How can you successfully implement SMS API into your marketing? Here are some tips you will find useful.
Create a Database
Just like your mailing list, you need a list of contacts to use for your SMS marketing strategy. You may start by requesting contact information from the people on your email list.
Creating promotional offers that can only be accessed by sharing phone numbers is also a great way.
Generally, encourage clients to share their phone numbers every chance you get. Pool these phone numbers into a database that can be used to send messages. You need to ensure that your SMS marketing is targeted to the right audience.
Ensure that everyone in your database is an existing or potential client. Also, always give the recipients an option to unsubscribe from the SMS alerts. This is actually a legal requirement.
Use a Reliable SMS API Program
Imagine sending thousands of SMSs one by one! It would surely be hectic. You need to make use of a good SMS API program to ease this. This is software that makes it possible to create, share and receive SMS feedback on one platform. There are many options in the market but you need to ensure that you settle for the best.
A programmable SMS API will enable you to schedule and automate SMS alerts as per your specific needs. You can plan to send out SMSs at times when they are likely to get the most feedback.
Ensure that the API you use gives comprehensive reports on the results achieved by each text message. If you intend to send MMS, ensure the API you use supports this. Generally, choose a reliable API that is packed with useful features and has a commendable uptime.
Be Creative with SMS Content
Like all marketing content, a short message should be well-crafted. You should aim at providing the recipient with useful information. On the other hand, remember that text messages are short and you should try to be as straight to the point as possible.
What kind of information should you share on SMS? It needs to be something that can be said in a few words. Special offers, giveaway alerts, new store locations, event promotions, and shipment tracking are some good ideas.
Have a Clear Call to Action
Tell the recipient exactly what you want them to do. Do not just share information and let them decide on what to do with it. If you are sending a promotional offer, invite them to buy the product at your stores.
If you are inviting them to shop online, include a link they can click. Having a clear call to action will ensure that your strategy is a success. Users can take immediate action.
Complement Other Marketing Strategies
There are other marketing strategies every business needs to implement. All strategies must complement each other for your marketing efforts to succeed. Do not use SMS marketing as a standalone strategy.
Combine it with emailing to have an impact on the recipient. For instance, you could send out text messages about your offers and at the same time share an email with more details on the same including pictures and prices.
This way, the SMS can grab the potential client’s attention while the email gives them the final push they need to make the purchase. Social media campaigns that encourage contact sharing are a great way to increase the number of contacts in your database.
Boost content marketing with links to content in text messages. There are many other ways to integrate your marketing strategies. Do as much as you can to achieve the ultimate goal of reaching as many people as possible.
Closing Thought
Implementing SMS API into your marketing does not have to be hard. Start by getting contact information from potential prospects and then craft useful content. Use a reliable API to ensure the messages are delivered promptly. Integrate SMS marketing with other marketing strategies in order to achieve your marketing goals.
