How brands can leverage SMS Marketing: Recommendations and Examples
If you want to maximize the impact of your SMS marketing campaigns, here are 10 strategies companies use to attract and retain customers:
1. Welcome Messages
An effective first contact can determine long-term customer loyalty. Sending a personalized SMS upon sign-up helps establish a positive relationship from the very beginning.
Recommendations for welcome messages:
• Use the customer's name for added personalization.
• Include an exclusive offer for their first purchase.
• Set customer expectations by explaining what's coming next (news, discounts, benefits).
Example: "Hi [Name]! Welcome to our community. Get 10% off your first order with code WELCOME10. Shop now: [bit.ly/linksite.ro]"
2. Customer Surveys and Feedback
SMS surveys are among the most effective ways to receive feedback from your customers. When sending a survey, you should keep a few best practices in mind to increase your response rate.
Recommendations for surveys:
• Questions should be short and easy to understand – a maximum of 3 questions.
• Use an incentive to increase the number of respondents.
• Send thank-you messages to those who responded.
Example: "Your opinion matters! How would you rate your experience with the service department on a scale of 1 to 5?"
3. Contests and Giveaways
You can run contests via SMS where customers receive a gift conditional on taking a specific action.
Recommendations for contests:
• Make the entry process simple (e.g., Reply with "Yes").
• Set a deadline to create a sense of urgency.
• Announce the winner to ensure transparency.
Example: “Want to win a vacation in Tuscany? Reply ‘yes’ and you’ll be automatically entered into the draw taking place on Friday, April 25.”
4. Limited-Time Promotional Offers
Communicating limited-time promotional offers via SMS is ideal for holidays, clearance sales, or discounts.
Recommendations for limited-time offers:
• Mention the deadline (e.g., Until tomorrow, 10:00 AM).
• Use a clear call to action (e.g., shop now).
• Offer a sense of exclusivity to boost loyalty.
Example: "Exclusive offer for subscribers! Get 30% off all products until Friday, 10:00 AM. Use promo code FLASH30 at checkout. Buy now: [bit.ly/event]"
5. Reminders and Offers
Using text messages to remind users about event participation or promotional offers launched close to a deadline can increase attendance rates by up to 38%.
Recommendations for reminders and offers:
• Send multiple messages at regular intervals (a week, a day, an hour before).
• Include event details.
• Use links to the online page.
Example: “This is a reminder that the play ‘A Stormy Night’ will take place tomorrow [date], at 7:00 PM, at the National Theatre, Ion Caramitru Hall. Entry begins 30 minutes before the show starts. Check the schedule here: [bit.ly/event]”
6. Loyalty Program & VIP Rewards Updates
A successful loyalty campaign starts with good communication with customers. SMS marketing can be used to inform customers about accumulated points, special offers, and exclusive benefits.
Recommendations for the loyalty program:
• Send monthly notifications about point balances
• Offer bonuses on double points days
• Personalize messages based on purchase history
Example: "Congratulations! You have accumulated 500 points. Redeem them for exclusive discounts, in-store or online. See all benefits here: [bit.ly/loyalty]"
7. Promoting Products and Services through SMS Marketing
Communicating a new product or service via SMS is a fast and effective way to generate excitement and encourage first purchases from loyal customers.
Recommendations for product promotion:
• Announce the product launch date to your customers.
• Mention where the product is available.
• Include a link to the product page.
Example: "Steam Master, the most revolutionary iron, has launched. Visit our stores starting April 7th or order online with free delivery. Pre-order now: [bit.ly/product]"
8. SMS Drip Campaigns for Customer Loyalty
Keep your customers connected to your brand long-term. SMS drip campaigns are a series of automated messages sent sequentially to potential customers, delivering relevant content to increase conversion rates.
Recommendations for drip campaigns:
• Create a message flow sent at regular intervals.
• Provide valuable content tailored to each customer’s needs or behavior.
• Guide users toward clear actions and outline the next steps.
Example: "Welcome to [Brand]! Over the next few days, you’ll receive helpful tips to make the most of our offers. We start tomorrow!"
9. SMS Marketing for Cart Abandonment Recovery
Sending text messages to customers who abandon their shopping carts is an effective practice to increase conversion rates. The customer receives a reminder to complete their purchase, often accompanied by an incentive (promo code, gift, etc.).
Recommendations for optimizing cart abandonment recovery:
• Remind users of the products left in their cart.
• Create urgency with time-limited discounts.
• Include a direct link to the checkout.
Example: "Hey [Name], your cart is waiting. Get 10% off if you complete your order today. Use code CART10: [bit.ly/checkoutcart]"
10. Back-in-Stock Alerts via SMS Marketing
When a product runs out of stock, customers and store users should have the option to sign up for back-in-stock alerts. Once the stock is replenished, the user receives an SMS notification.
Recommendations for sending back-in-stock alerts:
• Set up an automated alert that sends messages immediately after stock is updated.
• Encourage immediate action to take advantage of the offer.
• Provide a quick link to the product.
Example: “Good news! [Product Name] is back in stock. Make sure to grab yours before it’s gone: [bit.ly/backinstock]”
