What Is SMS Marketing?

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SMS marketing is a powerful way to engage customers and promote products. 

It has high engagement and conversion rates, making it a cost-efficient and personal marketing channel. 

With SMS marketing, you can send targeted messages to customers, nurturing stronger relationships without draining your budget.

Unlike other marketing channels, SMS marketing requires customers to opt in, making the audience more receptive to your messages. 

This article will guide you through the basics of SMS marketing, including its benefits, best practices, and examples to inspire your SMS marketing strategy.

How SMS Marketing Works

SMS marketing works similarly to email marketing, with the goal of selling, educating, or building loyalty. 

As an owned marketing channel, businesses have full control over the list of phone numbers and distribution. 

You can send one-to-one or one-to-many messages, depending on your goals, just like email marketing.

To get started with SMS marketing, you need to capture consent from customers before sending a marketing message. 

Shopify makes it easy to collect SMS consent during checkout. 

Once you have permission, you can set up automated text messages triggered by customer actions or send mass texting campaigns to hundreds of customers at once.

Benefits of SMS Marketing

SMS marketing has several benefits that make it an attractive marketing channel. 

It has high engagement rates, with an average response rate of 45%. 

SMS marketing also fosters more personal, loyal relationships with customers. 

With the right SMS marketing tools, you can reach customers and earn more sales.

Moreover, SMS marketing is easy to write, and messages are typically read within minutes of being received. 

It’s also a great way to automate customer communications, sending texts at the perfect moment.

Best Practices for SMS Marketing

To get the most out of SMS marketing, it’s essential to follow best practices. 

First, get permission from customers before sending marketing texts. 

Make it easy for customers to opt out, as this builds trust and ensures that those who remain are genuinely interested in your offerings.

Seek to inform, not promote, in your SMS messages. 

Keep context in mind when designing SMS marketing campaigns, and personalize messages to increase engagement and conversion rates.

Who likes complex messages and long sentences? 😢

Messages must be simple and concise, using emojis and GIFs to make them more engaging.

Examples of Good SMS Marketing Messages

There are many use cases for SMS marketing, from flash sales and special offers to customer feedback and product drop alerts. 

A short and snappy SMS is a great way to promote one-off flash sales or major promotions. 

You can also use SMS to gather customer feedback, increase interactions, and provide updates on sold-out inventory.

For example, you can send a welcome message to new subscribers, offering a discount and providing links to further content or popular products. 

You can also use SMS to promote events, such as the Black Friday shopping season, and encourage customers to act fast before the sale is over.

In conclusion, SMS marketing is a powerful tool for businesses, offering high engagement rates, personal relationships, and automation capabilities. 

By following best practices and using the right SMS marketing tools, you can increase conversions, build loyalty, and drive sales.

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