SMS Marketing
Every so often we invite people who meet along this business journey, who are an expert in their field and/or offering products and services that might interest and be of benefit to our readers. This time round we have great please of introducing Alan Cohen, who we’ve had the pleasure to get to know over the years. His company is Connect98 which enables you do deliver marketing communications with real impact and results. Over to you Alan ….
What is the fuss about SMS Marketing?
It is a fact that five billion people around the world send and receive text messages.
SMS has been around since 1992 and is probably the only technology that has been around that long … which is not only still in use, but is on an increase globally year on year.
With over half the world’s population using the mobile channel, it’s clear to see why businesses love using it in their marketing mix.
SMS is an incredibly versatile tool helping you achieve a myriad of goals and engage audiences across any industry.
SMS marketing messages are short but powerful, with marketers enjoying higher engagement levels when using mobile channels than they would see when compared to email or social media.
After all, how many emails end up in a Spam filter and who knows what social media platform does your customer look at? There are currently more than 50 of them and reaching out over them all would be totally impractical.
Conversely SMS is a common denominator across all these mediums. Every mobile, irrespective of how old it is, can receive a text message.
With an incredibly impressive industry recognised open rate of 98% you’ve got a much higher chance of getting your brand in front of the right people. Whether you’re announcing a sale, showcasing new products, offering personalized discounts, or just looking to fill appointment voids, SMS ensures your message lands right where it counts – in the hands of your audience.
Having said all this, if you have not got your customers mobile number, you can’t send them a text message.
This is where data capture comes into the equation. There is little doubt that the more information you request from a customer the less inclined they are to give it to you. Our research showed us that for every additional field of information requested, 30% would drop out at each level. Capturing mobile numbers alone is quick, simple and non-invasive.
GDPR is a UK necessity and for any supplier to comply customers have to be given the option to opt in and opt out, within their own control.
Let’s now look specifically at a couple of applications for SMS Marketing that are used by Connect98 customers across the country every day.
It is not only the open rate that makes SMS win hands down. Most text messages are read on average within three minutes of being received. This makes it perfect for ‘same day’ calls to action.
For example, it is mid afternoon and a restaurant has tables free for that night’s service.
They can go online, select a chunk of their database, create a message with a personalised special offer, include the booking line number and then send the message.
Generally, the response is almost immediate, and tables are filled!
- Golf courses advising members that the course is waterlogged and closed,
- Theatres with last minute ticket sales,
- Beauty Clinics filling appointments,
- the list goes on ….
For more information about how Connect98 can help your business and to arrange a demonstration, please contact me at alanc@connect98.com or call 0330 1222876.