7 Ways Social Media Can Be Used To Enhance SMS Marketing Strategy
In this hyper-connected day and age, it is common to see people who use instant messaging to connect with their friends and families. Hence, we understand if business owners think that using SMS marketing is an outdated approach.
But what if we tell you that SMS is still relevant? If the right tips and ticks are applied, SMS marketing can do wonders.
Here are some stats to show the popularity of SMS in current times:
But what if we tell you that SMS is still relevant? If the right tips and ticks are applied, SMS marketing can do wonders.
Here are some stats to show the popularity of SMS in current times:
- 90% of mobile users open and read text messages within 30 minutes of receiving it.
- 31% of consumers respond to SMS surveys, with an average response time of six minutes.
- SMS is a preferred business notification channel among mobile users aged 18-34 years old.
- 75% of millennials prefer SMS for deliveries, promotions, and surveys.
- Text messages have an eight times higher response rate than email.
Following the trends in SMS marketing you can reap benefits you may not have thought of, here are seven ways you may combine SMS with social media marketing:
1) Build A Customer Base
What's cool about SMS and social media marketing is that they can work hand-in-hand in building your customer base.
If you have thousands of social media followers, you can ask them to subscribe to you via SMS. It can be as simple as telling your Instagram followers to send a code to a specific number to opt-in.
It is just a matter of enticing them to subscribe.
On the other hand, you can use SMS to let people know if you have a new social media update. Another option is to inform your followers via SMS if you are running an online promo.
If you have thousands of social media followers, you can ask them to subscribe to you via SMS. It can be as simple as telling your Instagram followers to send a code to a specific number to opt-in.
It is just a matter of enticing them to subscribe.
On the other hand, you can use SMS to let people know if you have a new social media update. Another option is to inform your followers via SMS if you are running an online promo.
2) Live Activation
If you have been to live events like concerts or games, you may have noticed the big screens in the stadium. They flash photos and messages from attendees, boosting audience engagement during large events.
This is made possible by using text-to-screen programs. What happens is that attendees can text their comments, which will then be displayed on big screens.
Doing so allows you to engage your audience and gather feedback from them. It is also a great way to liven up the event in real life.
This is made possible by using text-to-screen programs. What happens is that attendees can text their comments, which will then be displayed on big screens.
Doing so allows you to engage your audience and gather feedback from them. It is also a great way to liven up the event in real life.
3) Multi-channel Customer Engagement
Certain advertising agencies believe that the secret to marketing success is maximizing your marketing channels. This includes SMS and social media. That said, it is imperative to create a robust yet platform-agnostic campaign.
One campaign example is a "text to win" contest. You can use social media to promote the game, allowing you to collect SMS subscribers. What's important is that you use the right call-to-action.
If you have existing SMS subscribers, you can leverage it to promote your contest. Even better, you can include a shortcode in your text message, which redirects to your Facebook page. Doing so helps boost your social media following.
One campaign example is a "text to win" contest. You can use social media to promote the game, allowing you to collect SMS subscribers. What's important is that you use the right call-to-action.
If you have existing SMS subscribers, you can leverage it to promote your contest. Even better, you can include a shortcode in your text message, which redirects to your Facebook page. Doing so helps boost your social media following.
4) Nurturing Existing Customers
According to Invesp CRO, it costs five times more to acquire a new customer than to retain one. In addition, increasing your retention rate by 5% can lead to a profit increase of at least 25%.
The most cost-friendly method of nurturing existing customers is using SMS marketing.
For instance, you run an e-commerce website. You may have a list of existing customers and their mobile numbers.
So, when you decide to run a promo, you can give them first dibs. Doing so allows you to pique their interest again. Plus, you can compel them to take action.
If you want to level up your game, you can opt to give your SMS subscribers a unique promo code in addition to the current promo you are running.
The most cost-friendly method of nurturing existing customers is using SMS marketing.
For instance, you run an e-commerce website. You may have a list of existing customers and their mobile numbers.
So, when you decide to run a promo, you can give them first dibs. Doing so allows you to pique their interest again. Plus, you can compel them to take action.
If you want to level up your game, you can opt to give your SMS subscribers a unique promo code in addition to the current promo you are running.
5) Leveraging Open Graph Tags
Since its development in 2010, Facebook's Open Graph tags have been adapted by various social media platforms. It has become the standard in integrating content on social media posts.
This explains why you will see Twitter cards whenever you include a link on your tweets.
Meanwhile, you can use SMS to circulate your online content further. It can be as simple as sending a text brigade to your SMS subscribers and includes a shortcode.
The code can redirect to your social media channel or website for more information. Another option is to include a shortcode for pre-populated tweets.
This explains why you will see Twitter cards whenever you include a link on your tweets.
Meanwhile, you can use SMS to circulate your online content further. It can be as simple as sending a text brigade to your SMS subscribers and includes a shortcode.
The code can redirect to your social media channel or website for more information. Another option is to include a shortcode for pre-populated tweets.
6) Amplify Call-to-Action
There is no denying that creating a sense of urgency is a great way to compel your audience to take action. However, not everyone gets to check your Facebook page or open their email for updates.
Luckily, SMS is a great way to amplify that sense of urgency.
As mentioned earlier, the majority of mobile users open their SMS within 30 minutes of receiving it. That said, if you are running a campaign that thrives in urgency, you can also inform your SMS subscribers.
Are you running a week-long promo? Make sure to post it on all your social media channels and send an SMS blast to your subscribers.
Luckily, SMS is a great way to amplify that sense of urgency.
As mentioned earlier, the majority of mobile users open their SMS within 30 minutes of receiving it. That said, if you are running a campaign that thrives in urgency, you can also inform your SMS subscribers.
Are you running a week-long promo? Make sure to post it on all your social media channels and send an SMS blast to your subscribers.
7) Multi-channel Customer Support
Were you aware that 63% of customers expect businesses to offer support via social media? And you can improve it by providing SMS customer support.
By offering both channels, you maximize the ways customers can connect with you. Doing so allows you to provide an exceptional digital customer experience.
After all, some people prefer SMS over social media and vice versa when connecting with businesses.
The only caveat is that you might need to spend money on a social media management platform. Such a platform helps you manage multiple messaging channels like SMS and social media. That way, you do not have to switch from one dashboard to another.
By offering both channels, you maximize the ways customers can connect with you. Doing so allows you to provide an exceptional digital customer experience.
After all, some people prefer SMS over social media and vice versa when connecting with businesses.
The only caveat is that you might need to spend money on a social media management platform. Such a platform helps you manage multiple messaging channels like SMS and social media. That way, you do not have to switch from one dashboard to another.
What Makes SMS Marketing Effective
As more and more people rely on their mobile devices, it is not surprising that a person spends more than five hours on his phone. That's because smartphones have become everyone's favorite go-to place.
You use it to connect with your family and friends. If you want a quick meal, you can call the nearest restaurant for delivery. You also use your phone for a quick Google search and other online tasks.
SMS marketing is undeniable if 49 million consumers will give consent to receive SMS notifications from businesses they trust. Which user would not want to receive immediate updates straight from their favorite brands?
Keep in mind that SMS is one of the most direct ways to connect with your customers. Hence, it would make sense if you include SMS in your marketing mix.
But before initiating any SMS marketing campaign ensure validating your contact list using an accurate phone number validation tool.
Why? To ensure all your resources are used in the right manner. A few examples
You use it to connect with your family and friends. If you want a quick meal, you can call the nearest restaurant for delivery. You also use your phone for a quick Google search and other online tasks.
SMS marketing is undeniable if 49 million consumers will give consent to receive SMS notifications from businesses they trust. Which user would not want to receive immediate updates straight from their favorite brands?
Keep in mind that SMS is one of the most direct ways to connect with your customers. Hence, it would make sense if you include SMS in your marketing mix.
But before initiating any SMS marketing campaign ensure validating your contact list using an accurate phone number validation tool.
Why? To ensure all your resources are used in the right manner. A few examples
- A phone validation tool for apps can help you identify invalid phone numbers. Sending sms to such numbers is obviously a waste of time & money.
- It Can let you segregate landline and mobile numbers, so you won’t waste any money by sending SMS to landlines.
- You can know the country to which the number belongs and set your SMS marketing campaigns according to the respective timezone. Imagine sending an sms in the middle of the night when the prospect is asleep.
Making SMS and Social Media Work Hand-in-Hand
There is no denying that social media is a great way to expand your business' reach. But imagine how much farther you can reach with the help of SMS.
That said, we suggest that you keep the following ways to combine SMS and social media in your marketing efforts:
1. Building a customer base on both channels
2. Using the text-to-screen program in live events
3. Implementing multi-channel customer engagement
4. Nurturing existing customers
5. Leveraging open graph tags
6. Amplifying calls-to-action
7. Offering multi-channel customer support
We know that you can think of other ways to leverage SMS and social media for your business.
What's important is that your practices are data privacy compliant. Plus, you should leverage these channels without bombarding your audience. Otherwise, you will lose them in the process.
It defies the purpose of marrying SMS with social media.
That said, we suggest that you develop a robust plan on how you can make SMS and social media work hand-in-hand.
That said, we suggest that you keep the following ways to combine SMS and social media in your marketing efforts:
1. Building a customer base on both channels
2. Using the text-to-screen program in live events
3. Implementing multi-channel customer engagement
4. Nurturing existing customers
5. Leveraging open graph tags
6. Amplifying calls-to-action
7. Offering multi-channel customer support
We know that you can think of other ways to leverage SMS and social media for your business.
What's important is that your practices are data privacy compliant. Plus, you should leverage these channels without bombarding your audience. Otherwise, you will lose them in the process.
It defies the purpose of marrying SMS with social media.
That said, we suggest that you develop a robust plan on how you can make SMS and social media work hand-in-hand.