With all the hype about text and SMS messaging as marketing strategies there are many questions that may arise in a businessperson's mind.
Let's take a look at some of the things that you will want to consider if you are contemplating integrating text message marketing into your promotional program.
1.
Do customers really want to get text messages instead of more personal phone calls or mailings? Absolutely! Text messaging is more personal than mailings and less annoying then dinnertime phone calls.
However it is important to make sure that you are sending valuable information and offer the customer the option to remove themselves from your texting list.
When surveyed most consumers in their 20's and 30's when given the option of receiving an email, text message, phone call or mailing chose text message.
This is because texts are instant and most people have their cell phones with them at times they aren't at home, when it isn't convenient to have a conversation and when they aren't at the computer to check emails.
2.
Does that mean that text message marketing is only for young customers? Absolutely not! Cell phones and texting is used by everyone from teenagers to great grandmothers.
Text message marketing is ideal for nearly every age group, even those who don't use the Internet or make it a point to get every new electronic gadget.
The low pricing of text messaging on cell phones is making this an option that most people prefer.
3.
What sort of information will I be responsible for with a text messaging campaign? Typically all you will receive when someone texts you is their mobile number and wireless carrier.
Collecting information via text two-way sessions can allow you to collect names, addresses, ages, emails and more.
4.
How often should I send texts to my customers? With the opt-out option you can monitor the effect your text campaign is having on your list of text receivers.
Some businesses send weekly messages about specials, others only send a message once a month.
The main thing to remember is that you have to provide quality information to keep your customers interested.
5.
What if I want to target other businesses instead of consumers? There are fewer options for targeting other businesses via traditional media or website advertising.
To get other businesses involved and signed up for your text marketing campaigns the best way to reach them initially is at trade shows, placing ads in trade magazines and business events.
It may be a bit more difficult to target other businesses but it can be quite valuable to establish a B2B text campaign.
As a business person you will of course evaluate the benefits, and will need to acknowledge that a text marketing campaign targeting other businesses will grow more slowly than a B2C campaign.
There are many benefits to using text message marketing for nearly every type of business serving nearly every demographic.
Opt-in and Opt-out forms are a necessity and monitoring your list will help you decide what the best strategy for your business is.
Let's take a look at some of the things that you will want to consider if you are contemplating integrating text message marketing into your promotional program.
1.
Do customers really want to get text messages instead of more personal phone calls or mailings? Absolutely! Text messaging is more personal than mailings and less annoying then dinnertime phone calls.
However it is important to make sure that you are sending valuable information and offer the customer the option to remove themselves from your texting list.
When surveyed most consumers in their 20's and 30's when given the option of receiving an email, text message, phone call or mailing chose text message.
This is because texts are instant and most people have their cell phones with them at times they aren't at home, when it isn't convenient to have a conversation and when they aren't at the computer to check emails.
2.
Does that mean that text message marketing is only for young customers? Absolutely not! Cell phones and texting is used by everyone from teenagers to great grandmothers.
Text message marketing is ideal for nearly every age group, even those who don't use the Internet or make it a point to get every new electronic gadget.
The low pricing of text messaging on cell phones is making this an option that most people prefer.
3.
What sort of information will I be responsible for with a text messaging campaign? Typically all you will receive when someone texts you is their mobile number and wireless carrier.
Collecting information via text two-way sessions can allow you to collect names, addresses, ages, emails and more.
4.
How often should I send texts to my customers? With the opt-out option you can monitor the effect your text campaign is having on your list of text receivers.
Some businesses send weekly messages about specials, others only send a message once a month.
The main thing to remember is that you have to provide quality information to keep your customers interested.
5.
What if I want to target other businesses instead of consumers? There are fewer options for targeting other businesses via traditional media or website advertising.
To get other businesses involved and signed up for your text marketing campaigns the best way to reach them initially is at trade shows, placing ads in trade magazines and business events.
It may be a bit more difficult to target other businesses but it can be quite valuable to establish a B2B text campaign.
As a business person you will of course evaluate the benefits, and will need to acknowledge that a text marketing campaign targeting other businesses will grow more slowly than a B2C campaign.
There are many benefits to using text message marketing for nearly every type of business serving nearly every demographic.
Opt-in and Opt-out forms are a necessity and monitoring your list will help you decide what the best strategy for your business is.
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