The importance of a simple SMS message should not be overlooked. It’s a strong avenue for connecting with consumers. It’s everywhere, familiar, quick, intimate, and inconspicuous all at once.
Despite our experience with mass communication, many firms continue to do it wrong. And, given that consumers have the ability to block communications, even the smallest error may be expensive. So, if someone has committed you with their phone number, make it worthwhile for them.
Here are eight golden guidelines to help you develop a message that consistently engages with clients.
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Define the goal.
Texting for business is an excellent approach to building a personal level of connection with a consumer. It’s crucial to be explicit about why you’re contacting them and that what you’re advertising is relevant to them. Text messages are regarded as more private and urgent than emails, and individuals are more sensitive to what they perceive to be spam.
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Think about the time.
Because most people have their phones with them all the time, it’s important to be aware of when a message is delivered. Make certain that your message does not alarm clients at inappropriate hours, such as supper or too early in the morning. To prevent waking folks up in the middle of the night, consider local time zones.
TOP TIP: The best time to send business messages on weekdays is often mid to late afternoon.
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Avoid using text talk.
Use actual language and good grammar to send professional text messages. Avoid employing text slang to be “funny” or save space unless it fits with your brand’s tone of voice. Writing “ur” instead of “your” or “2” instead of “too” in your marketing material may turn off some of your readers. Similarly, you may want to avoid acronyms like ICYMI (in case you missed it).
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Maintain simplicity
Most marketing communications, but notably SMS gateway initiatives, should avoid jargon. You’ll only have 160 characters for each message to get your point through, so use this SMS writing format: identify yourself, state your objective clearly, and add a clear call to action. Of course, depending on the use case, certain corporate messages may need additional data, so striking a balance is critical.
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Include critical information
Give detailed instructions on what your receiver should do with the SMS message. Tell them whether they need to keep it! Make it clear whether they need to respond Y or N to confirm an appointment. You may incorporate crucial, relevant facts for each contact by using and uploading custom fields in a spreadsheet, such as #FirstName#, #DayMonth#, and #Amount#. As an example:
[Hello, #FirstName#, You have a meeting with [COMPANY] on #DATE# at #TIME#. Please respond with Y or phone us within 24 hours to reschedule.]
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Be friendly and personable
Given that consumers are unlikely to have your phone number saved, you should add your firm name in your message. If your consumer identifies you right away, they will not mistake your communication for spam.
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Make use of attention-grabbing phrases.
Use phrasing that reads like an advertising headline for efficient text message marketing. You want your consumer to take action as soon as they open and read your communication. Use unambiguous, eye-catching words like OFFER or DISCOUNT, as well as a clear next action. As an example:
[VIP SPECIAL! MM Fitness is offering a 10% discount on our fitness collection! GYM10 is the discount code. It will expire after 48 hours. Shop here: nxt. to/123. To opt out, text ‘STOP.’]
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Examine, test, change, and repeat
Check, check, and double-check to prevent an embarrassing error or erroneous autocorrection. Track response rates and, if they are poor or sluggish, look for methods to improve your text. Monitoring performance will allow you to continuously improve SMS marketing.
SMS has evolved into a critical communication medium for organizations in a variety of sectors, whether for appointment reminders, payment reminders, or special offers. Make sure your message is correct in order to maximize your return and reduce unsubscribe rates.
