7 Channels for “Free Promotion” of Your Opt In Campaigns
How do you get people to opt in to your SMS marketing list?
You ask them, of course.
While there are many ways you can probably think of to promote your SMS opt in campaign, there may be some “free” channels you’re neglecting. Thanks to Google, I can point out seven of them. At the mCommerce Summit Google gave a presentation about app promotion and optimising. I can’t even convey how exasperated the presenter was when he talked about how many opportunities companies just let slip by.
Those same channels can be used to promote your SMS marketing campaigns too – particularly opt in campaigns. Google focused in on these channels because they are “organic”. That is, they are part of what you are doing already so they don’t cost extra – but they can produce great results.
1. Cashiers
When customers check out, do your cashiers ask them if they’d like to opt in to your SMS campaign? After all, the customer is standing right there, they just bought something from you, what better time to ask them to sign up for special offers and future discounts? If you let them leave without asking, you may be throwing away a potentially loyal and valuable customer.
2. Customer Service Calls
We’ve all called customer support at one time or another. At the end of the call the representative usually asks, “Is there anything else I can help you with today?” Or at least the good ones do. But how about just before that, have your representative ask the customer if they’ve signed up for your SMS list yet? If the call went well, the customer may very well want to sign up. It’s an opportunity you don’t want to pass up.
3. Transaction Emails
When a customer gets an order confirmation, or gets a receipt for an in-store purchase, via email do you include a call to action regarding your SMS list? According to Google, it’s a golden opportunity to get sign ups. People tend to read transactional emails more than they do marketing emails. So if you include the instructions for signing up to your SMS list, customers are much more likely to see it.
4. "Snail-mail"
If you’re sending account statements, ads, or merchandise to customers, why not include information on how to opt in to your SMS marketing too? You’re piggy-backing on a shipment or letter that’s already paid for – you just need to add the few words about how to sign up.
5. Website
Do you advertise your SMS campaign on your website? Too many companies forget this huge amount of virtual real estate they have at their fingertips. Is advertising on it technically free? Not really since you’ll need your web designer to add it to the pages, but the return you’ll probably see will make that cost negligible. You’ve already spent money getting people to the website anyway (via SEO, pay-per-click, or other advertising) so why not ask when people arrive?
6. Mobile Site
These days, people may be more likely to see your mobile site than your regular website. Just because mobile sites need to be optimised for the devices, doesn’t mean you can’t also add calls to action in a pop-over or other graphic. In fact, being on a mobile could make it even easier for people to sign up.
7. Push Notifications
So your customers installed your app and agreed to push notifications. That’s great! But what about using those notifications to let people know about your SMS list too? Are you offering a 10% off coupon to everyone that signs up to the list? That would make a perfect notification! People are more and more likely to interact with brands over multiple channels. According to Walgreens, customers that connected with them over three different channels spent six times more than customers who just were on one. You want customers on as many channels as they want to be.
How many of these channels are you using for your opt in campaigns? Share with us in the comments.
Related Articles
On The Rise: 6 Changes in Marketing That SMS Can Help Exploit
While traditional advertising methods are declining, SMS marketing is increasing and it is a trend that looks likely to continue. Here are 6 recent marketing trends that open the door for you to take advantage through your next SMS marketing campaign.
SMS Marketing – How to Succeed with a SMART Approach
Boosting Ecommerce with SMS Marketing
Whilst some businesses still offer physical sales, many companies have an online presence as well. Whether they trade solely on the internet or maintain physical stores, it’s vital for businesses to cater for online customers. In order to increase sales and turnover, companies rely on a range of marketing methods, such as offline advertising or digital promotions. Whilst these can be effective, many businesses are overlooking the potential of SMS marketing.
SMS Marketing Best Practice: Do’s and Don’ts
Whilst social media has gained the attention of many small businesses as a marketing technique, SMS marketing has become a highly beneficial way of keeping your customers and clients close and building solid working relationships. According to research, 90% of text messages are read within three minutes, meaning SMS marketing shouldn't be overlooked when it comes to your advertising and customer service strategies. SMS marketing may be an ideal tactic for your business marketing, so here's a list of what to do and what not to do to ensure you're making the most of your campaign.
How SMS Can Enhance Your Customer’s E-commerce Experience
When handled correctly, SMS can be a dream partner for e-commerce and has a well-deserved place in your customer service suite. Once you have the all-important opt-in for SMS marketing compliance, you can begin to use SMS as a way to differentiate your e-commerce offer to make your customers' purchasing experience particularly pleasurable.
How to Choose the Incentive for Your SMS Marketing Opt-In Campaign
You’ve decided to try out SMS marketing. But you’re stuck on that first step of choosing the offer for your initial opt in campaign. Don’t worry, if you know the story of Goldilocks then you’ll understand just what to do after reading this blog.
8 Reasons to Use SMS in Your Service Based Business
When the glass ceiling on your annual turnover and profits is governed by the number of hours you have to trade, it's even more important to ensure your marketing strategies are as fruitful and affordable as possible. SMS marketing appears, at first blush, to require a lot in the way of technology, budget and management, but it's incredibly successful for small businesses in service industries - even the ones with small budgets and limited resources...
5 Creative Ways to Use SMS Messaging to Boost Your Marketing
SMS messaging can be a hugely productive way of developing your marketing strategy. Text messages are read - on average - in less than 5 seconds. That means you only have a short period of time in which you can impress your potential customer. People are starved of concentration thanks to hundreds of digital and offline distractions, along with the many other companies all reaching out to them through SMS. In order to be effective and get the most from SMS text messages, you need to be creative with your SMS marketing. So here's how...
Why SMS Messaging is the Future of Marketing…
Since the first ever mobile ad was sent out via text back in 2000, SMS marketing has become hugely popular. What's more, it's a successful technique that an increasing number of marketeers are taking advantage of. So why is it the future? Here are a few reasons...
How To Craft The Best Content For Your SMS Messaging
You need concise, memorable and high-impact content with a clear call to action in your SMS messaging. That, in a nutshell, is what's needed to achieve with any marketing or engagement communications in any form. But this is never truer than with an SMS campaign when your business text messaging has to rely on a small window of recipient attention.