5 Tips for Charities Using SMS Marketing
It’s sometimes a challenge for charities to get people’s attention. But once you get it, SMS messaging is a great way to keep it. Why? People freely give their emails, but their mobile number is often closely guarded. So when someone opts in to your charity campaign with their mobile number, it means they are invested in your cause. They want to help you and know what you’re doing to further your cause.
Here are some tips on how to maximise your communications with these dedicated supporters.
- Keep them up to date on fundraising campaigns. Chances are your supporters first opted in during a fundraising campaign of some sort. They may be wondering if their donation of time or money helped you meet your goal. Just a quick note saying thank you with a status update goes a long way to helping those supporters feel valued and let them know they’ve done some good.
- Announce events. If your charity is holding an event to raise awareness, fundraise, or to thank contributors send a note to your supporters letting them know about it. Also ask them to share the information to help spread the word about the event which could lead to even more supporters.
- Share a success. Your hard work, and your supporters’ too, has paid off. You met your goal, or a project has been completed. Share the news with those that helped you with a quick message detailing how many people were helped, or what project is completed or now open – whatever it is. These types of messages help the supporters feel good about themselves, and about you for doing what it was you said you would. Next time you need to ask for a donation, they’ll be more inclined to help knowing you follow through.
- Ask for volunteers. Not every request has to be for money. Instead ask if they are interested in donating a few hours at an event, a shelter, or somehow for your organisation. Send a link with more information on the specifics so people can take action immediately.
- Ask for donations. Of course, a big part of charities’ communications is about asking for money. You need it to keep functioning and complete the good work you’re doing. If you don’t ask too often, a quick SMS message can be a low-cost, high return fundraising avenue. Send a link they can use to donate online, or a phone number to call. You may have seen some charities offer donations directly by texting a number or shortcode, but these can be problematic. Usually it requires the charity to directly negotiate with the mobile carriers, or use a third party, to approve the collection of funds. There are always fees associated with collecting money via mobile, as well as costs for shortcodes. The whole process makes it difficult, if not impossible, except for the largest of charities.
SMS messaging is a great tool for charities to reach out to busy people in the 21st century. Interested in learning how to make it work for your cause? We’re here to help you get started. Just call, email, chat or fill out the request form below. Alternatively, read our business sectors report on charities.
Related Articles
SMS Voting Ideal for Creative Communities to Engage Followers
Twitter is a great place to quickly scan and see what is going on in the world, or in a particular niche topic. I was looking around at SMS related topics the other day and found many good (and some not so good) articles. But I also found many more pleas for votes from musicians, bands, and even illustrators.
5 SMS or Mobile Facts You Need to Know
So many of us are used to having our mobiles around nearly 24 hours a day that it’s easy to forget it’s still a growing industry. And though SMS has been around for over two decades, the ways we use it and people’s willingness to use it continues to grow. So for this blog I picked out five facts about mobile and SMS that really make the case that SMS for business has come of age. Let’s see if you agree.
5 SMS Myths You Shouldn’t Believe
SMS messaging is a popular topic. The growth of mobile has everyone jumping on board the SMS waggon and they all have something to say. I've compiled a list of five topics that I've seen written about that just aren't true, or at the very least are potentially misleading enough to be called myths. I'm going to try and offer some insight into why these myths exist and what the truth is, as I see it anyway!
Using SMS Messaging For a Cause is Catching On
As old as SMS messaging is (going on 25), is it surprising to know that for non-profits and political campaigns it’s just now catching on? It might be, but if you think about it maybe it isn’t surprising. Until the last few years, people have been very reticent to hand out their personal mobile number. Now though, they’re more willing – if they care about the source of the messages.
Planning Your SMS Marketing Campaign: Back to Basics
SMS messaging is one of the most cost-effective forms of marketing available. Like any marketing, though, it is vital to plan your campaign effectively to ensure maximum success. So let's look at a few basic principles that will help you make the most of your online SMS marketing.
How Online Text Messaging Can Benefit Youth and Community Groups
Most youth and community groups are volunteer-led, and either charitably funded or run on donations, so communications need not only to be effective, but they also have to be easy, and quick for volunteers to use, and low cost. That's where SMS comes in...
SMS Messaging Offers Opportunity for Fundraising
Is your charity taking advantage of mobile fundraising? A report from ThirdSector indicates 55% of charities aren't doing so, which creates a huge opportunity for those that do. In the UK, almost three quarters of the population, 72%, use smartphones.
SMS Marketing for Charities – How it’s Changing, and How to Stay on Trend
There are just shy of 200,000 registered charities in the United Kingdom. Between them, they spend around £80 billion per annum. SMS marketing for charities is coming of age as an important tool for reaching supporters and benefactors alike, and there are a few important things that charities should be bearing in mind if they are to make the most out of this fact.
SMS Marketing: Don’t Forget About Print!
The focus for advertising campaigns today is often mobile, web, or digital. It’s certainly true that more and more people are using technology for just about everything. But with all that technology, it’s easy to overlook another, more traditional form: Print!
