SMS Marketing Campaign Basics
Creating your first SMS marketing campaign can be a daunting task. This week I’ll take it back to basics and discuss the different types of SMS marketing campaigns.
The two basic types of SMS marketing campaigns are inbound and outbound. Inbound campaigns are when you request people text you. Outbound campaigns are when you send messages to an existing list. Or of course you can create two way SMS campaigns that use both, instigating a dialogue between you and your customer or prospect.
In order to run an inbound campaign you need a reply number. This can be either a virtual mobile number or a shortcode. Once you’re set up with your reply number, you can use an inbound campaign for a variety of different reasons. The primary one is for gathering opt ins. You can publish your number on your website, in adverts, or in store. People will text you using their mobile and you can add them to your opt in list. But remember you must always include an option to opt out of the messaging which means you must ensure the messages are both useful and not too frequent.
Other inbound campaigns can include contests (for new and existing list members), or increase engagement and interest by giving your list the opportunity to vote via text on products, taglines, or just about anything. Try to make whatever option you choose relevant to your business. If you are a travel company it’s a fair assumption anyone opting in to your list is interested in travel. So offer travel vouchers as a prize in your competition rather than book tokens. Give them a quiz about favourite destinations not questions about rare alpine plants!
Outbound campaigns are what most people think of when talking about SMS marketing campaigns. It’s when you send out discount codes, special offers, or other deals to the people on your list. The communication is only one way and the recipients have no way to reply. Outbound can also be service oriented messages like account updates, appointment reminders, or shipping notifications. Again make your offers relevant by segmenting your list by their interest or other demographic. If you are a travel company offering ocean cruises and adventure holidays don’t offer bungee jumping experiences to your Mediterranean cruise customers.
Both types of campaigns are equally important. You need inbound to gather opt ins and interact with your list, and outbound to send them calls to action to increase sales, attendance, website traffic or whatever your goal is. See SMS marketing as an ongoing process; build your opt in list, gather detail about the people on your list and send them relevant information.
If you’re still debating whether using SMS messaging is too hard, time consuming, or effective enough to use for your organisation, why not give it a try for free? Fastsms accounts are always free. You’ll never find monthly fees or other hidden charges. You just pay for the messages you need. We’ll even give you some free credits to get started. Just click the “Free Account” button at the top of the page, or you can contact us via chat, email, or phone.
Related Articles
Restaurants Can Turn Every Table into a SMS Marketing Campaign
In sit down restaurants, what is the one feature every patron will look at? The table. Think about it. They need to look down to pick up utensils, put their glass back down, find their napkin, or to find a distraction for those awkward moments with your fellow diners. What if you could turn that time into a SMS marketing opportunity?
Should You Use an App or SMS Messaging? Or both?
It's an app world out there. The average mobile owner has about 40 apps installed at any one time. But they usually use approximately 15 regularly. Personally, that's about right. Though I would bet I've had many more than 40 apps before, but I get around to deleting some eventually.
Don’t Worry, SMS Messaging is Still Perfect for Marketing
Brits feel “bombarded” by too many messages from brands on mobile. Does that mean SMS marketing doesn’t work anymore? Actually no, it just means most brands are probably doing it wrong. Find out why UK consumers feel that way and how your brand should be using SMS marketing the right way.
The Never-Ending Conflict of Email vs. SMS Marketing
Many marketers think they need to choose between email and SMS marketing. And depending on what you read, you’ll find one is “better” than the other. But that isn’t necessarily true. Learn how a united effort using both can increase your profits with only a little bit of effort.
3 Reasons SMS Messaging is the Best Choice to Contact Everyone on Your List
One of the many benefits of SMS messaging is that it's personal. It can feel like a one on one communication or even conversation. But it's also one of the best ways to reach 10, 100, or even 100,000 people all at once. So even "one to many" communication feels like "one to one" to the receiver.
Why Your SME Needs a Shared Shortcode
We’re all familiar with shortcodes without actually knowing what they are. Shortcodes are the 5 to 6 digit numbers that businesses use for sending and replying to their text messages. To keep costs low and to get into the mobile space as quickly as possible, your small business needs a shared shortcode, here's why.
Work 24/7 Without Being in The Office! The Benefits of SMS Scheduling
In our demanding, 24/7 world it is difficult to stay on top of your SMS marketing campaign but with scheduling you can ensure you are getting your message to your audience whatever the time.
Suggested templates for back-to-business SMS communications
Why SMS Marketing is Superior to Email for Entrepreneurs
As an entrepreneur, it is notoriously difficult to get your message out there. It's even harder to get seen and heard in a meaningful way that doesn't offend people. Email marketing has been the darling of entrepreneurs for years, but it's time for something new. Something that supersedes the email and circumvents the spam folder.
What are the Worst SMS Marketing Messages You’ve Received?
Just for fun, I asked people in a marketing focused Facebook group to share the worst SMS marketing messages they’ve ever received. I was expecting a deluge of responses, but actually only a few trickled in. But those horrible SMS marketing messages are out there…the comments on my post proved it even if no one wanted to share (I guess they’re all shy).