SMS marketing is an invaluable asset for businesses, offering unparalleled open rates and instant engagement. With text messages being opened far more frequently than emails & often within the first few minutes, this channel presents a unique opportunity for immediate customer interaction. This section explores the strategic advantages of SMS opt-in campaigns, detailing how businesses can leverage them to offer discounts and cultivate a list of customers for ongoing communication.
Ensuring Compliance in SMS Marketing #
Before launching your SMS campaign, it’s crucial to ensure compliance with recent legislative changes regarding SMS marketing. The CRM simplifies this process.
In your account settings, navigate to the Messaging tab in the Phone System section. There, confirm that the options for SMS compliance, such as adding opt-out messages and including sender information, are enabled.
Building Your SMS Campaign #
Creating an effective SMS campaign involves several steps, from setting up workflows to crafting the perfect message. Here’s how to get started:
- For campaigns involving an image, upload the image file to the Media Storage section within your account.
- Copy the image link to your clipboard. This link will be used to create a trigger link for tracking engagement.
Create a Trigger Link #
Navigate to the Trigger Links tab inside the Marketing section, then proceed to create a new trigger link. Enter a suitable name for the trigger link, then input the image link in the Link URL section. If you prefer to add a link to your SMS instead, input the link in the designated field. Click “Save” to confirm your changes.
Initiate a Workflow #
Begin creating a workflow for your campaign in the Workflows tab of the Automation section. This workflow will handle incoming messages and responses.
Set Up Triggers #
Add the “Customer Replied” trigger and set the filters as “Reply Channel = SMS” and “Contains phrase” followed by your keyword to start the workflow when someone texts a specific offer code, such as “BDay20” to your business number.
Craft Your Message #
Compose a reply or use a template that thanks the customer for their interest and provides a link to the discount coupons or your chosen URL. Ensure the message makes the recipient feel valued and that your campaign settings comply with SMS regulations. Incorporate the trigger link into your SMS message within the workflow, ensuring recipients can easily access the coupon.
Incorporate follow-up actions, such as applying tags and implementing wait steps, to optimize engagement. Remember to publish and save your workflow to preserve your settings, and thoroughly test it to ensure it performs as intended.
Consider setting up additional workflows to interact with customers who click on the coupon link, using wait steps to avoid overwhelming them with immediate follow-up messages. By strategically using SMS marketing, you can drive customer engagement and maximize the effectiveness of your campaigns.
Frequently Asked Questions #
What if customers don’t receive the SMS? #
Ensure your SMS settings are correct and that you’ve complied with all regulatory requirements. Check the customer’s phone number for accuracy.
How can I improve engagement with my SMS campaigns? #
Personalize messages, offer genuine value, and use clear calls to action. Also, consider timing your messages for when customers are most likely to engage.
Why is SMS compliance important before launching a campaign? #
Recent legislation requires opt-out messaging and sender identification. Enabling these settings in the Messaging tab keeps your campaigns compliant and protects your sending reputation.
How do trigger links help my SMS campaign? #
Trigger links let you track when recipients click a coupon or URL, so you can fire follow-up actions and measure engagement directly from the workflow.
What keyword should I use to start the workflow? #
Choose a short, memorable offer code such as “BDay20” and set the “Contains phrase” filter to that keyword so the workflow starts when a customer texts it to your business number.
Should I add follow-up messages after the first reply? #
Yes, but use wait steps between messages so you don’t overwhelm recipients. Additional workflows can engage customers who click the coupon link.
