INTRODUCTION TO SMS MESSAGING

SMS Marketing is just another term for text messages or marketing through texting. This is a powerful tool for marketing events and staying organized that most event promoters overlook.

Before creating your SMS campaign there are a few steps you need to follow to guarantee a successful campaign.

An easy way to do this is to follow the S.U.C.C.E.S.S acronym (right).

If you can remember the following steps using S.U.C.C.E.S.S. and complete the following you will be ready to launch your SMS campaign.

HOW TO CREATE SMS MARKETING CAMPAIGNS

Secure consent

Whenever your business is doing something that will affect another person/customer, you need their consent.

Without consent, you can risk complaints that could potentially damage your brand, events, and lead to fines. Getting consent is a smart way to go about your marketing campaign to insure everything is legal.

The image is an example of requesting consent and allowing your customers to opt in (left).

Understand your frequency 

Similar to social media posting, you need to know how many texts you ca send out before it gets annoying for your customers. The recommended amount is about 2-4 texts a month. A good idea is to state how many texts you plan to send out in your terms and conditions so your customers are aware ahead of time.

If you are using Purplepass to manage your SMS campaign, your chosen send frequency will automatically be displayed to customers when they opt-in.

Create disclaimers

If you have ever been enrolled in an SMS/automated service you are probably familiar with the standard message "Msg & Data rates may apply". This is called a disclaimer and it's important you include this in your original opt-in message so the customers are aware that they may be charged by carrier.

Cancel and opt-out options

Let your subscribers know exactly how they can opt out of these messages. In the example of Kohls-Alerts on the right, at the very bottom it shows their opt-out option by stating "Stop to Cancel".

This gives their customers the option to simply reply with STOP and they can exit the campaign. Purplepass will automatically unsubscribe any customer that replies STOP.

Establish business hours

Remember, just because you switched to a more casual way of reaching your customers, you are still running a business and should still only send out messages during business hours.

Specific language

Although this is texting, you are still an adult and conducting business; make sure you text like one. Compare the two examples on the right - which one is easier to read?

Show value

Although you want to keep your texts short and to the point, make sure every word or text has value. Every text you send out should offer your customers something in exchange for them receiving text messages.