Text marketing is a great way for small businesses to connect with customers and grow their business. A form of mobile marketing that allows businesses to send text messages, SMS marketing can be promotional or transactional and sent to either individual customers or groups of customers.
In this article, we will discuss the basics of text marketing and how you can start using text messages to reach more customers and boost sales. We’ll also cover some tips on how to make the most of your text marketing campaign.
So, whether you’re just getting started or you’re looking for more ways to improve your current strategy, read on for all the information you need to get started.
How Text Marketing Can Help Small Businesses
Text marketing can be a great way for small businesses to reach out to their target audience. Because text messages are personal and intimate, they can be highly effective in driving sales and fostering customer loyalty.
While there are various other marketing channels available, SMS marketing is straightforward, requires little volume, and is relatively inexpensive. Because it is also highly flexible and scalable, which makes it perfect for growing businesses.
So, if you’re looking for a way to add text messages to your marketing arsenal, here’s how to get started.
How to Start Using Text Marketing
The first step is to choose a text messaging service provider. Depending on your small business’s specific needs, there are many providers out there, so it is best to do some research to find the one that best suits your needs.
Once you’ve chosen a provider, you’ll need to create an account and set up your text message campaign. Be sure to craft a compelling and clear call-to-action (CTA) that will encourage your customers to take the desired action.
Once your campaign is set up, you can start sending text messages to your customers. Afterward, remember to track your results, so you can see how your SMS marketing campaign is performing.
By following these steps, you can start using text messages to reach more customers and grow your business.
5 Best SMS Marketing Services
Here are some of the best SMS marketing services that you can use today.
1. Slick Text
Slick Text is one of the best text message marketing services on the market. At the heart of it, Slick Text offers key automated workflows for your SMS marketing needs.
From text message scheduling, repeating messages, drip campaigns, birthday campaigns, and auto-replies, Slick Text’s automated marketing sequences are useful. Plus, they have a simple and easy-to-use interface that makes it easy to get started with SMS marketing.
Should you want to test it out first, Slick Text offers 50 text messages for free in its 14-day free trial. Once you are sold on its offers, Slick Text’s basic plan can help you automate up to 500 texts per month for only $29.
2. EZ Texting
EZ Texting is another great text message marketing service. It offers a variety of features, including mass text messaging, auto-responders, and MMS capabilities. What makes EZ Texting stand apart is its commitment to helping new users, especially those who aren’t so comfortable with technology.
With EZ Texting, you can enjoy several tutorials designed to help you get started. Aside from this, EZ Texting also has templates and examples, for those who are a little intimidated by the process.
EZ Texting also has an easy-to-use interface that makes it simple to get started with text message marketing. With its flexible pricing packages, EZ Texting has plans that go as low as $19 per month if paid annually.
3. CallFire
For more established small businesses that may need more features, CallFire can offer a full-suite solution on top of SMS marketing. Unlike other options on this list, CallFire is a cloud telephony services provider, which means they offer more than just text marketing.
Aside from SMS marketing, CallFire also offers VoiceBroadcast, Call Tracking, and Interactive Voice Recording (IVR). Designed for businesses with high volume needs, its Lite Plan is $99 per month and includes 2500 texts or minutes of calls.
However, if you’re not ready to make the commitment or aren’t sold on its other features as well, you can also avail their pay as you go plan for $0.06 per minute/text.
4. Simple Texting
For small businesses that have more complex marketing campaigns, Simple Texting can be an incredibly useful addition to your tools. With its easy-to-use interface, Simple Texting lets you text the same message to everyone on a certain list.
Unlike other options on this list, Simple Texting also enables you to run more elaborate funnels. For example, you can create keywords that customers can use to find discounts or promo codes for certain items. Aside from this, you can also run surveys, polls, and use advanced analytics features.
Simple Texting offers subscriptions for as low as $23.20 per month for its 500 credits pack when paid annually. This subscription already includes free incoming SMS messages, unlimited contact lists, and a dedicated number. If you aren’t certain if you’re ready to make this commitment, Simple Texting also offers a 14-day free trial.
5. Text Magic
TextMagic doesn’t just let its users send SMS messages, but it also lets you create templates, scheduled messages, and automatic responses. With TextMagic, you can receive replies from your customers to your phone, email address, or email.
For those who like to refine their customer profiles, TextMagic also lets you build contact lists and import CSV files. Aside from this, TextMagic also has integrations with a variety of other tools such as Typeform and Slack.
Lastly, TextMagic works through a prepaid contract, which means you’re not locked into expensive subscriptions long-term. While it can go as low as $0.04 a text, you may also want to consider their higher plans, which lets you have dedicated virtual numbers. TextMagic offers a 30-day trial with 0.4 credits.
How to Make Text Marketing Effective
Now that you know how to start using SMS marketing, let’s discuss some tips on how to make text message marketing more effective.
Clarity
To maximize an SMS marketing campaign, make sure your text messages are clear and concise. Customers should be able to understand your message quickly and easily.
Personalization
If the option is available, it’s best to personalize your text messages as much as possible. Customers are more likely to respond positively to a message that is addressed to them personally.
Timing
As with many things in life, SMS marketing campaigns resonate more with people when the messages are sent at the right time. When it comes to text messages, timing is everything, so be sure to send your messages when your customers are most likely to be available.
Incentives
Customers are more likely to respond to a text message if they know they will receive a discount or some other type of incentive. If possible, it is best to include a time-based incentive in your text messages to encourage customers to take action immediately.
How to Measure Text Marketing Success
The final step in SMS marketing is to measure your success. There are a few key metrics you should track, including open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates.
By tracking these metrics, you can see how your text message campaign is performing and make necessary changes to improve your results.
Add SMS to Your Small Business Marketing Arsenal
With small businesses, it may take a while to find the right channel to find your ideal customers.
SMS marketing can be a great way to reach more customers and grow your business. By following these tips, you can create an effective text message marketing campaign that will help you achieve your goals.
By following these steps, you can start using text messages to reach more customers and grow your business. Want more… incorporate texting with Facebook Retargeting Ads for incredible results!