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7 Ideas to Start and Grow Your SMS Subscriber List

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 09:00:00 +0800

Many people think that SMS as a marketing tool is outdated and old-fashioned. It's underutilized and often forgotten, with more focus placed on online advertising, email lists, and other tactics.

But a channel that has an open rate anywhere from 82% to 98% can't be ignored. Especially here in the Philippines: with 159% mobile connections compared to the local population and 14% don't even have data connectivity, the reach SMS can bring you is well worth a shot.

It's never too late to start your own SMS subscriber list for your business. We've got seven great ideas that you can use if you're starting your list, or if you need help growing it.

Promise and Deliver VIP Treatment

People love feeling like a VIP. Getting exclusive rewards and promotions, breaking news, early access to products and services--all of these are great hooks to get your customers to opt into your SMS list. The promise of having exclusive deals can be very attractive to your customers.

But make sure you deliver. Don't promise something and end up spamming your subscribers with unrelated messages or promotions.

Reward Subscribers On Signup

It's important to start off with a bang. An instant promotion or reward when your new subscribers sign up gets you off on the right foot.

You can also look into rewarding your subscribers the longer they stay signed up with you. Try scheduling sending rewards to your subscribers on the anniversary of their signing up with you. They'll be delighted and possibly tell friends of the surprise you had in store for them.

While we're talking about telling friends...

Start a Referral Program

A great way to grow your list is having a referral program in place. Your subscribers can be some of the best promoters of your brand and products: if you can offer them incentives to share your list with their friends, you might get a steady stream of new signups.

You can do something super simple such as a one-time reward for signups, or an ongoing points system. Make sure it matches the product and brand you're promoting.

Use Existing Checkout or Signup Forms

If you've got an online shop, try to maximize the use of your current forms for signing up and checking out. They're already on your website and giving you information -- why not use that to get more subscribers?

A simple checkbox at the end of the form that customers can check if they want to be signed up to your SMS subscriber list is all it takes.

Get Opt-Ins from Previously Collected Phone Numbers

Don't forget that you probably already have a number of previously collected phone numbers from past orders and customers. While you cannot immediately sign them up to your new SMS subscriber list, you can send them a one-time message inviting them to opt in.

Make sure you explain why you're contacting them now, and how they can continue to hear from you if they wish. You can use keyword opt-ins for this as well. For example:

You gave us your number for an order before.
We started sending exclusives to SMS
subscribers recently, do you want to hear
about them? Reply Y or N

Promote on Packaging and Receipts

Don't underestimate how effective printing your SMS subscriber list call to action on your product packaging and receipts.

It's something you have great control over, so why not maximize that space that your customers can see? Check out Papa John's invitation for reviews via mobile:

Source: https://mobilemarketingmagazine.com/papa-johns-brings-customer-feedback-to-pizza-boxes-with-sms-and-qr-codes/

Combine Facebook Ads and a Chatbot with Automatic SMS Opt-In

Everyone's on Facebook, and Facebook Ads can be a great way to extend reach. Facebook Click-to-Messenger Ads can send your ad's viewers directly to Messenger to chat with you, which is an added touch of intimacy with your potential customer.

You can then use a Messenger chatbot to have an interactive conversation with your customer, and sign them up to your SMS subscriber list during their conversation.

Get Started Now

SMS may be a little more traditional than your usual marketing channels, but handled correctly, your subscribers may become one of your most loyal and active customers. But your subscriber list won't grow without some work.

Take your pick, or use all of them:

Promise and deliver VIP treatment.
Reward subscribers upon signup.
Start a referral program.
Use existing checkout or signup forms.
Get opt-ins from previously collected phone numbers.
Promote on packaging and receipts.
Combine Facebook Ads and a chatbot with automatic SMS opt-in.

You can get started with your SMS subscriber list anytime. But the longer you wait, the longer before you can harvest the great returns a great marketing strategy can give you.

Great Ways to Use SMS in 2020

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 09:00:36 +0800

SMS is a great channel when you want to reach your customers. Everyone who has a mobile phone (159% here in the Philippines--many own two!) have access to SMS, while only 86% have data connectivity.

Plus, SMS has high open rates -- anywhere from 82.1% to 98%, in fact. Many people have notifications set up for SMS, because they typically expect important information and updates to come through via SMS. Even better, 90% of SMS messages received are read within 3 minutes. Compare that to email that has only a 15-20% open rate!

SMS is not dead. It just needs to be used wisely and effectively to make sure people don't send UNSUB when you start sending your campaign texts.

We've got some interesting ideas you might want to use for your next campaign.

Offer Time-sensitive Mobile Exclusives

Everyone wants a good deal, and the people who have signed up for your mobile subscriber list are no different. Better yet, you need to give them a really good reason to stay and keep opening those texts you send them.

How?

Send them irresistible, time-sensitive exclusives via SMS. Perhaps hold a flash sale until 5pm with a valuable freebie or significant discount. Limited editions with limited stock are great incentives for people to order quickly and via SMS.

Make sure they see the urgency in your SMS copy: if they don't act now, the chance to snag a great deal is gone.

Raise Convenience by Offering Quick Order Features

If your business is one that customers typically return to order the same things, giving your customers the power to quickly order something via SMS is a great idea.

In the US, Domino's Anyware initiative allows patrons to order pizza just by texting a Pizza emoji. It’s a great initiative and one that you can do locally.

Own a coffee shop with regulars coming in every day to order? Let them quickly send a text message to alert you they’re coming in, and they can get their coffee fix as soon as they come in.

Do you sell specific grocery staples that need regular replenishment? Let your suki drop you a quick emoji and they get their staples delivered to them instantly.

Ask Receivers to Present OTP for Security

Ecommerce is all the rage these days. Everyone is buying things online and getting their goods delivered straight to their doors. At the same time, many are still hesitant and wary about online shopping for fear of losing their purchased goods.

Take a leaf from local courier Gogo Express. Recipients are required to provide an OTP code to receive their parcels -- ensuring that the parcels are released to the right people. This not only ensures where parcels go, but also gives people peace of mind when it comes to sending or receiving their items.

For the best online ordering flows, asking customers to confirm their contact details via OTP is a great way to signal that you’re serious about giving them the service they deserve.

Hold Exciting Competitions

Holding a contest in your SMS subscriber list can raise engagement and tell your subscribers the value of keeping an eye out on your messages. Similar to giving them mobile exclusives, holding these contests must be time-sensitive.

It’s also best to encourage them to respond to your SMS messages to participate, rather than visit a separate webpage -- remember, many may not have access to data when they get your message.

Provide Order Confirmations and Reminders

Giving your customers peace of mind when they order or set up an appointment with you is a no-brainer. SMS is a classic avenue for that, and with its high open and read rates, cannot be left off this list.

Whether you confirm orders or ask them to provide an OTP to confirm their mobile number, the acknowledgement that you have received their order and are working on it will give them peace of mind and raise their anticipation for their order.

Conclusion

It’s important to retain the trust of your subscribers when dealing with your SMS campaigns. Massive text blasts should be a thing of the past--don’t alienate them by sending inappropriate offers and messages.

If they see that your text messages are of good value to them, they’ll stay on and look forward to hearing from you. An engaged list can do wonders for your business--take care of them, and they’ll take care of you.