RCS Messaging 101: Boost Your Marketing Outside of Text

RCS messaging is the new era of texting. With the widespread use and adaptation of RCS communication protocols by a Android and now iOS devices, you can now add a new dimension to your marketing efforts very easily.

Up until a few years back, communication with mobile phones was restricted to text messaging (SMS) with the use of some emojis, then came the third-party apps, which often raised security and message quality issues, and now finally we have a native smartphone app that is safe, secure, does not eat up the memory, and can transmit rich content with ease. 

With the use of RCS messaging, there has been a huge change in the marketing landscape for mobile engagement. The RCS chat window with its green and blue bubbles has given the companies a powerful tool to interact with consumers in an interactive way. Want to let a customer know that their order is on the way?

Read Also: What is RCS Messaging and its benefits? All you need to know in 2024

Rather than just sending simple messages like “package is shipped,” use RCS messaging to share a map of real time updates, a photo of the package, video, or voice instructions on how to assemble or use the product and let the customer give specific delivery instruction (e.g., “deliver after 4pm, please!).

The possibilities with RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging are limitless. Its enriched multimedia support, interactive buttons, and personalization options make it an indispensable tool in the hands of the marketers. RCS chat window can be used to 

• Share Surveys

• Get Feedbacks

• Ask for Assessments

• Change Bookings 

• Modify Reservations

• Share how-to Texts, Photos, and Videos

• Make a Purchase

• Make Reservations

• Update Privacy Settings

• Send Interactive Messages 

• See the Read Receipts 

And so much more without leaving the native application on the mobile. 

Here is how you can full leverage RCS messaging to get the maximum out of your marketing efforts:

Visual Storytelling with RCS Messaging Rich Media Support

Communicate your brand’s message with high resolution videos, photos, and GIFs. RCS messaging has enhanced multimedia support, allowing you to send visually appealing product photos, tutorials, brand stories, reviews, etc. 

You can also share high quality GIFs, voice messages, PDFs, etc. without any loss in quality. Also, you can create video previews and interactive carousels with multiple messages in a single message in RCS chat.  There is no character limit or size limit in RCS messaging. It helps capture the attention of the consumer in a way the plain text simply cannot and creates a unique brand identity. 

• Use the Interactive Elements for Enhanced Engagement 

Marketing is not just about delivering information; it is about stirring emotion and sparking action. The RCS chat window lets you embed multiple buttons to get immediate responses. These include 

Quick reply buttons: Multiple options like View Details, Learn More, Book Now, Claim Offer, Contact Us, etc. that guide the user through a pre-defined journey to enable the consumer to interact effortlessly and ease up the decision-making process. 

Call-to-action buttons: Simple, well-placed Call-to-action buttons named as Shop Now, Get Directions or View Details are a great way to direct the user towards the desired action seamlessly. The user can navigate the website, fill out a form, make a purchase, all from the RCS chat itself. 

Suggested Replies: The suggested replies feature of RCS messages helps provide quick responses with options to the customers, making your answers faster. This way, the consumer will feel that they are valued and builds trust in your brand. 

• Use verified branding to build trust 

When you use RCS business messaging for your company, you are sending more than just a text message; you are sharing a branded messaging experience. RCS features verified sender IDs so that the user gets to see the logos, colors, and names of the company with every message rather than a generic number.

The user knows that the message has come from a legitimate source and the conversation is secure. When designing your logo, be consistent with the colors and design to create a memorable experience for the users and keep your brand in the forefront of their minds. 

• Utilize the in-message shopping feature

RCS business messaging supports in-message purchasing, which means the customer can see the products, view details, initiate, and complete transactions without leaving the RCS chat window and with one simple click.

You can also customer RCS to send real time order updates and transaction receipts in real time and in the same thread. The entire process is quite streamlined and convenient for both the sender and the receiver, enhancing the user experience with your brand.

Use tailored RCS messaging to personalize at scale

Use the automation segmentation to tailor the RCS marketing content. You can keep the content dynamic by tailoring messages based on past interactions, browsing history, queries, etc. This feature is also useful in initiating two-way interactions, personalizing offers, sending reminders or cart abandonment notifications, bringing back the customers. and increase conversions.

Tailor your messages to address the user by their names to make personalization more personal! Read receipts will tell when your message was delivered and read. 

• Group messaging in RCS will take promotions up a notch

With RCS messaging, you can create customized groups to send messages on product availability, event promotions, event invites, webinars, reminders, directions, last minute details, and information. Groups are interactive chat rooms where members can see and reply to each other’s responses. This stimulates more conversation and increases participation rates.

You can get more out of the group chats by using the customization options, such as choosing your own colors, emojis, themes, and extra effects. Another benefit is that you can switch across devices and continue the same conversation without the consumer feeling you have deserted them. Use suggested replies, reminders, and automatic noise cancellation. 

• Give more in Customer Support

RCS can be integrated with automated responses to common questions and inquiries. You can also easily integrate with the chatbot for instant guidance and support. This reduces response time, and enhances satisfaction, and builds trust.

• Deeper Engagement Metrics

With the use of RCS, you will have much more robust data available for you, which will include metrics like read receipts, message delivery confirmations, interaction tracking, click through rates, and sentiment analysis. You will know how your message is doing and have a better understanding of the customer. This will help improve the customer retention rates greatly. 

RCS messaging can be seamlessly integrated with other marketing channels creating a seamless customer journey. And if the user does not have RCS enabled, there is always SMS as a fallback option as the message will still be delivered via SMS, ensuring all your marketing text messages are sent and received. RCS is as simple way to make your marketing strategy stand out and build lasting relationships with the customers. 

Read Also: From Text to Engagement: Why RCS Messaging is the Future

Written By – Amit Bhateja