SMS Marketing: 7 Tips to Increase Open Rates and Engagement

Did you know that 98% of text messages are open and most are read within just three minutes of receipt? We have all experienced where email often goes on read and social media algorithms hide your post, which is why SMS marketing has emerged as a powerhouse for contacting the customer directly. It is not just effective, it is immediate and personal.

But what businesses forget is, it is not about simply sending out text, which does not even captivate your audience, to truly make an impact you need to try and craft a message that will not only get open but also inspire your customers to take action. 

Wondering how? 

Do not worry about it,  we have got you covered. In this guide, we will share 7 actionable tips on how to improve your SMS Marketing open rates and build a genuine engagement with your customer.

Are you excited to change the way you do SMS marketing? Let’s get down to business and explore ways that will appeal to your audience and generate results.

7 Tips to Increase SMS Marketing Open Rates and Engagement

1. Start building a high-quality subscriber list in SMS Marketing 

There are many ways to achieve an open rate of 90%  for an SMS marketing campaign, but it is futile without a good subscriber base. Having a strong subscriber base and building and maintaining the subscriber list is important. However, it is about something other than the number. The quality matters more.

For the subscriber list you are building, it is important that you get consent before sending any kind of message and provide a reason for the customer to join the list. 

Make it worth the trouble for people to be added to your list. Provide discounts, first offer on new launches or special invites to events. When customers see tangible benefits, they are more likely to opt. 

You should not limit your opportunities just to one platform, promote your brand to multiple channels. Use your website, social media profile, email newsletter, and even in-store signage to spread the word, the more touchpoints you have the larger and more diverse, your subscriber list will become. 

Why does this matter?

This ensures that the recipients of your messages are customers or people who are interested in what you are offering. This will lead to a higher rate and better engagement, laying down the foundation for a successful campaign. 

2. Personalize your message 

Consumers are bombarded with generic SMS marketing, so what makes you unique?

Personalization. 

Starting a message with the customer’s name can immediately grab their attention and add a personal touch. It is a very simple step, but that can significantly increase your SMS marketing engagement

Next, segment. your audience, not all customers want to see the same messages. Segment your audience based on various segmentation factors such as demographics, purchase history, and browsing behavior, this allows you to send them more relevant messages and timely messages. 

One of the most important facts when personalizing your messages in SMS marketing is Customization, make sure the promotion you are giving out to customers matches the interest of each segment. 

For example, if a group of customers frequently purchase a particular product, send them exclusive deals related to that item.

The impact

According to studies, personal messages can increase your conversion rate by as much as 56%. When customers feel that they are acknowledged and valued, they are more likely to form a deeper connection with your brand.

3. Perfect your timing 

Timing can make or break your SMS marketing efforts, so generally, the best response for sending your SMS marketing campaign is found to be between 10 AM to 8 PM. 

Please remember that the practice of sending messages too early or too late is usually unwell and can annoy your customer.

It is also important to consider the time zone of your customers, if your subscribers are spread across different geographical regions then you should divide your customers according to the time zone they are located in and that way no one has to worry about receiving messages at the odd time. 

But the most important part is having a balance, over messaging will lead to the audience being overwhelmed with too many messages, which can lead to missed opportunities. 

Why does timing matter?

SMS marketing messaging sent at the right time can increase engagement by up to 14%. When your message arrives at the right moment, when recipients are most receptive, they are more likely to take action. 

4. Create clear content to draw attention

You only have 160 characters in your SMS Marketing to communicate your message to customers, so it is important to keep your message content short, yet powerful. 

The powerful content has a clear call to action whether you want to communicate shop now, claim your discount or “RSVP” today. 

The direct CTA button can guide the customer toward the desired action. Remember, you have to keep your SMS short and limited, use the space wisely avoid unnecessary fluff, and make sure to use words that inspire action such as exclusive offer, limited time or offer valid for today only. Remember creating urgency can motivate immediate response.

Add personality

While it is understandable, that professionalism is important, however, don’t be afraid to inject a bit of your brand, personality, emojis or friendly tone, which can make your SMS more relatable, but use it wisely- maintain credibility. 

5. Integrate SMS Marketing with your omnichannel strategy

Connecting with your customers across multiple platforms is important as customers can be anywhere, so integrating your SMS marketing into your omni-marketing strategy will ensure that your customers have a consistent experience. 

No matter where your customers engage with you, make sure that there is consistency in the tone and the content of your brand across all channels, SMS email, social media, and others. 

You can also use SMS marketing to enhance your other campaigns like reminding your customer to check their emails for detailed information The important part is to synchronize the data and share insights across the platform for more effective and personalized SMS marketing. 

Why it matters?

This integrated approach of communication enhances your reach to your customers and reinforces your messages, which will help you achieve a higher overall engagement.

6 Use shortcuts and keywords

Simplifying the process is also very crucial. If you want to grow your subscriber list, use shortcuts and keywords. Make it easier for customers to subscribe and engage with your SMS marketing campaign. You can use simple and easy-to-remember words for opt-in like “JOIN” or “SALE”.

It is advisable that you promote your SMS everywhere, and display the shortcuts and keyboards across all marketing material to encourage signups. It is important that you build an automated response. Send them the immediate confirmation or welcome message as soon as they obtain using your shortcuts.

Why does this matter?

Simplify the opt-in process can remove all the hurdles from potential customer journeys and help you grow your list, organically. 

7 Keep track of your deliverability

Make sure your messages get to the right user and remove all inactive members to maintain a healthy sending reputation. Choose a reliable SMS service provider to improve reliability. Try to avoid words that are considered spam and practices that might be flagged as spam. 

Why does this matter?

A high delivery rate means that more people will like to see the messages which will directly impact the open rate engagement of your SMS marketing campaign. 

Conclusion

SMS marketing is a potent tool that, when used effectively, can significantly enhance your customer engagement and conversion rates. By building a high-quality subscriber list, personalizing your messages, perfecting your timing, crafting compelling content, using omnichannel strategy, simplifying processes with shortcuts, and continuously refining your strategy, you set your business up for success.

But you don’t have to navigate your SMS marketing journey alone. Contact us today. 

Happy reading, Happy learning😊

Read Also: Know how SMS Marketing works to grow your business

Written By – Alisha Limichana