7 Tips to Kickstart Your SMS Marketing Program | Agital
Skip to Content

7 Tips to Kickstart Your SMS Marketing Program

According to Klaviyo, a leading SMS platform, 85% of customers prefer to communicate with their favorite brands via text. With people checking their phones more than 60 times per day, expanding your marketing to include SMS is an easy decision. However, there are some restrictions on SMS. That said, we compiled a list of tips to kickstart your SMS marketing program.

Before you invest in SMS as a marketing channel, check that your company and the corresponding messaging will not conflict with the SHAFT compliance. This means that your messaging cannot contain anything around sex, hate, alcohol, firearms, or tobacco. This is specifically monitored and enforced by CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association) and mobile carriers. All SMS platforms must abide by this and will not allow you to send messages that contain SHAFT content.

Here are 7 tips on how to get started with SMS marketing

  1. Get consent. You need the customer’s permission to text that person. The messaging must be clear about what they’re opting into, the types of messages they will receive, and how they can opt out. There are multiple ways to get consent, including:
    • Update your existing email marketing sign-up forms to allow your customers to opt in.
    • Collect SMS consent at checkout with an optional checkbox.
    • Include content encouraging SMS opt-ins in your email campaigns and automation flows.
  2. Avoid texting too early or too late. Send between 9 A.M. to 9 P.M. Be courteous and cognizant of time zones. If you send it in the middle of the night, you risk a negative user experience with your brand or even a spam complaint.
  3. Focus on your messaging. Always include a link to your site and a single call-to-action (CTA or C2A). Multiple CTAs will distract subscribers from taking the action you want them to take. Plus, it costs more to send more characters.
  4. Include the company name in all texts. This is so the subscriber always knows who the sender is.
  5. Keep your content time-sensitive. This is extra important with SMS as people will interact with your message almost immediately. SMS is a great way to communicate things like flash sales or back-in-stock products.
  6. Choose from toll-free numbers, a short code, or a vanity short code for your sending number. Keep in mind that there may be a cost associated with the option you pick.
  7. Experiment with MMS by adding a picture or a GIF. This will help you engage with your customers and keep your messaging fresh and exciting.

Next steps for kickstarting your SMS marketing program

SMS should complement, not replace, your email marketing strategy. It is meant to be focused, timely messaging to your customers. You will want to layer it in to complement your overall marketing strategy. Not sure how?

Contact us
subscribe

Subscribe to the marketing revolution.