SMS Marketing | Text Message Marketing for Bulk SMS

Published 28 July 2024

sms marketing / text marketing for bulk sms

Table of contents

SMS campaigns have a 98% open rate, significantly higher than other messaging platforms like Email, which has only a 37% open rate. It also has a 10.66% click-through rate, meaning more people open SMSes and have a better chance of clicking a link after seeing it in SMS. SMS marketing delivers your business agenda to numerous prospects in a short and easy-to-read format.

In 2003, short SMS codes (5 or 6-digit phone numbers) were introduced for businesses to send bulk messages. Unlike group texting, bulk texting lets you privately engage with the recipient without revealing any information about the other recipients. Several software applications and marketing platforms, such as Calilio, Simpletexting LL, and Trumpia, offer bulk SMS service.

With the introduction of short SMS codes, the concept of SMS marketing got attention from the public. In 2005, brands like Nike and Pontiac launched SMS campaigns like Nike’s “Build Your Own Nike Shoe” campaign and the Pontiac G6 model giveaway.

What is SMS Marketing?

SMS marketing, or text message marketing, is a business promotional approach that uses SMS (Short Message Service) for advertising and information. It’s considered one of the most cost-effective ways businesses engage with customers and prospects. In 2024, 80% of companies used SMS marketing for brand awareness, sales, and surveys.

Why Use Sms Marketing for Your Business?

Over the years, with technological advancement, SMS has adapted itself to the marketing trends and given companies results. SMS messaging is accessible and offers many features, making it ideal for efficiently reaching broader clients.

Versatile

Despite its character limitation of 160 7-bit characters, SMS can be precise enough to cater to diverse business goals such as:

Appointment rescheduling,
Flash sales, exclusive discounts, and giveaways information
Reminders,
Order confirmations
Shipping updates,
Tech support,
Customer feedback and surveys,
Cancellation confirmations.

Customizable

You can customize SMS to create engaging messages mentioning customer names, order details, and wishing birthdays. Sending customized text messages makes your customers feel valued and taken care of. SMS message marketing strengthens customer relationships, builds brand reputation, and increases customer retention.

Cost-Effective

SMS marketing is relatively affordable compared to traditional handouts and billboards. The chosen SMS service provider, message quantity, and use of features generally decide the cost of any text marketing campaign. You typically have to pay per message, and the pay rate ranges from USD 0.25 to 0.50 cents.

Easily Noticeable

80.5% of people check their SMS notifications within the first five minutes. With most people accessing their SMS inbox, your messages will likely be seen and read. SMS messages are read within three minutes of delivery, ensuring the messages reach the targeted audience and showing the effectiveness of SMS marketing.

Higher Open Rate

A higher open rate means more reach and awareness of your marketing campaign. With 91% of consumers willing to sign up from text messages, businesses can utilize SMS to convert prospects into clients quickly. SMS operates using mobile carriers, which are omnipresent; thus, SMS is also accessible to a larger group of people.

Boost Brand Awareness

SMS marketing increases brand awareness with consistent, personalized, and professional messages. It helps you maintain your brand voice and identity and foster consumer trust and loyalty. Moreover, it increases the chance of your existing customers to promote and recommend your product or service to their circle.

Is SMS Marketing Illegal?

One must comply with the regulatory standards for legal texting and calling for business purposes. Three significant institutions control several SMS messaging laws: the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Businesses must follow the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act (CAN-SPAM Act) to conduct SMS marketing. Contrary to other advertising methods, such as Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, billboard commercials, and sponsored messages, mass SMSes require customers’ consent. Without customers’ permission, sending mass/bulk SMS is illegal and disobeys the TCPA.

A few essential measures you must take while approaching people using SMS marketing are:

To receive recipients’ permission to send them SMS messages.
Provide recipients the option to opt out of your messaging list.
Send SMS messages only between the given timeframe (which differs from one state to another), generally 8 AM to 9 PM.

Besides, you must also take care of all your phone carrier’s regulations and restrictions to conduct SMS marketing to avoid future hardships.

Dos and Don’ts of Text Message Marketing

Do's	Don’t
Because there is a charter limit, write action-oriented text messages.	Unprofessionalism and frequent messaging.
Use attention-grabbing words and keep your messages short and simple.	Unnecessary use of abbreviations and slang hampering clarity.
Only send important messages like information, discounts, and offers.	Always sending marketing-saturated SMSes with selling intentions.
Text as per the time zone of target customers to increase visibility.	Texting people on the ‘do not call registry’ and disobeying TCPA.

Choose Bulk SMS Service from Calilio

SMS marketing gives your business a better ROI. A business can use such marketing data to better understand its customers’ preferences, evaluate marketing output, and develop better marketing strategies for the future.

Bulk SMS campaigns enable businesses to approach more people inexpensively in a limited time. Calilio provides Bulk SMS services by utilizing your contact list and launching targeted message campaigns. Our contact center software helps you manage and track your SMS marketing efforts to ensure high engagement rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SMS good for marketing?

SMS marketing is highly effective due to its high open rates, immediacy, and direct customer reach. It’s an excellent tool for businesses to engage customers and drive conversions.

Is SMS marketing legal?

SMS marketing is legal, but businesses must comply with regulations like the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the CAN-SPAM Act, which require obtaining consent and providing opt-out options.

What are the types of SMS marketing?

There are 5 common types of SMS marketing:

Promotional SMS
Transactional SMS
SMS Surveys
Reminder Messages
Customer Service Messages

What is required in SMS marketing?

You need consent from recipients, a clear opt-out mechanism, a compelling message, and compliance with legal regulations.

How successful is text message marketing?

Text message marketing is very successful, with high open rates (98%) and click-through rates (10.66%). It’s a valuable channel for customer engagement and conversions.

How do you write a marketing text message?

Write concise, clear, and action-oriented messages to create a marketing text message. Personalize the message, use compelling language, include a clear call to action, and ensure compliance with legal requirements.