SMS: An effective medium to connect with customers

The communication channel of SMS is the most widespread medium to connect with the audience. With a 98% open rate and 83% of the opening within 3 minutes of receiving SMS, it is way ahead in terms of reaching out to the masses than other mediums. 

Thus we must ensure that the content we send via SMS has to be engaging for the customer which would help us in getting new conversions and retaining old clientele.

Being in the business, one cannot afford to lag behind believing any kinds of myths. To find a new way forward and survive the tough competition of the market, we need to constantly innovate new ideas and leave every inhibition and presumption. 

When used optimally, SMS marketing plays a crucial role in creating a long-lasting impact on the customers. 

But, SMS marketing is often mistaken, courtesy to the lots of misconceptions. This has hindered the optimum usage of this effective communication channel in many direct and indirect ways. Due to these inhibitions, most of the people are not able to create the impact in the market as they fail to engage the audience.

Busting myths and finding the reality

If you are doing the same mistake by believing any of these myths regarding SMS marketing, then you need to check the facts and know the reality:

1. SMS for marketing cannot be personalized

Myth: The most common misconception among people is that marketing SMS fails to create a personalized effect. 

Truth: On the contrary, SMS could be very well personalized, all you need is a little data from your databases. You could personalize the SMS based on the demographic data, behavioral preferences, important dates such as birthdays and anniversaries. 

Let’s see an example how you can personalize marketing SMS for your customers based on their preferences by using the sales history database. Now with the help of Artificial Intelligence and APIs (Application Programming Interface), you can automate this process. 

Here the user gets personal messages based on the user-specific events and their preferences automated by APIs. 

2. SMS marketing is expensive

Myth: Now, this is another big myth that SMS marketing is expensive. 

Truth: But the truth is with SMS APIs and Gateway service providers, you can send bulk SMS at a cost-effective price of Rs. 0.18 per SMS. Here you get customer support, add-on plugins and a lot more features at such a low price. 

3. Marketing SMS are unwanted

Myth: Another common presumption says that customers do not want marketing SMS. 

Truth: But this is not true. As per the customer behaviour studies, customers expect to be informed from time to time and feel connected to the brand when updated at regular intervals. 

Customers are given the option to stop the SMS notifications, which they do not prefer in most of the cases.

4. SMS marketing is a one-way communication

Myth: Marketing via SMS is not a one-way communication, as it is often presumed. 

Truth: It can be a two-way communication to get user inputs such as preferences for better engagement and lead conversions. 

A user can be given available options out of which they can choose one by sending the apt reply such as in the following case. 

5. SMS marketing requires lots of time and efforts

Myth: A lot has evolved in the SMS marketing and it does not require lots of time and efforts as it is often presumed. 

Truth: With APIs and plugins, you can send messages to mass recipients with just a click. Messages are now automatically triggered by used events as they are now integrated with Apps and websites.

6. SMS marketing works for limited sectors of businesses

Myth: SMS is certainly not limited to certain sectors of businesses. 

Truth: SMS gateways are used effectively by almost all sectors, be it a startup or a corporate, everyone connects with their customers via SMS. 

The content of the SMS might vary as per the use case but it never fails in any of the sectors which aim to create a better communication with their customers. 

7. SMS are conventional with limited use

Myth: Thinking of SMS as conventional with limited use is a big misconception. 

Truth: In fact, SMS successfully serves a variety of use cases. 

Right from sending OTPs (One time Password) and Verification codes to ensure two-factor authentication (2FA) to updates on orders, reminders, scheduling of appointments, and lot more.

SMS beyond myths: An effective medium of mass customer communication 

By busting the above myths we can find a lot more scope for improving the SMS marketing. This will not only assist you in getting more conversions but would also help you retain your present clientele by building up a strong rapport with them. 

Once you get the right placement of SMS with different cases across the business cycle, you would get a lot ahead in marketing. All you need is innovation! 

If you have such innovative SMS marketing ideas feel free to share and connect!