Are you ready to dominate SMS marketing in 2024?
Get ready & brush up to upgrade your SMS marketing strategies! It’s time to 20X your SMS marketing revenue.
SMS marketing has become a powerful tool for e-commerce brands looking to connect with their customers and increase sales.
With an astonishing open rate of 98%, SMS marketing boasts one of the highest engagement rates among all marketing channels.
However, to harness its full potential, it’s crucial to navigate the complex landscape of SMS marketing regulations and adopt a strategic approach.
In this article, I’ll break down the entire SMS marketing framework for 2024 into three easy-to-follow steps.
- Compliance & List building
- SMS Automations
- SMS Campaigns
By the end, you’ll be well-equipped to generate a remarkable 27X return on your investment.
So, let’s dive into the world of SMS marketing and explore the key strategies that will set you apart from the competition.
#1 Compliance & List Building
Compliance is the foundation of any successful SMS marketing strategy. Without proper consent from users, you risk hefty fines.
Depending on your region, you must adhere to specific regulatory requirements.
Two major frameworks to consider are:
- TCPA/CTIA for the US market
- GDPR for the UK/Europe market
Your SMS marketing tool should offer guidance and support for compliance, ensuring you meet all legal requirements.
Steps To achieve SMS compliance:
Step 1 – Setup your sending numbers
Step 2– Update terms of service
Step 3– Update forms with the required language (Including the checkout page).
Always remember your SMS marketing tool should take care of compliance and must have set up guidelines for your business.
Building your SMS list is the next crucial step. Just like collecting email addresses, you’ll need to gather mobile numbers from both new and existing users.
Here’s how:
- Text to Subscribe– Create a unique code, like “JOIN,” and encourage users to text it to a dedicated number to opt-in.
- Pop-ups on the Website– Incorporate mobile number collection into your website’s welcome pop-up, encouraging both new and existing users to share their mobile numbers.
- Using Existing Channels– Leverage pre-existing touchpoints like checkout pages, delivery packages, or email subscribers to expand your SMS list.
SMS Automations
SMS automations work similarly to email automations and play a critical role in maintaining customer engagement.
Here are five essential SMS automation flows:
Welcome Flow
The welcome flow is to onboard new users with a personalized touch.
It involves sending customized SMS updates, including a welcome offer coupon code and suggestions on new arrivals.
This warm welcome not only makes users feel valued but also encourages them to engage with your brand, ultimately boosting customer loyalty and sales.
The messaging sequence in the SMS welcome flow should be like
#1 Welcome Aboard!
#2 Shop The Latest Trends
#3 Shop Before Your Offer Expires
Also, Don’t forget to use a virtual contact card in your welcome flow.
Sending the virtual card helps your audience save your ecommerce brand so that your SMS doesn’t fall into the spam folder of your audience.
Cart Abandonment Flow
In the cart abandonment flow, target customers who have shown interest in a product by adding it to their cart but still need to complete the checkout process.
These automated text messages remind potential buyers of their selections, encouraging them to return and finalize their purchase.
Thus reducing cart abandonment rates and increasing conversion rates.
The messaging sequence in the cart abandonment flow should be like
#1 Left Something In Your Cart
#2 Your Cart Will Expire Soon
#3 Don’t Miss These
Browse Abandonment Flow
Here, the browse abandonment flow aims to re-engage potential customers who previously browsed your products without making a purchase.
By sending text messages to those target audiences, like suggesting similar products, and encouraging them to return and complete a purchase.
This strategy helps recover potentially lost sales and improves the overall conversion rate.
The messaging sequence in the browse abandonment flow should be like
#1 Looking for something
#2 You will like these!
#3 Don’t miss out!
Post-Purchase Review Replenishment Flow
Post-purchase review replenishment flow is an automated sequence triggered after a customer places an order.
It begins by expressing gratitude for their purchase, for example, a “thank you text message” and then prompts them to leave a review.
Additionally, it offers related products for cross-selling.
This flow not only enhances customer engagement but also drives post-purchase reviews and can lead to increased sales through cross-selling opportunities.
The messaging sequence in the post-purchase review replenishment flow should be like
#1 Thank You
#2 Leave us a review.
#3 You might also like
Winback Flow
the SMS winback flow targets customers who made a purchase in the past but haven’t bought anything recently.
It aims to re-engage them by offering a survey to gather feedback, providing a tempting discount to entice them back, and showcasing new arrivals.
By doing so, it encourages lapsed customers to return, make another purchase, and share their insights, revitalizing their connection with the brand.
The messaging sequence in the post-purchase review replenishment flow should be like
#1 We miss you
#2 New arrivals since you last visited
#3 Tell us your feedback
Now since you have all your SMS automation flow sorted! We’ll now move to our third step!
#3 SMS Campaigns
Running SMS campaigns is an effective way to communicate time-sensitive information and boost sales.
They excel at delivering urgent offers and reminding customers of important events or appointments.
Announcing new arrivals in your product lineup, notifying customers when previously out-of-stock items are available again, and alerting them to price drops and special deals.
SMS campaigns stand out and promptly engage, serving as a versatile tool for increased conversions.
Take a look at some of the popular SMS campaigns that every e-commerce brand must roll out:
New Launch Campaigns
These new launch campaigns play a pivotal role in revenue generation within SMS marketing.
They create anticipation and excitement around fresh products or services, drawing the attention of your audience.
By notifying subscribers about these launches via SMS, you not only pique their interest.
But also offer an opportunity to be among the first to access these offerings.
This sense of exclusivity can drive early sales, capitalize on the initial wave of enthusiasm, and boost overall revenue.
Making new launch campaigns a potent revenue-generating tool in SMS marketing.
Sale Offer & Reminder
These campaigns are revenue boosters in SMS marketing. They notify subscribers of ongoing or upcoming sales, discounts, and promotions.
These messages create a sense of urgency and encourage immediate action.
Subscribers are more likely to make a purchase when they know they’re getting a deal.
But remember to frame your message within 120 characters and include only one call to action.
Additionally, reminder campaigns prompt customers to return and complete their purchases, maximizing revenue by ensuring that potential sales aren’t missed.
Conversational SMS Campaigns
Conversational SMS campaigns are strong revenue drivers in SMS marketing.
They foster personal, one-on-one interactions with customers, building strong relationships.
By mimicking natural conversations, businesses can gather valuable insights, address individual needs, and provide tailored recommendations, thus enhancing the customer experience.
This personalized approach not only boosts loyalty but also results in increased sales as customers feel valued and more likely to make purchases.
2 Way-Communication SMS
The 2-way communication SMS allows businesses to interact with customers through automated messages at various touchpoints.
It’s instrumental in addressing objections.
Such as during cart abandonment, collecting product reviews post-purchase, and re-engaging inactive customers in winback campaigns.
This bi-directional approach fosters engagement, resolves concerns, and rekindles interest, resulting in improved customer relationships and potentially higher sales.
SMS vs MMS
One more thing, which is confusing in SMS marketing is using SMS vs MMS.
SMS (Short Message Service) is text-only, suitable for simple messages.
Whereas MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) allows the inclusion of multimedia elements like images, videos, and audio.
While SMS is cost-effective and works well for brief, text-based promotions.
MMS offers a more engaging, visually rich experience, making it ideal for showcasing products or events.
MMS, however, may incur higher costs as it uses more credits in tools like Klaviyo.
Exclusive Tips and Tactics for 2024
Here, I’ll be sharing 4 exclusive tips and tactics that will set your SMS marketing apart from your competitors in 2024
Personalization is Key
In 2024, take personalization to the next level. Use customer data to create hyper-personalized SMS messages that cater to individual preferences and behaviors.
Tailoring your offers and recommendations based on their past interactions can greatly enhance engagement and drive more conversions.
Interactive SMS
Move beyond one-way communication. Implement interactive SMS features, such as polls, surveys, and quizzes, to engage your audience.
This not only provides valuable insights but also makes the SMS experience more enjoyable and memorable.
Omnichannel Integration
Connect SMS marketing with your other marketing channels seamlessly. Use SMS to reinforce your email or social media campaigns, ensuring a consistent message across platforms.
A synchronized approach increases the chances of customers responding positively.
AI and Chatbots
Embrace artificial intelligence and chatbots in your SMS strategy.
These technologies can provide immediate responses to customer inquiries, offer 24/7 support, and guide customers through their journey.
Efficiency and convenience in SMS interactions can set you apart from competitors.
Conclusion
By adopting these strategies, your SMS marketing will be well-positioned to thrive in 2024, delivering better results and an enhanced customer experience.
With these tools and techniques in your arsenal, you can supercharge your SMS marketing game plan and realize exceptional returns on your investment.
Stay ahead in the SMS game and achieve unparalleled success in the world of e-commerce.