1. Never inundate your opt-ins with too many messages.
The general rule with text message frequency is no more than 4 a month. Anything above this amount will become an annoyance and run the risk of your customers opting out.
2. Always give the customer the option to opt out at any time.
Customers should always feel that they are in control of the experience and can opt out at any time. For both ethical and brand protection reasons no promotional text message should ever be sent without the functionality for the recipient to call a halt to further texts.
3. Always include an offer.
People want to be a part of exclusive clubs that receive special offers and discounts; they don't want to have their phone cluttered up with junk texts. Keep offering them value and they will remain opted in and buying from you.
4. Never send out messages outside of business hours.
As a general rule text messages outside of business hours, when consumers are relaxing or with their family, will seem intrusive. In some instances this can be stretched to 7pm or 8pm but it's safest to stick to the rule. As discussed above don't ever give your customers a reason to opt out.
5. Personalize your messages and use humor where appropriate.
If your software allows and you have the data try and include your customers name in the text message. Consumers want to feel special and that you are taking the time out to talk to them personally and not just as part of a mass marketing exercise. Humor also works if it's appropriate to the brand, the campaign and the audience.
6. Always be aware of other marketing efforts.
SMS marketing will rarely, if ever, be the only marketing activity that is being utilized by a business or brand. When planning a SMS marketing campaign make sure you are aware of all other marketing efforts and link in where possible.
7. Speak with a consistent voice that reflects the qualities of your brand.
Don't confuse your audience and dilute the power of your brand by speaking with different voices across the various marketing and advertising channels. If your business has spent a lot of time in building a friendly and playful tone for your brand, keep to this tone in all communications including SMS.
The general rule with text message frequency is no more than 4 a month. Anything above this amount will become an annoyance and run the risk of your customers opting out.
2. Always give the customer the option to opt out at any time.
Customers should always feel that they are in control of the experience and can opt out at any time. For both ethical and brand protection reasons no promotional text message should ever be sent without the functionality for the recipient to call a halt to further texts.
3. Always include an offer.
People want to be a part of exclusive clubs that receive special offers and discounts; they don't want to have their phone cluttered up with junk texts. Keep offering them value and they will remain opted in and buying from you.
4. Never send out messages outside of business hours.
As a general rule text messages outside of business hours, when consumers are relaxing or with their family, will seem intrusive. In some instances this can be stretched to 7pm or 8pm but it's safest to stick to the rule. As discussed above don't ever give your customers a reason to opt out.
5. Personalize your messages and use humor where appropriate.
If your software allows and you have the data try and include your customers name in the text message. Consumers want to feel special and that you are taking the time out to talk to them personally and not just as part of a mass marketing exercise. Humor also works if it's appropriate to the brand, the campaign and the audience.
6. Always be aware of other marketing efforts.
SMS marketing will rarely, if ever, be the only marketing activity that is being utilized by a business or brand. When planning a SMS marketing campaign make sure you are aware of all other marketing efforts and link in where possible.
7. Speak with a consistent voice that reflects the qualities of your brand.
Don't confuse your audience and dilute the power of your brand by speaking with different voices across the various marketing and advertising channels. If your business has spent a lot of time in building a friendly and playful tone for your brand, keep to this tone in all communications including SMS.
8. Be relevant and respond to current and local events where possible.
Use current events like elections, sporting events, the weather and holidays as inspiration for SMS campaigns that will make you seem in touch with the locality and your customer's lives.
There is more to running a successful SMS marketing campaign than just these rules but it's certainly a great place to start from.
As one of Ireland's leading mobile marketing experts Brian has run hundreds of SMS marketing campaigns for many successful blue chip companies. He is also founder and MD of the text marketing company Text Republic.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=B._Stephenson
