SMS Marketing: what is it and how do you use it? by Isa Leeflang

Whether you're a newcomer to SMS marketing or teetering on the edge of diving in, understanding the landscape is key. On one hand, SMS boasts undeniable advantages—its wide reach, simplicity, and directness ensure your messages cut through the noise, reaching your audience wherever they may be. And with an impressive open rate of 98%, your brand messages are bound to make an impact.

But as with any marketing strategy, there are considerations to keep in mind. SMS has limitations, such as word count restrictions and potential cost factors, especially compared to alternatives like WhatsApp. 

With the right knowledge and tools, such as Klaviyo SMS, you can overcome these challenges and use the power of SMS marketing to its fullest potential. So, before you take the plunge, read along for insights and resources to make the most informed decision for your business. 

Keep these basics in mind when you decide to go for SMS marketing;  building your SMS subscriber list is crucial, but remember to do it right. Offer exclusive deals or early access to get subscriptions, and always obtain explicit consent before adding anyone to your SMS list. Once you've got your audience onboard, craft engaging welcome messages to make a memorable first impression. And don't forget to keep growing your list and optimizing your campaigns for maximum impact. With Klaviyo SMS, it's all about quality over quantity!

Let's explore the different types of SMS marketing. From promotional blasts to transactional updates and even two-way conversations, understanding the landscape of SMS marketing is essential for crafting targeted campaigns that resonate with your audience. 

• Promotional SMS marketing: Alerts customers to deals and sales, and works to build brand loyalty.
  
  
• Transactional SMS marketing: Keeps customers informed about their order status with messages like order confirmations, shipping confirmations, and delivery confirmations.
  
  
• Two-way SMS marketing: Typically used for support services in which customers and a support agent can have an active SMS conversation.

There's one crucial thing to keep in mind: consent. SMS marketing operates within stringent regulatory frameworks, so it's essential to obtain explicit consent from your audience before sending any messages. Fortunately, there are plenty of creative ways to do this, from targeted popups and checkout processes to email campaigns and social media ads. By prioritizing compliance and transparency, you ensure a lawful and respectful approach to audience engagement.

Now, let's talk about the fun stuff—how you can actually use Klaviyo SMS to drive results for your business. Check out these six example use cases:

1. Promote product launches, sales, and discounts: 
Text messages are the perfect platform for announcing exciting news like product launches, sales, and discounts. With people checking their texts more frequently than their emails, delivering these updates via SMS ensures your subscribers are in the know and ready to make a purchase in a snap. Klaviyo's latest benchmarks prove it: SMS campaigns drive over 5.6x higher click rates and 1.4x higher conversion rates than email campaigns.

2. Bring abandoners back to their shopping sessions: 
Visitors who browse your site multiple times or add items to their carts but don't complete the purchase are prime candidates for a gentle nudge. SMS carts and browse abandonment flows can help these potential customers take the right steps to order. By combining SMS elements with email flows, you can further boost conversion rates and find the sweet spot where text messages outperform emails through A/B testing.

4. Nurture post-purchase customer relationships: 
Post-purchase follow-ups are the perfect opportunity to deepen your relationship with customers. Whether providing personalized product recommendations or simply engaging in a friendly chat, SMS allows you to interact with customers in a fun and meaningful way. From requesting feedback to sharing tips and tutorials, the possibilities are endless for creating a community around your brand. It is also possible to send VIP status or loyalty point reminders via SMS.

5. Re-engage your best customers: 
Make your best customers feel truly special by offering them early access to sales and promotions via SMS. By providing exclusive perks and privileges, you'll not only keep them engaged but also foster a sense of loyalty and belonging. Whether it's a sneak peek at a new product or a special discount, these small gestures go a long way in building lasting relationships and that’s exactly what you should want!

With higher click and conversion rates than email campaigns, SMS is your secret weapon for driving engagement and boosting sales. So why wait? Get in touch if you would like to receive more information.