How to Skyrocket Your Sales With Promotional SMS

It’s not hard to implement a marketing strategy that’ll make your audience act immediately.

You’ve just not used promotional SMS rightly.

An effective promotional text message can increase your conversions by over 300%. 

Although you can send a short text message in 30 seconds, your process will determine the campaign’s success or failure.

In this article, we’ll not just show how to get started with promotional SMS.

We’ll show you how some of the most successful global brands use SMS effectively. 

So that you too can benefit from promotional SMS marketing and be a global brand. 

So let’s begin!

What is promotional SMS? 

Promotional SMS are text messages sent to your customers, which consist of discount offers or flash sales alerts. It can also be an SMS that promotes your brand or service to your audience. 

Using text message promotions to engage your customers directly and more efficiently is a great way to generate their interest. 

The following example from Michaels is a promotional SMS containing a discount code to shop at their store.

Also Read: Promotional SMS Best Practices That Will Boost Your Sales and Revenue

Promotional SMS tips 

Use these tips to write the most effective promotional SMS.

1. First things first – introduce your business

You have a higher chance of keeping your customers attention and getting them to take action once you introduce your business properly. 

Here’s a good example of Reebok’s strategy of putting its name at the beginning of the promotional SMS and then continuing with the discount offer. 

2. A personal touch 

When it comes to SMS marketing, it is most effective to send out personalised texts since 98% of people open them when they see their name in the text. Therefore, a well-designed SMS campaign is bound to ensure your marketing efforts stand out from the competition.

It can be done by addressing your customer by name when sending promotional SMS messages. Personalised promotional texts can also be sent based on a customer’s previous order history and if they abandoned their cart. 

3. Motivate your employees to act 

Making your message urgent can subconsciously compel your audience to convert. Put words such as hurry, offer ends tonight, while supplies last, before time runs out, shop now, etc., in your business promotional messages.   

4. Be precise 

Make sure to write a concise yet compelling message. By doing so, your readers will be less burdened and more likely to engage with your content.

The key is to identify the pain point of your customers and address it concisely. In addition, knowing when to add the link to your business’s web page in the promotional text will convey your message more effectively.

5. Ensure the CTA is persuasive 

An effective call-to-action (CTA) increases the chances of converting your target audience. Your CTA should include a link that can direct them to where they can finish their buying process. 

Also Read: What is The Best Time to Send Promotional SMS in India? Get Experts’ Opinions

How do you write a marketing SMS?

Writing a marketing SMS that converts requires careful consideration of the content, structure, and language used.

 Here are some tips to help you create an effective and persuasive marketing SMS:

• Grab attention with a compelling opener: Start your SMS with an attention-grabbing statement or question to immediately capture the recipient’s interest. Make it clear that your message offers something valuable or solves a problem.
• Keep it concise and to the point: SMS messages have character limits, so it’s important to be concise. Get your message across in a clear and succinct manner. Focus on the most important information and avoid unnecessary details.
• Personalise the message: Whenever possible, personalise the SMS by addressing the recipient by name. This creates a sense of connection and makes the message feel more relevant to the individual.
• Highlight the benefits: Clearly communicate the benefits or value proposition of your product, service, or promotion. Explain how it can help the recipient or improve their life in some way. Use persuasive language and focus on the advantages they will gain.
• Create a sense of urgency: Incorporate time-limited offers or limited stock availability to create a sense of urgency. Encourage the recipient to take immediate action to avoid missing out on the opportunity.
• Use a clear call-to-action (CTA): Clearly state what action you want the recipient to take and make it easy for them to do so. Whether it’s visiting a website, making a purchase, or signing up for a service, provide a clear and concise CTA that prompts them to take the desired action.
• Provide contact information: Include relevant contact information such as a phone number, website URL, or email address where recipients can reach out for further information or assistance. Make it easy for them to get in touch if they have questions or need more details.
• Test and optimise: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different variations of your SMS messages. Test different CTAs, wording, and offers to see which ones generate the best response rates. Continually analyse and optimise your messages based on the data you gather.

Remember to comply with local regulations and obtain proper consent from recipients before sending marketing SMS messages. Additionally, always provide an opt-out option for recipients who no longer wish to receive your messages.

What are the benefits of promotional texts?

An SMS marketing message is a cost-effective way to advertise businesses of all types. It also keeps customers informed about sales, promotions, and special offers by your business that they might find useful. 

Promo texts for businesses ensure delivery and you can also see whether customers are responding to your promotional offers. 

There are also other benefits to promotional bulk SMS such as:

• You can reach your audience directly and immediately.
• The use of shortcodes simplifies response time and helps you build your database
• By sending bulk promotional SMS, you can reach a large number of customers.
• The advantage of using promotional SMS is that it is flexible, easy, and low-cost.
• Data from customer responses allows you to track, monitor, and improve your campaigns. 

What’s the best way to start sending promotional SMS?

The best way to start sending promotional SMS is through an SMS plugin or web platform.

Here are some easy steps to get started with an SMS API:

Step # 1 – Sign up

Use your Google, Facebook, or email credentials to sign up on SMSCountry.

Step # 2 – Import contacts to send promotional SMS

Ensure that customer contact information such as names, phone numbers, email addresses, and more are kept up-to-date in SMSCountry’s Contact Manager.

Step # 3 – Get permission and comply with national, international, and local laws

The opt-in and opt-out keyword tool with an audit trail allows you to get, remove, and renew consent from customers via SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook, and more. You can use the registered content templates whenever you wish as well.

Step # 4 – Run campaigns 

Schedule and set up message campaigns. Promote campaign pages with short URLs. Monitor delivery, views, and responses.

Watch this video: How to send your first SMS marketing campaign on SMSCountry

How do you attract customers through messages?

Attracting customers via SMS requires you to effectively grab the attention of your target audience and drive them towards action.

Here are some key strategies you can employ to attract customers via SMS.

1. Build an opt-in subscriber list

Get permission from customers to receive SMS messages. Offer opt-in opportunities on your website, social media, or during in-store interactions. This ensures your messages reach an engaged audience.

2. Craft compelling and personalised messages

Craft concise and impactful messages. Personalise by addressing recipients by name whenever possible. Tailor content to their preferences or past interactions with your business.

3. Time your SMS campaigns strategically

Send messages at optimal times when your target audience is receptive. Avoid late hours or early mornings. Test different days and times to determine patterns that generate high response rates.

4. Provide exclusive offers or incentives

 Reward customer loyalty by offering exclusive discounts, promotions, or incentives through SMS. Create a sense of urgency and exclusivity to drive customer engagement.

How do you grow an SMS marketing list?

Want to expand your SMS marketing list and reach a wider audience? Discover seven proven strategies to attract more subscribers and build a valuable SMS database for successful campaigns.

1. Optimise your website

Place eye-catching subscription forms on high-traffic pages, clearly stating the benefits of subscribing. Offer exclusive content or discounts to entice visitors to sign up.

2. Run targeted social media campaigns

 Create compelling ads, run contests, and provide incentives to encourage social media followers to subscribe. Direct them to a dedicated landing page for easy opt-ins.

3. Utilise offline touchpoints

 Include SMS opt-in information on business cards, flyers, and receipts. Promote exclusive event invites or special promotions to capture the interest of physical store visitors.

4. Implement lead generation campaigns

Offer gated content in exchange for contact details, including mobile numbers. Emphasize the benefits of SMS updates alongside the content offer.

5. Leverage email marketing integration

Promote your SMS list to your email subscribers. Send targeted campaigns highlighting the added value of joining your SMS updates.

6. Use SMS keyword campaigns

Encourage opt-ins by promoting specific keywords and shortcodes across channels. Simplify the process with messages like “Text JOIN to 12345 for exclusive SMS offers.”

7. Provide valuable and exclusive content

Offer early access to sales, VIP promotions, and limited-time offers exclusively through SMS. Create a sense of exclusivity and desirability to attract more subscribers.

Effective promotional SMS messages examples to boost your campaign

1. Customer loyalty offer 

You see in the image below how Thread Wallets handle customer loyalty programs. They hint at the opportunity for customers to earn rewards with each purchase.

2. Welcome SMS 

Here’s an example of GhostBed using the welcome SMS to share a discount code with their customers to strengthen the brand’s relationship with them. 

3. New product promotion 

This is how Negative Apparel promotes its new product launch. You can use the following example for your new product launch as well. 

4. Happy birthday coupon 

Make your customers’ special day even more special by surprising them with a discount code. 

See the example:

Ready to promote your business with SMS marketing?

Now you know how to send your customers promotional SMS excellently to inform them about sales, discount codes, and upcoming products.

The next step is to find the best bulk SMS provider in the market and put your knowledge into practice. 

We recommend SMSCountry because SMSCountry is simple, fast, and integrable.

You can even use SMSCountry to automate your marketing campaigns by scheduling SMSes up to a year in advance.

So what are you waiting for? 

Contact us today with any bulk SMS-related query. 

Request a demo or sign up and get free SMS credits to test our platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you start a professional SMS?

The best way to start a professional SMS is a personalised greeting to the user. Introduce yourself as you would in person. Two common ways to do this are by saying “Hey [First Name]

“Hi [First Name]”.

How do I send bulk SMS for marketing?

To send bulk SMS, you need to sign up to an SMS provider, a contact list and SMS copy. You can personalise your SMS by name, interests and demographics and deliver at once to your audience.

Is SMS Marketing expensive?

SMS Marketing is not expensive when you consider the ROI it delivers. On average, businesses get a 3X ROI on every SMS that they send. That makes SMS marketing a no-brainer option to consider. Because, what you spend, you’ll be able to get a higher return on it.

How do I start an SMS marketing campaign?

Here is what you need to do:

• Define the goals you want the campaign to achieve and the audience you want to reach.
• Choose a reliable SMS marketing platform. 
• Build a contact list and obtain due consent from the recipients.
• Create a compelling message.
• Test the message and optimise it before you schedule it for sending.
• Once sent, track and analyse the results and conversions.

How do I write SMS content?

Writing SMS content is an art, and it can take a few errors to get right. Don’t lose hope if you don’t get the right result immediately. Here is what you need to keep in mind:

• The word limit of standard SMS is 160 characters or less depending on the provider you are working with.
• Have a strong opening line to grab attention.
• Clearly communicate the value you are adding.
• Include a CTA. 
• Use abbreviations. But make sure these are familiar to your audience.
• Use simple language. Steer clear of verbose and double-meaning sentences.
• Lastly, double-check your message for spelling and grammar before sending it.

If you are still unsure, you can check out ready-to-use message templates to get started.