Humans have a biological need to communicate. We’re social creatures through and through, and we’ve developed devices that make connecting with each other easy and fun. Chief among these are modern smartphones. These devices are technological titans with incredible capabilities, allowing us to reach almost anyone anywhere at any time. Small companies can leverage smartphone technology to expand their audience, improve sales, and create genuine, long-term relationships with consumers. Here’s a quick breakdown of the benefits of text message marketing for small business.
What Is Text Message Marketing?
Text messaging has only been around for about 30 years. However, it’s had an unfathomable impact on how the average person communicates. A text message can be conceived, composed, and carried around the world in a matter of seconds, including in it images and even videos.
It’s hard to overstate just how popular texting is today. US cellphone users sent trillions of texts in 2020 alone, 100 million more than in 2019, and this trend shows no signs of stopping. The average user spends many hours on their mobile device each day, quickly opening incoming texts up to 98% of the time. This presents an opportunity for companies to catch and hold consumers' attention while delivering unmatched value to the palm of their hand.
To understand text message marketing, simply shift your perspective. Text messages are direct, personal, and affordable. They can include content from exclusive offers and event alerts to engaging, custom-branded images and videos. Texts also cost a tiny fraction of traditional radio, print, and television ads, which is why 50% of the world’s top 1000 online retailers use them to promote their products.
Text messages can fill a wide variety of communication needs. They’re more accessible than emails, more engaging than billboards, and more preferable than phone calls. It’s no wonder that over 60% of consumers would switch to a company that offers texting as a communication channel. In fact, global mobile business messages reached 2.5 trillion in 2019 and research suggests a 10% growth in 2020.
Taken together, these trends speak volumes. Even marketing expert Gary Vaynerchuk
endorsed text message marketing in 2019 as “the most interesting thing brewing” and a “counterpoint to social media.” The numerous benefits of text message marketing for small business are only beginning to emerge.
Benefits of Text Message Marketing for Small Business
Small businesses have a variety of digital marketing tools at their disposal. Websites, social media platforms, and now text messaging all level the playing field in many ways. These channels are effective ways of raising credibility by delivering exceptional customer experiences.
Text messages are making a name for themselves because they stand out from the pack. Texts can easily embed links to company websites,
blog pages, and social media channels. This allows companies to create a cohesive marketing strategy that spans multiple digital platforms. They also allow for direct communication between companies and loyal consumers at any scale. This was simply unheard of before the
digital age.
The best part is that consumers
must opt-in to receive messages because the FCC and FTC strictly regulate media via laws like the
Telephone Consumer Protection Act
(TCPA). What does this mean for companies? They can be certain that their texts are only being received by those who want them in the first place. Here are a few notable benefits of text message marketing for small business from our experience.
- There are billions of mobile users who spend hours on their devices daily.
- Consumers can opt-in and opt-out of marketing texts at will.
- Text messages send instantly to almost anywhere in the world.
- Companies can integrate texting campaigns with nearly any marketing strategy.
- Marketing teams can gather a variety of data to track campaign success.
- Texts are one of the most affordable marketing mediums, available for pennies apiece.
- MMS allows companies to engage the visual cortex, which processes images in milliseconds.
This short list is just the tip of the iceberg. If you’re curious about the potential of text message marketing for small business, then feel free to connect with us. We’d love to sit down and discuss the finer details together.
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