How to Create an SMS Campaign

SMS marketing is an invaluable asset for businesses, offering unparalleled open rates and instant engagement. With text messages being opened 80% more frequently than emails—often within the first three minutes—this marketing channel presents a unique opportunity for immediate customer interaction. This section explores the strategic advantages of SMS opt-in campaigns, detailing how businesses can leverage them to offer discounts and cultivate a list of customers for ongoing communication.

Ensuring Compliance in SMS Marketing

Before launching your SMS campaign, it's crucial to ensure compliance with recent legislative changes regarding SMS marketing. The CRM simplifies this process:

Navigate to Settings in your subaccount.

Confirm that the options for SMS compliance, such as adding opt-out messages and including sender information, are enabled.

Building Your SMS Campaign

Creating an effective SMS campaign involves several steps, from setting up workflows to crafting the perfect message. Here's how to get started:

For campaigns involving an image, upload the image file to the Media Storage section within your account.

Copy the image link to your clipboard. This link will be utilized to create a trigger link for tracking engagement.

Create a Trigger Link

Navigate to the Marketing > Trigger Links section, then proceed to create a new trigger link.

Enter a suitable name for the trigger link, then input the image link in the Link URL section. If you prefer to add a link to your SMS instead, input the link in the designated field. Click "Save" to confirm your changes.

Initiate a Workflow

Begin creating a workflow for your campaign in the Automation > Workflows tab. This workflow will handle incoming messages and responses.

Set Up Triggers

Use a customer reply trigger to start the workflow when someone texts a specific keyword, such as "coupon2023" to your business number. 

Craft Your Message

Compose a reply or use a template that thanks the customer for their interest and provides a link to the discount coupons or your chosen URL. Ensure the message makes the recipient feel valued and that your campaign settings comply with SMS regulations. Incorporate the trigger link into your SMS message within the workflow, ensuring recipients can easily access the coupon.

Incorporate follow-up actions, such as applying tags and implementing wait steps, to optimize engagement. Remember to publish and save your workflow to preserve your settings, and thoroughly test it to ensure it performs as intended.

Consider setting up additional workflows to interact with customers who click on the coupon link, using wait steps to avoid overwhelming them with immediate follow-up messages. 

By strategically using SMS marketing, you can drive customer engagement and maximize the effectiveness of your campaigns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if customers don't receive the SMS?

• A: Ensure your SMS settings are correct and that you've complied with all regulatory requirements. Check the customer's phone number for accuracy.

Q: How can I improve engagement with my SMS campaigns?

• A: Personalize messages, offer genuine value, and use clear calls to action. Also, consider timing your messages for when customers are most likely to engage.