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Studies show that as many as 98 percent of text messages are opened within minutes of being received. With cell phone ownership at 90 percent, this is a statistic you can no longer afford to ignore. Launching a mass SMS texting campaign gives you an opportunity to connect with your target audience instantaneously. Your texts won't get lost in a sea of spam like the average marketing email, nor will they ignored for hours or abandoned because they didn't load quickly enough. However, before you can begin reaping the benefits of SMS marketing, you need to create a solid strategy for using your business SMS service to reach your target consumer base and engage them.

To get the most out of your business SMS service, follow these five steps.

1. Use text keywords and short codes.

Using text keywords and short codes, you can allow your customers to perform simple actions such as signing up for SMS messages, so they can receive information about your stores hours or requesting an updated account balance quickly and easily. To perform the action, all the consumer must do is text a specific keyword to a five-digit code you established in advance. Because keywords and short codes are so easy to remember, consumers can perform the desired action without needing to look up a phone number or go online. To maximize engagement, be sure to advertise your short codes on your website, on social media and inside your store or office.

2. Send retail coupons, promotions and product updates.

A business SMS service provides you with the ability to send coupons, information about promotions and product updates to your customers in seconds. Whether you are launching a new product or providing your most loyal customers with a special coupon, you can use this service to deliver your messages to the intended recipients instantly. In addition, when consumers receive valuable coupons or information from your brand via SMS, they are more likely to remain on your contact list or even recommend your brand to others. Send coupons and other promotional messages on a regular basis, and be sure to monitor the results so that you can get the best possible return on your investment.

3. Use targeting to send personalized messages.

Nothing engages consumers more than knowing that your brand cares about them as individuals. Make targeted lists of contacts based on like characteristics and then use your business SMS service to send customized messages to each of these lists. For example, you may create an SMS contact list based on whether a consumer has purchased a specific product or service. If a related product becomes available in the future, you can use this list to inform the appropriate customers and/or offer them an exclusive deal. You can also use targeting to send customers automatic reminders, shipping updates and other personalized messages.

4. Use a/b testing.

If you are offering more than one deal or promotion, or even if you are simply trying more than one approach to announcing the same deal or promotion, a/b testing can be beneficial. Use your SMS service to test different messages and determine which is the most effective.

5. Nurture leads.

Some leads may not be ready to make a purchase immediately but will convert in the future if you nurture them properly. Use your SMS business service to keep in contact with consumers who are on the fence until they are ready to make a commitment.

Not every business SMS service will provide the functionality you need to accomplish the goals above, but Trumpia's software can. Trumpia offers mass text messaging, two-way texting, text to landline services and MMS. With Trumpia, you can also use surveys, SMS voting and short codes to simplify your consumers' lives and increase engagement. If you want to customize messages to your customer base, we offer smart targeting to help you get the job done as well. Contact us to find out more about our services or to get started.

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