Automated text messages are small, yet powerful marketing tools that can help brands scale up their customer engagement rate, further lengthen their lifetime value. A stunning open rate, 98%, and a 29% engagement rate make SMS marketing a must-have channel for every eCommerce site; since two out of every three people in the world use a mobile phone to send and receive text messages. The point is that people keep their phones handy and are always ready to use them to find information or check the latest social media updates.
However, strangely enough, SMS marketing has been underestimated for a long time for no reason.
In this article, I will be giving you examples of how to use apt text messages supported with emails, that are most effective and don’t require specific customer data to automate your campaigns.
5 Automated Text Messages
#1 Browse & Cart Abandonment
Many brands use the method where they send emails or SMS messages in bulk. That might work for a while like an educated stab in the dark, but research and data show that triggered SMS perform better. Automated emails and automated text messages can reach customers at the right time with the right content. Works magic!
One of the biggest examples is, browse abandonment. We know how common the cart abandonment issue is. But take it this way, how many customers fall in love with your products and still leave the site without even putting them in their shopping carts? You can win them back by sending an automated text message.
Cart abandonment is a HORROR to any eCommerce brand. With almost 7 of every 10 carts abandoned for any number of reasons, it’s easy to see WHY!
Normally, a cart abandonment email is battered as the best response to this situation. But its made even better if and when you amalgamate with an SMS. Understand your channels’ strengths and weaknesses thoroughly. An automated workflow for the cart recovery is the king among other workflows and it is a must-have one for every merchant.
SMS is well attuned for immediacy, and email for information. This combination can be super effective, but know the limit of your SMS workflow for an abandoned cart. You just don’t want to overdo it and put the customer off.
#2 Order Confirmation
Automation set up to be released, to let customers know their order has been received and is confirmed. Multiple touchpoints with your customers are vital if you want to stay at the top of their minds. Although order confirmation messages don’t generate any direct revenue, they are good for engaging with your customers.
Where SMS can really gleam, is in the order confirmation forms and shipping updates. Giving your customers the choice of how they receive their updates, gives them a feeling of empowerment. Your customers can enjoy the benefits of updates to their shipping directly on their mobile phones without having to open an email. It’s also a great idea to place a link in the SMS so they can check out more details about the tracking of their shipment but make sure it is all hassle-free and not much of a pain to the customer.
#3 Special Occasions
SMS requires a special occasion, and what’s a better special occasion than a customer’s birthday or anniversary? Customers’ birthdays, signup anniversaries, and other occasions that are special and are perfect for re-engaging with your customers. Never miss this opportunity!
Use profile data for location-based campaigns to give each user a personalized experience and up conversions. Show your customers you care with an offer that lasts for a few days around their special day. You can either put the offer directly in your SMS message, or you can send it as a teaser for them to check their email for a special birthday gift. It sends a sense of a more personalized relationship.
You can send your customers personalized birthday gifts, such as discounts coupons on their favorite products. Nothing more says you’re paying attention and making the whole experience for them a great deal. Tailor-made coupons make your customers feel like a million bucks and add value every time.
#4 Sweepstakes
Heard of a “text to win” contest on Facebook or on a commercial? Text message sweepstakes are “sweeping” the mobile marketing industry. All your audience has to do is, just text a word or phrase to a provided shortcode, and they’re entered for a chance to win a prize.
This helps in building a subscriber list and engage with your target customer.
Once again, this is a standard promotion tactic. You can select some winners from everyone who opts in. Or you can also give away a smaller prize to every person who texts your keyword. You can even use it as an opportunity for cross-promotions.
Automated text messaging is perfect for up-selling, cross-selling, feedback gathering, and many other necessary things for eCommerce, especially time-sensitive offers.
Text message sweepstake is great because they’re very quick to enter and people can enter from virtually anywhere, just by sending out a text.
#5 Time-Sensitive Offers
One of the central benefits of SMS is immediacy. So use that to your advantage. Maybe you have a special promotional offer going on, and you want to make sure your customers have every opportunity to take part. For your very best sales and promotions, you can add a sense of urgency to your text messages. As long as you’re not sending SMS marketing campaigns every day, you should be doing good.
Creating a sense of urgency pushes your customers to take advantage of deals before they expire. Cash in on your customers’ fear of missing out by creating a sense of scarcity in your campaigns and include phrases like:
- Limited time offer
- While stock lasts
- Only For Today
- One-time Deal
People love being the first ones in the row and know about discounts on products they love. SMS marketing is a great way to grow your eCommerce business by giving you the opportunity to notify VIPs about your promotions.
Some use cases would be – get creative and draw from special events like holidays and big shopping days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
#6 Welcome Offers
The best way to welcome your customers is with a well-timed personalized text message. Everybody expects a welcome email, but adding a personalized SMS in the communication mix will be a surprise to your customers.
If you offer them an incentive for signing up, send the discount code or a link via SMS, then must follow that SMS up with an immediate email in case the SMS wasn’t sufficient to get the customer to purchase.
How to automate your SMS process
Since we’re into the idea of working smarter and not harder, I suggest automating the process. Let’s face it: Marketing automation helps us save precious time.
Building Your SMS Marketing Strategy
To decide if marketing through SMS is right for your campaign, ask yourself these questions:
- Is your campaign time-sensitive? SMS is best for urgent messages you want recipients to see immediately.
- Is SMS the best format? If you can’t effectively communicate your message in 160 characters or less, consider email or push notifications instead.
- Is the information valuable enough that consumers will feel delighted to get the message on such a personal channel, instead of annoyed?
If the answer is yes to all, you’re ready to start building your SMS campaign
