SMS marketing, or text message marketing, is very direct. You can send a quick message to a customer. This message can be about a sale. It can also be a reminder. It can even be a simple greeting. With Mailchimp, you can do all these things. You can keep your email and text messages in one place. Consequently, your marketing is much easier to manage. You do not have to use different programs. This makes your work simpler and faster. It is a very clever way to connect.
Why Use Mailchimp for SMS Marketing?
Mailchimp is a great platform for this. You already know how to use it for emails. Adding text messages is very simple. It keeps all your customer information together. For example, you can see if a person opens your emails. You can also see if they click on your texts. This gives you a full picture of your customers. Furthermore, you special database can use the same lists. You can talk to people through email and texts. This makes your marketing stronger.
Moreover, Mailchimp has great tools. You can make different groups of customers. This is called segmentation. You can send a text to only one group. For instance, you can text people who like shoes. You can send them a shoe sale. This makes your messages more personal. It helps you avoid bothering people. You can also automate your texts. You can set them up to send automatically. A customer who buys something can get a thank you text. This is a very smart way to work.
Getting Started with SMS in Mailchimp
Starting with SMS in Mailchimp is an easy process. First, you must have an account. You need to make sure your country is supported. Not all countries can use this feature. Next, you have to set up your audience. This is your list of customers. You need to add their phone numbers. The numbers must have been collected correctly. You must have their permission to text them. This is very important.
Furthermore, Mailchimp will give you a special phone number. You can use this number to send texts. You will need to tell your customers about this. They need to know who is texting them. Then, you can choose a plan. Mailchimp has different plans for text messages. You pay for the number of texts you send. So, you can choose a plan that works for you. All these steps are very simple. Mailchimp walks you through each one.
Crafting Your First SMS Campaign
Writing a good text message is key. Your message must be short and clear. Most people are on the go. They do not have time for long texts. Consequently, get right to the point. Tell them exactly what you want them to do. You can use special tags to make it personal. These are called merge tags. For example, you can use *|FNAME|*. This will put the customer's first name in the message.
Moreover, every message needs a call to action. This is what you want the customer to do next. For example, "Shop now," or "Get 20% off." This should be very clear. It should also have a link. The link should be short. You can use a link shortener. This makes your text look clean. A good message gives value. It offers a discount or new information. This makes customers happy. It also makes them want to click.
Using Automation and Segmentation
Mailchimp's tools make your life easier. You can use automation to save time. For instance, you can set up a welcome text. A new customer gets this text right away. You can also set up a reminder. A customer who did not buy something can get a reminder text. You can automate many types of messages. They go out at the right time. This is a powerful way to stay connected.
Segmentation is a very useful tool. It lets you send specific messages. You can divide your customers into groups. For example, you can have a group of new customers. You can have another group of old customers. You can send a special deal to the old customers. This makes them feel appreciated. Consequently, they will keep coming back. Using these tools helps you make smarter choices. You can reach the right people at the right time.
Measuring the Success of Your Texts
After you send a text, you need to see the results. This is called analysis. Mailchimp has great tools for this. It tells you if your texts were sent. This is the delivery rate. It also tells you if people clicked on your links. This is the click-through rate. You can also see who opted out. An opt-out means a person asked to stop getting texts.
Furthermore, you can use this information to improve. If your delivery rate is low, something is wrong. If your click-through rate is low, your message might not be good. You can test new messages. You can try different deals. This helps you get better over time. You will learn what your customers like. As a result, your marketing will be more effective.
Best Practices to Remember
There are a few key rules to follow. Always get permission before texting a customer. Do not send too many texts. This can bother people. A few texts a month is a good amount. The texts should always give value. They should offer a good deal or useful information. Also, always tell people who you are. This builds trust. It is also a good idea to let people opt out easily. You must give a way to stop texts. For example, "Reply STOP to unsubscribe." This is a legal rule. It is also a very good practice.