As a small business owner, you’re always on the lookout for innovative ways to boost revenue and engage with your customers. In today’s digital age, leveraging SMS marketing can be a game-changer in driving sales and nurturing customer relationships. In this article, we’ll explore how incorporating SMS into your marketing strategy, along with a thoughtful gift guide, can open up new revenue streams for your business.
Why SMS Marketing?
SMS marketing offers a direct and personal way to connect with your audience. With an impressive open rate of over 90%, compared to email’s average of 20%, SMS ensures your message gets noticed. Moreover, people are more likely to engage with text messages promptly, making it an effective channel for driving immediate action.
Crafting a Tailored Gift Guide
One effective way to leverage SMS marketing is by curating a useful gift guide for special occasions like Mother’s Day. However, before diving into creating the guide, it’s crucial to gather insights from your existing customer base to ensure you’re offering products or services that resonate with their needs and preferences.
Pre-Campaign Preparation:
Before launching your Mother’s Day gift guide campaign, consider sending out short SMS surveys to your customers. Here’s a sample of questions you could ask:
- “Hi [name], can we ask you a question? How would you describe your experience when you purchased a [your company name] gift? Ecstatic, Satisfied, Neutral, Underwhelmed, Dissatisfied?”
- “Hi [name], may we ask you a question? What budget have you set for a Mother’s Day gift this year? $20; $50; $100; $200; $300”
- “Hi [name], may we ask if you are considering purchasing a Mother’s Day gift from [your company name] this year? Yes, No, Maybe.”
You can tailor your gift guide to cater to your audience’s specific preferences and budgets based on the responses received. For example,
Yes: What is the main reason for selecting [your company] this year? Easy; Good gifts; Good experience; D – Other
No: Why did you not select [your company name] this year? Be brutal – we want to improve! Gift selection; Price; Process; D Other
Maybe: What would make you use [your company name]? Other types of gifts; Cheaper gifts; Improved process; D Other
Crafting the SMS Campaign:
Once you’ve gathered insights from your surveys, it’s time to craft your SMS campaign. Here’s a sample script you can use:
“Hi [name], We are grateful for your purchases in the past – see what we cooked up for Mother’s Day in 2024. Only xx days to go before 12 May. Buy the gift now, and we will make sure your Mother receives her gift on time. Set and forget! Go to (www.yourbusiness URL here) for the all-new, specially selected range for 2024! Reply STOP to opt-out.”
Choosing the Right SMS Provider:
Partnering with a reliable SMS service provider is essential to seamlessly execute your SMS marketing campaigns. API Shift recommends utilising your existing messaging service providers, especially if they already have an easy API link to Swift Survey. The latter can be subscribed for a small monthly payment of between $7 and $15, depending on the plan chosen. SBMG (Small Business Messaging Gateway) is a profiled partner if you don’t have an existing SMS provider. SBMG is a great entry-level option that uses an existing mobile phone as a business messaging gateway.
In conclusion, incorporating SMS marketing into your strategy and a well-crafted gift guide can help unlock new revenue streams and deepen customer relationships. By understanding your customers’ preferences through pre-campaign surveys and partnering with the right SMS provider, you can drive tangible results for your small business.
