Everything you need to know about SMS
Like all channels, SMS has its limitations. But they are undoubtedly outweighed by the high observational value SMS has. SMS will be read! In this article you will find out everything you need to know about SMS as a channel.
Here below, you get access to some facts about SMS and tips on content that you can develop to use in your SMS Marketing to your customers or users.
What is an SMS?
SMS is an acronym and stands for Short Message Service, and is a simple form of text messaging. Historically, SMS was developed as part of the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) standard in the 1980s. Originally, the idea was to send technical information and messages between mobile operators. However, the potential for allowing users to send short text messages to each other was soon realized, and it became a popular feature.
Businesses began to realize the power of SMS relatively quickly after its introduction. SMS was originally developed as a technology for sending administrative and technical messages between mobile operators. But it wasn't long before businesses and users began to see the potential of using SMS for communication.
During the 1990s, especially towards its end, companies began to experiment with using SMS for marketing and customer communication. This happened as mobile phones became more widely available and the use of SMS increased. Companies realized they could reach customers directly through their mobiles and send short, quick messages.
SMS marketing became a popular strategy due to its speed, simplicity and the fact that many people carried their mobile phones with them everywhere. Since then, the use of SMS in a business context has continued to grow, and companies now use it for various purposes such as marketing, customer service and business communication.
Number of characters is limited
An SMS contains 160 characters, which is a very limited number of characters for communication. But in boundaries and limitations you also create opportunities to really highlight the most important and become clear. Take the challenge!
There is also the option of writing more characters, up to 2,000 characters, but then your text is counted as about 10 SMS, even if the recipient gets the text merged into one continuous text.
Clean text without frills
SMS are basically pure text messages, this also means limitations in how the text can be formatted. Forget bold text, italics and different sizes.
The limitation can be perceived as "poor", but again, see it as a challenge to write the text so that it is really short, concise and to the point.
Web links to lead further
Although the text cannot be formatted, web links can be inserted into SMS.
It is particularly useful for directing the recipient to a promotional page, a survey or perhaps an irresistible offer.
SMS Sender IDs
Normally, an SMS has either a mobile number or a name as the sender. When you use our service, you have the option to leave a mobile number and create a unique sender.
You can play with 3 to 11 characters and you can use all letters from A to Z as well as all numbers 0 to 9.
Tips on content
SMS can be used for most things in corporate communication, such as reminders, internal communication between colleagues, one-time passwords for web services or passer systems, and not least as marketing. Below you will find some concrete tips on the content of your SMS
Promote special days
Whoever knows the most wins. A worn expression, but when it comes to customers, the highest is relevant. Be sure to collect valuable information about your users and customers.
You can use your insights about your customers and users to then send personalized messages that are both professional and effective. This may include celebrating a birthday, an anniversary or a special interest.
Relevant offers and opportunities
The more you know about your users and customers, the easier it will be to adapt offers, information and other things to specific target groups or even people.
This means that in a professional way you can give your users, for example, advance information or environmental monitoring that they can benefit from.
Confirmations and changes
An SMS has an amazingly high observation rate, with 90 percent of SMS being read within 90 seconds. This makes the channel excellent for sending various forms of confirmations, changes or important messages.
It can be about confirming a meeting time, announcing a changed meeting place or of course unique customer offers with a short time to act on.
Surveys
Surveys to get to know customers and users are perfect for SMS. Create short but to-the-point surveys on the web. Then use SMS to drive your users to answer 3-5 short questions.
It gives you the opportunity to get to know your customers, develop your activities or your products and services in an effective way.