Sending text messages to customers is a low-cost, high return marketing activity that’s easier to implement than you think. But before you write your first customer text message, you need to be aware of a few things. Without them, you’ll fail to reach the people that want to see your newest products and promotions the most.
Have a Goal in Mind
Marketing to your customers needs to be strategic, targeted, and have a purpose. So, if you’re texting customers, it needs to align with your goals. Whether it’s onboarding customers to your CRM or advertising a special sale, the perfect text will help you achieve those goals.
One good strategy is to develop a mini-campaign that consists of several texts. For example, following up with customers once they have signed up to receive texts is a great way to start. Through a handful of texts, you can send them a coupon for their next visit, have them sign up to receive emails, and learn something about what interests them. These not only have a purpose that supports your business goals, but it also lets them know that you’re interested knowing what they want.
Understanding What to Say and How to Say It
Writing isn’t as easy as it seems. It takes a lot of effort to distill a message into a simple text. But, it’s necessary because that’s what your customers expect. Here’s a list of rules to guide you through writing the perfect text:
- Short and Sweet – Texting and social media have changed many of the ways that we communicate. Phrases and whole sentences are now expressed through popular acronyms (LOL, BTW, and the dreaded TL;DR). If your message is too long, it becomes a burden to the reader. That’s a negative impression. Keep it short enough, so they’ll know what the text is about with a glance at a notification.
- Offer Incentives – Coupons and deals do more than simply pique your customer’s interest. They have a substantial influence on their decisions to purchase and customer loyalty. This type of promotion improves business, especially among millennials.
- Exclusivity – It’s not a special deal if everyone gets it. So why sign up for texts? Make your customers feel like VIPs by making your offer, coupon, or discount exclusive.
- Show Value – Free delivery? Curbside service? One-step checkout? All of these offer the value of convenience, which has become more critical than ever before.
- Create a Sense of Urgency – By putting an expiration date on an offer, you will encourage your customers to respond quickly in order to take advantage of an offer. Limited time offers also show exclusivity.
- Clear Call-to-Action – It only takes a word or two to tell them what to do. Skip the flowery language and phrases. They don’t want it, plus it obscures your message.
Make the Message Fun
A customer text message is a personal and informal way of communicating. To capture their attention, use this opportunity to deliver a fun message that leaves a memorable experience. You don’t need to tell a joke or a funny story, just make it lively, engaging, and eye-catching. Upbeat texts that are encouraging will build positive impressions. After all, the perfect text delivers a message that makes them feel special and that’s something they will want to share with their friends and family.