7 Benefits of Bulk SMS Marketing in Business

The use of SMS as a business’ marketing platform has grown at an exceedingly successful and globally expansive level. Even with the abundance of messaging apps currently available, only a few of these platforms can match the benefits of SMS marketing. A good number of customers still prefer to use text messaging as their mode of communication with a business. Smartphones are considered the most convenient gadget and SMS is still the most preferred communication channel of at least 48% of customers.

That said, when text messaging is included in a brand’s advertising and customer outreach efforts, there are multiple advantages waiting to be unlocked.

One of the best ways to utilize text messages effectively for business is through using 2-Way Bulk SMS. In a nutshell, the benefits of bulk SMS services are still quite relevant considering how the enforced social distancing on countries worldwide has left people more glued to their phones to stay updated with current events and keep in touch.
With the keyword being ‘bulk’, this particular feature allows you to connect with multiple leads in one go.

What is 2-Way Bulk SMS?

2-Way Bulk SMS lets you send and receive messages to and from hundreds of people at once through a web-based platform that uses API. Your customers can reach you by sending simple keywords via a short code or long code. In response, you get to reply to these messages through your computer or phone application that uses the system.

In terms of using bulk SMS for business, the capability of communicating to clients or potential customers in bulk is quite an efficient way of reaching your target especially when you have limited resources or manpower to carry out your promotional strategies. The added convenience of receiving replies directly (and instantly) from your recipients, increases the possibility of quick sales, repeat business or increased conversion.

Why Should You Use 2 Way Bulk SMS

2-Way Bulk SMS provides a quick solution to customer concerns. With a single keyword, you get to know what they need and promptly give them a suitable response. You are also highlighting convenience and practicality on the part of your end-users. In the past, people had to contact businesses through phone calls or snail mail and both methods were too time consuming and counterproductive to queries and concerns that needed immediate attention.

The possibilities are endless when you begin to maximize the advantages of two way communication in honing B2C relations and expanding the influence of your business. Here are some of the biggest benefits that you can possibly gain from 2-Way Bulk SMS:

1. 97% Read Rate

Among the biggest benefits of bulk SMS marketing is the average frequency and immediacy at which SMS is opened and read. Text messages have a higher read rate than emails and other modes of communication. SMS has a ninety-seven percent read rate within the first four minutes of receipt, compared to the twenty percent read rate of emails within a forty-eight hour time frame. Imagine the large number of potential leads you can target and convince to try your product in a matter of minutes. It saves you the massive amount of time and energy you would usually exhaust in traditional marketing methods. Not only that, you can expect a higher probability of receiving a reply or interacting with your audience. A proven forty-five percent response rate for SMS ensures you that you’re not wasting your hard earned cash on the system.

2. Practical and Budget-friendly

Compared to other types of marketing, SMS campaigns have lower setup fees and running costs. Return of investment is also higher as you are dealing with people who are already your customers or have willingly provided their number to receive your marketing messages. They are more likely to acquire your services or buy your products again when they receive messages about promos, sales, or new products. The reduced spending brought by SMS enables you to maintain a continuous and open communication with your customers and new subscribers. If there is one thing that has helped businesses attain success, it is consistency in reaching out to customers and using a friendly, non-aggressive approach to letting people know that the brand continues to thrive and offer its services.

3. Convenient and foolproof

There are several companies that provide 2 Way Bulk SMS applications for you to read, reply, and even monitor the messages you send and receive. Some interfaces are also available for both web and smartphone. You don’t need rocket science or additional software to operate it or deliver your message, in the same way that text messaging is an activity that is already a staple in your customers’ daily routine. Simple, quick, and easy.

4.   Communication with Customers

Acquiring and maintaining a healthy interaction with customers is something that not all businesses successfully achieve. For some, it tends to be a hit or miss. It could be because their choices of promotional words somehow do not fall in place, do not sit well enough with target recipients, or lack impact. Other companies struggling with this aspect may also be using the wrong type of communication channel and are thus generating very little responses.

One of the remarkable bulk SMS marketing benefits is it lets you personalise your messages, pique customer interest and retain it. Texts are casual or laid back, non-intrusive, and accessible to millions of customers worldwide. As mentioned earlier, the read rate of text messages are incredibly high. Your customers can easily see what you have in store for them. Not only that, they won’t need to spend on data or dragging minutes on calls if they’re interested.

They can reply with the keyword you provided in the message and they can get more information immediately. More importantly, you can customize your messages based on the location or demographic you are targeting or even the customer’s previous buying behavior. It is easier to resell to an existing customer than to gain new ones. Thus, strengthening the loyalty by targeting them directly and adding a personal touch to your marketing efforts boosts better chances of conversion and retention.

5. Fast and Hassle-free

Out of all the constantly changing advertising trends, SMS is something that has been quite constant and flexible throughout. It is a simple and immediate exchange of messages. By using 2-Way Bulk SMS, you can send a message to a hundred customers within minutes. You can upsell more products and even convert more leads without having to stress out your marketing and support representatives.

You also have the opportunity to use the convenience of SMS for other purposes, such as strengthening your customer support services. Setup a 24/7 correspondence or have answers to FAQs about your services automated via SMS. This way, you cut the time spent answering repetitive and basic queries about your business and you can have your in-house agents focus on bigger issues concerning your followers.

With new ways of marketing your business popping up every year, you need to keep up with the times but that isn’t always easy. SMS, however, is definitely something that is here to stay and has been proven effective.

6. Proactive Customers

Regardless of size, every business could use a helping hand from their customers. Since 2-Way SMS lets recipients reply directly to businesses, it effectively bridges gaps between the two. The more customers get the chance to interact with brands they support, the more likely they are to willingly participate in future promotions and efforts to sustain the business.

When customer involvement is emphasized and reinforced, it makes your followers feel more relevant and valued, thereby increasing their loyalty to your brand. From disseminating survey form to reaching out to each of your customers to check on their experience with your products and services, these all add weight to the buying decision and brands that customers choose to purchase from.

7. Excellent and accessible reference

By now, you may have realized that SMS is an ideal tool for reviewing customer responses and augmenting your branding strategies. You can keep records of responses you’ve received from customers and use it to assess whether there has been any improvement in your rapport with them, or if your approach still needs improvement.

SMS Marketing likewise lets you measure the success of each marketing tactic you implement. Compare which keywords are user-friendly and relevant to what you intend your brand to represent. Figure out what types of promotions generate higher and faster response rates from those that slow down customer interaction and interest. Finally, you can conduct quick surveys on your customers and learn which products, services, and promos they are hoping to see from your brand in the near future.

Conclusion

Quite frankly, there are several more advantages of bulk sms marketing awaiting to be discovered. The key is to have a clear vision of how you want to grow your business so you can incorporate 2-way bulk SMS accordingly for your company’s objectives and customers’ demands.

Once you decide to promote your business and reach out to customers using text messaging, be sure to the New Media Services team a message. Our very own LOOP (Live Online Operator Platform) platforms have helped countless companies carry out accessible communication channels, including bulk sms service for business, for long-term growth and stability.