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59 Expert Text Message Marketing Tips 

Send your broadcast messages when customers are most likely to buy like just before lunch time. Texting = immediate response.

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  • 5Capitalize on the VIRAL effect of texts. Encourage recipients to FWD to a friend.
  • 5Personalize your message with the name of the recipient.
  • 5Track your results with redeemable mobile coupon codes.
  • 5Start your message with action verbs like BUY, COME.
  • 5CAPITALIZE the most important words so they stand out. SALE FREE TODAY ONLY.
  • 5Send your broadcast messages when customers are most likely to buy like just before lunch time. Texting = immediate response.
  • 5Need to identify store(s)? Use a number after the keyword so you know where the consumer is located.
  • 5Don’t ever send a second text. If your message is long, use an embedded link to give more info.
  • 5Don’t make every text message a mobile coupon. If you do, customers may wait for them.
  • 5Identify your company. How many times have you received a text and didn’t know who sent it?
  • 5Make customers feel special. Call your text list the "VIP Club" or something similar.
  • 5Make sure every text message carries something of value. The last thing you want is an opt-out.
  • 5You need to let consumers know about the opt-out STOP message, but don’t over-use mentioning the STOP message.
  • 5Only use abbreviations when you absolutely must to stay within the required characters.
  • 5Remind whoever does your creative to make sure they count the spaces in the 160 characters permitted in the USA and 139 in Canada!
  • 5Sweepstakes are the most effective ways to increase your database of opt-ins.
  • 5Don’t use two word keywords.
  • 5Allow your customers to enter your sweepstakes a second time by Liking your Facebook page or mentioning you on Twitter.
  • 5Experiment with different times to maximize results.
  • 5Track your results. Keep stats on every broadcast text you do.
  • 5Divide your lists. Do A-B tests with different creative, different offers, different days of the week, and different times of day.
  • 5Send texts when the game ends and fans are walking to their cars.
  • 5Always put an end date on mobile offers.
  • 5Never, ever buy a list of “opt-ins.” There’s no such thing. Nobody has signed up to receive unlimited spam texts.
  • 5Add your personal keyword to your business cards and article ID’s. Text BOB to 84444 (that’s mine).
  • 5Offer a discount for an opt-in right at the cash register. Sure, it will cost you in the short term, but in the long term, you’ll make so much more by having that consumer in your database.
  • 5No repeat offers unless there’s a really good reason for doing so.
  • 5Don’t try to have two offers in the same text message; there’s simply not enough room.
  • 5Share knowledge nuggets that show you are an expert in the field.
  • 5If you’re doing radio advertising, repeat the keyword and short code at least once.
  • 5Don’t send broadcast texts during traditional drive times.
  • 5Give a great reward to new opt-ins. These are the hardest to get.
  • 5Let the consumer know how often you’ll be texting them. It’s not only a rule, its common courtesy.
  • 5If you also do business in Canada, it’s best to use the same short code in both countries so you don’t have confusion, take up more space in your ads, or need to change creative.
  • 5Use texting on the fly to bring in customers during slow times.
  • 5Celebrity in the house? Let your opt-in list know about it.
  • 5If using an embedded link, be sure to lead the consumers to a mobile-optimized website.
  • 5Keep multiple lists and target your offers based on the origin of those lists.
  • 5Your first words need to grab their attention. Use action words at the top of the message to get the recipient to read the entire message.
  • 5With sweepstakes, offer both a grand prize and some consolation prizes to maximize participation.
  • 5When it comes to keywords, the shorter the better.
  • 5If Hispanics are your target, also get the Spanish equivalent for your keyword.
  • 5Send a text message that is nothing but a tease for the next big announcement coming via text.
  • 5Nothing offers better immediacy than text messaging. Create an amazing offer that is only good for the next hour.
  • 5Make your text offers exclusive to the texting club. They should not always be found in your emails, social media, or traditional advertising.
  • 5Except in rare instances, don’t send broadcast text messages after 10 pm.
  • 5Consider enhancing your text message marketing by adding geo-location strategies to it.
  • 5Monitor opt-outs after every broadcast message to make sure you aren’t pushing the wrong consumer buttons.
  • 5Vanity short codes allow for easier recall and will help encourage the viral aspect of texting.
  • 5Encourage the viral aspect of text message marketing. Ask your opt-ins to "forward to a friend."
  • 5Always discourage texting while driving.
  • 5Use words that require immediate action like “limited quantity” and “the first 10 texters.”
  • 5Always limit the time for redemption.
  • 5Offer exclusive information on your broadcast texts.
  • 5Beat the competition to hot news. Text the news and a link to your website for complete details.
  • 5Ask the recipients what they’d like to see in the texts. You’ll be surprised at how many great ideas you’ll receive.
  • 5Send thank you messages to your customers on your opt-in list.
  • 5Build you social media presence by linking to your Facebook and Twitter sites.
  • 5Doing texts for B to B? Send messages just 3 minutes before the top of the hour when businesspersons are waiting for meetings to start.