In the past, SMS marketing was thought of as an outdated form of communication. But how does it really stack up against email marketing?
Businesses who have an email marketing strategy are trying to determine whether or not they should be using SMS Marketing. What is the difference between the two? How will this affect me? Are there any concerns I should be aware of? This blog post will answer these questions and more so that you can decide which option is best for your business.
The first thing to know about email versus SMS Marketing is that one does not replace the other. Both are great tools that work well in conjunction with each other, but it’s important to note how each affects customers and what benefits come from each avenue.
One thing you should consider is whether your company’s sms marketing strategy will include only sms or sms and emails.
Differences
This is a matter of preference, but most businesses choose to use both as they provide a different form of communication that can be useful in certain situations
Email has a higher open rate than text messages (50% vs 22%). With this being said, if you want your message on the radar of your customers, email is a better option.
The biggest difference between SMS and Email Marketing is that SMS marketing requires much less time to set up and maintain in comparison to an email list which takes more patience and discipline.
Email marketing is still the most popular form of digital communication, with about 77% of people checking their emails daily — that’s one in three Americans who are opening these messages on mobile devices. Email also offers more engagement than SMS and instant message combined (about 68%), according to email marketing company MailChimp.
Customers are subscribed to your email list and they receive emails from you when you send them out, typically in the form of newsletters that provide more information on products or services offered by the company.
SMS – Advantages and Disadvantages
SMS marketing can be used as an alternative to email marketing, as it allows another sales channel to open. For example, if your company sends out a sms message about an offer that expires in 24 hours, you’ll want to build anticipation for this so people respond right away. You can do this by using multiple sms messages over time with valuable information and details on the offer until it actually expires.
SMS messages can be sent via an app like Twilio, which allows for automated text messaging through sms marketing. These messages can come in the form of a welcome message when someone signs up for their first service or product, and they can also be used to follow-up with customers on items that are about to expire so they don’t miss out.
The main advantage SMS has over email is that it allows the user to access their messages anywhere in the world at any time, whereas you need internet connection and a device for emails.
SMS messaging also provides more engagement than delivered emails with higher open rates (about 33% vs 24%), more replies (about 17% vs 12%), and more clicks ( about 39% vs 28%).
The main disadvantages sms has over email is that it does not allow attachments, so the sender must find alternative ways to promote their services.
SMS marketing also offers a heightened level of privacy as opposed to email or instant messaging which can be accessed by anyone with the right technology.2
Text content will be used in the following ways: to generate leads and sales by sending sms messages with offers or discounts; as a follow-up tool after email campaigns or CRM contacts, for password resetting, etc.; and even to get sms subscribers to pre-order products.
SMS marketing had its heyday in the 1990s, but with the advent of smartphones and email marketing it was relegated to a niche form. Now sms is having another moment in the sun as a valuable tool for business communications.
The benefits of using SMS marketing are that it is cost-effective and quick to set-up and maintain. The other main benefit is that you can get in touch with your customers on a more personal level. This means you have more opportunities for conversation which leads to engagement with your customer base. So what’s the verdict?
Email Marketing:
– A good way to grow your company’s brand awareness (creating awareness on social media is a great tool for this)
– Can be used for customer service
– Can send messages to a large audience simultaneously
SMS Marketing
– A great way to maintain contact with customers and provide them information on items that are about to expire. This is very important in the food industry, as they need all of their products sold before they go bad)
– SMS messages can be sent to customers who have given their phone number
SMS are usually an opt in service. Customers agree to sign up for sms messages when they give out their phone numbers, which is different from email marketing where the customer has taken no action necessary and most likely signed up by accident
SMS marketing is a great way to get in touch with current or potential customers for lower cost, but it may not be the best solution if you’re looking at building customer relationships through dialogue and communication. For this type of campaign email would be the better option.
Should businesses use SMS or email for their next marketing campaign?
It really depends on what your goals are and how you want to engage with your customers. For example, sms marketing is a great way to follow-up with customers who have recently purchased from you. If you don’t want your audience to be bombarded by too many emails and are looking for an alternative platform, give SMS Marketing a try!
The verdict: sms or email? It’s really up to you! If your goal is not being bombarded by too many emails, consider sms marketing as an alternative.
The world is changing, and with it so are the ways in which we interact. We may all be addicted to our phones but that doesn’t mean they should stop being used for marketing purposes!
SMS Marketing is a great way of connecting your customers to you at the right time without overloading them with emails or calls.
If this sounds like something you want help getting started with, get in touch today. Our team will work closely alongside you to create a strategy that best suits your business needs while driving sales through both email campaigns and text messages sent directly from us (or your staff).
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Ross Jenkins
Ross Jenkins is the founder of DigitalME and is an ActiveCampaign Certified Consultant. He is ranked #1 on UpWork for his proficiency in digital marketing. DigitalME offers targeted digital solutions and is perfect for anyone who wants to increase leads, sales, and productivity through automation.