If you have started utilizing SMS marketing for your business, then you have probably also been on the hunt for effective strategies. While there are a lot of articles out there about formulating an effective SMS marketing strategy, including right here on this very blog, your best chance of success lies in a strategy that uses multiple tools together.
Running multiple different marketing campaigns is enough to make your head spin- especially if you are a small business owner without the benefit of a team full of marketing experts. The good thing is: SMS marketing is so versatile. Even if you only use it as a tool to support your other channels, it has the potential to give your marketing campaigns a serious boost. The opposite is true, as well! You can use various channels to bring awareness and traffic to your SMS marketing!
In this article, we will delve into some tips for integrating SMS marketing with social media!
How To Integrate SMS Marketing With Social Media
- Post opt-in instructions on all social media channels.
One of our first recommendations when embarking on a new SMS marketing strategy is to post opt-in instructions everywhere, including on social media. In order to build up your subscriber list in the first place, your audience needs to be made aware of your business’ new texting capabilities.
Start by creating a post to use across social media channels. There are a few different things that you cannot forget when posting about SMS marketing:
- The phone number or short code
- The keyword to opt-in
- Information about what your audience is actually opting in to
So your social media post or caption might read something like this:
“Heads up! You can now text with us! Text the keyword ‘TEXTS’ to 123-456-7890 to sign up.. All text subscribers will receive exclusive discounts and deals directly to their phones. Don’t miss out on incredible savings! Sign up today!”
It would also behoove your business to share that message across all your channels: every social media account, in email newsletters, on your website and in your brick-and-mortar location.
In addition to creating a social media post, many businesses include opt-in instructions in their Instagram bio, for instance. Since characters are limited in that case, you might want to consider requiring a double opt-in. When a customer texts your number to subscribe, tell them exactly what to expect from text communications and ask them to confirm their subscription. Requiring a double opt-in is the safest way to ensure that your business does not end up in hot water with the TCPA (Telephone Consumer Privacy Act), which outlines rules for marketing messages, as well as penalties if those rules are broken.
Posting on social media about your business’ SMS marketing is one of the easiest ways to start building up that subscriber list. It’s also the first step your business should take when integrating social media and SMS marketing.
- Take advantage of influencer marketing.
Another way to integrate social media and SMS marketing is through influencer marketing. Influencer marketing is a collaboration between businesses and trusted influencers. When an influencer has an engaged audience, that audience also trusts them to make product recommendations, allowing the influencer to monetize their social media through collaborations with businesses.
In order to make influencer marketing work with your SMS marketing, try using a keyword. When the influencer posts about your business’ product or service, ask them to provide the unique keyword to their followers.
For instance, if the influencer you are working with is named ‘Bryan,’ you could try using the keyword ‘BRYAN10’ to offer his followers a ‘10% off’ coupon for their first purchase with your business! Not only will this get new eyes on your business, but you will also have an easy way to determine your return on investment from your influencer marketing efforts by tracking the unique keyword.
A word of warning: if customers are texting your business for the sole purpose of receiving a promised discount, that does not give you permission to start including their phone number in future SMS marketing campaigns. After they have received the promised offer, however, you can send them another message asking if they would like to subscribe to future communications from your business. If they decide to subscribe, then you’re in the clear!
- Use SMS marketing to draw attention to social media.
One thing that businesses and individuals alike struggle with on social media is actually getting their posts seen. Between wrestling with various social media algorithms, hashtags and finding new ways to boost engagement, it can be difficult to consistently get enough eyes on your social media pages. And unfortunately for businesses, if no one is seeing your posts then you won’t see any real results from your social media efforts.
One way to get more eyes on your social media pages is by sending SMS marketing subscribers messages that will encourage them to check out your business on social media. Now, it’s not a great look to text your subscribers every time you have a new post on social media. However, if there is one that is particularly significant, such as information on an upcoming sale, that may be a good time to notify SMS marketing subscribers! Be sure to include a link in your message that goes directly to the post that warrants their attention.
Another way to entice SMS marketing subscribers to your social media page(s) is by notifying them of a contest. For instance, some brands will run giveaways on Instagram. They will instruct followers to tag friends in the comments section and/or share the giveaway to their own stories to be entered to win. If your business decides to run a similar giveaway, take one extra step by notifying SMS marketing subscribers of the giveaway and where they can go to enter.
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In
order to get the best results from your SMS marketing efforts, you will need to
find ways to not only run unique campaigns, but also to integrate this tool
with other channels. In this article, you’ve learned several ways to do just
that with social media. Now, it’s time to put that information to good use!
If you are ready to get started, try our 14-day
free trial today!
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