If your business is already utilizing some form of text message marketing, including landline texting, it’s possible that you are already committing some of these no-no’s!
Marketing your business can sometimes feel like a second full-time job, especially if you don’t yet have the resources to hire a marketing team. With all the different techniques and strategies, it is important to utilize the most effective tools available for your business. For that reason, if you haven’t already incorporated landline texting into your marketing strategy, you may already be making a crucial mistake!
SMS marketing is taking the business world by storm. Not only does 92% of the population currently own an SMS-capable device, but texts are actually the preferred method of B2C communications among 18-34-year olds.
If you’re wondering how to affordably utilize text message marketing, landline texting is a great option. You can text-enable your existing company phone to send and receive text messages through a business texting service. No additional equipment or installation fees required- just a landline phone number, internet browser and business texting service subscription.
There are a few key things you want to keep in mind, however, once you have begun taking advantage of landline texting. While it is an invaluable marketing tool, it can be all too easy to make crucial mistakes that will ultimately limit the growth of your subscriber list, as well as potentially damage the reputation of your business.
This article will outline those mistakes for you, as well as provide solutions for how to avoid them!
Top 3 Landline Texting Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Mistake: Sending unsolicited messages.
Probably one of the most damaging mistakes you can make in your landline texting strategy is sending unsolicited messages. It can feel like a huge invasion of privacy to be contacted by a business to whom you did not provide your personal phone number. This boundary violation will most likely provide the opposite of the result you wanted. Those customers and potential customers will be less likely to buy your product or service if they feel like you don’t respect them and their information.
Your company could also be subject to statutory damages per text message if found in violation of TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act) guidelines. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act was formulated by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) and went into effect in 1991. It has since been updated to include legal requirements (and penalties) for text message marketing.
Not only will unsolicited texts hurt your bottom line, but they also risk damaging the reputation of your business.
Solution: Give your customers the ability to opt-in (and out) of receiving texts.
The very first thing you will want to do when implementing landline texting (or any type of text message marketing) into your business’ strategy is familiarize yourself with TCPA compliance. As you move forward, however, you will want to periodically review TCPA guidelines; that way, if it has been updated or changed at all, you will not be putting yourself at risk for monetary penalties.
One of the easiest ways to stay in the good graces of the FCC is by giving your customers the ability to opt-in to receiving text message marketing from your business. Better yet, require a double opt-in. First, the customers will provide their information. Then, upon your first text communication, ask them to confirm that they want to receive texts from your business. This way, if you ever do find yourself the subject of scrutiny for a possible TCPA violation, you have the receipts that your business needs to avoid penalties.
Additionally, you will want to give your customers the ability to easily opt-out of communications with your company. You may think by making customers hunt for the “opt-out” button that you will retain more subscribers. Even if that is the case, the last thing you want is a bunch of disgruntled and annoyed customers on your subscriber list. It’s a bad look for your business! We’re not holding subscribers hostage, after all. Anyone who no longer has a need or interest to receive communications from your business should be able to easily opt-out.
Mistake: Not offering immediate incentives for customers to opt-in.
When trying to build their text message marketing list, many businesses may just ask people to sign up, either in-person or through ads. They may say something like “Sign up to receive texts to stay up-to-date with our business” or “to receive special offers.”
That’s great and all, but it’s not the quickest or most effective way to build your subscriber list.
Solution: Give your customers an immediate incentive to sign up for text messages.
Fun fact: Giving your customers an immediate reward for signing up to receive texts will grow your list 520% faster!
For instance, you could offer a “10% off your next purchase if you sign up to receive text updates and promotions from us!” If you have a brick-and-mortar location, you can advertise this offer for in-person customers who are most likely already there to make a purchase. Research shows that in-store, on-demand coupons see redemption rates as high as 70-80%. Not only do incentives grow your list at an impressive rate, they are also a great way to turn those one-time, in-store customers into text message subscribers and, ultimately, into loyal brand promoters! That’s why we highly recommend you start using landline texting for your business today!
0 Comment