Some say email is dead. We don’t agree. It’s still an effective channel, but high growth is happening in text message marketing. Consider that text messaging has advanced at a rate of more than 25 times the advancement rate of email.

If you want to appeal to millennials and stay on top of current strategies, text message marketing is worth a try. Here’s a look at how it compares to email marketing and why it’s something you need to consider if you want to grow your business.

Text Messaging vs Email

• On average, an email is not read until approximately 6 hours after it’s sent. In contrast, a text message is typically read within 14 minutes of being sent. That’s a pretty big difference.
• The average person spends only about 20 minutes a day checking their emails. Compare that to the 16 hours a day the average person spends on his or her mobile phone.
• Consumers are far more likely to redeem coupons they receive via text messages than those they receive via email. In fact, it’s estimated that about 1% of consumers redeem email coupons, while 15-30% redeem text coupons.

These statistics are pretty clear, but we’re not suggesting you write off email marketing all together. In fact, using them together can create a powerful combination.

Text Messaging and Email: A Powerful Marketing Combination

Text messaging and email marketing can provide a 1-2 punch. In fact, if you use them side-by-side, you’ll reach your targeted audience in a truly meaningful and highly effective way.

Here are some tips that can help you use the two together:

• Send coupons or discount codes by email AND text. Customers can choose their preferred method and you’ll get a higher redemption rate.
• Create instant redemption opportunities in store. (“Text CUPOFJOE to get a discount for signing up”)
• Use text message to build both your mobile and email lists. With the use of smartphones, it’s easy to text a link to a web form to get emails as well.
• Use email for longer messages to build branding or promote products or services.
• Opt for text to send short messages about sales, promotions, events and timely information.

The long-and-short of it is this: If you want to get the most out of your marketing efforts, synching email and text message marketing is a must. 

Building a loyal customer base is a top priority. After all, it is these loyal customers who are going to keep bringing in business.

While there are tons of ways to increase customer loyalty, one is proving to be extremely effective: text message marketing.

If you aren’t yet taking advantage of this, it’s time to start using it to build a repeat customer base. Here’s a look at why it’s so effective.

90% of Text Messages are Read Within Minutes

It’s estimated that nearly half of all American adults have a smartphone and 90% of the text messages that are sent to those phones are read within three minutes of delivery.

Think about it… when you get a text, you usually read it soon after, right? With text messaging, not only can you stay in constant contact with your customers, you can also offer on-the-spot promotions that are good that day or within the next few days.

Promotions “On the Fly” or On Schedule

Is traffic at your store slower than expected ? We can send a text offering a special deal that day. Were you left with excess inventory on a specific item?  Offer a discount to boost sales and help clear it off the shelves. With text, you have immediacy and “on-the-fly” scheduling options.

While we usually set clients up with a consistent schedule of text messages, there’s also an advantage to being able to respond to events or situations with immediate messages. And your customers will love the extra deals and promotions.

Learn More About Your Customer

Get answers to surveys and on forms that will tell you more about your customers. You can ask for their date of birth, location, email and any other information that will help you serve them better.

High Conversions

Customers sign up because they want to hear from your business. When they hear from you consistently, whether it’s with discounts, information or contests, they’ll usually act on it. It’s been our experience that text messages generate a higher conversion rate than email, advertising and other forms of communication. In fact, one of our retail clients counts on getting thousands of dollars in sales after each text.

It Works in Conjunction with Your Email Marketing Campaign

Text messaging and email marketing are like a one-two marketing punch for your business.

Given the fact that an estimated 43% of consumers access their emails from their mobile, adding text messaging to the mix can really step up your marketing strategy. It can increase your reach, while boosting customer loyalty.

Things to Remember

There are a few things to remember when adding text messaging to your marketing mix. These include:

• Text messaging is permission-based. Like email, subscribers must opt-in and give you permission to text them. The best way to do this is to have them subscribe themselves by texting a keyword to your personalized short code.
• You have a limited amount of characters to work with; 160 characters, to be exact. This forces you to get right to the point!
• Use a very clear call to action. The easier it is for your audience to understand what they will gain, the better. A great example is “Text PETS to 65047 to get special deals and a chance to win free pet food!”

With this info in mind, what are you waiting for? Add text messaging to your marketing campaign and watch your loyal customer base grow!