Without a question, we are spending more and more time on our mobile devices. In addition to setting alarms, shopping, researching, tracking our finances, taking pictures, reading and watching the news, and communicating with friends, family, and coworkers, we also use our mobile devices to do a lot of other things.
This is just one of the many strong arguments for why companies are making mobile marketing a more important component of their marketing plans. In fact, it’s predicted that by 2019, more than 70% of marketing budgets would go into creating and implementing mobile apps and ads. The mobile phone is a multipurpose tool that provides access to social networks, emails, text messages, and more.
Although there are many mobile communication methods available to marketers, SMS remains a popular channel because of its unparalleled open and click-through rates.
An SMS gateway allows marketers to quickly and easily engage with customers through bulk SMS with news, information, special offers, prizes, and incentives. It is direct, personal, economical, and simple to use. Additionally, it offers businesses a special and beneficial platform for two-way SMS communication, enabling them to send and receive text messages both ways.
There are numerous advantages to this. It’s no secret that two-way communication works best, and companies that communicate with their clients are frequently better equipped to understand their needs, which helps them provide better customer service. Customers also prefer two-way messages, according to a recent Twilio survey. According to the report, 85% of individuals worldwide would prefer to be able to respond to communications from businesses in addition to simply receiving them.
Businesses can use two-way SMS in a variety of ways. We’ve compiled a list of our top three below.
Expand your database
Businesses frequently place a high premium on developing a sizable database, particularly when they are actively executing SMS marketing initiatives. And holding contests and giveaways is one of the simplest methods to expand your database. Who doesn’t enjoy a freebie, after all? For this, two-way SMS is the perfect medium. You can use two-way SMS to conduct contests that entice clients to text in a specific code word. For instance, a sign advertising “Win a dinner for two on us!” might be seen in a café or restaurant. Text the code word DINNERFORTWO to 1300 123 456 to enter the draw.
A text message is significantly simpler for the user and can be sent in a matter of seconds, whereas many other competitions need entry via social media or email. Customers will find it easy to enter due to its simplicity, and you may automate a response like “Thanks for entering our competition, the winner will be drawn on April 4” by setting up responses to specific phrases. I wish you luck. It will raise brand awareness and provide you the chance to send future promotions and exclusive offers. They could even consider your restaurant the next time they’re looking for a place to eat.
Simplify your company’s operations
Two-way SMS is the ideal tool for expediting daily procedures and conversations, in addition to being excellent for establishing a rapport with your clients. With automation at your fingertips, you can easily and quickly set up reminders for appointments and bookings, to which clients can reply. By adding keyword triggers to these responses, you could then go one step further and efficiently control the entire process without requiring human intervention.
Getting insightful feedback
Reviews and feedback are essential to any company’s expansion and success. There are several disadvantages to using traditional customer surveying techniques including phone calls, direct mail, and emails. After all, how recently have you been pleased to answer a call from a call center asking you to complete a survey or offer feedback?
Customers are significantly more inclined to participate when two-way SMS makes it quick and easy for them to react to requests for input.
A straightforward text message that asks, “How would you rate our product out of ten?” enables businesses to get quick and candid feedback from their clients about how well their business performed. You may easily improve your clients’ experience and obtain insightful information with one small move.
Two-way SMS could seem confusing to you. However, this couldn’t be more untrue.
How to use MXT to set up two-way SMS
Setting up a two-way SMS campaign is quick and easy with SMSGlobal’s MXT platform.
Select the sending option that suits you the best. Choose from an integrated API, our web-messaging platform MXT, or even create an account for email-to-SMS integration.
Make your message unique. Use tools like campaign staggering, scheduled reminders, keyword triggers, and personalized sender IDs to create and personalize your communications.
Send and receive: In MXT, your linked CRM or email service, you may monitor the replies to your messages in the incoming messages section once they are sent and received.