Mobile Messaging

Mobile is a fantastic marketing and advertising platform. People have it turned on all the time, and they are accessible in one’s pocket. The ubiquitous and social nature of mobile messaging also makes communication easier. There are several features on mobile phones that may be added into your marketing approach. Take a look at the best mobile messaging channels you can use for digital marketing.

SMS as a Mobile Messaging Channel

SMS is one of the mobile phone characteristics that you may utilize in your marketing strategy. It is most extensive and most used data application. In fact, 90% of SMSs are read in only three minutes upon receiving, which is unparalleled to other channels. That said, this mobile messaging channel is a simple and effective channel for marketing. 

SMS messages can be 160 characters long or more if you use concatenating. It can be sent from a phone or computer to a phone and the other way around. Mobile messaging using SMS has critical marketing applications. For instance, SMS allows for two-way communication. It lets people subscribe to specific services and access necessary information at a low price. 

SMS and Marketing

Since SMS messages are being sent in large volumes every day, it’s a vital strategy that every marketer should consider. The only downside is that most users are unwilling to share their phone numbers for marketing purposes. These individuals try to avoid receiving spam.

This phenomenon gave rise to CSC, which are shortcodes used by mobile users to send SMS, receiving something in return. One can send CSCs to and from mobile phone users, and they often come with keywords including STOP and HELP. 

• Use STOP to unsubscribe the number from the service.
• Use HELP as an assistance request from the sender.

CRMs

Text messages updates are surprisingly helpful for managing customer relationship and interactions. The travel, resort, and restaurant industries employ this by sending updates about the schedule. These updates include directions or details. SMS updates also reduce call center volumes and ensure that the client will feel valued.

Promotions in Mobile Messaging

Mobile messaging lets you send timely promotions to large databases at a seemingly low cost. You can schedule such promotions for a particular time when consumers are most likely shopping to improve interaction with messages.

Receiving Messages

Use CSCs to receive messages from customers. They provide a quick and trackable way for the public to engage with a company. Common Short Codes is a cost-efficient means for getting marketing communication because the costs can be passed to the consumer. 

Return Call Messages

These messages are phone texts sent for free, asking the recipient to contact the sender. It typically includes an advertisement after the message and is an excellent position to approach lower-LSM users. 

MMS as a Mobile Messaging Channel

The Multimedia Messaging Service is the version of mobile messaging that is media-rich. It can include audio, graphics, video, images, and texts. Use this to allow you to send richer details by employing WAP. However, the costs are higher. 

MMSs are considered beneficial in viral campaigns as they encourage users to use their phones and create content to share. This requires the receiver to bear data costs in order to receive messages, so it is not cost-effective.

WiFi and Bluetooth 

Aside from using a cellphone data, you can connect mobile phones using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. You can use these two to conduct mobile marketing by means of connecting and exchanging messages. Both are useful for sending location-specific marketing like discount codes in a mall. 

Instant Messaging for Mobile Marketing

Instant messaging allows people to communicate and exchange messages in real-time. For the users, they can have the benefits of SMS at a more instant rate and a cheaper price. The market in Instant Messaging spreads across the different apps and services. Some examples of these are Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Viber, which can be installed on a smartphone. 

At the POV of a marketer, instant messaging offers a way to conduct customer support. But, this comes with the risk of angering or alienating customers. Instant support provides you a chance to reach consumers at the time they are using your product. However, this requires you to be instantly available to provide information to the customers.

How to Include Mobile Marketing to Your Marketing Strategy

It would be best to consider what customer touchpoints are beneficial from a one-to-one exchange. Here are a few ways you can complement your marketing strategy using mobile messaging applications.

Onboarding

Create a good impression with a timely message as you onboard customers. But before using onboarding as a marketing strategy, you first must ensure that you have the recipients’ consent. The consent entails that users must opt-in to mobile messaging from an email in your welcome series. Once opted-in, you can automate programs to distribute messages to these customers. 

An onboarding message can provide essential links and information for the new customers or prospects to use. 

Launches

You can use mobile messaging best for driving up sales when launching new products. By encouraging customers to subscribe to reminders, you can send messages when products are dropped. Adopt this marketing strategy by brands of any industry. In addition, brands should use customer activity to drive up user interaction with the messages. 

Inspirational and Educational Content

Contents that are designed to educate and inspire consumers to have the benefit of improved user perception and engagement. As a post-purchase campaign manager, you can utilize this strategy to your advantage. However, you have to consider that these contents must be sharable. This is to allow the recipients to spread your content and impress other viewers by your brand.

Feedback

After the audiences experience your brand, make sure that you request their feedback. This is essential as it can help you develop your service or product better inclined with the customers. Additionally, it can make customers more invested in your brand since their opinions are valued.

© Image credits to Gabriel Peter