Text message marketing campaigns became popular due to their massive open and conversion rates. That’s why enterprise SMS can truly change a company’s results. However, one must use this approach wisely.
You can’t text your customers the same way you text your friends. Even messages people send to their employers don’t come close to enterprise texting. You need a carefully planned process from strategy to compliance to ensure success.
That’s where this article comes in. Read on to learn the basics of enterprise texting, from its definition to marketing tactics!
What is Enterprise SMS?
Enterprise SMS is a specialized communication channel businesses use to interact with customers, employees, and partners on a large scale. It isn’t as easy as forming some words and sending the text anytime you want.
Instead, it involves using SMS services to manage high-volume text messages. These services often have advanced features like automation, analytics, and security. However, your customers still receive the message through the SMS application on their mobile phones. Then how does this texting differ from regular SMS?
Enterprise texting differs from regular SMS in scale, functionality, and security. Enterprises require a robust SMS platform and advanced security features to handle bulk texts. With regular SMS, all you have to do is pick up your phone and send the text.
Besides, the language is also different. You need to carry out customer interactions in a professional yet understandable tone.
But what makes business SMS such a powerful tool? SMS is readily available on every phone. Statistics reveal that SMS texts have open rates as high as 98%. You don’t get such high open rates with other communication channels like social media.
Therefore, you have less chance that people will react to your campaigns.
Moreover, SMS is one of the most personalizable forms of communication. You can tailor your messages to individual customers, increasing engagement and conversion rates.
Key Features of an Enterprise SMS Gateway
If you’ve researched enterprise texting before, you’ve probably encountered the concept of an enterprise SMS gateway. It is a specialized program that enables businesses to send and receive text messages on a large scale.
It’s a crucial part of successful enterprise texting, so you must choose one for yourself. For that, you must know the key features to judge various options.
First, an enterprise gateway can handle many SMS campaigns simultaneously. Even then, a good gateway doesn’t compromise reliability and speed. They do so through direct carrier connections.
Moreover, these platforms allow two-way messaging to encourage more interactive customer communication. They even allow you to send text messages to other countries.
An analytics feature can also provide actionable insights into your campaigns and contact list. Lastly, these platforms help you comply with guidelines so you don’t have to suffer legal consequences.
What Are the Best Enterprise SMS Solutions?
Your choice of the best enterprise SMS solutions will depend on your needs and budget. But if you want something to start with, the best options include TextMagic, EZTexting, and Attentive. Here’s why.
Firstly, TextMagic is an enterprise text messaging solution with robust features that encourage customer engagement. These include two-way SMS, bulk texts, keyword automation, list management, and integrations. However, it doesn’t currently provide shortcodes.
On the other hand, EZ Texting provides shortcodes, so you don’t have to go elsewhere. In addition to all the basic features, it also lets you use AI to compose your messages and replies.
Lastly, Attentive focuses on helping businesses personalize their messages with intelligent reporting features. It also lets you set automatic replies, workflows, and schedules.
These options meet SMS compliance guidelines, so you aren’t at risk.
3 Enterprise SMS Marketing Techniques To Increase Sales and Engagement
Now that you understand enterprise texting, how do you use it to increase sales and engagement? By learning some enterprise SMS marketing techniques. If you’re unsure where to start, here are some creative campaign ideas to reap the benefits of SMS marketing:
- Ask for feedback: Although we often think of surveys when thinking about feedback, you can also use SMS messages. In fact, SMS messages are better since you can personalize these requests.
- Initiate proximity marketing: Proximity marketing uses customers’ nearness to your venue to send them marketing campaigns. You can entice customers when they’re already nearby by leveraging Bluetooth, WiFi, etc., and combining them with SMS.
- Notify about new products: Since SMS reaches your customers directly, it’s the best channel to notify them about new products. Similarly, you can notify customers about frequently purchased or viewed products when they’re back in stock.
Frequently Asked Questions About Enterprise Texting
Now that you’re familiar with enterprise texting, let’s look at some FAQ before wrapping things up.
How can enterprises ensure effective use of SMS?
Businesses can ensure effective use of SMS by targeting relevant audiences and crafting concise and compelling messages.
They also need to automate message delivery to ensure timeliness and engagement. Integrating their SMS marketing with other channels is ideal for comprehensive and personalized campaigns.
Lastly, businesses must also track and monitor their campaigns to find loopholes and refine their strategies.
Is it legal to send business texts?
Yes, it is legal to send business texts as long as you comply with the guidelines. It’s not even that hard. All you have to do is gain explicit consent before sending messages and give a clear opt-out option.
Apart from that, you must follow basic ethics. For example, avoid misleading or illegal content, don’t spam your contacts, and send texts during business hours.
However, local governments often have their own rules, so check them out.
What is an example of an enterprise text?
An example of an enterprise text can include promotions, discount coupons, customer service, new product announcements, and reminders.
For a specific example, let’s craft a message for reminders.
“A quick reminder that your monthly mobile bill is due on [date]. Visit [link] to pay now and avoid interruption.”
Choose SMS as Part of an Effective Marketing Strategy
While enterprise SMS is an immediate and engaging way to reach customers, it isn’t enough for an effective marketing strategy. Some situations call for email or social media use instead.
Combining the above enterprise SMS examples with other types of digital and traditional marketing tactics is best.
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