Email marketing has long been a staple in many businesses’ marketing strategies. However, as SMS marketing continues to grow, more businesses are realizing the potential benefits of transitioning their email list to SMS. SMS boasts an impressive open rate of 98%, far surpassing the average email open rate of 20-30%. This makes SMS an invaluable tool for businesses looking to increase engagement and conversions.
If you’ve built a solid email list, converting those subscribers into SMS subscribers can significantly improve your marketing efforts. In this post, we’ll explain how to convert your email list to SMS, and how you can use SMS templates to streamline the process.
Why Convert Your Email List to SMS?
There are several reasons why converting your email list to SMS is a smart move:
- Higher Engagement: SMS messages have a 98% open rate and are usually read within minutes, while email messages often go unnoticed or are buried in a crowded inbox.
- Instant Communication: SMS is delivered directly to the recipient’s phone, which means your messages are seen and acted upon immediately.
- Personalized Experience: SMS allows for more personalized communication, enabling you to send targeted, relevant messages to your subscribers.
- Boost Conversion Rates: SMS has higher response rates, meaning it’s more likely to drive sales, event registrations, and other desired actions.
Steps to Convert Your Email List to SMS
Here are the steps you can take to convert your email list to SMS:
1. Obtain Permission to Send SMS
Before you can start sending SMS messages to your email subscribers, you need to get their explicit consent. This is a legal requirement, and it ensures that your subscribers are willing to receive messages from you.
Best Practice: Include an opt-in form where email subscribers can easily sign up for SMS updates. You can offer an incentive, such as a discount or exclusive content, to encourage people to opt in.
Example: “Join our VIP SMS list for exclusive updates and discounts! Text JOIN to [Shortcode] to sign up.”
2. Segment Your Audience
Just like with email marketing, segmentation is key to making your SMS campaigns effective. Not all of your email subscribers will have the same interests or needs, so segmenting your list based on criteria such as purchase history, location, or demographics will allow you to send targeted, relevant messages.
Best Practice: Use the data from your email list (e.g., purchase frequency, engagement level, or past interactions) to create different segments for your SMS campaigns. This way, you can send tailored messages that resonate with each group.
Example: “Send SMS updates for new products to customers who have purchased similar items in the past.”
3. Create SMS Templates for Consistency and Efficiency
SMS templates save you time and ensure that your messages are consistent. With Mobiniti, you can easily create SMS templates that can be reused for various purposes, such as promotions, event reminders, and customer thank-yous.
Best Practice: Use templates for regular messages like order confirmations, promotions, and event reminders, and customize them as needed for specific campaigns.
Example: “Thank you for your purchase, [Customer Name]! Your order is confirmed and will arrive on [Date].”
4. Provide an Easy Opt-Out Option
It’s important to always give your subscribers an easy way to opt out of receiving SMS messages. This is not only a legal requirement but also helps maintain a positive relationship with your audience. Including a clear opt-out option in every SMS message shows that you respect your subscribers’ preferences.
Best Practice: Include the word “STOP” or “UNSUBSCRIBE” as an easy opt-out option in every message.
Example: “To stop receiving updates, reply STOP to this message.”
5. Promote SMS Sign-Up to Your Email List
To grow your SMS list, promote SMS sign-ups to your email subscribers. You can create a compelling call to action in your emails, explaining the benefits of signing up for SMS updates, such as exclusive discounts, early access to new products, or event notifications.
Best Practice: Make it clear what benefits subscribers will receive from opting into SMS updates, and offer an incentive to encourage sign-ups.
Example: “Sign up for our SMS updates and get 15% off your next order! Text JOIN to [Shortcode] to get started.”
Best Practices for SMS Templates
Once you’ve converted your email list to SMS, it’s important to use SMS templates effectively. Here are some best practices for creating compelling SMS templates:
1. Keep Messages Short and Direct
SMS messages should be concise and to the point. You only have 160 characters to convey your message, so make every word count. Focus on one clear message and avoid including too much information in each message.
Best Practice: Write clear, actionable messages that your subscribers can act on immediately, such as discounts, promotions, or event reminders.
Example: “Get 20% off your next order with code SMS20. Shop now: [Link].”
2. Personalize Your Messages
Personalized messages are far more effective than generic ones. Use your subscribers’ names, past purchases, or preferences to make your SMS messages feel more tailored and relevant to each individual.
Best Practice: Use dynamic fields to insert subscriber information, such as their first name, order history, or location.
Example: “Hi [First Name], we’ve restocked your favorite [Product Name]! Get 10% off today only with code RESTOCK10.”
3. Include a Clear Call to Action
Every SMS message should include a clear call to action (CTA). Whether it’s making a purchase, signing up for an event, or redeeming an offer, the CTA should be simple and easy to follow.
Best Practice: Use action-oriented language to guide your subscribers on what to do next, and make the CTA stand out in the message.
Example: “Text JOIN to [Shortcode] to get 10% off your next order. Hurry, offer ends soon!”
4. Test Your Messages
Before sending your SMS campaigns to your entire list, it’s essential to test them to see how they perform. A/B testing different versions of your SMS messages allows you to optimize your campaigns and improve performance.
Best Practice: Test different subject lines, CTAs, or offers to see which ones drive the best response rates.
Example: Test two versions of an offer: “Save 10%” vs. “Get 10% off your next order.”
Conclusion
Converting your email list to SMS is an excellent way to engage with your audience and improve your marketing efforts. By offering clear, compelling SMS templates and using segmentation, personalization, and testing, you can maximize the effectiveness of your SMS campaigns and increase engagement with your audience.
Ready to convert your email list to SMS? Learn more about how Mobiniti’s SMS platform can help you create effective SMS campaigns and grow your business!
