How to Convert Mobile Leads Using Text Messaging

Mobile devices are becoming more personal than ever. People rely on their phones for almost everything — from starting and keeping conversations to scrolling through social media apps, listening to music, playing games, buying what they need and want, and more. 

Think that text plays a small part in the growth of smartphone ownership? Think again. Did you know that 5 billion people — or about 65% of the world’s population send and receive SMS messages? Millennials spend about 48 minutes texting each day, compared to boomers who text for about 30 minutes every day. 

Why You Should Market Your Business Via SMS

What does this mean for your business? If you need to get your message across, SMS marketing is one of your best options. Think about it, how many unopened emails and messages do you have? SMS open rates are as high as 98%, compared to emails that are never opened 2/3 of the time. Leveraging SMS will help you market in real-time and give you a competitive edge through seamless communication. 

If you’re still unsure, here are more compelling reasons why you should text customers:

• SMS can help you build and sustain conversations — as many as 78% of people wish they could have a text conversation with a business. 
• Text campaigns generate great returns on investment, with about 45% of SMS campaigns getting positive ROI. 
• SMS increases your website traffic. Text is a marketing channel that can stand on its own, but you can integrate it with other online tools like email and social media to enhance engagement.
• Automated SMS marketing gives you the best of both worlds: you can grow leads and nurture them in their buying journeys while also engaging existing customers to boost customer loyalty and repeat business. 

How To Use Text Messaging To Win More Customers

Here are some tips and best practices to help you create a winning text messaging campaign that attracts and retains today’s modern customers.

• Get Permission
  The first step to gaining the attention of mobile users is to get permission before sending text messages. Spam is so frustrating!
  
  Let your prospects opt-in to your communications. This will give your leads the impression that you are a credible and professional business that looks to gain their trust. You can effectively nurture leads via text messages by letting them sign up for your communications.  

• Keep It Personalized and Simple
  Text messages must be short, sweet, and conversational. Mobile users won’t pay attention to long, back-to-back messages that lack purpose. Avoid miscommunication and overwhelming your leads by keeping text messages short and to the point. Tell them what they need to know and what they can do next. Plus, short text messages lead to higher click-through rates that will boost your SMS marketing campaign. 

• Set Clear Contexts and Expectations
  Let your leads know what you’ll be texting them about - what are they getting and how often will they get it. Will you be providing promotions, discounts, or news? Find out more about their wants and needs so you can better relate to them.
  
  Don’t just send random, unsolicited messages. Keep your text messages relevant to get more click-throughs. 

• Time It Wisely
  It’s not just about what you text, it’s also about when you text. Timing is everything. When you time your messages correctly, you’ll stay top of mind with on-the-go customers. It’s not ideal to bombard your customers with tons of messages every single day. Learn more about your audiences so you can figure out how to best interact with them. 

• Engage Customers By Creating Value
  Leverage text messages to inspire your customers to learn more about you and your services. The goal is to enhance customer retention and loyalty by meeting customers’ needs and expectations through a convenient, swift, and efficient mobile-friendly service.
  
  Want to better understand your mobile users and craft targeted SMS marketing messages for them? Follow-up on leads and existing customers through text surveys. Send one to two simple questions that will make it very easy for your customers to reply.
  
  Looking to appreciate your first-time and long-time customers? Or maybe you want to promote your new products and services? You can send text messages to offer discounts, coupons, freebies, and limited-time-only deals.
  
  Plus, SMS can be an excellent tool to improve your customer service. Use text messaging to schedule and confirm appointments and invite mobile users to your event or sale. 

• Drive Traffic To Your Online Channels
  Take your texting game to the next level by using SMS conversations to move mobile users to other marketing channels. Add links to your website, Facebook, Messenger, YouTube, and other online platforms within your texts to let your customers explore more about your business and what it can offer. 

Boost Your Conversational Marketing With GoSite Messenger

Expand your reach and conversation rates by integrating text messaging with other lead nurturing tactics. With GoSite Messenger, taking a multichannel approach to your communications has never been this exciting! This tool lets you manage and respond to all conversations across all platforms in one easy-to-use dashboard.

Ready to meet customers wherever they are? The only thing left to do is to send a text message. Check out our Messenger tool to get started!

GoSite can help your business grow in so many ways, all in one friendly dashboard. Ready to dive in? Start a free trial. Prefer a conversation? Book a demo.