Optimizing SMS Marketing: 5 Must-Know Hacks for Distributors

It’s no secret that SMS marketing is taking the distribution industry by storm. SMS Marketing enables you to send text messages—about promotions, events, last-minute deliveries, and other things—to large groups of customers right to their mobile devices. 

With its 98% open rate compared to email’s 20%, the convenience, reach, and effectiveness of an SMS marketing campaign is unparalleled. That’s why successful distributors today are using Prokeep’s Broadcast Text Messaging Feature to drive engagement and get the most out of their marketing efforts. 

We put together these hacks for SMS Marketing, so you can make sure you’re driving the most value to your customers, and with every message, enticing them to buy.

SMS Marketing Hack 1: Use Different Types of Messages

SMS Marketing serves many purposes and is a diverse tool for marketing to customers. You can categorize different formats of Broadcast Text Messages by their intent and their content. 

Some common types include:

• Promotional Messages
• Event Messages
• Educational Message
• Last Chance for Purchase Reminders
• Customer Sentiment

If you’re worried about message fatigue or annoying customers, using a variety of types of Broadcast Text Messages will ensure that content is relevant and driving value. With a content calendar, you can plan out your cadence and make sure you’re diversifying your content. 

SMS Marketing Hack 2: Use a Content Calendar

A content calendar allows you to plan what you’ll send out. This way, you’ll be able to make strategic decisions on what kind of content you’re sending and when. 

A content calendar offers you:

• Consistency: Keep a consistent schedule of outbound messages.
• Planning: See how messages align with seasonal events, available inventory, and more.
• Content variety: Easily diversify your content when you build your cadence.
• Audience segmentation: Ensure you’re hitting each segment throughout your cadence.
• Time-saving: No last-minute scrambling to get a message out.

Want a free content calendar template that you can use to build your strategy? Get our free template!

Download our Free SMS Marketing Content Calendar

SMS Marketing Hack 3: Craft the Right Message

Crafting the right message length lets you be sure that your messages are valuable and well-received. Different types of Broadcast Text Messages call for different message lengths, and using images or colorful CTAs to break up copy is another great practice. 

Some pro tips on crafting the right message include:

•  Be Concise: Keep your message concise and to the point. This way customers get the message as quickly as possible.
• Offer Value: Whether it's a special offer, exclusive discount, or something else, provide value to the recipient in every message.
• Personalize When Possible: Use first names, purchase history, or other identifiers to personalize your messages to make them more relevant to the customer. 
• Use a Clear Call-to-Action (CTA): Include a clear CTA that conveys what you want customers to do next.
• Use Images: There’s nothing more eye-catching than using an image. Information can get lost in text, so when you can, consider using images to break up the copy.

Want a quick and easy way to craft great messages that will drive value to customers?

Get our free SMS Marketing templates!

SMS Marketing Hack 4: Understand SMS Compliance

SMS is regulated and has specific requirements, and it’s best to be informed when building your strategy. 

Laws you need to abide by in the United States include:

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA):  a federal law passed in 1991 that mandates you to receive written consent from mobile subscribers before sending them marketing text messages.

CTIA Guidelines: a trade association that outlines the US wireless communications industry and provides requirements.

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA): a federal law that sets standards for making public accommodations accessible to people with disabilities. 

Key things to take note of include:

• Subscribers must explicitly opt-in for SMS marketing in writing, and it has to be a separate opt-in from email marketing.
• You need to explain to potential subscribers what types of messages they’ll receive and clearly state how they can opt-out. 
• You need to respect opt-out requests. 
• You can’t send text messages during federal- and state-specific “quiet hours.”

For a deeper dive into SMS compliance and everything you need to know, get our SMS compliance checklist!

SMS Marketing Hack 5: Continue Your Outbound Strategy

Outbound communication doesn’t stop with SMS marketing! By creating a habit of proactively reaching out to customers you’ll nurture relationships and entice your customers to spend. 

Other kinds of outbound messages:

• Automated order status updates
• Product post-purchase check-ins
• Requests for feedback
• Upcoming delivery reminders
• Last calls for orders

By keeping up the momentum and continuing to incorporate outbound communications into your workflow you’ll drive engagement, keep everyone informed, and make customers feel like they matter. 

The Ultimate Broadcast Text Messaging Hack: Partner with Prokeep

SMS Marketing is a powerful tool for re-engaging customers and driving profitability, and Prokeep’s Broadcast Text Messaging feature is designed to do just that.

Equipped with the ability to send images, derive insights into analytics, and power your campaigns with just the simple press of a button, Prokeep’s Broadcast Text Messaging feature is built for your success. 

With Prokeep’s SMS Marketing Feature, distributors are seeing benefits like:

• Increased e-commerce sales
• Streamlined deliveries
• Better marketing communication
• Increased operational efficiency
• & More! 

Or are you looking for a communication tool that will kickstart your SMS marketing journey? Book a demo and see how Prokeep can help!