Marketing Tips
How to Grow Your SMS Subscriber [5 Tips]
When it comes to SMS marketing, nothing is more important than your subscriber list. It’s the cherry on top of your cake. You may have the best offers and the most engaging content in the world, but without a high-quality list, none of your messages will convert.
However, it takes a lot of time and effort to establish an organic SMS marketing list from scratch. Many marketers skip this step and instead purchase text lists, only to discover their messages going unread and their customers unhappy as a result. Buying lists is a huge no-no, just so we’re clear.
There are no quick fixes when it comes to growing your SMS opt-ins. It takes work to expand your SMS subscriber base. Thankfully, we have a few methods that can improve your chances of doing it successfully.
We have detailed six proven strategies for expanding your SMS marketing list below. Try them out, and you’ll see a dramatic increase in your subscriber base.
Provide a Sign-Up Form on Your Website
Make sure everyone who visits your site knows how to sign up for your SMS list. Try using several locations for your sign-up form, such as within blog articles or even your homepage. You may also experiment with non-intrusive SMS pop up forms. You can boost the likelihood that visitors will sign up if you offer them something they can’t refuse as a prize for doing so.
Provide incentives to your new subscribers such as discounts, free shipping, or ebooks. Track the number of subscribers gained from each sign-up method and ditch the ones that aren’t producing results.
Promote Exclusive Offers and Discounts Only Accessible Through Text Messages
Provide exclusive discounts only available to your SMS subscribers. This might be a one-time Christmas offer or something you do every year.
You may, during the holidays, promote your service by giving all SMS subscribers free delivery. But after the promotion is ended (or the buyer completes their purchase), they may opt out of further notifications.
That’s why it’s important to provide ongoing benefits. Offer exclusive deals by SMS that customers can’t get by visiting your website or signing up for your email list. Keep these promotions related to certain channels to entice people to sign up for more.
Turn Your Email List Into an SMS List
Conversion rates in SMS marketing are over the roof. The average open rate for an SMS message is 98%, and studies have shown that people are more likely to respond to a text than an email. As compared to other marketing methods, SMS marketing always comes out on top in terms of ROI.
Create an email marketing campaign to demonstrate the advantages of your SMS updates. Set up a magic keyword opt-in and watch as your SMS list expands with no effort on your part. Additionally, embed a clean and concise CTA for SMS opt-in in your email signature.
Get Your Social Media Followers to Sign Up for Your Newsletter
You should also consider getting your fans on social media to sign up for your SMS list. These individuals have actively chosen to engage with your company on social media, and adding an SMS channel might be the icing on the cake.
You may advertise your SMS opt-in form on feed posts and Stories. You could do it even live. Add your SMS short code and an enticing offer to your company’s description or bio to make it a promotion that will last forever.
Offer Checkout Bonuses
Provide a discount at the checkout to anyone who signs up for your SMS list in person or online. Offer a discount of 10% or a freebie in return for their contact information.
When you do this at the register, your consumers will notice an immediate value in your offer. A client seeing a $20 reduction before they swipe their credit card is far more compelling than a promotional code for 10% off.
Do Some Event Promotion
Live events provide many possibilities to expand your SMS list, both in person and online. Those who sign up for your SMS list will get updates about the event, helpful tips for attending, and more in the lead-up to, during, and after the event. While you’re there, put up some actual sign-up form urging people to join. If feasible, put your opt-in terms in a prominent location on the screen during online events.
Final Thoughts
Spending some effort at the outset to build up your list and make a strategy will allow you to operate your SMS marketing program more efficiently. As a result, your advertising efforts will be more fruitful.
The initial investment of effort required to input all contact information, arrange everything, combine duplicate contacts, and complete other chores will be well worth it once your SMS marketing campaign is up and running.