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Nowadays, SMS marketing might not seem like the most fashionable thing out there.
But here’s the truth—SMS is making a strong comeback.
With an average open rate of 98%, compared to email’s 19.8%, SMS offers a direct, effective, and immediate way to reach customers. But many companies are, unfortunately, still struggling to implement it properly.
In this blog, we’ll break down why SMS marketing is essential in 2024, share proven strategies to master it, and show how HighLevel’s tools give your business a significant edge.
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Table of Contents
Why SMS Marketing Will Be Essential in 2024
As we went over in the intro, digital communication channels have become so cluttered that even emails, with their relatively low 19.8% open rate, can no longer guarantee visibility.
However, the immediacy of text messages provides a unique advantage, and when you factor in that most of them are usually opened, they slowly become a no-brainer!
In 2024, businesses will continue to face increased competition for consumer attention, making SMS marketing a vital tool for those looking to stand out. Whether it’s flash sales, appointment reminders, or important updates, SMS allows you to reach customers quickly and directly—just when they need it.
Key Benefits of SMS Marketing for Businesses
The effectiveness of SMS marketing lies not just in its high open rates but in how well it converts engagement into action. Let’s take a look at some key benefits:
- Instant Communication: SMS offers real-time engagement, which is crucial for time-sensitive offers or customer notifications.
- Cost-Effective: Running an SMS campaign is cost-efficient, offering a much higher ROI compared to other channels like paid social media ads.
- Targeted Messaging: By utilizing customer data, businesses can personalize messages, creating a more relevant experience for recipients.
- Higher Conversion Rates: Businesses using SMS marketing see conversion rates as high as 45%, far surpassing other marketing methods.
The numbers don’t lie. SMS marketing is not just an additional channel, it’s a powerful tool for lead nurturing and customer engagement.
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How HighLevel’s SMS Tools Can Boost Your Marketing Strategy
HighLevel has taken SMS marketing to the next level by offering a suite of tools that allow you to integrate text messaging seamlessly into your broader marketing efforts. Here’s how HighLevel can help you get started:
1. SMS-Enabled Phone Numbers
Many businesses still haven’t implemented an organized system for SMS marketing, but with HighLevel, that changes.
HighLevel offers SMS-enabled phone numbers that allow you to handle all your SMS communication from one place. Your selected number redirects to your main business line, letting you manage text conversations directly within the platform. You can create contacts, manage leads, and track interactions, all under one roof.
2. Missed-Call Text Back
Let’s paint a picture: a potential customer has a need, so they go to Google and look for a service/product that seems like a good fit. Good news: that’s you! So, they call you up. And… no answer! What do you think happens next? It’s simple, they’ll just go to the next best option.
And this actually happens more than you think. In fact, 62% of calls made to small businesses are left unanswered! Pretty crazy, right?
Thankfully, HighLevel’s Missed-Call Text Back feature ensures that you never lose a lead just because you missed their call.
Whenever a customer calls and you’re unable to answer, HighLevel automatically sends a customizable text message response. This keeps the conversation going and shows customers that you’re responsive, even if you can’t pick up the phone right away.
Best Practices to Master SMS Marketing in 2024
To truly make the most of SMS marketing, businesses need to follow key best practices. Here are the top strategies for mastering SMS marketing in 2024:
- Get Clear Consent: Always ensure you have explicit permission from recipients before sending SMS messages. This not only ensures compliance with regulations but also builds trust.
- Personalize Messages: Leverage customer data to send personalized messages that resonate. Personalization can increase engagement rates dramatically, turning leads into loyal customers.
- Be Concise: SMS messages are limited in length, so it’s essential to keep them short and to the point. Clarity and relevance are key to grabbing attention quickly.
- Timing Matters: Don’t send messages at odd hours. Aim to send SMS during business hours when your audience is most likely to engage. You can also use HighLevel’s automated scheduling tools to determine the best times for sending your messages.
- Include a Call-to-Action: Whether it’s a link to your website, a limited-time offer, or a “click-to-call” button, make sure there’s a clear next step for recipients to follow.
By following these best practices, your SMS campaigns will be poised to maximize engagement and conversion in 2024.
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Automating SMS Campaigns with HighLevel for Maximum Impact
Managing SMS campaigns manually can quickly become overwhelming, especially as your business scales. That’s where SMS marketing automation comes into play. HighLevel’s SMS tools let you automate campaigns to save time and boost efficiency.
Automated Drip Campaigns: You can create drip sequences that send personalized texts at timed intervals. For instance, when a new lead enters your funnel, you can automatically send a welcome message, followed by product offers or updates, keeping the conversation going.
Customer Segmentation: HighLevel allows you to segment your audience based on behavior, engagement, or demographic data, ensuring that your messages are tailored to specific groups for maximum relevance.
Detailed Analytics: Track the success of your SMS campaigns with built-in reporting features. Get real-time insights on open rates, click-through rates, and conversions so you can tweak and optimize your strategy as needed.
With HighLevel, SMS marketing becomes a hands-off process that drives results.
Master SMS Marketing with HighLevel in 2024
As SMS marketing continues to rise in importance, businesses that fail to implement it risk falling behind in 2024. Its immediacy, high engagement, and conversion potential make it an essential tool for every marketing strategy.
HighLevel offers an all-in-one solution for mastering SMS marketing—from SMS-enabled phone numbers to missed-call text backs, automated campaigns, and real-time analytics. You can streamline your entire SMS operation while boosting customer engagement and sales.
Want to see the power of SMS marketing in action? Sign up for HighLevel’s FREE 14-day trial today and discover how to take your marketing strategy to the next level!
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