Month: September 2023

Digital marketing evolves, and it evolves quickly- which is why it is crucial to stay ahead of the game by exploring every means of connection with your audience. SMS marketing is often overlooked as a marketing channel, with the return on your efforts underestimated. Keep reading to find out more about SMS marketing and why it should not be overlooked…

We are surrounded by generations who spend very little time away from their smartphones, which is why targeting customers where you know they will see it is both simple and effective. SMS marketing subscribers are engaged potential or repeat customers. Your messaging needs to be quick, powerful and impactful in order to get this mix of subscribers back on your site.

 

The advantages of SMS marketing are endless, with great platforms like SMSBump making it incredibly easy and accessible. These include:

 

Higher ROI (return on investment)

One of the most notable benefits of SMS marketing is its potential to deliver a higher ROI. Due to the accessibility and common/frequent use of SMS, campaigns tend to have exceptionally high open and click-through rates, naturally resulting in more actions being taken.

 

Easy setup and automation

SMS marketing doesn’t require elaborate design work or complex campaign setups. With platforms like SMSBump, campaigns can be set up very easily, and the same goes for automated sends. These are triggered by specific customer actions e.g. abandoning cart. All you need is powerful short-form copy to capture your audience’s attention and drive them to take action.

 

Increases customer retention

Inevitably, the cost of retaining customers is lower than investing in new ones. So having an SMS marketing strategy that explores retention marketing is crucial. Naturally, it makes sense to keep your SMS subscribers engaged to ensure that they remain interested and loyal to your brand- let them know of any new product launches and send over exclusive discounts to incentivise them to purchase, either for the first time or as a rewarded loyal customer.

 

How do you get started with SMS marketing?

 

1 – Firstly, to begin your SMS journey you need to prepare subscriber capture methods. Implement strategies such as website popups prompting visitors to sign up for SMS alerts. Drive them to do so by incentivising them with exclusive discounts such as 10% or 15% off their next purchase. This initial step is crucial for building your SMS subscriber list with engaged customers.

2 – While you are getting to know the basics and furthering your knowledge of SMS it is important to update your compliance to ensure that your terms of service and privacy policy include SMS. With the goal of being as transparent as possible with your customers,  you need to include things like a description of the service, clear opt-out instructions and a link to your Privacy Policy. A full list and more information can usually be found with the help of your chosen SMS platform. 

3 – In order to streamline your marketing efforts you’re going to want to integrate your SMS marketing with your existing email marketing provider. This integration allows you to sync subscribers and subscriber data, creating a unified approach to reaching your audience for omnichannel retention marketing. You can also encourage your existing email subscribers to sign up for SMS to access ‘more exclusive deals’.

4 – Once you’re all set up, you can kickstart your SMS marketing strategy with automated flows. Automated flows are triggered by specific subscriber actions or events. You can start with things such as a welcome flow for new subscribers, abandoned cart reminders to recover potential sales, or post-purchase flows that upsell their next purchase. Winback flows can also be implemented for subscribers who abandon their browsing session or don’t return to purchase for more than 45 days. You can offer attractive discounts to low engagers in order to rekindle their interest. 

5 – As your subscriber list grows, it’s time to start thinking about campaigns. Preparation is key, so create a content calendar with a regular schedule, aiming for at least 2-3 campaigns per month to begin with. Segment your audience based on various factors, such as their purchase history or browsing behaviour. This segmentation enables you to tailor your messages and create targeted content for different groups of subscribers. This allows you to appeal to a wider range of customers and keep them engaged accordingly.

 

And there you have it, the key to getting started with SMS marketing! 🚀

If you want to find out more about adding SMS to your marketing strategy, or how we can help you elevate your marketing strategy as a whole- get in touch today.

Now more than ever, we know the importance of UGC (user-generated content) in elevating brand memorability and trust. In other words, you can’t sleep on good-quality UGC to make your brand stand out in the market and get your customers talking. UGC has experienced spectacular growth over the last few years, with brands harnessing the power to build brand trust with relatable, personal content.

In this article, we’re going through how you can get started on your UGC journey, and where to source the creators and customers at the centre of this content.

 

But first of all, what is UGC?

User-generated content is content created for your brand and product(s) by either consumers or content creators, and published to social media. This most commonly involves video creation, featuring a relatable face talking about the impact, benefits and features of the product, often making it personal to their own experience and how it’s solved a particular problem.

It can range from simple ‘how-to’ educational videos to fast-paced creative storyboarding, depending on your vision and the creators you use.

 

And how can you source the people who create UGC for your brand?

There are many different avenues to choose from when sourcing UGC, depending on the size of your brand and the investment you’re willing to make here. Let’s go through your principal options:

 

1. Freelance UGC creators

With the rise of UGC comes an new-found industry network of experienced content creators clued-up on how to create scroll-stopping, memorable UGC. You can reach them on talent platforms like Fiverr and Upwork, by writing a callout brief of your desired content/ creator and finding your best fit. Make sure you request and check their portfolio to ensure they’ve got what it takes to create high-quality content for your brand.

In your brief, make sure you clarify what you’d like to see- what B-roll should they film? Do they include a testimonial talking about the featured product, and if so, what should they mention, what angle should they focus on, and should they speak directly to camera or provide a voiceover?

It’s important to visualise what you’d like to see, and get that down in words as clearly as possible, so that your creators can easily understand exactly what you’re looking for.

Provide them with as much helpful information as possible, including your website, product page and any brand guidelines to guide them in the right direction.

 

💡 Need help sourcing the right creators- or want a streamlined, easy way to outsource this process? We’re here to help. Our UGC service does just that- working with you to source and create high-quality UGC for your brand. Get in touch and find out more – and get your UGC strategy elevated in time for Q4.

 

2.Paid partnerships with influencers/creators

If you wish to delve into influencer marketing and find more recognisable faces in your niche, why not look into paid partnerships? You’d pay the influencer to promote your brand/product in sponsored social media content, from Instagram Reels/TikToks to posts and stories. By investing in your brand promoters, you’re increasing your brand’s credibility and bringing it to the attention of thousands of their followers. 

Perhaps start with micro influencers (between 10k to 100k followers) or even nano influencers (between 1k-10k followers) if you’re just getting started.

 

3.Gifted products in exchange for content

A more informal way to secure memorable content from influencers, without the big-time investment, is gifting products in exchange for social media endorsements. This could be a shoutout/mention on their story, or a lifestyle reel featuring the product and the benefits it brings.

While risking the potentiality that the influencer doesn’t end up endorsing the product you gift them (as there is no contract or monetary agreement here), it is a much more economical way to work with micro/nano influencers and build awareness via follower bases and niches you wish to tap into. 

 

4. Brand ambassadors

You can also work with loyal ambassadors for regular brand endorsements (thought this is on a more contractual basis). These ambassadors fit the criteria of your target consumer, and help you communicate your brand values and product USPs on socials. 

They become a face of your brand, and you can rely on them for a high-quality content stream- via both posting to their page and sending you content for you to use on your own social media account.

 

5.Customer feedback

The easiest way for you to obtain social proof (ie clear recommendations and endorsements of a product), which is a simple form of UGC, is via customer feedback. You can ask your customers or social media followers to share their thoughts and experiences on their story/posts, tagging you in their shoutouts for a possible feature on your page. 

It’s a win-win for you both, and an economical way for your brand to build trust via authentic customer feedback and experiences.

 

🚀 Need help building your social proof and want to delve into the ever-growing world of UGC? We’ve got you covered. Get in touch with our expert team now and find out how we can help your brand grow in trust and market presence.