SMS Marketing

SMS Marketing

Dr. Karim Kobeissi

SMS Marketing - Definition

SMS Marketing refers to the use of cell phones to promote a certain product. This is done by sending SMS or text messages from a company to a consumer. These messages often contain specific promotions for sales or discounts.

SMS Marketing is a form of Mobile Marketing.

Why SMS Marketing ?

Our world is more Mobile now than ever. Consumers are always on the move and it is increasingly hard to reach them through traditional communication channels like TV, Radio and Internet.

In 2014 there were more than 6 billion mobile phone subscriptions.

With increasing penetration of mobile phones to the most rural areas, mobile networks cover more than 90% of the worlds population.

Availability, affordability and diffusion make the mobile phone an essential platform for retail marketing and business to customer communication.

Why SMS Marketing ?

6 billion mobile phone subscriptions worldwide.

Mobile operators cover more than 90% of the world.

Consumers are always on the move (Increasingly hard to reach them through traditional channels).

All mobile phones support SMS.

SMS does not require data connections or apps.

SMS is cost effective compared to other communication channels.

Mobile is the most personal channel. SMS is direct and immediate.

SMS has a greater open rate than any other traditional alternative (e.g., Email).

Mobile SMS offers are redeemed more frequently than any other type of offer (e.g., Prints, web etc.) .

SMS is stored in users mobile whether they engage with the message now or later.

Consumers carry their mobile phone and use it for everyday activities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

SMS Marketing - Statistics

There are 7 billion people on Earth. 5.1 billion own a cell phone. 4.2 billion own a toothbrush. (Mobile Marketing Association Asia, 2011)

It takes 90 minutes for the average person to respond to an email. It takes 90 seconds for the average person to respond to a text message. (CTIA.org, 2011)

Mobile coupons get 10 times the redemption rate of traditional coupons. (Mobile Marketer, 2012).

Mobile marketing will account for 15.2% of global online ad spend by 2016. (Berg Insight, 2012).

It takes 26 hours for the average person to report a lost wallet. It takes 68 minutes for them to report a lost phone (Unisys, 2012).

9 out of 10 mobile searches lead to action, over half leading to purchase (Search Engine Land, 2012).

61% of local searches on a mobile phone result in a phone call. (Google, 2012)

91% of all smart phone users have their phone within arms reach 24/7 (Morgan Stanley, 2012).

I Cant Live Without My Smartphone

SMS Messaging Services Outbound SMS

Outbound SMS is a fast and reliable way to send large volumes of SMS messages on a global scale. By using SMS Marketing Service Providers (e.g., TextMagic, Clickatel...), businesses can send marketing campaigns, notifications, promotions and special offers, increasing brand awareness, customer acquisition, customer retention and driving sales.

Outbound SMS

Outbound SMS Promotional Messages

Outbound SMS SMS Coupons

QR Codes & SMS Coupons

SMS Messaging Services Inbound SMS

Inbound SMS allows companies to globally receive SMS messages from consumers, engaging their target audience, increasing customer loyalty, retention and reactivation by initiating 2-way communication with the consumer through Inbound Marketing.

Inbound SMS

Inbound SMS Join a Contest

Inbound SMS Subscribe to Alerts

Inbound SMS Enhance Customer Service

Applied Example of SMS Marketing

Business Sends Promotion

- From computer or their own mobile phone

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The Customer Receive a Commercial SMS

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Customers Receive Promotion in the Form of a Text Message

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Customers Redeem Promotion

- Customers redeem promotion by simply showing the business

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