Mastering the SMS Opt-In Process

After you have developed the perfect SMS messaging campaign designed to increase customer loyalty and drive purchase, it won’t yield any results unless your customers have opted in to receive your SMS messages. An opt-in means that a customer has permitted your business to send them promotional content.

Obtaining consent before sending an SMS campaign containing promotional content not only ensures a positive customer experience but with the emergence of the Global Data Privacy Regulation (GDPR) is also a legal requirement.

When you first get started with SMS marketing, growing your subscriber base can seem like a daunting task. Even if you import contacts from your CRM solution, you still have to go through the SMS opt-in process to secure their consent to avoid unwanted issues or fines.

Fortunately, there are a few different ways that you can use to deal with this process and ensure your SMS campaigns are a success.

In this blog, we are going to take a look at some useful tips and the best practices for optimizing the SMS opt-in process. Thought this is the most challenging part of an SMS campaign, it will guarantee you have an engaged and dedicated audience ready to communicate with your brand.

Importance of an SMS Opt-in Process

Before diving into the best practices and tips, let’s quickly discuss the importance of the SMS opt-in process. When your customers either request or accept to being a part of your list makes them more receptive to your marketing messages and it is also legally required.

Failing to comply with these rules and regulations can lead to your mobile marketing campaign getting shut down.

Make use of Shortcodes to grow your SMS list

Encourage potential customers to text a particular shortcode to opt-in to receive promotional messages, news and important information from your business. You can include this shortcode in your advertisements, emails, website or even on signs in-store.

Increase SMS opt-ins Through Promotional Incentives

Advertising your products or services with incentives is a great way to increase SMS opt-ins. Your SMS messages need to provide value to your customers. Campaigns that offer some sort of incentivized opt-in always drive more opt-ins.

However, make sure the phone numbers you are sending the campaign to are relevant to your business. Growing your SMS marketing list is great, but if you send content the receivers are not interested in, you will not get any results.

Deliver Value

To deliver value, you do not need to offer a freebie or discount. If your SMS message contains valuable information, this is also a good incentive. Be clear about what receivers can expect when they subscribe to your marketing list. For example:

SMS reminders and updates can go a long way in improving customer experience and are effective in building brand loyalty and trust.

Create an opt-in form on your Website to Increase SMS opt-ins

Another way to increase opt-ins is to create a form on your website. You can ask for phone numbers during the sign-up process or at checkout and ensure consent by adding a checkbox the end of the sign-up form or check-out page.

Encourage your customers to sign up for exclusive offers and news. Leveraging your website is smart because you are reaching out to a relevant audience and people who could be repeat customers.

Use your Email list to Increase SMS opt-ins

If you already have an email marketing list in place, you can run a cross-promotion. There is a high chance that people who open your emails are interested in receiving SMS updates as well. This is a great way to increase your SMS opt-ins in a highly targeted way.

The combination of email and SMS messaging allows you to send the right message at the right time to all of your customers.

Create a Referral Program

A referral program is another great way to increase SMS opt-ins. Ask your customers to refer their friends or family in return discounts or other incentives. Referral programs are easy to do and cost-effective.

Get Started Today

Now that you know how to increase SMS opt-ins, all you need is a partner who can help you deliver results. Reson8 has an easy-to-use, powerful API that makes it easy to reach your customers wherever they are. Contact us to know more or request a demo.