Research analysts say texting is a unique marketing avenue because of its wide reach and simplicity. Merchants should personalize marketed text messages, but also follow good practices and send a lot of what could be considered spam. Enlisting the help of a vendor would be best, due to laws regarding spam, but past that it is pretty straight forward.
According to a wireless industry trade group, more than 3.5 billion texts are sent and received every day. More than 97 percent of text or SMS marketing messages are opened; of those, 83 percent is read within an hour. Almost everyone can get text messages. No special apps need to be created to be compatible with Smartphone’s.
When consumers were surveyed regarding shopping and getting mobile ads from merchants, about 35 percent said they have chosen to receive coupons or other promotional texts from retail stores or e-commerce sites. Additionally, up to 34 percent redeem the coupon or discount promoted in the mobile messaging.
AT&T and Kmart stores are partnering with retailers and brand products to let promotions and messages be sent to their customers when they are within a specific distance to their merchant location. Surveys showed that 90 percent of the people, who were asked, found it helpful to get notices and promotions.
Media spending on text campaigns is up 40 percent over last year. More than 92 percent of adults own cell phones and 96 percent of all cell phones can get texts. This is why this medium of marketing is growing so rapidly. Mobile messaging has even out ran e-mail; 37 percent (1.3 billion) users of e-mail, versus 92 percent (3.2 billion) users who text message.
