Text Message Marketing Campaigns

Why Your Text Message Marketing Efforts Might Get Rejected


An effective text message marketing campaign can help you reach more customers.

Have you ever opted out of a text message marketing campaign? Chances are you have. Perhaps you opted out of receiving communications from another business because the messages came too frequently, or maybe the content simply wasn't relevant for you. If you are thinking about using text messaging to reach new customers for your business, it's important to learn from others' mistakes in order to increase your conversion rates. Here are three of the most common reasons that consumers reject text message marketing campaigns.

The content isn't relevant or helpful to them

One of the major reasons why potential customers opt out of text message marketing campaigns is because the content simply isn't relevant or helpful. Businesses may make the unfortunate mistake of targeting the wrong audience or excluding incentives from their text campaigns. It's important to remember that consumers are more likely to opt-in to campaigns that provide them with a special discount or incentive in exchange for their subscription. Taking the time to do some research ahead of your campaign can help you effectively target the right audience and come up with an enticing offer that your potential customers simply cannot refuse.

They are receiving too many messages

Message frequency is an important consideration with any text message marketing campaign. If you send too few messages, your campaign may not be as effective as it could be because your brand is unlikely to stand out among potential customers. Alternatively, if you distribute messages too frequently, recipients may become annoyed and choose to opt out of your campaign. A good rule of thumb is to make sure that every message you send creates value for your audience. Sometimes that means getting creative to come up with content that's helpful. Other times it means scaling back a little to exclude content which lacks substance.

The tone is inappropriate

Many potential customers choose to opt out of text message campaigns because of message tone. When it comes to text message marketing, your tone should be professional yet conversational. While you want to keep communications somewhat light, it's a good idea to avoid humor and colloquialisms when addressing potential customers. Coming across as too informal in your communications can cause your audience to reject your text message marketing campaign. Before you launch your campaign, think about how you'd speak with a customer on the phone and use that information as a guideline to develop a more effective text message marketing effort.


Maximize the return of your text message marketing campaigns by paying attention to message relevancy, frequency, and tone.

As with anything else in life, some marketing campaigns are more effective than others. Whether you're just getting started with text message marketing or simply want to improve your conversions, there are a number of things to think about. Potential customers may reject text message marketing campaigns if the content isn't relevant or helpful to them, if messages are sent too frequently, and if the tone is inappropriate. Use this information to help improve conversion rates on your next text marketing effort. If you're interested in reaching new customers via mobile, try ClubTexting for free today!

Latin America’s SMS Employment Boom

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Recruitment marketplace Emprego Ligado has been helping Brazilians find employment by the million, all thanks to the explosion in cellphone usage across Latin America. Backed since 2012 by a number of high profile investors, the firm has just won Series A funding from a new rash of venture capitalists. The funding - to the tune of $7 million - will be used for continental expansion. 

If Brazil is anything to go by, Emprego Ligado’s expansion across the region will prove fruitful. Founder Jacob Rosnbloom claims to have created more than 2 million interview opportunities for blue-collar workers during 2014; 18% of them were offered a job the first day they signed up. Even more crucially in a country where long commutes are commonplace, he has helped jobseekers find work closer to home (within an average of two and a half miles, according to Rosenbloom). The proximity of worker to workplace is helping companies and employees cut thousands in costs. 

The international expansion of Emprego Ligado is not indicative of a major shift in the company’s model, which asks users to upload resumes and filter job opportunities via text message. The process takes just a few minutes. By opening the recruitment process to citizens for whom the only connectivity tech they possess is a feature phone, Emprego Ligado has increased potential job matches ten fold. 

Rosenbloom is almost as passionate about his role in reducing commute times as he is helping people find jobs in the first place. “People will spend over 3 hours a day in traffic to get to the downtown area for work,” says Rosenbloom. His idea was to enable people to find work closer to home so they can “spend more time with their families, be more productive at work and stay longer in their jobs.”

By turning text messaging into a recruitment tool, Emprego Ligado has contributed to Latin America’s employment boom. In Brazil - where only 7.5% of the population has a data plan - such growth wouldn’t be possible without SMS. Millions of nationals have found gainful employment using the platform, and as they expand across Latin America, millions more hope to do the same.

3 Ways to Use Group Texting for the Holidays


The holidays are a great time to connect with customers. Photo credit: mgkmphotography

The holiday season is here and consumers are flocking to local malls, stores, and restaurants to find the perfect gifts for their loved ones. They are also relying on their phones more frequently to seek out the best possible deals nearby. As mobile has become a more prevalent communication tool, consumers have become accustomed to communicating with businesses via this important channel. If you haven't begun exploring mobile marketing to reach your customers, your company could be missing out. Here are three ways your business can use group texting to attract the attention of your target audience this holiday season.

Share Information about Special Events

The holiday season is a popular time for special events. Many establishments host an annual holiday party or have a New Year's Eve bash complete with a champagne toast at midnight. If your business is hosting a special event this holiday season, group texting can be a great way to get the word out to potential attendees. Whether you're interested in connecting with previous customers or reaching an entirely new audience, text message marketing can help you get people talking about your upcoming holiday party or New Year's bash. Partner with a mobile developer for your group texting campaign. There's still time to get the party started this season!

Transmit Exclusive Offers

Are you running any promotional campaigns during the holiday season? If so, group texting can be used to transmit exclusive offers to potential customers. Consumers are on the lookout for deals right now, so chances are they will be more open to receiving communications from your business. This is especially true if you're offering something that adds value for them. For example, if you're a restaurant owner that's interested in increasing your foot traffic, you may want to offer potential customers a free holiday-themed beverage in the spirit of the season. Group texting is a great way to share information about your holiday promotions.

Say Thank You and Send a Greeting

The holiday season is a time to be joyful and thankful. It's a great time of year to send your existing customers a friendly greeting and tell them how much you appreciate their ongoing business. Group texting can help you build customer loyalty during the holiday season and beyond. If you're interested in doing something nice for your repeat customers, a friendly greeting and thank you note is a wonderful gesture. You could even sweeten the deal by using group texting to provide them with a special discount to thank them for their business.


Add group texting to your marketing toolkit this holiday season. Photo credit: highwaysagency

Potential customers are open to communicating with businesses via their mobile devices. This is especially true during the holiday season because everyone is on the lookout for a good deal. If you're interested in using group texting to reach your audience, there are multiple approaches you can take. Consider sharing information about special events, transmitting exclusive offers, and thanking repeat customers for their business this holiday season. Try ClubTexting for free today to connect with your customers.

Author Bio: Jess Shepard is a content writer who enjoys researching and writing about marketing, small business, and entrepreneurship.

How Auto Dealers Can Use Text Message Marketing


Text message marketing is a great way to reach potential car buyers. Photo Credit: Ian Sand

A recent study sheds new light on the most effective marketing channels for auto dealers interested in reaching more customers. For years, digital marketers have been buzzing about social media. Auto dealerships have been using sites like Facebook and Twitter in an attempt to reach potential buyers. But as it turns out, only 1 percent of consumers are influenced by social media when it comes to their vehicle purchases. This figure is slightly higher among Millennials, with 5 percent reporting that major social networks played a role in the car buying process. If you are an auto dealer that's interested in connecting with consumers, recent data suggests that mobile might be the way to go. Here are three ways you can use text message marketing to reach your customers.

Be Conversational with Your Text Message Marketing

One of the most important things to remember when it comes to text message marketing is that texting should be viewed as a conversation, rather than just an advertising medium. For example, if you are interested in reaching new customers, you may consider working with a mobile developer to create a texting campaign that asks a question. Depending on what types of deals you're offering, the following could work well, "We're offering a special discount on the 2015 Hyundai Elantra. Are you interested in learning more? Text YES to 123-456-7890 for additional information." Avoiding marketing speak and approaching text message marketing as a conversation can help you increase customer interest.

Set up Service Reminders for Existing Customers

Text message marketing can also be used as a handy tool for customers that have purchased vehicles from you previously. Some auto dealers are using mobile to send maintenance reminders to existing customers. For example, if a customer's vehicle is due for an oil change or tire rotation, they'll receive a text that asks if they're interested in scheduling an appointment. This approach to text message marketing works well because it adds value for your audience. It can also help you attract new business to your service department. It's a win-win for both your customers and your dealership.

Use Texts as a Tool to Disseminate Important Information

Another way auto dealers can create value for the customer with text message marketing is by disseminating important information via mobile. Customers might subscribe to your list to receive vehicle recall notices, helpful tips for driving in inclement weather, and updates about any special offers at your dealership. Again, this is an effective approach because you're providing your audience with valuable information. If you're interested in connecting with customers who've purchased cars from your dealership in the past, this text message marketing strategy can help you accomplish your goal.


Auto dealers have changed their approach to marketing as technology has advanced. Photo credit: Kevin White

There are a number of ways you can use text message marketing to reach car buyers. Whether you're interested in exploring mobile to pique the interest of new customers or making connections with previous buyers, a well-crafted text message campaign can help you reach your audience. What are you waiting for? Try ClubTexting for free and start connecting with your target customers today!

Author Bio: Jess Shepard is a content writer who enjoys researching and writing about marketing, small business, and entrepreneurship.

Three Ways Banks Can Use Texting Services


Banks are using mobile and text messaging more frequently to reach new customers.

Business owners are always looking for ways to make their customers' lives easier. Exceptional service is what keeps companies in business. In recent years, banks and credit unions have been exploring digital channels to share important information with their customers, reach a broader audience, and make banking even more convenient. If you're in the financial services industry and you've been thinking about how you can use mobile to enhance your customer service, there are a number of approaches you can take. Here are three ways banks can use texting services to connect with their customers.

Sharing Time-Sensitive Notifications

The financial industry moves fast, and sometimes customers have trouble keeping up. Text message notifications can serve as a useful tool for banking customers who are interested in receiving up-to-the-minute information about their account. Banks can partner with texting services to convey important pieces of data to their customers. For example, if there are any suspicious transactions on an account, texts can be used to notify account holders quickly. Instant notification can be also be used as a money management tool. Account holders could opt-in to receive notifications about low account balances, overdraft transfers, or information about upcoming credit card payments.

Making Banking More Convenient

As texting has become more prevalent over the past decade, more banks and credit unions have been using it as a tool to make banking more convenient for their customers. Banks pair up with communications providers to create an intuitive system that makes sense for users. Account holders who sign up for text message banking can text codes to a designated phone number in order to take specific actions. For example, a text banking service might allow customers to check their balances, review recent account activity, schedule credit card payments, search through transactions, and find ATM locations nearby. Many accountholders prefer the convenience of text banking because it enables them to easily manage their personal finances while on the go.

Marketing Products and Services

Whether you're interested in reaching new customers or sharing information about products and services with your existing audience, text message marketing can help you accomplish your goals. Consider working with a communications provider to develop a location-based text marketing effort to connect with potential customers. For example, you may want to use geo-location technology to target mobile users at nearby ATM locations with well-crafted messages. Including information about why your products and services would be valuable to them will increase opt-in rates for your campaign. Maybe your bank offers free checking, an industry-leading rate on savings accounts, or exclusive benefits for new members. Conveying the benefits of banking with you via text message marketing will help convert potential customers into loyal ones.


Many mobile users enjoy the convenience of interacting with their bank while on the go.

If you're in the financial services industry and you've been thinking of exploring mobile to reach a broader audience and improve your customer service, a texting service can help you accomplish your goals. Texting can be used to share time-sensitive alerts, make banking more convenient, and convey information about relevant products or services to customers. What are you waiting for? Try ClubTexting for free, and start reaching a broader audience today.

Author Bio: Jess Shepard is a content writer who enjoys researching and writing about marketing, small business, and entrepreneurship.

How to Use Keywords with Your Text Messaging Service

By now, you may have heard that mobile marketing is the way to go if you want to reach customers anywhere in the most reliable way possible. After all, 98 percent of text messages are opened by the recipient. But how do you use keywords to get customers to sign up for your mobile list? What are keywords, anyway?


Keywords are a great way to get customers to join your loyalty programs.

What is a Keyword?

A keyword is a short word or phrase, which may include numbers, that customers text to opt-in to a mobile list. For example, 'Text FLOWERS to 25827 to join our text messaging list' is an example of an advertisement using the keyword "FLOWERS." That would be a good keyword for a florist.

How Do Keywords Work?

Customers text your keyword to the specified short code to join your contact list. They then receive a legally required automated response that thanks them for joining and tells them how to opt out if they no longer want to receive messages. Keywords usually identify a product, service, business or action. Businesses use them to entice customers to opt in to loyalty programs and special mobile offers. You can have as many keywords as you like.

What are the Benefits of Using Keywords in SMS Marketing?

Keywords offer customers a way to immediately engage with your brand when they see your advertisements. Use them on billboards, flyers and in commercials. Put them on your website and post about them on social media by incorporating them into branded graphics and videos.

Some businesses choose to have multiple keywords because it helps them break customers down into specific groups for more targeted advertisements. Keywords also provide the ability to track traditional advertising campaigns.

What Makes a Good Keyword?

Not all keywords are good ones. Combinations of letters and numbers are difficult to remember and should be avoided, if possible. Single words are best because some customers may add a space between multi-word keywords.


You can use multiple keywords to segment users by different campaigns and interests.

You'll also want to keep the following pointers in mind when selecting your keywords:

• Keep keywords as short as possible. Stick to words or phrases that are 10 letters or fewer, and the shorter they are, the better.
• Ditch the special characters. While it may look fun to throw in a dollar sign or asterisk, it's more work for the user because he or she will have to switch from the letters to the numbers. Make it as easy as possible for customers to type in your keyword.
• Try your keywords on different phones to see if the word or phrase gets autocorrected to something else. This may be a problem for brand, product or program names that are not made up of common words and phrases. If your keyword gets autocorrected, consider choosing a more common phrase or purchasing the autocorrected keywords as well.

Now you know what keywords are, how they work and how to choose a good one. Want to give it a whirl? Try ClubTexting for free.

Four Tips for Effective Text Message Marketing


Text message marketing is a great way to connect with customers.

Texting is big business. Recent data estimates that US mobile users in the 18 to 24 age demographic send an average of 67 text messages per day. Text message marketing represents an important opportunity for brands interested in reaching younger audiences. If you're thinking of adding texting to your enterprise marketing toolkit, there are several approaches you can take to develop an effective campaign. Here are five tips for making your next text message marketing campaign a success.

Create an Offer They Cannot Refuse

Few people can resist a good deal. If you want to improve foot traffic to your business, consider developing an offer that your customers simply cannot refuse. For example, you may want to offer returning customers a free drink or appetizer or exclusive VIP privileges for an evening. Take a look at past print and social media campaigns to determine which deals were most appealing to customers, and use that information to develop offers for upcoming text campaigns.

Make It a Limited Time Offer

Another effective way to get a good return on your text message marketing efforts is to create a sense of urgency for your customers. Consider putting a time table on your offer to improve campaign conversions. Making your offer valid for one night or one weekend only will entice more customers to take advantage of the good deal.

Craft a Clear Call to Action

Providing an attractive limited time offer may not be enough to get customers through the door. It's also important to have an effective call to action for your text message marketing campaign. A call to action provides customers with directions on how to take advantage of the deal your business is providing. Examples of effective calls to action might include, "Show this offer to your server to redeem your free drink" or "Present this deal at the door for VIP access."


Present your customers with a text message offer they cannot refuse.

Provide Your Business Name

While it may seem like a simple step, clarifying that the text message is from your brand is an important part of the process. Provide your business name in the first message to your customers to eliminate any possible confusion. This serves two purposes. Not only does it clarify things for your target audience, it also helps minimize any possible frustration among your customers. Always keep in mind that there are few things more frustrating than receiving an anonymous text message from a business.

If you're interested in driving foot traffic to your business, text message marketing is a great way to do it. Whether you're just launching your first campaign or you have considerable experience using mobile marketing to reach your customers, there are a few steps you can take to make your next text message marketing effort more effective. Creating an offer your customers can't refuse, making it a limited time deal, writing an effective call to action, and clarifying that the message they're receiving is from your brand can help improve your campaign conversions. Try ClubTexting for free to connect with more customers today!

Author Bio: Jess Shepard is a content writer who enjoys researching and writing about marketing, small business, and entrepreneurship.

Text Marketing: A Guaranteed Read


Businesses are using text marketing to make connections with customers.

Smartphones have revolutionized the way people communicate. Not only have they made it easier for people to connect with friends and family on the go, they've also changed the way that consumers interact with businesses. If you are a business owner that's interested in building relationships with your customers, text marketing is a great way to accomplish your goals. Text campaigns are versatile, easy to implement, and highly effective. Here's why text marketing campaigns are a guaranteed read, along with some key takeaways for business owners interested in mobile.

Cell phone ownership is increasing
It's no secret that cell phone ownership is increasing. A decade ago, only 65 percent of US adults owned smartphones. In ten years that figure has soared to a whopping 91 percent. Data suggests that cell phone adoption rates are increasing not only in the US, but among international consumers as well. This is good news for business owners who are interested in reaching a broad range of global mobile users.

People are texting more frequently
Many people prefer the efficiency of text messages as a communication tool. Sending a text is faster and easier than making a phone call, so it isn't a surprise that texting has become more popular in recent years. According to 2013 data, 81 percent of mobile owners use their phones to text, an increase of nearly 20 percent over the span of four years. As communicating via text has become more prevalent, consumers have begun interacting with businesses more frequently via this channel.

Customers are using mobile coupons
The key to any good text message marketing campaign is getting potential subscribers to opt-in to receive communications from your business. Recent data suggests that mobile coupon redemption rates have improved in recent years, which signals an increase in opt-ins for companies using text marketing to reach their customers. If you can entice potential subscribers to opt-in for your text communications, the possibilities are endless for your business.

Open rates are high
One of the biggest benefits of text marketing campaigns are the phenomenal open rates. Companies that use text messaging to reach their subscribers enjoy up to a 98 percent rate of receipt. For comparison's sake, email marketers report an average open rate of just 22 percent. With open rates soaring close to 100 percent, there is significant potential for businesses interested in communicating with customers via text message. There's arguably no better way to engage with your audience and build customer loyalty over time.


Open rates are impressive for text marketing campaigns.

Many businesses are exploring text marketing as a way of reaching their target customers. As cell phone ownership has increased globally, people have begun communicating via text message more frequently. Consumers are also using mobile coupons more often, signaling an uptick in subscriber opt-in rates, and open rates for text messages are nearly 100 percent. Text marketing represents an important opportunity for companies interested in engaging with customers. If you're interested in staying connected with your audience, try ClubTexting for free today.

Author Bio: Jess Shepard is a content writer who enjoys researching and writing about marketing, small business, and entrepreneurship.

The Proof is in the Numbers: Why Text Message Marketing Works

There's no getting around it: Americans are addicted to their cell phones. It's hard to walk around a busy sidewalk without bumping into somebody with their nose buried into their phone. Walking around without a cell phone is likely to bring nervous, cold sweats and a desire to return to the safety of home quickly.

The good news is that this presents a terrific opportunity for businesses to use text message marketing to reach an over-increasing audience. Before delving into the implications of this epidemic, let's take a look at some statistics:

The Numbers Don't Lie

The statistics about cell phones in America are startling. Recent research found that in the United States, an estimated 90% of adults own a cell phone, and an estimated 58% own a smartphone.

Here are some additional statistics about cell phone use in America:

 

    • 2 out of 3 people check their phones for messages even when they don't receive a notification.

 

    • 29% of owners say they couldn't live without their cell phone.

 

    • 98% of Americans between the ages of 18-29 own a cell phone, and 97% of Americans aged between 30-49 own one.

 

    • 34% of Americans use their phones as their primary internet device.

 

Could these statistics just prove that Americans are addicted to technology in general? Possibly, but there is still a larger opportunity in text message marketing than other methods. Compared to the 90% of Americans with a cell phone, only 83.8% of American families have a computer in their home as of the 2013 census.

It's clear that cell phones are a major part of our daily life, and it's our duty as marketers to take advantage of that.


No matter how much we wish they did, numbers never lie!

Text Messages Are Perfect For Our Brains

The National Center for Biotechnology Information, located in the U.S. Library of Medicine, found that the average human's attention span has dropped 33% between 2000 and 2013. This leaves us with an average attention span of only 8 seconds.

Text messages fit this new mentality perfectly. A text message can be easily opened, scanned, processed, and deleted. Email messages or other, lengthier marketing materials take more effort and are more likely to be ignored. By taking advantage of our increasing need to process information quickly, you will find that less can be more.


Text messages are like perfect little appetizers for your brain!

Nobody Reads Emails

Not only are we dependent on our cell phones, but we trust our text messages much more. MailChimp conducted a survey on email open rate by industry, and found that rates varied from a 13.2% open rate (daily deals and e-coupons) to 30.71% (hobbies). The majority of open rates fell between 20% and 25%.

Consider, however, what happens when you receive a text message. It's usually opened right away, and read before it's deleted. There's no spam filter blocking your messages and making it difficult to reach your targets. In fact, it's estimated that a text message's read rate is 98%!

It's clear that there is significant opportunity for text message marketing. If you want to give it a try for your business, we'll give you the chance to do so for free! Sign up for your free trial by clicking here!

5 Effective Tips for Marketing with Coupons

Americans have come to expect coupons. It's part of the shopping experience. But even if you have a global reach, everyone appreciates a good deal. The problem most marketers have is using coupons without devaluing the brand. Can it be done? Yes! Use these five tips to bring in business with coupons.


Coupons are a marketer's best friend.

1. Offer Coupons to Make Your Customers Feel Good

Who doesn't enjoy getting a good deal? Coupons evoke positive feelings in shoppers, and happy customers are likely to buy more and come back for repeat visits. Simply put, using coupons helps shoppers feel good about their purchases.

2. Encourage Shoppers to Try New Products or Services at Lower Prices

People work hard for their money, and they're hesitant to spend it on products or services that they've never tried before. But offering a discount can encourage people to try your product or service when they would have never done so at the regular price.

3. Build Your Customer List Using Coupons

If you want loyal customers, you have to build up your preferred customers lists. One of the best ways to encourage shoppers to sign up for future promotions is to offer a high-value coupon for their next shopping visit. For example, some stores offer coupons for 50% off a regularly priced item or $5 off $25 or more for the customer's next visit after list signup.

4. Target Former and Existing Customers with Enticing Discounts

Some customers drift away over time. They may be shopping with your competitors, or perhaps they don't feel they have a need for your product or service right now. A coupon can attract existing customers who need a reminder or nudge and can even bring back old customers if the price is right. Continue to offer rewards to encourage customer loyalty.

5. Help Customers Save Time by Offering Mobile Coupons

A coupon's value is based not only on its face value, but also in how much time it takes to find the coupon (and in the case of traditional coupons, clip and organize them). Help your customers save time by offering a mobile coupon instead of a paper one. Not only are mobile coupons more convenient, they're 10 times more likely to be redeemed than traditional coupons. They're also easier to keep up with because mobile phone users have their phones with them an average of 22 hours a day.


Get coupons to your customers quickly via SMS messages.

Last year, more than 66 million digital coupons were redeemed. Isn't it time you started using coupons in your marketing? We can get the word out fast with our mass texting service.

4 Ways to Keep Your Community Group Tightly Knit

This article is about the ways one can keep in touch with members of their community group, including mass texting as one of the best ways to stay in-touch.

An important part of a community group or program is keeping everyone close together. A tightly knit community group will be able to get the help that is needed during difficult times and will be more likely to participate in group activities and events. Luckily, there are numerous ways in which communities can communicate. This can help them keep close. Take a look at the following information to learn more.

Communicate with Mass Texting

These days, most people are in front of their phone all of the time. If you want to be able to reach a large amount of people easily, mass text messaging is a great communication option. You can sign up for a mass texting service so that that it's easy to send messages whenever you want. You can schedule texts to go out at certain times or can compose one last minute.

This is a great way to inform your community about upcoming events, or to ask for help for a fundraiser. You can also let everyone know about time or location changes easily so that no one is confused. Whether you're communicating with a business, religious, or personal community, this is a great way to do it. Talk to a mass text messaging company to learn more about how to get started with this service.


Mass texting makes it easy to send messages to your group members.

Use Social Media for Real-Time Results

Another great way to communicate with your community is through social media. This is a great way to get real-time results. Social media offers many ways to communicate. You can discuss things through private messaging or by posting on profiles.

Many communities choose to set up a personal group to communicate. You can post group updates, pictures, and events. This is a great way to offer a place for individuals to check in and learn more about the community group. These days, there are many great social media websites to choose from.


Social media offers a fun way to communicate with members of your community.

Hold Monthly Meetings

Sometimes it's best to communicate in person. You may find that you're able to get your points across better and lessen confusion. Whether you have a big or small community, it's recommended that you hold regular meetings to discuss important topics.

You can choose how often you meet. It may make sense to meet every two weeks or once a week. At in-person meetings, you can discuss upcoming events or talk about new changes to the community. This is also a great way to vote on an issue because everyone can speak their mind and hear each other out.

Send Out Newsletters

Another great way to communicate with your group is through newsletters. Some groups choose to send these in the mail, by email, or by handing these out at events. This is a great to highlight your group's achievements and share news. This can also help your group feel close by offering the chance to learn more about other members.

Consider getting a team together to create the newsletter. They can decide how often the communication piece will go out and what the content will be, and you can also take contributions from other members. This can be a fun way to communicate as a group.

As you can see, your community group can stay close by communicating well in many great ways.

Try ClubTexting for free.

8 Marketing Lessons Your Business Can Learn from Political Campaigns

Political campaigns are rife with successes and failures. And while they may drive constituents crazy during election years, businesses can glean valuable lessons from political campaigns. Here are eight lessons you can put into practice to benefit your business.


Political campaigns can offer businesses valuable insight into the dos and don'ts of reaching customers.

1. Embrace big data

Today, it's easier than ever to collect data about your customers. Big data played a big role in President Obama's re-election in 2012. You may not need to collect quite so many data points, but focusing on a few that are relevant to your business can help you determine how to best approach or persuade certain customers to buy, donate or engage with your brand.

2. Experiment with social media

Traditional advertising is expensive, so businesses have to stick with proven advertising methods to make the most of their money. Fortunately, social media offers the perfect opportunity for advertising experimentation because of the low cost of advertising and engaging. If you want to try something new, see how it lands on your social platforms first.

3. Meet with your advertising team more frequently

Politicians don't have the benefit of waiting months to see how their campaigns are going. They have to reevaluate their strategies every single day. And while that may be unrealistic for a business, more frequent meetings (weekly, for example) can be beneficial. Technology has made data collection easy, so there's no reason not to gauge your customers' responses to your ads frequently.


Don't be afraid to change your advertising campaign if research shows it's not being well received.

4. Choose your words carefully

One misspoken word can completely alienate important demographic groups. When it comes to advertising, choose your words carefully. You don't want to end up making a "binders full of women" mistake reminiscent of the Romney campaign (unless you want to end up on the wrong side of a viral meme).

5. Don't be afraid to show your personality

Where many politicians fail in this social era is the inability to connect with voters on a personal level. And if you can't connect with your customers in a more personal way, your business may be poised to fail, too. No matter what kind of image you want to project, you don't have to be stuffy and impersonal. Interject some personality into your ads and interactions - it will make your brand more memorable.

6. Keep ads consistent across all your advertising channels

You can't portray a hipster image on social media and a conservative image on television as some politicians have tried to do. Customers can sniff out inauthenticity from a mile away. Whatever you do, make sure that your branding and your message are consistent across all your advertising channels.

7. Go mobile

Sharing on mobile devices is easy--with a couple of taps, users can share your message with their friends on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and through other channels. Targeting mobile users through SMS messages is one of the best ways you can spend your advertising dollars. Club Texting can help you with this, and you can even try it for free.


Target mobile users through SMS messages to reach your customers on the go.

8. Encourage mobile users to take action

With mobile users in particular, it's important for businesses to use action statements rather than making polite requests. During the 2008 and 2012 political campaigns, analysts found that statements like, "Help get this message out" were more effective than requests such as, "Will you please vote for me?" So rather than making a hard sale by asking directly for a donation or purchase each time, mix up your messages to ask your customers to spread the word.

No matter how small or big your business is, these lessons transcend business size. By watching and learning from past and future political campaigns, you can gain valuable insight on ways to better connect with your own constituents -- that is, your customers.

3 Ways Small Business Can Tap Into The Power of Text Message Marketing

If you haven't considered SMS marketing for your business, take a look at the following statistics. Among 18 to 44-year olds who have smartphones, 79 percent have them with them 22 hours a day. Not all mobile phones are smartphones, of course, but 81 percent of mobile customers use SMS messaging. That's a huge market, and as you can see, it's not just for teenagers. If you want to tap into this market, keep reading for three ways you can use text message marketing in your business.


Smartphone users almost always have their devices on hand. SMS marketing is a great way to reach these highly connected users.

1. Use text messages for time-sensitive communications.

If you're having a slow day and want to offer customers a discount for stopping by, text messaging is the perfect way to get that message to your customers. Of course, with time sensitive messages, you want to give your customers enough time to take advantage of the offer. If you plan to offer half off milkshakes from 6 pm - 8 pm, for instance, your message should be sent early in the day so customers can plan accordingly.

2. Use SMS marketing programs to reward loyal customers.

People value their phone privacy. If a customer has given you his or her mobile number - a number that allows you to reach the customer any time, day or night - you can bet that person is a loyal customer. So, with that in mind, you should make your text messages meaningful, valuable and timely. Don't interrupt dinnertime, for instance, with a text message. And don't send SMS messages for every little promotion you offer - save it for big discounts, free upgrades and other VIP offers.

3. Use text messages to remind customers of appointments.

If your business is service-based, SMS reminders are a convenient, non-intrusive way to remind patients and clients of their appointments. These services are popular with dentists, stylists and other professionals that operate on a tight schedule. Offering text appointment reminders is a great way to build your SMS marketing list, too.


Offering appointment reminders is a great way to build your text message marketing list.

Before you jump into text message marketing, keep these things in mind:

• Establish a relationship with clients first. Text message marketing doesn't work well for cold leads.
• Provide social login options to make it easy for customers to log in and interact with your site when clicking a link from a text message.
• Use SMS marketing in conjunction with your campaigns across social media, email and your website for the greatest effectiveness.

Remember, text messages are a communication medium that people consider extremely important. Users open 98 percent of their SMS messages, and most are opened in three minutes or less. Provide value and engage your customers, and you'll have a happy and effective SMS marketing list.

How Bulk Texting Could Mean Election Day Victory

Winning any kind of political campaign requires the ability to motivate your voting base. Whether you are trying to get a candidate elected or you want to get a resolution to pass, you will need to educate your voting base and get them motivated enough to head out to the polls and make a difference.

Bulk text messaging is a specialty of Club Texting and it is something that can play a pivotal role in your next campaign. According to Fox News, approximately 4.3 billion text messages get sent every single day. The best part is that most people take the time to read their texts. You can use bulk text messaging to your advantage in your next campaign and see positive results at the polls.


Texting helps you to reach your voter base.

Rally Your Voter Base

The E-Commerce Times points out that mobile advertising is a nearly $9 billion per year industry. No industry sees growth like that without getting results and that is why you need to contact Club Texting to help enhance your chances at your next political campaign.

Bulk emails can be ignored, but bulk text messaging can help to remind your voter base about Election Day and get them motivated to go out and vote. You can also get polling information to your voter base and make sure that everyone knows where to go to cast their votes.

Do Voter Polls

One of the more convenient features of text messaging is that it is instantly interactive. You can use bulk text messaging to find out if your targeted voter base plans on voting in your favor or not. You can determine what information your voter base needs to cast the right vote, and you can let your candidate know if their message is getting out to the people or not.


Gauge voter reaction with bulk text messaging.

Keep Your Volunteers Updated On Current Events

Your campaign volunteers are some of the most motivated people in your organization. When you want to give them something to be excited about, then text them the latest poll numbers or your candidate's newest talking points. In those moments right before the polls close, you can get your volunteers the current information they need to educate the population and bring in more votes.

Direct Your Campaign

In the heat of a campaign, not everyone has the time to pick up the phone and have a conversation about what needs to be done. But you can use text messaging to send out directives to your volunteers and campaign workers and make sure that your campaign stays focused at all times. You can react quickly to changes in the campaign through the use of instant text messaging.

Club Texting has all of the services your campaign needs to be successful. Whether you are trying to get the voters out to the polls or you need to give your campaign workers critical information in a moment's notice, bulk text messaging will be a critical tool that you can use to win your next political campaign.

George N Root III is a professional freelance writer who has expertise in topics such as Internet marketing, business, advertising, and personal finance.

How the Right Text Service Can Simplify Your Marketing Strategy

Everyone's glued to their phones these days, and that fact can make your business money. Here's why:

Texts are proven to be the fastest way to get in front of your prospects and customers, since most messages are read within 10 minutes of being received. Now, texting isn't your only marketing option of course, so let's talk through some of the other most common outreach options available:

Three Familiar Ways to Remind Customers You Exist


"Nice to meet you... remember me?"

There's many, many options for reaching out to your prospects and customers these days, and they each have their pros and cons. But do keep in mind that depending on what you're selling, a multi-pronged approach may provide the best results, rather than depending on just one contact method.

Some well known options available to you:

Call Me, Maybe?

Cold calling has worked, and continues to work, to create new customers. But like many things, it's not as easy as it used to be, and you need to be prepared to put in a lot of time working the list and dealing with (often very rude) rejections.

In a nutshell: Cold calling is a tried and true, but slow and expensive way to build a business. Plus it requires a skin as thick as a rhino's.

However, if you're working from a list of warm prospects, or even better calling your customer list, the entire experience can be radically different. In this instance you may find they're delighted to hear from you and make the time to talk to you at length, for the simple reason that by now they're pretty sure you can help them.

And depending on the type of business you're in, actually speaking to your prospects and your customers may be vital for maintaining, and developing, the relationship. You're unlikely to secure a multi-million dollar contract without speaking to your customer, of course!

Snail Mail Gets There in the End

Sometimes getting something physical into the hands of your prospects or customers can really help you stand out from the crowd. Of course whatever you send out will have a lot of competition in the mailbox so don't rest on your laurels just yet. But a few tips for helping your mail get opened, and read, include:

 

    • Hand writing the address.

 

    • Using an actual stamp.

 

    • Sending it in a way that requires a signature. Even potentially using a courier service like Federal Express.

 

Direct mail is generally not a fast nor inexpensive way to contact prospects or customers, but depending how valuable they are to you, getting in front of them in this way may be what it takes to capture their attention, and the sale.

Email Isn't Dead Quite Yet

Email continues to be a fast and cheap way to send out your message. The problem though is that it's less effective than it used to be. Often your email simply gets ignored, or filed away to be read later. Or worst case scenario your email ends up automatically mislabeled and banished to the spam folder.

Of course this is assuming you actually have permission to send the email, by having an existing relationship with the sender in some way, and making it easy for them to unsubscribe. On the other hand, unsolicited email can potentially cause real problems for you (depending how many people you email), and is often best avoided.

All this said, building and regularly contacting the email list you've built of prospects and customers is very worthwhile, but it's important you don't expect miracles from it. The open, read, and response rates used to be incredible, but no longer. These days, if you're looking for almost instant open and read rates, it comes down to...

Nobody Can Resist a Text Message


"Can't... resist... reading... immediately..."

Texts get read and opened almost instantly. Using a texting service to build, manage, and broadcast to your list makes the whole process almost effortless and ensures you stay within the letter of the law.

So it's strongly recommended you get your prospects and customers to give you their mobile number, and their permission for you to stay in touch. Or if you're looking to build your list from people you've had no contact with yet, advertise a way for them to opt-in to your list by giving them something in return. For example:

Text Offer12 to 123456 to get daily discounts direct to your phone!

Texting continues to remain a great way to get your message out almost instantly, and for some offers it may be all you need to do. But, contacting your prospects multiple times, and in multiple ways, may really be required to get the response you're looking for. This is especially true if what you're offering has a complicated sales process (a service for example), a high price point, or both.

And special offers, especially time-limited offers, consistently work fantastically to drive response. But just contacting your list when you want something from them may use up their good will. Keeping your list warm by getting in touch regularly with freebies, news, or other things that may be of value to them can really help increase your response rate when you do want your list to respond.

So whether you're selling low priced items to consumers, or high price-point services to businesses, making texting an ongoing marketing channel for your business can help drive fast response, increase brand awareness in your market, and grow sales.

This article was written by Louis Allport, an experienced marketer who enjoys sharing his experience with other businesses. He lives in the UK and has been marketing and publishing online for over 15 years.

Why the Big Game is a Great Place to Send Mass Text Messages

They may be watching the game, but that doesn't mean they're not also watching their phones. Whether it's football, baseball, hockey or soccer, and whether it's being viewed at home or right in the stadium, at that moment you have a tremendous marketing opportunity.

And since over 90% of text messages are read within three minutes of being received, by communicating via text you guarantee your subscribers will receive, and read, your message.

Some of the biggest teams in the world have been using text marketing for years to:

 

    • Gain new subscribers.

 

    • Communicate with existing subscribers, often.

 

    • Sell more.

 

Here's How Text Message Marketing Works in the Big Leagues


"Hands up if you got my text."

For years top tier sports teams have used SMS to communicate with their subscribers (either existing customers, or people who just opted in to receive updates via text). These updates include:

 

    • Game dates and times.

 

    • The latest scores.

 

    • Statistics on the current game, past games, and future games.

 

    • Player statistics.

 

    • Surveys and polls.

 

    • And of course, special offers.

 

And a live game is an ideal time to communicate with your list since they're so emotionally involved with what's happening right now. Of course they may wait for an advertising break to read (and respond to) your message, but this is one of the very best times to communicate with them.

But it doesn't just have to be about communicating with current subscribers. You also need to keep growing your list, since without new blood your list will naturally shrink over time as people unsubscribe or change their number.

So while their attention is really focused on the game, advertising to grow your list can work wonders. But just asking viewers to "Subscribe for updates" generally doesn't cut it.

Like all direct response advertising, give them a great reason to respond right now. Perhaps in return for subscribing they can start to receive special offers (that the general public don't see), or even to have their name and number placed into a draw with game tickets as the prize.

Panic! at Madison Square Garden?

Madison Square Garden ran the "50 Greatest Moments at Madison Square Garden" text marketing campaign. MSG offered viewers access to special content, in return for subscribing to their text updates list.

This was promoted a number of ways, including:

 

    • At hockey games for the New York Rangers, a code and number were given out. By subscribing, you entered into the opportunity to win a Rangers Prize Pack. This part of the campaign resulted in 300 fans joining the MSG text messaging list.

 

    • At a star-studded Halloween party, promotional cards were handed out. By texting "MSG50" to 25827, subscribers were entered into a draw to win tickets to see either Dane Cook, or Panic! at the Disco.

 

The ongoing promotions for this campaign turned out to be one of the most successful in the MSG Network's history, and it continues to regularly send mass text messages with news, content, and offers.

Text Marketing in the Little Leagues Too?


"Why haven't you responded to my text?"

It's not just the big leagues benefiting from text marketing. However big or small your players, leagues and clubs all over the country are seeing the benefits that come from text message marketing.

Using text updates is ideal for broadcasting:

 

  • Changes to schedules.

 

  • Updates to policies.

 

  • Major league announcements and other news.

 

  • Plus, of course, emergency notifications.

 

Read and response rates for email continue to drop, so the speed at which a new text message is read makes this one of the most attractive and effective ways to broadcast updates, almost instantaneously.

This article was written by Louis Allport, an experienced marketer who enjoys sharing his experience with other businesses. He lives in the UK and has been marketing and publishing online for over 15 years.

Real Estate Agencies and Mass Texting: A Great Fit

Are you looking for a way to sell more houses and reach more potential customers in the real estate industry? With the use of today's technological advances, you can benefit greatly by having the opportunity to reach more people in better ways. With text message marketing, you can put your brand right in front of your customers.

How Do Mass Texting Services Work?

How exactly does this service work? With mass texting marketing services, you can send a variety of messages to a large group of people more easily. This makes it possible for you to reach more potential customers in a way that is convenient for them.

Once you choose to work with a mass texting company, they will help you create a number of campaigns. You can choose to send as many messages as you'd like and messages to as many people as you'd like. You can also set up the service so that when others text a code, they get an immediate response from your company.

How It Relates to the Real Estate Industry

While text message marketing campaigns work for a number of industries, it can be very beneficial to the real estate sector. Your real estate company can benefit by reaching more potential home buyers and brokers.

You can use a special code on all of your advertising pieces so that when potential home buyers walk by a sign or see your ad, they can easily text you to get more information. With a campaign set up in place, you can send an automatic message back to the person with detailed information and pictures about a property.

This is a great way to give home buyers information more quickly. It can also be a great way to build your database, because you can collect contact information.

You can also send messages quickly to other real estate brokers that you work with. This makes it easier for you to share information on listings or last minute price drops so that you can easily make more sales.


Mass texting puts you right in the hands of customers.

Use Texting to Advertise an Event

Fox News notes that mass text message services are a great way to increase business through a last minute sale. It can also be a great way to target more shoppers to a storefront location.

If you're in the real estate business, you can use this service to get more people to show up for a home showing, so that you can attract as much attention as possible. You can also use text-messaging marketing to advertise other real estate events in your community so that you get the turnout that you want.


Text message marketing can help you get the results that you want.

Get Results Today

If you want to bring your real estate business to new heights, consider using this powerful marketing tool. Almost every person that you meet uses a cell phone on a daily basis. Make sure that your marketing messages are in their hands with the use of mass texting marketing services.

10 Commandments of Text Message Marketing

Text message marketing is exceptionally effective when done right. People have their phones within reach essentially around the clock, and text messages are almost always opened, often immediately upon receipt. If you've made the decision to use text message marketing, adhering to certain "best practices" is imperative. Here are 10 commandments of text message marketing.

1. Make Your Messages Friendly to the Maximum Number of Devices

Not everyone has a smartphone, and not everyone's phone can go to URLs in messages. Plan text message marketing campaigns to make it easy for recipients to make use of an offer. Requiring multiple steps, or linking users to a website that requires input of additional information before downloading an offer is a sure way to get people to opt out.

2. Opt-In Is the Only Way to Go

You need people's permission to send them offers and information by text messaging. Courts have ruled that the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 applies to text messaging, and that unsolicited messages violate the act. Additionally, unsolicited texting can damage your reputation. Make opting out a one-step process too.

3. Tell Subscribers Exactly What They're Signing Up For

Tell subscribers up front that they can expect messages with unadvertised specials, notification of special events, or discount codes. You don't want them to be unpleasantly surprised when they receive their first message from your company.

4. Don't Forget Important Legal Language

Follow the recommended practices of CTIA - The Wireless Association. These include important steps like including a "Msg & data rates may apply" statement in your auto-reply messages.

5. Don't Send Messages Too Frequently

Two to four text messages per month should be your goal. More than that will feel "spammy" and cause people to either ignore your messages or opt out of your text message marketing campaign.

6. Text at Appropriate Times

Text message marketing should generally take place during regular business hours. An exception might be night clubs that operate outside of normal business hours. Even so, texting customers at 3 a.m. is a bad idea.

7. Avoid Text-Speak

Most of the time you can avoid unprofessional, juvenile "text speak" in your messages. You should come across as a business, not as a 12-year-old.

8. Monitor Your Analytics

If you work with a text message marketing provider, choose one that provides reports and analytics, including opt-out rates, message volume, reply rates, and when new contacts are added. Analytics can help you learn which text message marketing techniques work well, and which do not.

9. Grab a Vanity Short Code if Possible

Short codes are "addresses" to which text messages are sent. Consumers use them to send texts to connect with commercial services or applications. Having an easy-to-remember short code costs more than having a random one, but it can improve reply rates and opt-in rates.

10. Every Message Should Be Fresh and Provide Value

Don't send the same message every time. Each message should be fresh, and each message should offer value, whether through a discount code, announcement of an unadvertised special, a two-for-one promotion or some other offer. Text the same thing every time, and people will start ignoring your messages.

Text message marketing can be one of the most cost-effective and efficient marketing methods available today. Adhering to best practices helps ensure that your text message marketing campaign gets great results.

SMS Marketing and the Power of 160 Characters

In 1985, communications researcher Friedhelm Hillebrand discovered that the typical sentence or question almost always takes up fewer than 160 characters. A few years later, as chairman of non-voice services for the Global System for Mobile Communications, a group that created standards for mobile communications, he pushed for the short messaging service (SMS) standard, which limited text messages to 160 characters.

Tight bandwidth considerations were key in the early days of mobile communications, but the 160-character standard stuck. While it may seem too limiting in an era when data is being created and transmitted in huge amounts, its limitations turned out to have numerous advantages. Marketing professionals can make great use of SMS marketing and its 160-character restriction.

Making the Most of Your 160 Characters

One hundred and sixty characters may not seem like much, but its very brevity can be an advantage in marketing. Making the most of your 160-character "canvas" requires you to take steps that essentially force you to write a message that works great for marketing. Here's how to get the most from your SMS marketing messages:

• Start, rather than end with a call to action. In fact, your entire message may be a call to action: "Buy one drink, get one free with coupon code XXXXX." In just 50 characters, you offer value, tell the customer exactly how to get that value, and take up only two or three seconds of his time.

• Don't worry about sounding terse. Text messages are supposed to be brief and to the point, and recipients are used to messages that stick to the basic facts.

• Include short links if you need to send a message that won't fit in 160 characters. Use a link shortener that allows custom domains to create an easy-to-remember link for people who can't go to links directly from text messages.

• Proofread thoroughly. You can often think of ways to word things more concisely when you proofread. If you're having trouble squeezing everything in, ask someone else to give it a go. Sometimes looking at a message fresh lets a person see new ways of condensing a message.

One way to develop your skill at packing a lot of meaning into a few words is studying headlines and search results. Most web articles keep their headlines short, and keep the descriptions that show up in search results to 160 or fewer characters. That's because the descriptions you see under Google results stop at 160 characters.

Why Briefer Is Better

People expect brevity with text messages, and they expect SMS marketing messages to use as little of their time as possible. One reason people are less reluctant to opt into text marketing programs is that they know the messages will be brief, and that they can open them upon receipt, or wait. When a customer knows he might save money simply by reading an SMS marketing message, he knows the few seconds spent reading them are a good investment of time.

Not only are text messages short and sweet, they reach people very effectively. Most people are never without their phones. And while most Facebook news stories and tweets are ignored, and most emails go unopened, almost all text messages are opened, so SMS marketing has outstanding reach compared to other methods. It's a great use of 160 characters.

The iPhone 6 is Flying off Shelves Before it Hits Them

Depositphotos_27934669_xs
 

This week, Bloomberg reported that pre-orders for the new iPhone 6 topped 4 million within 24 hours of going on sale. Demand is outstripping supply, as the device looks set to be Apple’s biggest smartphone yet – in more ways than one.

The backlog in pre-sales means customers won’t receive their handsets until next month, weeks after they officially go on sale. However, Apple insists devices will be available in store as of September 19; they encouraged customers to arrive early to avoid disappointment. 

This level of excitement is, of course, nothing new when it comes to the iPhone, but there’s an extra frisson thanks to the new, bigger size; the standard version comes with a 4.7 inch display, while the iPhone 6 Plus has a 5.5 inch display (previous iterations of the iPhone have a 4 inch screen). With the proliferation of larger mobile devices like tablets, and Android’s innovation in the larger screen market, consumer demand for bigger devices is high. This surely counts as one of the least predictable trends in mobile devices, where historically the mantra was ‘smaller=better’ – and Apple expect to have record quarters for the next couple of years just for meeting this demand.

So why the move towards larger screens? It’s partly down to improvements in consistently fast data streaming, which has prompted greater demand among mobile consumers for rich content on the move. In tandem with this, social media leaders like Facebook and Twitter are moving towards in-feed promos and video content.

Size isn’t everything, of course. The iPhone 6 is bigger, sure, but it also promises to be better, with a more powerful operating system and crucial hardware additions like Near Field Communication (NFC) for improved ‘tap in’ capabilities. 

There’s also the much-trumpeted HealthKit, which sees Apple jumping on the Quantified Self bandwagon. The software allows users to monitor vital signs and track fitness, and represents Apple’s first major foray into this burgeoning market.

One more thing. Remember the classic glowing Apple logo on the back of Macbooks? Rumor has it that the new phone will carry this retro feature, which will make the nostalgia freaks almost as happy as the techheads when they all finally get their mitts on the iPhone 6.

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