SMS Marketing Training Materials
Your Guide To Getting Started With The New Version Of The Club Caddie SMS Marketing Platform
ABOUT SMS MARKETING
club Caddie’s SMS marketing tool empowers you to engage your audience through personalized text messages, complementing your email campaigns for a comprehensive communication strategy. This detailed training will guide you through the setup, campaign creation, best practices, and provide additional resources to maximize your use of Club Caddie's SMS features.
INTRODUCTION TO CLUB CADDIE’S SMS
Integrating SMS into your marketing strategy allows for direct and immediate communication with your audience. SMS boasts impressive engagement rates, with 95% of text messages read and responded to within three minutes of receipt. Campaign Monitor's SMS platform is designed for ease of use, enabling you to manage both email and SMS campaigns from a single interface, ensuring a cohesive and efficient marketing workflow.
SETTING UP YOUR SMS
Step 1: OBTAIN EXPLICIT CONSENT FROM SUBSCRIBERS:
- Ensure you have explicit permission from your subscribers to send them SMS messages. This is crucial for compliance with regulations and maintaining trust.
- Use sign-up forms, email invitations, or other methods to collect consent. Clearly inform subscribers about the type of messages they will receive and how often.
Step 2: COLLECT AND IMPORT PHONE NUMBERS:
- Use sign-up forms, or APIs to gather subscribers' phone numbers. Ensure these methods include clear consent language for SMS communications. Also use the Club Caddie integration to import those clients with phone numbers who have consented.
- Import existing contacts by uploading a CSV file containing phone numbers and any additional subscriber information. Ensure the data is formatted correctly to avoid errors.
CREATING AND SENDING AN SMS CAMPAIGN
Step 1. CREATE A NEW SMS CAMPAIGN
- Navigate to your Campaign Monitor dashboard.
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Craft a concise and clear message. The standard SMS length is 160 characters; exceeding this may result in multiple messages being sent.
Personalize your message using subscriber data to increase engagement. For example, include the subscriber's first name or reference their recent interactions with your brand.
Include a clear call-to-action (CTA) and identify your brand within the message. For instance, "Hi [First Name], enjoy 20% off your next purchase at [Brand Name]. Shop now: [Link]."
Compose your message
Step 2. ADD A LINK (IF APPLICABLE)
- If your message includes a link, the built-in link shortener will automatically shorten URLs, saving character space and making the message cleaner.
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INCLUDE OPT-OUT INSTRUCTIONS
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Club Caddie automatically adds opt-out language to your messages to comply with industry regulations. This ensures recipients can easily unsubscribe if they choose.
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Step 3. SELECT RECIPIENTS
- Choose the subscriber list that has opted in for SMS communications. Campaign Monitor will display lists containing phone numbers to ensure compliance.
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COMPOSE YOUR MESSAGE
BEST PRACTICES FOR SMS MARKETING
To maximize the effectiveness of your SMS campaigns, consider the following best practices:
- Timing: Send messages during appropriate hours, typically between 8:00 AM and 9:00 PM local time, to respect your subscribers' schedules. Avoid sending messages during holidays or late at night.
- Frequency: Start with a moderate sending frequency, such as one message per week, and adjust based on engagement and feedback. Overloading subscribers with messages can lead to higher unsubscribe rates.Campaign Monitor
- Personalization: Use subscriber data to tailor messages, making them more relevant and engaging. Personal touches can significantly increase response rates.
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Compliance: Always include opt-out instructions and ensure you have the necessary consent to send SMS messages. This not only complies with regulations but also builds trust with your audience.
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Clarity: Be concise and clear in your messaging. Avoid excessive abbreviations and ensure the purpose of the message is immediately understood. For example, "Sale ends tonight! Get 30% off all items. Shop now: [Link]."
For an in-depth discussion on combining SMS with email marketing and additional best practices, watch the "Connect and Convert with SMS" webinar: