Text Message Marketing
We’re all aware that the cell phone has taken this modern era by storm. Everything – and we mean everything – is shifting to mobile. We need mobile-friendly websites, mobile-friendly advertisements, and mobile-friendly marketing strategies.
One thing that is revolutionising real estate businesses is mobile text marketing. This gives real estate agents and agencies a powerful tool in their mobile marketing pocket. In real estate, it’s been crucial for people to stay connected with their clients, so they have instant access for queries or additional information. Most customers appreciate mobile for its flexibility and power of reach. Like instant messaging, text messaging is fast. It’s immediate, personal, and interactive. Utilising text message marketing can facilitate interactive engagement between real estate agents and customers and is a great way to market and network. It’s a useful tool for maximising sales leads.
The Benefits of Mobile Marketing with Text Messaging
Some additional benefits of text marketing strategies are:
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Ease of Use for Small and Medium Businesses
Small or medium businesses can easily launch a text marketing campaign.
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It’s Inexpensive
Text marketing campaigns are reasonably priced and have a small barrier to entry. Both sending and receiving sms messages come at a low price as opposed to other marketing strategies which can be more costly.
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High Reach
Data reveals that more and more Australians are turning to mobile-only. 2 million Australians had a mobile-only phone and no fixed-telephone line at home as of December 2014, according to research data released this year. Approximately 30.2 million Australians own mobile phones, according to a 2011-2012 acma Communications Report. Text messaging is becoming one of the primary ways we communicate and, with those numbers, text message marketing has a high penetration rate.
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Gateway for Other Mobile Marketing
We can’t even begin to imagine what mobile marketing will look like in its entirety in the future, yet there are already revolutionary methods on the horizon. Text messaging is a way to build the mobile relationship with your customers. If you start texting them now and maintain that relationship, you’ll start off on a better foot as other forms of mobile marketing grow in popularity.
How to Start Your Text Marketing Campaign
You’re probably thinking that all of this sounds great, but you don’t know where to begin. You likely have a small list of numbers collected in your contact list from the people who reach out to you, so begin with that and then use these tips to initiate your text marketing campaign:
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Select Your Target Audience
Before you design your marketing campaign, figure out which customers you want to target. You’ve likely read that millennials are entering the property market (finally!), so you may want to target them first. Think about your target audience, and then design your campaign.
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Collect Numbers
Collect mobile numbers wherever possible, wether its from your existing database, Open Home attendees or through a campaign to collect mobile numbers from current or prospective clients.
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Select a Call to Action
It’s a good idea to incentivise customers for giving away their phone number. This will help you attract more customers.
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Combine it With Other Promotional Efforts
Your text messaging campaign may stand alone or you can couple it with a launch or an existing marketing campaign.
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Keep it Short and Simple
You’ll likely have a set amount of characters to use (typically 160 characters), so keep your message short and clear.
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Test
Be sure to test the sms campaign before you get started to ensure everything is set up properly and working.
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Allow Customers to Opt Out
When you send your sms campaign, make sure to include an opt-out for your customers. For example, “reply STOP to opt out of these messages,” is a good message to use.
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Track Your Results
Collect data, so you can determine how successful your campaign is. Look at response rates, time of day, and other key information, so you can continue to achieve the greatest return on investment.
Text messaging strategies are just another way you can reach your clients via mobile. Don’t be afraid to employ these techniques and utilise the power of text messaging to collect sales leads. Believe us; you want to start engaging with your customers via mobile now!