SMS becomes the most powerful channel
SMS marketing has evolved quickly throughout the years. We’ve partnered with brands as they’ve experimented with the channel, learned from their customers, and built their SMS marketing strategies from the ground up.
With SMSBump, brands are able to drive revenue quickly by sending hyper-tailored messages to engaged customers. Not only that, SMS empowers customers to respond, sparking conversations that drive conversion and lifetime value. In fact, 70% of brands view SMS as a top way to create personalized experiences for their shoppers.
Our predictions: The future of SMS marketing
SMS is already the highest-performing marketing channel for brands, and it’s only just the beginning.
Here are our predictions for where SMS marketing is headed.
1. Text-to-buy is coming
The next big thing? eCommerce in your pocket. SMS marketing will become a tool where customers can shop simply by responding to the messages they receive. With text-to-buy, consumers’ shopping experiences will become more streamlined — the next step in conversational commerce.
2. Richer, engagement-centric experiences
Multimedia messages (MMS) are just the beginning of an engaging SMS strategy. New formats and design elements within texts will enable messages to become more brand-specific.
Not only will brands be texting consumers on a first-name basis, but the messages will become more visually engaging, with on-brand elements that immediately build brand credibility and drive engagement.
3. Integrating SMS with every marketing channel
A channel is made only more powerful by its platform, and vice versa. We expect a shift toward more platform synergies in the future, where brands will build marketing strategies that leverage all of their efforts, including SMS, loyalty and referrals, reviews and ratings, email, social, and more, in an interconnected way.
For example, it will be easier than ever for shoppers to leave reviews, receive loyalty program updates and offers, send referrals, and more, all via text. SMS marketing will continue to establish itself as an integral component of a brand’s eCommerce marketing platform.
4. AI-powered smart texting
Brands will look to leverage artificial intelligence within their SMS strategy. They’ll be able to foster more concierge-style conversations, where they can provide more accurate response suggestions based on the conversation.
With smart texting, brands can respond more easily to texts and initiate 1:1 chats with customers — making every shopper feel special.
5. Messages that customers appreciate
SMS compliance regulations are built to protect consumers; they keep messages to a minimum and ensure that brands can’t inundate shoppers with unwelcome texts, creating a unique customer experience with every message.
SMS won’t make the same mistakes as email when it comes to spam; instead, messages will remain exclusive. Customers will only receive the messages they want and engage with brands on their own terms.
