Forget chasing your audience across theÌýdigital Wild West. Imagine aÌýworld where your marketing messages land right inÌýtheir hands, ready toÌýconvert.
This isÌýomnichannel marketing forÌýyouÌý— aÌýstrategic approach that employs multiple channels toÌýdeliver aÌýconsistent brand experience. The secret ofÌýthis approach lies inÌýreaching your customers where andÌýwhen they prefer toÌýbeÌýreached.
InÌýthis article, we’ll dive into theÌýdynamic duo ofÌýemail andÌýSMS marketing, exploring how their combined power can significantly increase your conversion rates.
Why Omnichannel Marketing Works
Imagine aÌýcustomer browsing your online store forÌýaÌýnew pair ofÌýsneakers. They add aÌýfew options toÌýtheir cart, but then abandon itÌýbefore checkout. AnÌýecommerce story asÌýold asÌýtime, right?
Now imagine you could send anÌýSMS toÌýthat same customer aÌýfew hours later, inviting them toÌýcome back andÌýfinish shopping. NoÌýresult? Well, then they get aÌýfinal reminder byÌýemail theÌýnext day, informing them that you’re about toÌýremove those products from their cart, but they can get aÌý
That’s one example ofÌýhow omnichannel marketing works. ByÌýcombining email andÌýSMS marketing inÌýyour customer’s journey, you can create aÌý
InÌýfact, marketers using three orÌýmore channels inÌýaÌýcampaign than those using aÌý
Understanding theÌýPowerhouse Duo: Email &ÌýSMS
Now, let’s take aÌýcloser look atÌýhow email andÌýSMS marketing can work together toÌýcreate aÌýseamless andÌýeffective omnichannel strategy.
Email Marketing
Email marketing isÌýtheÌýveteran ofÌýtheÌýdigital marketing scene, although it’s anything but outdated. This channel enables you toÌýshowcase product details, highlight promotions, andÌýnurture leads with relevant andÌýpersonalized content.
When used correctly, email can beÌýaÌýreal game changer, andÌýhere’s how:
- Advantages over other channels: Email marketing offers aÌýreturn onÌýinvestment you cannot refuse (on average, ). InÌýaddition, people who sign upÌýforÌýyour email list are already interested inÌýwhat you have toÌýoffer. ItÌýmakes them more receptive toÌýyour messages compared toÌýunsolicited advertising.
- Building strong relationships: Nowadays, email marketing goes beyond generic blasts. There isÌýplenty ofÌýroom forÌýsegmentation andÌýpersonalization, andÌýtheÌýtypes ofÌýcontent you can send are endless. Sharing interesting content andÌýexclusive offers can build brand loyalty andÌýencourage repeat business.
- Sense ofÌýcommunity: Emails don’t have toÌýbeÌý
one-sided. You’re free toÌýencourage replies andÌýfostertwo-way communication toÌýbuild aÌýstronger connection with your audience. You can incorporate interactive elements like polls, surveys, andÌýquizzes inÌýyour emails toÌýencourage engagement andÌýget valuable feedback.
Including reviews inÌýabandoned cart emails, similar toÌýhow Therapy Notebooks does, isÌýaÌýgreat strategy toÌýtry inÌýyour store
SMS Marketing
SMS isÌýtheÌýnewer kid onÌýtheÌýblock that packs aÌýpunch with its immediacy andÌýhigh open rates. Everybody you know uses SMS, andÌýtypically, they look atÌýthem immediately. So, talk about “here andÌýnow,” right? Here’s what theÌýcompetitive edge ofÌýSMS marketing is:
- The power ofÌýimmediacy: SMS messages have aÌý
near-instantaneous delivery andÌýopen rate, perfect forÌýtime-sensitive promotions, flash sales, orÌýurgent announcements. Even better, would love toÌýget promotional SMS from brands (if they opted in, ofÌýcourse). - Integration: SMS marketing can beÌýeasily integrated with your other marketing channels, like email andÌýsocial media. You can use SMS toÌýsend messages like reminders orÌý
follow-ups after cart abandonment. - Easy tracking andÌýmeasurement: Most SMS marketing platforms provide detailed analytics onÌýmessage delivery, open, andÌý
click-through rates. SoÌýyou can conveniently track theÌýeffectiveness ofÌýyour campaigns andÌýmakedata-driven decisions.
Craft creative SMS copy similar toÌýThe Vitamin Shoppe’s fun Father’s Day message featuring anÌýoffer
The Magic ofÌýCombining Email &ÌýSMS
Think ofÌýemail andÌýSMS asÌýpeanut butter andÌýjellyÌý— delicious onÌýtheir own but truly beautiful together. Here’s why combining these channels can beÌýaÌý
- Increased reach andÌýengagement: Not everyone checks their email religiously, but most people have their phones glued toÌýtheir hands. Combining both channels allows you toÌýcast aÌýwider net andÌýensure your message reaches customers onÌýtheir preferred platform.
- More conversions: Studies show that omnichannel campaigns that involve SMS atÌýsome point might result inÌýanÌý.
- Better customer experience: The omnichannel approach creates aÌýunified brand experience across multiple touchpoints. Customers will appreciate theÌýconvenience andÌýfeel valued when they receive relevant messages catering toÌýtheir unique needs.
Strategic Integration Techniques
Now that you understand theÌýpower ofÌýthis dynamic duo let’s explore how toÌýeffectively combine email andÌýSMS marketing forÌýmaximum impact:
Timing IsÌýEverything
Schedule, orÌýeven betterÌý— automateÌý— your communication strategically. For example, send anÌýSMS reminder about abandoned carts aÌýfew hours after customers leave items behind. For emails, consider sending aÌýmore detailed product
Segmentation IsÌýKey
Don’t blast generic messages toÌýyour entire audience. Segment your email andÌýSMS lists based onÌýcustomer behavior, purchase history, andÌýpreferences. For example, you can select theÌýless active audience segment andÌýsend them anÌýoffer they can’t refuse toÌý
Pro tip: IfÌýyou sell online with 51ÊÓÆµ, you can easily segment your customers using theÌý dashboard inÌýyour 51ÊÓÆµ admin. Filter your clients byÌýnumber ofÌýorders, customer group,
Pick theÌýRight Platform
Look forÌýanÌý
Ideas &ÌýBest Practices
Let’s translate these strategies into practical steps you can start implementing today:
- Welcome new customers with aÌýwarm embrace: Send aÌýwelcome email series introducing your brand, highlighting bestsellers, andÌýoffering aÌýspecial discount code. Then, ifÌýtheÌýdiscount code isn’t used inÌýaÌýwhile, follow upÌýwith aÌýfriendly SMS reminding them toÌýuse it.
Re-engage dormant customers: Don’t let those inactive email subscribers fade away. Come upÌýwith aÌýwin-back email offering, like aÌýlimited-time discount orÌýexclusive early access toÌýaÌýnew product launch. After aÌýlittle while, reignite their interest with aÌýshort SMS reminding them they haven’t visited inÌýaÌýwhile.- Drive urgency with flash sales: Create some sense ofÌýexcitement, enticing your audience with flash sales announced via email. Then, send aÌýtimely SMS reminder just before theÌýsale ends toÌýencourage
last-minute purchases. - Personalize your messages: You can doÌýbetter than just “Hi [First Name].” Put customer data toÌýwork andÌýpersonalize your messages with product recommendations based onÌýpast purchases orÌýbrowsing behavior.
- Track your results &Ìýmeasure success: Monitor key metrics like open rates,
click-through rates, andÌýconversion rates toÌýsee how your combined strategy performs. This data will help you optimize your approach andÌýachieve even better results.
Encourage customers toÌýreplenish items they previously purchased, following theÌýexample set byÌýSephora
Common Pitfalls toÌýAvoid
While theÌýpower ofÌýemail andÌýSMS combined isÌýundeniable, there are aÌýfew pitfalls toÌýbeÌýaware of:
- Frequency fatigue: Don’t bombard your customers with messages; rather, look forÌýtheÌýright balance between staying
top-of-mind andÌýbeing intrusive. AÌýgood rule ofÌýthumb isÌýtoÌýthink forÌýyourselfÌý— how often you’d like toÌýhear from aÌýbrand? Even ifÌýyou like theÌýbrand, it’s probably not more than once orÌýtwice aÌýweek. SoÌýjust beÌýtheÌýexample you’d like toÌýsee inÌýothers. - Irrelevant communication: Sending irrelevant messages isÌýtheÌýfastest way toÌýget unsubscribed. Create targeted content that offers value andÌýaddresses your customers’ unique needs. For example, ifÌýyour subscriber isÌýaÌý
so-called window shopperÌý— browsing without buying anythingÌý— you can set upÌýanÌýautomation that sends them emails with product recommendations based onÌýtheir browsing activities. - Neglecting mobile optimization: Ensure your emails are
mobile-friendly andÌýyour SMS messages are clear andÌýconcise. Remember, itÌýdoesn’t matter whether it’s email orÌýSMSÌý— most people will beÌýreading these messages onÌýtheir smartphones.
Wrap Up
Email andÌýSMS marketing, when used together strategically, can beÌýaÌýpowerful
ByÌýleveraging theÌýstrengths ofÌýeach channelÌý— email’s ability toÌýdeliver detailed content andÌýSMS’s immediacyÌý— you can reach aÌýwider audience, drive conversions, andÌýcreate aÌýmore cohesive andÌýpositive customer experience.
Just remember toÌýprioritize segmentation, maintain aÌýbalance inÌýfrequency, andÌýkeep your marketing relevant. This way you too will experience theÌýbeautiful benefits that omnichannel marketing can bring toÌýyour business.
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