SMS Marketing: Don’t Forget About Print!
The focus for advertising campaigns today is often mobile, web, or digital. It’s certainly true that more and more people are using technology for just about everything. But with all that technology, it’s easy to overlook another, more traditional form: Print!
Sounds counter-intuitive doesn’t it? Relying on print advertising to promote your SMS marketing messages. But if your business or organisation has a physical presence, doesn’t it make sense to post ads everywhere your customers will see them?
Where to put them
Every business is different, so the list of how you can use print ads is potentially endless. But I’ve put together this list with a variety of ideas for you to use as inspiration. If you don’t have something on the list (like tables!) in your location, think of another way you could use the same idea.
Lavatories – I put this at the top of the list because it’s probably one that everyone will have, but no one has thought of using. Place signage inside stalls, on mirrors, and doors. It’s guaranteed that anyone who uses the facilities will see them (unless you have incredibly opulent and distracting decorations). I read of one restaurant that placed three signs on the mirrors of their restroom. The first sign said “Step 1: Wash hands”, the second said “Step 2: Text” a keyword to their shortcode, and the third said “Step 3: Get 20% off.” The signs were designed in such a way that they stood out so someone would see the numerical sequence and not stop after reading the first (when they’d washed their hands). Try it!
Table & Counter Tents – These little standalone pieces you put around your store, tables, or checkouts are also seen by many of your customers. I know I often read them because there’s not much else to do when I’m waiting for someone in a restaurant or in a queue for the checkout. If you have tables, also consider table wraps. These are special ads that cover an entire table and really get your customer’s attention. You can read more about them in this blog.
Menus and flyers – Some items are just designed for people to look at. Menus are one of those. Include your SMS marketing right on it because you know people will see it! Sales flyers you have in store, or include in direct mail or newspapers are great too. People will look at them to see what sorts of deals they can get. If your SMS program is one of those deals, they just might sign up.
Bag Stuffers – I get these all the time. At the checkout the cashier shoves a piece of paper (or two, or three) into the bag before handing it over. Usually they are coupons good for my next visit or information on a special promotion. What better special promotion is there than your SMS opt in campaign? Especially if you’re including an incentive, like a discount or coupon, for them to opt in.
Digital signage – So this one isn’t technically “print,” but from the customer’s point of view it can look like a sign. If you have a digital sign be sure to include promotions for your SMS campaign. It could be as simple as copying what you already have in print. Just be sure it looks as good on the sign as it does on paper (or vice versa).
Staff Apparel – Do your staff all wear the same shirts? You could print your SMS opt in message right on them. Or, if that’s too permanent a solution for you, create badges with your message printed on them (make them big enough to read). Or you could do something enticing like “Ask me how to save 20%.” When a customer reads that they will probably ask about it, giving your staff the chance to explain how great your SMS program is and give directions to sign up (or better yet, hand them printed instructions!).
As I said, there are probably many more ways you could incorporate printed advertising of your SMS opt in (or other campaign) in your physical location. Hopefully these ideas will get you thinking and growing your list quickly.
Have you had a success in advertising your campaign in print? We’d love to hear about it. Tell us about it in the comments. If you’re a fastsms customer, click the live chat and let us know you have a success story to share and maybe you can get your business featured in our blog.
Related Articles
Use All The Data You Can When Personalising Your SMS Messages
It’s said over and over that SMS is one of the most personal forms of communications today. That’s mainly because people guard their mobile numbers and only give them out to those they think worthy of them. So anyone who has opted into your SMS messaging has indeed invited you into their personal world.
Should You Tease Your SMS Marketing List?
Teasing is a tried and true marketing technique. But there’s a lot you can learn from some recent examples in the video game industry. In particular, how you can create the same kind of frenzy in your SMS list – but only if you do it right.
8 Ways Domino’s Use SMS Marketing To Increase Sales
This article presents a detailed case study on how SMS marketing is used effectively by Domino's Pizza. Learn about the eight things they excel in that lead to outstanding results in building brand loyalty and generating orders. Great chance to learn from a market leader.
Email and SMS Marketing are a Perfect Pair
Businesses with limited staff or budgets might ask themselves whether they should use email or SMS marketing. Both are relatively low cost. Both offer the ability to reach many people at the same time, yet provide personal interaction. Both have a long history of being used for marketing.
5 Rеаѕоnѕ Customers Lоvе SMS Mаrkеtіng
With a ratio оf fоur mоbіlе devices tо еvеrу computer, іt’ѕ сlеаr where your сuѕtоmеrѕ аrе to be found. Mоbіlе mаrkеtіng is nо longer ѕоmеthіng уоu саn аffоrd to put оn the tо-dо-lіѕt fоr thе futurе; you need tо make sure your message is reaching people on mоbіlе dеvісеs nоw. SMS Mаrkеtіng is the perfect solution - it hаѕ proven to іnсrеаѕе сuѕtоmеr engagement tо unрrесеdеntеd levels and is incredibly low priced. Read on to discover 5 rеаѕоnѕ whу сuѕtоmеrѕ love SMS Mаrkеtіng.
3 SMS Marketing Metrics That You Need to Know
SMS marketing is one of the most effective mobile marketing channels available. It’s also one of the easiest to measure your performance for every campaign, even every message. Read the full blog to discover the three of the basic metrics you’ll need to know to evaluate your success.
Should You Use an App or SMS Messaging? Or both?
It's an app world out there. The average mobile owner has about 40 apps installed at any one time. But they usually use approximately 15 regularly. Personally, that's about right. Though I would bet I've had many more than 40 apps before, but I get around to deleting some eventually.
Personalising Your SMS Marketing
Using people’s names in marketing is great. It does provide a certain level of personalisation that can get people more interested in what you’re sending them. Of course in text messaging, you don’t always have the room for a name, your message, and the required opt out information … usually there just isn’t enough room. So how can you make your marketing messages personal?
5 Ways to Build Some Football Fever With SMS Marketing [Infographic]
What Makes a Great Call to Action in an SMS Message?
Marketing messages, whether in print or electronic have many parts to them. In the beginning there’s the hook that entices someone to continue reading, and near the end is the call to action. That’s where you make it clear what you want someone to do after reading the message. There are many parts in between these two, but these are, arguably, the two most important.