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
3 Tips to Help You Time Your SMS Marketing Campaign
Timing is everything. While it’s an axiom everyone can understand and agree on, it’s doubly true when it comes to SMS marketing. If you send your messages at the wrong time, you’ll see your opt out rates jump and your ROI plummet. So when should you send your text marketing messages? Here are three key guidelines to help you schedule your next campaign.
Copywriting Principles for SMS Marketing
In a recent post I covered how to create urgency in your SMS marketing messages. It didn't feel right to leave out a few other key components - the U companions. In copywriting circles they are often called the 4-Us. They are: Urgent, Useful, Unique, and Ultra-specific. So to make sure I don't leave anything out, here I'll show you how to use the others in your SMS messaging.
SMS Marketing Ideas To Celebrate Wimbledon
24 Key Research Statistics that Prove You Should be Using SMS Marketing
If you find yourself needing to justify putting budget towards SMS marketing or convincing your manager that it's the right decision for you, here are some key research statistics to keep in mind for why you should pursue an SMS campaign...
Apps vs SMS: Why Your Marketing Messages Work Better via Text Message
With the rise of the app, some marketers have been quick to sound the death knell for the SMS. But reports of the SMS's death have been greatly exaggerated. With over 76% of the UK population now dependent on their smartphones for everything from news to personal communication, the SMS remains a great tool to directly engage with your customers.
5 Ways Restaurants can use SMS Marketing for a Festive Full House
How to build up your mailing list after GDPR
Salesforce Finds SMS Messaging a Growing Part of Mobile Marketing Strategy
What do 5,000 marketers from ten different countries say about SMS? It’s great, and we’re going to do more of it. Well, that’s the gist of the results in the Salesforce 2015 State of Marketing Report. Mobile marketing has taken a central place in most company’s strategies, and SMS is a growing part of it. Here are some key statistics from the report.
Is Your SMS Marketing Keeping Customers Loyal by Being Fun?
When you think about your SMS marketing campaigns would you label them as fun? Is there any aspect of your SMS marketing or loyalty program that you think customers would call fun? If so, you're going to love what you read in this blog. If not, then you need to read this blog. It turns out that a little bit of fun and games can keep your customers more engaged – and more loyal.
Increase Conversion in Your SMS Marketing by Doing This One Thing
Good copywriting is something marketers understand. But it's easy to forget the basic principles when running SMS marketing campaigns. You only have 160 characters after all (or 453 characters if you're using fastsms). While there are many elements to successful copywriting, there's one element that is often either overlooked or over-used. What is it? Urgency.