When to use Text messaging vs. Email?

Home When to use Text messaging vs. Email? The world of digital marketing is seeing many changes over the past two decades, and business marketing has fundamentally been transformed. While several modes are popular for marketing, the most known and preferred remain SMS and emails. However, both function differently and may not be suitable for all kinds of marketing, as they derive varied benefits based on the context. This article will highlight some of the differences and help you understand when the two tools can help you maximise your business potential. What is SMS? SMS, which stands for Short Messaging Service, has been a feature in mobile phones since they were created. Being one of the earliest features, it is inbuilt and requires no internet. This makes it most accessible and convenient for the population. Since it has been around for as long as mobile phones, people of all age groups are comfortable with their functioning and still prefer using it due to its ease of access. Requires no internet access No installation Accessible to users of all kinds of mobile phones Cheapest and Quickest mode of communication What are Emails? Emails, or electronic mails, are one of the oldest modes of communication that use the internet. An alternative to SMS that allows one to write longer texts, emails are traditionally considered the main mode of contact due to their commonplace nature and ability to replicate physical letters in a digital format. Emails have become very popular as a marketing strategy and are highly opted because of the word limit that they offer. However, they are also not as easily accessible as SMS and end up in the spam bin more often than not. The email software sometimes automatically detects marketing messages as spam and immediately shifts them to an unknown folder that does not appear on the receiver’s main screen at all. Can deliver longer content Provides more options and scope to customise content More Space available to include other media and graphics   While both have their benefits for particular situations, both also have drawbacks that make them complementary to each other. Listed below are some ways you can take advantage of the two for your business in the right ways. 1. Use SMS for urgent updates SMS has much higher opening rates than emails, which means there is a higher likelihood of SMS messages being viewed than emails, which may end up as spam or get dismissed entirely. Since they are most read, it is best to use them to convey instant updates like sales, limited offers or urgent notifications regarding the store or services. Since these require instant action, a customer may be interested in following up and interacting further with your brand after reading them. You may include a link with such messages so they can immediately continue to your site and buy or consult your services further. 2. Emails can be used for Long-form texts Due to the word limit on SMS, it isn’t easy to convey elaborate messages regarding the brand. With a 160-character limit, one can only send short messages without any context, hoping the receiver understands the intent and takes action accordingly. However, with email to SMS, businesses can bridge this gap by converting detailed email messages into concise SMS formats for quick delivery. With emails, one can write long texts with added graphics and images to make the brand stand out. Emails do not take any storage space, so one can add as many embellishments as they like and still be able to send them conveniently via the internet. Brands can use this by sending out newsletters, customer support updates, or business communication like contract details or other documentation. 3. Use SMS if you’re looking to save expenses SMS does not need any prior instalments in the local device, nor does it depend on the internet to be transferred. It is an inbuilt feature that uses the telecom network to reach other devices. This makes it the cheapest mode of communication alongside phone calls, and phone calls are not as preferable to customers. Since phone calls require sustained communication for a message to be conveyed, SMS has the upper hand. It doesn’t demand much time from the customer and does the job of communicating your brand’s ideas all within 160 characters while barely using any money. Small businesses can significantly benefit from SMS marketing. Since it is cost-effective, it can be a profitable option to expand the company, and a function like sending SMS in bulk can allow you to reach new customers outside of your existing clientele at no high costs. SMS and emails clearly have several benefits, and this article barely scratches the surface. While aiming to master the marketing game, it is helpful to realise that different methods have varied advantages. Using them according to your needs while planning strategically can boost your brand’s profits in the long run and help in building a sustained clientele. Share Via Facebook Instagram Twitter Whatsapp Youtube Linkedin

SMS Over Email? 6 Powerful Reasons To Make a Switch In 2021

Home SMS Over Email? 6 Powerful Reasons To Make a Switch In 2021 For the past decade, businesses have used Email as a traditional medium of communication to reach audiences and target the masses. However, with the usage of mobile phones on the rise, SMS messaging is gaining popularity. Businesses nowadays are slowly shifting towards SMS Gateways and using email to SMS solutions to communicate with their key stakeholders, enhance Customer Success, and improve their respective processes. Here are 10 reasons why you should prefer SMS over Email for your businesses in 2021. Here is a glimpse of the increase in the usage of smartphones. 6 Reasons To Switch From Email To SMS In 2021 1. Higher Open Rate Emails are great. They serve as a great foundation to conduct formal communications. But if you compare the open rates of emails over SMS, the latter wins. Not many open emails as soon as they reach their inbox. If it is a sales email, most recipients don’t even open the email. Most of the time, the emails land in the spam folder, and the recipient hardly checks on it. ’83% of millennials cite opening a text within 90 seconds of receiving it.’’   How many times have you opened a text message the minute it pops on your screen and got a glimpse of the content and context within seconds?  “At around 90%, the SMS open rate is almost triple that of the average email open rate.” 2. Higher Response Rate  ‘’It takes 90 seconds for someone to respond to a text and 90 minutes to respond to an email.’’  Replying to a text message is easy when you compare it to an email. Since the content and the text message context is precise and crisp, it takes the recipient just a couple of seconds to understand the same and reply swiftly. 3. Precise and Crisp The great thing about email is that you can send long messages. But the question is, does your recipients read the full message? With text messages, you would have to convey the content and the context within a limit of just 160 characters. This means that your message should be precise and crisp. The recipient can read through the message with just a glimpse and take the necessary actions required. 4. Cost-Effective Most people think that Emails are more cost-effective than Text Messaging. But to send bulk emails, businesses would have to invest in Email broadcasting tools or platforms, which are costly. You would also have to avail of the services of campaign managers or marketing agencies too. Text Messaging service providers such as Guni SMS provide SMS for the rate of 0.03 cents per SMS. Guni also provides free campaign managers. Hence when you compare the costs, text messaging is a cost-effective option.  5. The best medium for marketing SMS engagement rate when compared to Email and Social Media. Email marketing has an open rate of only 20%, while SMS Marketing open rates come to 98%. SMS marketing market is expected to grow to $83.03 billion by 2024. Furthermore, customers prefer to know more about offers, discounts, and promotions through text messaging rather than emails.  ‘’SMS produces engagement rates six to eight times higher than email marketing when used for redemption, data collection, and brand awareness.’’ 6. Greater Reach Less than 3% of SMS messages are marked as spam, while almost 50% of emails are filtered as spam. Furthermore, the recipient would need an internet connection and an email account to be contacted via email. But for text messaging, any ordinary mobile phone with a sim connection is only required. Your target audience doesn’t need an internet connection to send or receive the message. Thus you can target a wider audience across the globe.   Wrapping Up In short, Text messaging is a better alternative when compared to Email. SMS Marketing is the best option for businesses looking to survive the current pandemic and take advantage of the economic boom that’s coming.    ‘’SMS marketing grew by 8.5% and 20% in March and April 2020, respectively, in response to the Pandemic.’’   If your business is trying to capitalise on the positive impact of SMS Marketing, then Guni SMS, which is the number one SMS Gateway in Australia, is the go-to service provider.   The consultants at Guni offers custom made solutions as per the requirements of your business. Whether it be for Marketing, Sales, Improving customer success or processes, Guni would be the best effective alternative regarding cost and ROI. Sign up with Guni for free today and add value to your business.  Share Via Facebook Instagram Twitter Whatsapp Youtube Linkedin

The 3 Ws of SMS Communication: What, Who, and Where

Home The 3 Ws of SMS Communication: What, Who, and Where In the digital age, SMS (Short Message Service) stands as a robust communication tool that cuts through the noise of email and social media. Despite the proliferation of messaging apps and platforms, SMS remains king for direct, immediate, and broad-reach communication. Understanding the “3 Ws” of SMS—What, Who, and Where—can empower businesses and organizations to leverage this tool for enhanced engagement, customer service, and operational efficiency.   What is SMS?   SMS, simply put, is a text messaging service component of most telephone, internet, and mobile device systems. It uses standardized communication protocols to enable mobile devices to exchange short text messages. An SMS message can be up to 160 characters long, including spaces and punctuation. Despite its simplicity and character limit, SMS is a powerful communication tool due to its wide reach and high engagement rates. Additionally, with email to SMS, businesses can seamlessly send text messages directly from their email platforms, enhancing communication efficiency. Key Features:   Ubiquity: Nearly every mobile device can receive SMS messages, making it a universal tool for reaching people worldwide. Open Rates: SMS messages boast a staggering open rate of 98%, with most messages being read within just a few minutes of receipt. Efficiency: The direct and concise nature of SMS makes it an efficient method for transmitting vital information quickly. Who Uses SMS? SMS’s versatility makes it invaluable across various sectors. Here’s who benefits the most from SMS services: Businesses and Marketers: For promotional campaigns, sales alerts, and customer retention efforts. SMS marketing has a personal touch and can drive significant customer engagement and sales. Healthcare Providers: For appointment reminders, health tips, and patient follow-ups. SMS helps reduce no-shows and enhances patient care. Educational Institutions: For emergency alerts, event notifications, and parent-teacher communication. It ensures important information is disseminated quickly and widely.   Government and Public Services: For public safety alerts, community notices, and voter engagement. SMS can reach a wide audience quickly, making it ideal for urgent public communications.   Nonprofits:   For volunteer coordination, event reminders, and donation campaigns. SMS can mobilize communities and support fundraising efforts effectively.   Where Can SMS Be Implemented?   The application of SMS is as diverse as the users themselves, spanning various scenarios and environments: In Customer Service: SMS can facilitate two-way communication between businesses and customers, offering a quick and personal way to resolve issues, answer queries, and increase satisfaction. In Marketing Campaigns: SMS notifications for order confirmations, delivery updates, and inventory alerts can streamline operations and enhance customer experience.   In Emergency Alerts:   For immediate dissemination of critical information during emergencies, SMS is unmatched in its ability to reach a broad audience quickly.   In Event Management: From reminders for upcoming events to feedback surveys post-event, SMS can enhance attendee experience and provide valuable insights.   Conclusion   The “3 Ws” of SMS unveil the simplicity, versatility, and efficacy of SMS as a communication tool. In a world where timely and direct communication is paramount, SMS emerges as a vital resource. Whether it’s engaging with customers, coordinating with teams, or alerting communities, SMS’s universal reach and high engagement rates make it an indispensable part of communication strategies across industries. As businesses and organizations continue to navigate the digital landscape, SMS stands as a reliable, efficient, and personal way to stay connected. Share Via Facebook Instagram Twitter Whatsapp Youtube Linkedin