Why Combine Email and SMS Marketing?
Reach More Customers
Email and SMS allow you to reach your audience on multiple platforms. While emails are great for in-depth information, SMS is perfect for quick updates and reminders.
Higher Engagement Rates
Studies show that SMS messages have a 98% open rate compared to emails. Combining both ensures your message is not only seen but also acted upon.
When to Use SMS vs. Email?
Use for longer-form content, newsletters, detailed product launches, and personalized recommendations. It’s perfect for storytelling and building a deeper connection with your audience.
SMS
Use for time-sensitive offers, flash sales, appointment reminders, and urgent updates. SMS is also great for sending order confirmations and delivery updates, ensuring immediate visibility.
Strategies for Integrating
SMS Marketing with Email
Sync Your Messaging
Keep your campaigns aligned. If you’re launching a new product via email, send a quick SMS reminder to people who haven’t bought it a couple days later.
Leverage Segmentation
Segment your audience based on behavior. For example, send an email with a special offer, and follow up with an SMS to those who haven’t ordered. This personalized approach can significantly boost conversions.
Exclusive SMS Offers
Encourage your email subscribers to opt-in for SMS updates by offering exclusive deals or early access to sales. This cross-channel promotion builds your SMS list and ensures your most loyal customers are always in the loop.
Drip Campaigns
Combine drip email campaigns with SMS reminders. For instance, after a welcome email, send a ‘Welcome SMS’ to new subscribers, reinforcing the message and ensuring they engage with your brand. Try not to overload people though, be sure to have separate customer journeys for people who signup with vs without SMS.
Best Practices for Combining SMS
and Email Marketing in ecommerce
Timing is Key
Don’t overwhelm your audience. Space out your emails and SMS to avoid appearing spammy.
Keep SMS Short & Sweet
Unlike emails, SMS has a character limit. Make sure your message is clear and concise.
Opt-in & Compliance
Ensure you have explicit consent from your audience before sending SMS. Always provide an easy opt-out option to remain compliant with regulations.
Actually Use Exclusive Offers
Try not to provide the same offers on email as SMS, otherwise, there’s not much point in somebody signing up to both. You want to keep the two separate as a reward for people who gave you their number. A lot of brands say “exclusive” offers but they aren’t really, so be sure to create separate strategies for each channel.