Thinking about echelons in text marketing means having different ways to use text messages. Each way has a different goal. For example, the first level might be just telling people about your business. The next level could be offering them special deals. Then, another level might be asking for their feedback. By having these different levels, businesses can talk to customers in a better way. They can send the right message to the right person at the right time. This makes text marketing more effective.
The First Steps: Basic Text Marketing
The first echelon of text marketing is the most basic. It is about building a list of people who want to get your texts. You can do this in many ways. For instance, you can ask people to sign up on your website. You can also have a sign-up sheet in your store. Another way is to offer something special if they give you their phone number. This first step is very important. You need people who want to hear from you. If you send texts to people who do not want them, they might get annoyed.
Once you have a list, you can start sending simple messages. These phone number database messages might be about new products. Or they could be about upcoming sales. You can also use texts to remind people about appointments. This basic level is about getting information to your customers quickly. It is also about making them aware of what you are doing. For example, if you have a new coffee flavor, you can send a text to tell people about it. This helps them know what is new and might make them want to visit your store.
Moving Up: Segmented Campaigns
After you have the basics down, you can move to the next echelon. This level is about sending more specific messages. You can divide your list into smaller groups. These groups can be based on different things. For example, you can group people by what they have bought before. Or you can group them by where they live. This is called segmentation.
When you segment your list, you can send more relevant messages. For example, if someone has bought a lot of sports equipment from you, you can send them texts about new sports gear. If someone lives close to a certain store, you can tell them about special events happening there. This makes your messages more interesting to the people who receive them. They are more likely to pay attention because the message is about something they care about.
Engaging Deeper: Interactive Texting
The next echelon involves more interaction with your customers. Instead of just sending messages, you can ask them questions. You can also run polls or contests through text messages. This makes your customers feel more involved. It also helps you learn more about what they like and dislike. For instance, you could send a text asking people what their favorite color is for a new product.