Shuffle

I have some questions for those successfully offering sms to your clients right now.
I got a customer to sign up but they have no database of phone numbers yet, what can I give them or tell them to do to start capturing their customers optins rapidly. Obviously the more they get the more messages they have to buy and the more worthwhile it becomes for them because more people can respond to their offer.
Also txt180 reseller program seems very easy to use and the pricing is reasonable. I'm going to substantially mark it up anyway. Does anybody use their reseller program or highly recommend a different reseller option. I have a 7 day trial so I'm not committed to it yet.
Thanks for replies.

sunoy14

Never tried sms. So I can't help you out on this. Sorry

But it is interesting. Would love to know what others say.

From my personal point of view, I've always hated the service providers for sending sms ads and call ads. They spam heavily. Are there people who want those sms or call ads? Mabybe I'm wrong but I don't think there are many people. Every person I've known (I mean each and every person) have always complained about getting annoyed with the sms and call ads. They always try to find a way to block the service provider.
I've seen people give names to the phone number that send the ads. And whenever they see the number, they just reject it. Similar thing goes for sms ads.
Maybe laser targeting would work. Would love to know how sms ads work. Some enlightment would be nice

Web developer at www.rom-link.com. Web design, themes and plugins.
Free guitar lessons www.mamamusicians.com

Shuffle

Well, this is for a restaurant and the customers would get deals via text every so often.
The customer has to opt-in so it is definitely not spam. And you shouldn't have to block numbers. Every message should have an opt-out Word to stop receiving the messages. Most of them is texting STOP to stop receiving more texts.

My original question still stands, how to get my client to get more opt-ins.

sunoy14

Your sms system sounds legit and promising. Your client could try giving nice discounts or complementary to customers once in a while and then tell them that they can get notified about new offers easily by subscribing through sms. Also put up a big poster inside and outside the restaurant.

I don't know much about sms but if there is a tracking system, you could offer a referral system. Like if a customer refers another customer to subscribe, they get a free lunch for two.

Distribute coupons within the restaurant and outside. On the coupon, write in bold that "you can get notifications of all new deals and offers instantly by subscribing to sms".

Make it clear to your customers that you won't be spamming them. Reassure them.

Web developer at www.rom-link.com. Web design, themes and plugins.
Free guitar lessons www.mamamusicians.com

Shuffle

I'm still looking to hear from anyone whose got any tips but in the meantime I found a great article regarding to this question.
The ExactTarget Blog Where Do New SMS Subscribers and Mobile App Users Come From? - The ExactTarget Blog

TrumpiaTim

Hi Shuffle,

Something we always recommend to new sms resellers that are shopping around in the marketplace is to print out a feature breakdown and first compare feature set and ask yourself, if you were the client which platform would you go with feature wise.

The next task would be to get on the phone with the various SMS providers and learn who has 7 day a week phone and email support. You're new to this business so the last thing you want is to not have an answer and when you reach out to your sms vendor, they're nowhere to be found or they can't be reached on Saturday/Sunday.

The two things are both just starting points, other things you'll want to consider is the strength of the business and who they've already partnered with. Is your SMS vendor someone in it for the short game, or do they have a bigger picture and therefore you can grow as your white label sms vendor also continues to grow.

OneReach

Hi Shuffle,

To get clients to opt-in to receive text messages, we recommend promoting the text channel on the existing channels the restaurant has--social media, website, email campaigns, even handing out paper flyers. Let customers know what they're getting when they sign up (ie daily deals, new menu updates, etc.) and maybe even incentivize it (ie sign up and get $5 off your next order). Hotwire did something like this to ask people to download their mobile app, but you can do it for texting (click to see larger image):



There are also some additional use cases for using text messaging in restaurants (reservation reminders, text to make reservations, surveys, etc.) that they could add to increase the value/utility of subscribing for customers.

Ultimately, to increase opt-ins you should increase awareness across channels and let customers know what they get out of subscribing.

Hope this helps!

xlfutur1

SMS is not much different from getting email subscribers - give away something of value in exchange for the phone number.

SMS is much better than email in open rates. The fact that everyone reads SMS messages, usually within a few minutes. The better deal you give out front the easier it is to get subscribers. Contests are good to get subscribers and very cheap to fulfill for the business.

I had a pizza restaurant client that built up to over 1300 SMS subscribers just for the chance to win a free large pizza every week. the only real promotion they was have a signup form on their website.

TrumpiaTim

Just curious Shuffle did you move forward with txt180 and how did your client campaign go?

global1967

All your client has to do is put up table tents if it is a restaurant or POP (point of purchase) displays if it is a retail outlet on the display they could say: ''Text keyword to shortcode'' and get 10% off any item in store etc

I help local business get new customers in and around Your Area, fast and sustainably through my unique approach online advertising.

I've partnered with a famous marketing guru who will write top-notch ads for you. These will bring you more business once we set them live, and will re-activate old customers.."

Local Facebook, Google & Instagram Ads as a Threesome
Without Any Set up Or Retainer Fees. Sign Up Today

TrumpiaTim

Just make sure the campaign is widely visible and the offer is attractive enough to get people texting in to get the deal!