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Ideas To Get Subscribers For A Text Messaging Campaign

by Rick Wagoner
39 replies
Hello Warriors,

I've picked up a lot of good ideas in the forum about building a list of subscribers for a text messaging service. It would be nice if we could get a list of ideas going in one thread.

Would be great if we could also cover TM marketing ideas for some of the less obvious businesses.

I'll start - for restaurants, bars, clubs, etc., they could use a dedicated stand-up menu board with the message directed towards the customers. This way there would be no printing costs for the business owner to get started. Most restaurants would already have these.

Any suggestions or insights would be appreciated.


Rick
#campaign #ideas #marketing #message #messaging #subscribers #text
  • Profile picture of the author Nick Surran
    Staff - I see getting staff on board as vital, especially in a restaurant-type place. "Hi, I'm Nick and I'll be your server this evening, how would you like to start out with FREE appetizer?"
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    • Profile picture of the author zbw777
      The standards are:

      • Table Tents
      • Flyers
      • Posters
      • Menus
      Some others are using digital signs or frames, receipts with a call to action.

      My favorite little trick is for a restaurant, get a bright full colored sticker. Put it on the front of the credit card holder. Have it say.. want to save 20% on your next dinner?

      The front of cc holders are the biggest waste of valuable space.

      Put your offer on yelp, twitter, facebook, google, and foursquare.

      Get postcards made and hand them out at busy public places.

      Get T-shirts made up and put a call to action on it.

      Coasters are great if you're at a bar.

      I'm sure I've got more, that's just my quick thoughts
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      • Profile picture of the author Rick Wagoner
        Would be easy to "print on demand" small batch advertising products at Cafepress or Zazzle. This might be a good way to test various advertising methods.

        Rick
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        • Profile picture of the author zbw777
          Originally Posted by rawagoner View Post

          Would be easy to "print on demand" small batch advertising products at Cafepress or Zazzle. This might be a good way to test various advertising methods.

          Rick
          Absolutely. I've had great luck with the clothing printer spreadshirt. They seem to have slightly higher quality end products.

          I've used them for all sorts of promotions and events, giveaways, etc.
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          • Profile picture of the author Rick Wagoner
            Thanks zbw777. I haven't heard of Spreadshirt before. Will check them out.

            Rick
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            • Profile picture of the author myob
              All I do basically is have subscribers optin from a message on the cashier receipt, and also send postcards to clients' customer database with incentivized offers such as percentage off coupons or special offers. Simple, but very effective. This works best and is cost effective for fast food chains and restaurants, retail chain stores, franchises, and large companies with a mobile sales force.
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  • Profile picture of the author scotth
    Here is a scenario for a night club...

    "The band finishes a song, and announces that the bar is giving away a free t-shirt to one person who sends a text message to the Bar's keyword in the next 2 miuntes.

    Hundreds of customers grab their phones and send in a message. After a few minutes, the winner receives a text message telling them they won.

    As the owner of that bar, you have just added hundreds of customers to your database that you can send messages to about your business.
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  • Profile picture of the author redlegrich
    I like the sticker on the CC folio. Very good idea, and definitely an advertising space going to waste!
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  • Profile picture of the author philboy uk
    I noticed a cushion at a friends house with a picture/photo of their dog on it. For some families, the pets are the most popular members, recently my dad took down a picture of his three children and replaced it with a painting of the dog.

    Anyway, thought that vets etc could run a competition , just text "lovemypet" to blah blah blah and the winner will receive a cushion with an image of their pet on it.

    For added effect, leave a cushion in the reception with a photo of a cute animal , with instructions for competition underneath. Could also run a competition on facebook, for the cutest pet video / photo.
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    • Profile picture of the author Rick Wagoner
      philboy uk,

      Nice idea. Haven't thought about vets. Using your concept they could also give away a bag/case of pet food every week/month. Or maybe a free pet toy, pet tips, new research news, etc. Gives them a great way to stay in touch with the pet owners.

      Rick
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  • Profile picture of the author zbw777
    Anytime you have an opportunity for a giveaway, people will bite. They love free stuff.

    Free T-Shirts are great... And if you really want to make a splash... Get a shirt with client design on the front and on the back it says "I got this shirt by Texting!" Text Deal to 444444 for a chance to get your own.
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  • Profile picture of the author MarthaD.
    Great thread! Lots of good ideas! How about getting a rubber stamp or stickers to use on all their "current" products like the back of receipts used by waiters/waitresses to take orders & always left face down at the table for the customer; on back of take-out menus; on bags for take-outs; in the take-out bags; on back of current biz cards; display at cash register, window displays.
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    • Profile picture of the author zbw777
      Originally Posted by MarthaD. View Post

      Great thread! Lots of good ideas! How about getting a rubber stamp or stickers to use on all their "current" products like the back of receipts used by waiters/waitresses to take orders & always left face down at the table for the customer; on back of take-out menus; on bags for take-outs; in the take-out bags; on back of current biz cards; display at cash register, window displays.

      Rubber stamps are a great idea... And not expensive at all.

      You can get a self inking stamp from OvernightPrints.com for like $10
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  • Profile picture of the author dorian2786
    This sounds good.
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  • Profile picture of the author redlegrich
    I'm telling you, people will get down on their hands and knees and bark like a dog for a free tee shirt. That's a nice idea about putting the text CTA on the shirt.
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    • Profile picture of the author zbw777
      Originally Posted by redlegrich View Post

      I'm telling you, people will get down on their hands and knees and bark like a dog for a free tee shirt. That's a nice idea about putting the text CTA on the shirt.

      You're not kidding.. I used to work in Radio... It was amazing what I could get people to do for our stupid station shirts.
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      • Profile picture of the author sprks79
        One of the things I have done for more "social" businesses, ie. bars, restaurants, and such, were print a few t-shirts with the short code or number and have the staff and some regular patrons where them in the bar. People got curious after seeing all the "Curious?? We have the answer ______!!" In the first campaign alone there were about 900 new numbers in the course of 3 days..not a huge number by any standards, but for a rag tag style of ad it was awesome.
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        • Profile picture of the author MarthaD.
          Originally Posted by sprks79 View Post

          One of the things I have done for more "social" businesses, ie. bars, restaurants, and such, were print a few t-shirts with the short code or number and have the staff and some regular patrons where them in the bar. People got curious after seeing all the "Curious?? We have the answer ______!!" In the first campaign alone there were about 900 new numbers in the course of 3 days..not a huge number by any standards, but for a rag tag style of ad it was awesome.
          900 New numbers in 3 days!!!!??? I'd say that was a great number of new subscribers! Nice idea, thanks for sharing.

          I agree, free tee's always seem to capture the attention of so many!

          And thanks too to Trumpia Tim as well, really nice fliers!
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  • Profile picture of the author TrumpiaTim
    Here are a few examples of fliers and tabletops that Trumpia Mobile Marketing clients have created to build their text marketing list.










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  • Profile picture of the author scarab
    Great ideas to help the clients out. I think the question I get asked most when selling sms marketing is "how am I supposed to use this" or "how do I build a list?"
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  • Profile picture of the author redlegrich
    Darn tootin'! 900 new numbers is great even for a large establishment. I'm sure they can turn that into a nice ROI. T shirt advertising, I like it!
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  • Profile picture of the author TheLocalCoach
    Give each of your servers their own Keyword (their first names) and offer an instant $2-$4 discount to customers who opt-in. The server says "Just text my name, Mary, to the number on your table tent and I'll take $___ off your bill today!"

    Then, run a server contest for a month and give a nice prize to the server with the most opt-ins. This not only builds a big list, but teaches and conditions servers to participate in and promote text marketing. And you can tell which servers aren't promoting opt-ins too! Very powerful and lasts well beyond the server contest.

    You can also create a unique QR code that each server can have on their order book so customers can just scan the QR code to opt-in under the server's name.

    For more restaurant ideas, see EatDrinkText.
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    • Profile picture of the author Rick Wagoner
      Wow! Some great ideas being shared here! Thanks for all of your contributions.

      Rick
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      Inspiration and encouragement for people with BIG DREAMS!
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    • Profile picture of the author zbw777
      Originally Posted by EatDrinkTextJay View Post

      run a server contest for a month
      Definitely like the idea of running a server contest. Make sure your business offer good prizes so its taken seriously.
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      • Profile picture of the author scarab
        can anyone recommend a QR code generator. Preferably a generator that will initiate the SMS message or automatically pull up the url.
        Thanks

        ***EDIT
        I did find a good QR code generator at not an affiliate site

        http://keremerkan.net/qr-code-and-2d-code-generator/

        It works good for me anyway. The only I tried that actaully pulled up a website.
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        • Profile picture of the author TrumpiaTim
          Originally Posted by scarab View Post

          can anyone recommend a QR code generator. Preferably a generator that will initiate the SMS message or automatically pull up the url.
          Thanks

          ***EDIT
          I did find a good QR code generator at not an affiliate site

          QR Code and 2D Code Generator | Kerem Erkan

          It works good for me anyway. The only I tried that actaully pulled up a website.
          Trumpia has actually integrated QR Codes into our mobile marketing services, you should sign up for a free trial account to test the platform when you get a chance.
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  • Profile picture of the author redlegrich
    scarab- Try Quickmarks. QuickMark Mobile Barcode - QRCode DIY - Web Site

    You'll be better served in the future here by posting your question in a new post rather than add it to a thread that does not relate to your question. In other words, you are off topic here ;-)
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  • Profile picture of the author OfflineMan
    Wow im a pretty successful SMS consultant and even I picked up a few tips and tricks here... pure gold guys!
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  • Profile picture of the author OfflineMan
    Gosh so many ways, SMS takes advertising that isn't as effective anymore like radio ads and makes them WORK again. An Indian restaurant client of mine sent a radio ad saying Text Message The Word India to "shortcode" for your free 25% coupon valid for 7 days. They got floooooded!
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    • Profile picture of the author fernandoescobar
      Great stuff here! Glad I found this thread.

      I often use PPC on the paid side, and Craigslist on the free side to atrack new subscribers. It's really just up to how creative you want to be. The sky is the limit, really!
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  • Profile picture of the author gareth
    Kewl flyers

    Hey why not run a CPA campaign?
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  • Profile picture of the author thomasmps
    hey guys i know there are alot threads here about sms but i thought i would tell you guys about a conversation i just had. My office job is with a well known daily deal site and a guy called me wanting to become a affliate and i ask what are you doing now and he says texting. I ask him how well is the text messaging going for you and he says its going crazy,i get about 1300 sign ups a month with a 12% redemption rate on my coupons . i thought to myself all the guys and gals on the forum might like to hear about this if they were on fence,you should jump in now. anyways i thought i would share tidbit of info
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  • Profile picture of the author philboy uk
    Bars , restaurants, clubs etc could hold a special event / party / half price day when their page reaches a reaches a specific number of fans, this could then be repeated in the future. This helps with customer retention and viral spread.

    I noticed that a dentist received a lot of publicity when he offered his services for free one valentines day .

    Could take this concept and integrate with facebook, a dentist could offer his services for free to say 5 of the most deserving people in the community,
    A poll could be held on facebook to decide who those people are.

    edit

    sorry , brain flipped out for a second, this is more aimed at facebook, but if you can get them onto your facebook page, it is one step closer to their mobile number
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    • Profile picture of the author zphil
      Wow am I glad I visited this thread, got some great Ideas and possibilities from you guys, Thanks and keep it up!! Good Luck To All...
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