Bulk SMS: You May Not Be Reading Them, Yet They Still Work
Bulk SMS is a name that invokes a sense of nostalgia in some of us, and in others, a feeling of indifference. Most of us think of “Bulk SMS” as the annoying kid on the block.
We think of it as a non-productive channel of marketing, and personally, we also tend to ignore a few (if not many) of them.
However, let’s look at the stats!
The numbers don’t lie! With a whopping 98% open rate, bulk SMS proves to be a heavy contender in the marketing game.
The numbers tell us that bulk SMS is a useful and efficient marketing channel that should be integral to your strategy.
In India alone, the estimate is that there are around 748 million mobile users, and the number of smartphone users worldwide is forecasted to exceed 1.5 billion users in 2040.
A phone may or may not have data connectivity. However, it is almost certain that it consists of a mobile service enabling it to receive a text message.
According to a recent study, a whopping 96% of smartphone users still use texting and SMS services. Thus, SMS is still very important to the majority of the population.
What’s more, only 39% of marketers use SMS as a channel. So the market is hardly saturated. Not yet, at least!
Who’s using bulk SMS?
If we haven’t convinced you with stats and numbers related to the usage of bulk SMS, allow us to shine a light on a few things you need to know.
Bulk SMS facilitates better customer relationships. Why? Because it’s simple, efficient, fast, and permission-based, which, in case you didn’t know, a lot of customers appreciate.
So who’s using them?
Well, some of the major industries keen on bulk SMS services are:
- Consumer Brands
- Banks
- Enterprises
- Media Outlets
- Major Airlines
- Healthcare Providers
- Large Consumer Websites
Why should you go SMS?
It’s pretty simple.
With SMS, you can reach an extensive database of users cost-effectively!
So whether it’s a reminder, alert, or some news related to your brand, text is the best way to go.
You may argue that email marketing is much more efficient and an easier way to reach people. However, the fact is that most emails (such as marketing material, communication from brands) tend to land in the spam folder or some obscure section of the receiver’s inbox that is left unread!
On the other hand, that same risk is not attached to SMS, as people use mobile phones wherever they are and as their primary means of communication.
You might not be reading the bulk SMSes sent to your phone, but someone somewhere definitely is! And that’s why the strategy STILL works.
So if you haven’t tried this type of communication with your customers, it’s about time you did.
Need to learn more about how to get started? Have a look at these other articles that can help to get you up and running!
SMS Marketing Trends To Know About
A Guide To Writing Effective Promotional SMSes
How To Find The Best SMS Service Provider
All the best!
