When you create your SMS marketing program, one important tool will be your auto response messages. These are messages that are sent to your subscribers after they send a certain keyword to you. The most common one is a confirmation and a "thank you" for opting into the campaign, but you may find you have other uses for them. To increase the efficacy of these messages, it is important you include the right information in the right format. The following tips can help you to create dynamite auto response messages to increase the success of your text marketing campaign.

Keep it Short

Text messages have a limit of 160 characters. Although some new smartphones may display longer texts as one message, they are still sent as separate texts divided into 160 characters. When you create a message longer than the standard length, you raise the chance of running into problems. It could be sent as more than one message in the wrong order, leading to confusion. It also might lead to additional charges to your customers, which will not be appreciated and could lead to increased opt-out rates. It also appears less professional than a shorter text. Text messaging is, by definition, a concise communication medium, so create responses that adhere to that. If you have more to say, includr a link to a web page with additional information.

Include A Signature

Even though the message is a response to an action taken by a current or prospective customer, there is no guarantee that he or she will remember to whom the short code of phone number belongs when the response is sent. Therefore, it is important that you always include sufficient space within the 160 characters to sign the message to make it clear with whom they are corresponding. This also makes it easier for customers to take action, such as redeeming a coupon.

Details on How to Unsubscribe

SMS marketing is a permission-based communication medium. By law, it is required that you not only get written permission from consumers that they wish to receive messages (which includes an opt-in text), but you also must regularly provide information on how to opt-out. This does not need to take too many of your precious characters, as all you need is to state something similar to "text STOP to opt out." It is also helpful to include other options, such as HELP for help, and more information, such as message and data rates may apply and a link to the further terms and conditions. You do not have to include these in every single one of your regular texts, as long as you do so regularly. However, if you are sending an auto-response from a particular keyword, it is beneficial to include these terms, since it may be the first time someone receives a message from you.

Send Valuable Content

When you send an automatic response to a keyword, it is important you include content of value to the customer. For confirmation auto responses, it is beneficial to provide some sort of reward for opting in, such as a coupon or other offer. For keywords other than your opt-in keyword, consider the reasons why people may choose to send that keyword to your program. Then, develop content that matches those reasons. For example, when the keyword is a question or other inquiry, include the answer in the response. Value of content is one of the most important aspects of any successful text message program. This should include all messages, including those that are part of an auto-response.

Don't Forget the Call to Action

No matter what type of response you send to your customers, it should always include some type of call to action. This increases your engagement and conversion rates. Whether this call to action is to buy, click, respond or something else, it provides clear instructions to your customers about what they need to do. Even if your auto response is in reply to a customer service inquiry that states that someone will get in touch with the customer soon, it should still include some type of action. This could be responding with another keyword to cancel the inquiry or a link to click for more information. A call to action increases the interaction between you and the customers, which, in turn, helps improve the success of your overall SMS marketing program.

SMS marketing has numerous benefits, including a high open and engagement rate. One key aspect of this marketing channel is its ability to send automatic messages in response to certain keywords. Taking the time to develop a very strong and clear response message helps improve your overall success rates.

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