The hitch here is that there’s a lot of static to cut through first. Currently, the average US smartphone user receives nearly 50 notifications per day. So, how can you stand out? 

Digital marketers need to be aware of all the tools they have at their disposal to reach their audiences. Two of the most effective tools out there are SMS notifications and push notifications.

Pus notifications vs. SMS notifications

Let’s go over what they are, when to use them, and how to choose between the two.

What are SMS notifications?

SMS notifications are notifications that are sent when you receive a text message. Basically, if you’ve ever seen your phone light up with a preview of a text message you just got, that’s an SMS notification.

SMS stands for “Short Message Service.” SMS notifications are sent the same way as any other text message. Usually, they’re limited to 160 characters. 

With our expanded messaging feature, however, you can send SMS notifications that are up to 306 characters long. While SMS can be used as a marketing tool, SMS notifications can be used for time-sensitive and safety purposes also.

Why use SMS notifications?

Many businesses and organizations choose to use SMS notifications because they work on every device. There’s no app to download or software to install. Nearly all cell phones can receive SMS. 

Consider the following: your friend needs to inform you about something quickly. Would you rather them send you a quick text, call you, or email you? If you’re like most consumers, you answered text.

When to use SMS notifications

SMS notifications can be used to send emergency text alerts, inform users about new features, and send out advertising messages—among other things. Here are just a few of the most common use cases:

• Spread the word about upcoming events
• Send internal messages to employees
• Increase profits with sales and cart abandonment texts
• Inform patients about upcoming appointments
• Fundraise or find volunteers for nonprofit organizations
• Let customers know about reservation confirmations

What are push notifications?

Sometimes mistaken for SMS notifications, push notifications are pop-ups that appear on a mobile device. These messages may appear while customers are on their phones, or on the lock screen if the device isn’t in use. 

The biggest difference is that push notifications come from an app or website, not as a result of a text being sent. 

The maximum character count of a push notification varies from device to device, but the usual length is between 100 and 200 characters.

Why use push notifications?

The main benefit of push notifications is that users don’t need to be in a particular app or on a site in order to see them. App or website publishers can send them at any time. Plus, many people opt into push notifications when they download an app. 

Data from Moengage tells us that push Notifications carry an impressive delivery rate of 90%. Not to mention that 40% of users engage with push notifications less than an hour after they pop up.

When to use push notifications

Push notifications can be used for many things: to ask users to take an action, let them know about new updates, and send them promotions. The most compelling reason to use push notifications is to make sure users don’t forget about your brand.

You can also simply encourage customers to return to your site or app to see new content or product drops or restock on products.

When used correctly, push notifications can help retention rates. In fact, Notify Visitors reports that push notifications generate a 39% retention rate.

3 key differences between push notifications and SMS notifications

A push notification is a notification itself that can come from any app and most websites and will appear on your phone’s lock screen. It is quite literally ‘pushing’ you to open your phone and read the notification.

SMS notifications, meanwhile, are specific to your native messaging app. An SMS notification appears on your lock screen, usually with an opening snippet of the text message you’ve received. 

Push notifications and SMS notifications can be used for similar purposes. However, the platforms used to send them are vastly different. 

When deciding between the two, here are three points to consider:

1. SMS notifications don’t require apps or websites

If your business offers a mobile app or hosts a website, you may want to send out push notifications. If you don’t, SMS notifications are perfect for you. 

To add push notifications to a web app, you must have a basic understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. SMS notifications, on the other hand, can be sent without any coding experience. You can send your first message in just minutes.

2. Push notifications require just one tap 

When sending a text, the idea is to have customers read and respond to the message.

Push notifications take some of the effort off your customers’ plates by encouraging them to just tap the notification to head to your app or landing page.

3. Customers can reply to SMS notifications

Push notifications are convenient for one-way communication. If you need to provide customer service or want your users to be able to reply with questions or requests, you should probably use SMS notifications. 

Our platform allows for two-way conversations. And, all incoming SMS messages are free!

4. Push notifications are cost-effective

While you’ll need an SMS marketing service to set up SMS notifications, push notifications simply require some coding to get started. 

That represents a little more work on your part, but for brands on a budget, this could be a plus.p

5. SMS notifications can be triggered by other software

Effective notifications need to be sent to the right people at the right time. With our Zapier integration, you can trigger messages to be sent when events occur in other pieces of software that you use. For example, you can send SMS notifications via SimpleTexting to new Constant Contact contacts. Or send SMS notifications via SimpleTexting to new Shopify customers.

Try our SMS notification service for free

It’s easy to add SMS notifications to your brand. Our platform was designed from the ground up to be as simple to use as possible. 

Sign up for a free 14-day trial to see how texts can benefit your business. With our SMS API, you can plug your website or app directly into our platform.

Alfredo Salkeld wrote this piece on 12/27/18. Lily Norton contributed.

The post Difference between push notifications and SMS notifications appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

What are abbreviations for texting?

Text abbreviations are shortened versions of a word or phrase used to save time. They’re also helpful when you have to stay within a limited character count.

In the past, deciphering text-speak abbreviations was for cool moms and dads who wanted to fit in with their teens.

Today, businesses of every size are starting to recognize the value of incorporating text abbreviations into their campaigns to attract, engage, and foster relationships with their customers.

Learning text abbreviations is a must for any marketer who wants to keep up with the speed and brevity of today’s bite-sized communication style.

The challenge is to adapt to text-ese (an evolving language by itself) and be able to use abbreviations while maintaining proper texting etiquette and providing value at the same time.

If you’re still baffled every time you read IIRC, BRB, and IDK, this cheat sheet of SMS abbreviations and internet acronyms commonly used is for you.

Why your business needs text abbreviations

Sure, text abbreviations might make your brand look and sound a little cooler, but that’s not the real reason you’ll want to use them. Text abbreviations reduce the character count of SMS messages, and that can save your business money.

You see, when you’re sending SMS, you are limited to just 160 characters per message. If your text exceeds 160 characters, it gets split into multiple messages. Of course, if you send more text messages than necessary, you may incur unnecessary costs as well. Text abbreviations help you get your message across without using up valuable characters.

Note: MMS messages provide a much higher character count of 1,600, but they also cost a bit more than sending SMS messages.
You can totally overuse text abbreviations and make a mess of your messaging. However, if you add them strategically and make sure they’re clear to your recipients, they are a helpful tool in your SMS marketing playbook.

The most popular SMS abbreviations

1. Asap – As soon as possible: Can you send me that report asap?
2. Atm – At the moment: I can’t talk, I’m at work atm
3. BRB – Be right back: Sorry, just grabbing a coffee – BRB!
4. Brt – Be right there: Found the place, brt!
5. BTW – By the way: I’m on the way, BTW should I bring anything?
6. FTW – For the win: Did you see the game last night? Bills FTW!
7. FWIW – For what it’s worth: FWIW, I think it’s going to rain anyway.
8. Fyi – For your information: Fyi, the meeting is at 2 pm today
9. Hbu – How about you: I’m doing great, hbu?
10. HMU – Hit me up: If you need anything just HMU!
11. IDK – I don’t know: The traffic’s delayed me, IDK what time I’ll get there!
12. Ig – I guess: I mean if you’re going too ig I will
13. IIRC – If I remember correctly: IIRC, he still works there.
14. IMHO/IMO – In my humble opinion/in my opinion: IMHO, coffee is way better than tea.
15. Istg – I swear to god: If this traffic doesn’t let up I’m gonna be late, istg
16. Iykyk – If you know, you know: That deli down the street is the best lunch place around. Iykyk
17. LMK – Let me know: LMK if you need anything from the grocery store.
18. LOL – Laugh out loud: That’s so funny, LOL!
19. Ngl – Not gonna lie: Ngl, I’m ready for Friday
20. NVM – Nevermind: NVM about grabbing the chips, I found some at home!
21. OG – Original gangsters (used for old friends): You’ll love her, she’s one of my OGs!
22. OMG – Oh my God/goodness: OMG I can’t believe that happened!
23. OMW – On my way: I’ve just left, OMW now!
24. Ong – On god (I swear): I’m way too sick to work today, ong
25. OOTD – Outfit of the day: What’s your OOTD? I don’t know which shoes to wear!
26. Rq – real quick: Can you check the deadline for me rq?
27. Sm – So much: You’re a lifesaver, thank you sm
28. SMH/SMDH – Shaking my head/shaking my darn head: I can’t believe you just said that, SMH.
29. TBD – To be determined: The time and place is TBD!
30. TTYL – Talk to you later: I’ve got to run, TTYL.
31. Wya – Where you at: Just got here, wya?
32. Yw – You’re welcome: Thanks for the help, yw

Romantic text abbreviations

Texting abbreviations can be casual, but you’ll also need quick and easy ways to tell that special someone you’re thinking about them.

1. BF – Boyfriend
2. GF – Girlfriend
3. ILY – I Love You
4. MCM – Man Crush Monday
5. WCW – Woman Crush Wednesday

Other common text abbreviations and acronyms

This list of SMS abbreviations and Internet acronyms is far from complete. Like culture, text-ese evolves over time. As a result, new acronyms and SMS abbreviations are introduced and used every day.

 These are a few of our favorite text abbreviations that you can be confident most people will know. Give one a try today!

Common texting slang

Like text abbreviations, texting slang can be confusing if you’ve never encountered them before. Take a look at the most common slang examples below.

1. Gucci – Good, cool. Ex. “I got us tickets to the concert.” “Gucci.”
2. It gives/it’s not giving – It’s good (or “It reminds me of…”)/It’s not good. Ex. “Yeah, I saw the weather for tomorrow, it’s not giving.”
3. Lowkey – Moderately; kind of. Ex. “This new song is lowkey my favorite.
4. Mid – Mediocre. Ex. “I don’t know, that movie was kind of mid.”
5. No cap – No lie; I’m not lying. Ex. “Did you get tickets to the concert for real?” “No cap.”
6. Sending me – Used to describe something that excites or humors you. Ex. “This new song is sending me!”
7. Slay – Good (or an acknowledgment like “okay”). Ex. “Did you see Lady Gaga’s Oscar look? Such a slay.”
8. Sus – Suspicious or suspect. Ex. “I got us tickets to the concert that’s sold out.” “That’s sus.”
9. Vibe – A general feeling, a mood (usually a good one). Ex. “We had a great time, it was a total vibe.”

Social media text abbreviations

1. AMA – Ask me anything
2. BR – BeReal
3. DM – Direct Message
4. ELI5 – Explain like I’m 5
5. FB – Facebook
6. FBF – Flashback Friday
7. FF – Follow Friday (Twitter)
8. FYP – For You Page
9. GRWM – Get ready with me
10. HMU – Hit me up
11. HT  – Hat Tip (Twitter)
12. IG – Instagram (Append this to “Insta”)
13. IM – Instant Message
14. Insta – A shortened name for Instagram
15. LI – Short for “LinkedIn”
16. MFW – My feeling when
17. MT – Modified Tweet
18. OOTD – Outfit of the day
19. OP – Original Post
20. PM – Personal Message or Private Message
21. QOTD – Quote of the day
22. RT – Retweet
23. SC – Snapchat
24. SM – Social Media
25. SMP – Social media platform
26. TBT – Throwback Thursday
27. TIL – Today I learned
28. TT – TikTok
29. Twits – Short for “Twitter”
30. UGC – User-Generated Content
31. WA – WhatsApp
32. X – previously named Twitter
33. YT  – YouTube

Business text abbreviations

Texting is also common among coworkers and customers. These abbreviations will help you navigate the world of professional texting.

1. AFK – Away From Keyboard
2. B2C – Business To Consumer
3. B2C – Business to Consumer
   We serve all kinds of B2C companies, from ecommerce to tech support.
4. DSC – Dedicated Short Code
   A unique 5- to 6-digit number that your business can use to send SMS or MMS messages (this article provides more information on all our number types.
5. EOD – End Of Day
6. EOD – End of Day
   Good morning! Our year-end sale is only until EOD. See you at our store!
7. EOM – End Of Month
8. EOW – End Of Week
9. F2F – Face To Face
10. FTFY – Fixed That For You
    Thank you for calling customer support! We’ve addressed your concern as of 9 PM today. FTFY!
11. FW – Forward
12. ICYMI – In Case You Missed It
    ICYMI, The Expanse Season 3 is now on our archives. Upgrade your account today to get access!
13. MMS – Multimedia Messaging Service
    MMS messaging allows you to add media like audio, video, and GIFs to your texts.
14. NRN – No Reply Necessary
15. OOO – Out Of Office
16. P2P – Peer To Peer
17. SaaS – Software As A Service
18. SMS – Short Message Service
    SMS is a message type you can use to send and receive texts over a cell network.
19. TL;DR – Too Long; Didn’t Read
    Good day! You will be receiving an in-depth explanation on how to file your claim with us in your email today. For a TL;DR version, call us at 555-123-4567 between 9 am- 5 pm Mon-Fri.
20. TYVM– Thank You Very Much
    TYVM for your purchase! See you at our next sale in the fall.
21. WFH – Work From Home
22. WIP – Work in Progress – If you’re having trouble exporting files, contact customer support at email@email.com. Bug fixes are a WIP by the dev team.
23. YTD – Year To Date

Business texting compliance approved abbreviations

As with any industry, the world of business texting and text marketing is rich with jargon and abbreviations. And when you’re up against a tight character limit, the temptation to shorten your words is real.

In an effort to help you avoid confusion or misdirection with any of your SMS compliance messaging, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (CTIA) developed a list of approved abbreviations you can use in your text marketing that will help you save space without sacrificing clarity.

Approved CTIA abbreviations include:

• Msg instead of Message
• / instead of Per
• Txt instead of Text
• mo, ea. mo. or /mth instead of Per Month
• Msg&Data Rates May Apply instead of Message and Data Rates May Apply

Marketing abbreviation

1. AOV – Average Order Value
2. BOGO – Buy One Get One
3. CLV – Customer Lifetime Value
4. CMS – Content Management System
5. CPA – Cost Per Acquisition
6. CPV – Cost Per View
7. CR  – Conversion Rate
8. CRM – Customer Relationship Management
9. CRO – Conversion Rate Optimization
10. ICP – Ideal Customer Profile
11. LTV – Lifetime Value
12. PPC – Pay Per Click
13. SCN – Short Code Number
14. SEM – Search Engine Marketing
15. SEO – Search Engine Optimization
16. SERP – Search Engine Results Page
17. SMB – Small/medium business
18. SOV – Share Of Voice
19. TOS – Terms of service
20. WOM – Word Of Mouth

Romantic/Relationship text abbreviations

1. BAE – Before Anyone Else
2. BFF – Best Friend Forever
3. DTR – Define the relationship
4. FWB – Friends With Benefits
5. ILYSM – I Love You So Much
6. LOML  – Love Of My Life
7. LTR – Long-term relationship
8. LYLAS – Love You Like A Sister
9. OTP – One true pairing
10. PDA – Public display of affection
11. SO – Significant Other
12. XOXO – Hugs and kisses

Examples of text abbreviations in SMS marketing

Now that you’ve reviewed our comprehensive list of abbreviations for text messages, let’s look at a few examples. Here are some ways you might use text abbreviations in real life to manage your SMS character count and communicate a clear message.

Promotional campaign reminder

Let’s say you want to notify customers they’ve got one last chance to take advantage of your store’s buy-one–get-one-free promotion. Your text could read something like this:

How to incorporate texting abbreviations in a business context

Now that you’re an expert in business text abbreviations, your next step is to familiarize yourself with the do’s and don’ts of using them.

Our lists are a great way to keep on top of the must-know text speak for your professional and personal life.

1. Don’t cram too many texting abbreviations in one text.
   What would it feel like if you receive a text from your insurance company saying: Sup! ICYMI, CYE for instrux on policy renewal. SSIA. Sounds rude, right?
   
2. Be creative, but not unprofessional. When appropriate, add images and GIFs using MMS marketing.
   Your words and acronyms don’t have to do all of the talking. It’s easy to attach images and graphics to your messages as well. Use these to make your messages more engaging.
   
3. Text like an adult. Don’t use shorthand like “2” for “to” or “U” for “you.”
   Texting like this does save precious characters—but it also looks unprofessional. Compare these two texts:
   
   “Go2 Meg’s 2day asap 4 a gr8 deal! 20% off ne slice wen u sho dis text.”
   
   “Visit Meg’s ASAP for a great deal! 20% off any slice when you show this text.”
   
   Which text looks like it’s from a respectable business?
   
4. Only use text abbreviations your audience will understand.
   Knowing your audience helps you decide which abbreviations are appropriate and which ones aren’t.
   
   For instance, you wouldn’t want to text “Hello, this is Joe, tech support for X Cable. Responding to your query, FTFY!” to a 70-year old needing help with his cable. In this instance it would be better to write out, “Be seeing you.”
5. Proofread before you hit send! A simple typo with an abbreviation can completely change the meaning of your text.  A quick double-check can save you from embarrassing misunderstandings.
   
   By integrating these additional facts into your existing content, you’ll provide a richer resource for readers interested in text abbreviations, enhancing their understanding and practical application of these terms in both personal and professional contexts.

Text abbreviation mistakes to avoid

There are hundreds of word abbreviations out there, so any fear of using slang abbreviations for texting is warranted. The best thing to do is play it safe. Nobody’s going to be on your case if you type out the full phrase.

However, if you do want to start incorporating more abbreviation in your text messages these are two key things to avoid:

Avoid using dated text slang or abbreviations when texting

In a communication method that’s only a decade old, it’s hard to imagine text abbreviations going out of date.

But meanings change, just as they do in our everyday language. Keep an eye out for text message abbreviations that others around you are using. This is not only to gauge appropriateness, but also to keep on top of what phrases are still commonly used.

Avoid overusing text abbreviations to communicate

Sure, most young people can understand text abbreviations just fine. But nobody wants to read a full message written in them. Avoid:

When in doubt simply take your time to type out the full word. It’s the fail-safe way of making sure your text messaging is read in the correct context.

Recognizing your audience

Just like addressing different people in day to day life, SMS requires you to adapt your speech based on who you’re talking to. Some of the popular SMS abbreviations you use on your friends might not be appropriate for your boss or a client.

Event announcements

Let’s say you’re hosting an in-person event and you want to let your contacts know about it by sending out a text blast. A few text abbreviations can help you craft a concise SMS message:

Welcome text messages

When you first get new SMS subscribers to opt in to your text messages, a quick note to confirm, say thanks, and welcome them is important. Using text abbreviations not only helps limit character count, it also comes across as friendly and conversational.

Let’s say someone uses an SMS keyword to subscribe to daily tips you send via text. Your welcome message could read like this:

Besides being friendly this example also uses abbreviations to help ensure you follow rules for SMS compliance.

Schedule changes

Text messages are a good way for local businesses to let loyal customers know if there are changes in hours of operations or disruptions to the normal schedule. Text abbreviations help you communicate with people quickly and concisely:

Requesting customer feedback

Finally, here’s how you could take advantage of text abbreviations when using SMS to collect customer feedback:

The post Common text abbreviations and how to use them appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

Finding a small business podcast isn’t hard, but figuring out which ones are worth your time can be. As a self-proclaimed podcast nerd, people often ask me for small business podcast recommendations. But “business” as a topic is so broad that right show for you will depend on the stage of your small business, the information you need, and the style of show you prefer.

To make things easy, I’ve broken this list down into three sections: the best overall, the best for inspiration, and the best for tactical advice. So whether you’re a first-time entrepreneur or a seasoned operator needing in-the-weeds tips to scale, there’s a show on this list for you. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Best podcasts for small business owners overall
• Best small business podcasts for inspiration
• Best small business podcasts for tactical advice

Best podcasts for small business owners overall

Shoestring

First up is Shoestring, a podcast I help produce. But hear me out – I created this show because I couldn’t find anything like it. I wanted more than just talking heads; something akin to This American Life and Heavyweight. In each episode of Shoestring, we provide free marketing advice to small business owners and invite you into the room as our team brainstorm ideas. You’ll eavesdrop on the call where we share these ideas with the business and learn if they work. 

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple podcasts

The Pitch

The Pitch is always on my list of recommendations of podcasts for small business owners. It is essentially Shark Tank in podcast form. Entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to investors for a chance at investment. When I ran a small business, The Pitch was invaluable – I’d take the questions investors asked entrepreneurs on the show and ask myself those same questions about my business.

Business plans, scaling, and identifying customers – these are questions every small business owner should be asking themselves. By interrogating your own venture with the same inquiries, you’ll evolve into a better entrepreneur. 

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple podcasts

Think Like an Owner

This one stands out from the typical business podcasts that focus on interviewing founders and their startup stories. Instead, Think Like an Owner dives into the world of operators and private equity professionals who buy businesses, scale them, and then sell them. It’s a refreshing operational perspective that goes beyond the initial inspiration stage of running a business. Host Alex Bridgman has a knack for digging deep and asking tactical questions.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple podcasts

Business Unusual with Barbara Corcoran

I’ve often pondered which shark I’d want to invest in my company if I were on Shark Tank. Time and time again, I find myself choosing Barbara Corcoran. Her incredible story is worth a listen on “How I Built This,” and she even has her own podcast, “Business Unusual.” 

One of my favorite parts of the show is when small business owners call in with questions, and Barbara answers them. I really appreciate her no-nonsense advice, which comes from her firsthand experience not just in her real estate empire, but also from the businesses she’s invested in on Shark Tank.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

The Reboot Podcast

I first stumbled upon Jerry Colonna through Startup, the next podcast on this list. Jerry, a founding partner of Flatiron Ventures, is known for mixing mindfulness with work. Picture him as a blend of business coach and therapist, working with top-notch tech founders and CEOs.

In his podcast, Reboot, he dives into themes similar to his book that shares the same name. He explores topics like conquering fear, establishing trust, and understanding how your childhood impacts you today.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Startup

Startup, a classic from the folks at Gimlet Media, is a podcast about starting a podcast company. Yeah, it’s pretty meta. With its documentary style, you’ll feel like you’re right there in the action.

Later seasons switch things up by following other businesses, like Dating Ring. And in season three, they feature a new business each episode. Trust me, Startup sets the bar high for business podcasts – you’ll want to binge every season.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Best small business podcasts for inspiration

Business Breakdowns

For a deeper dive into how successful businesses operate, tune into “Business Breakdowns.” Each episode is a case study on a specific company – think Peloton, Netflix, or SpaceX. The hosts dissect business models, strategies, and what led to their successes (or failures). It’s a fantastic resource for understanding the nitty-gritty of various industries. Great for those who enjoy a mix of storytelling and analysis.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

The Ground Up Show

You might know Matt D’Avella from his YouTube channel, where he’s got 3.79 million subscribers. Or perhaps you’ve caught the Netflix documentary he directed, The Minimalists. But did you know he’s also got a podcast? It’s called The Ground Up Show.

Like his YouTube channel, Matt’s podcast isn’t just about business. He digs into topics like anxiety, morning routines, and breaking up with social media. There’s even an episode called A Minimalist Approach to Business. Matt hasn’t dropped a new episode since 2019, but don’t let that stop you. There are over 100 episodes in the vault, and they’re worth checking out. And hey, while you’re at it, give his YouTube channel a look if you haven’t already.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

My First Million

Shane and Sam, hosts of the My First Million podcast, chat like old friends, but each episode is packed with useful nuggets. You’re guaranteed to pick up some wisdom or a handy framework you can apply. The show began as a place to brainstorm business ideas but has since evolved to include interviews with entrepreneurs building big, impactful companies and breakdowns of different businesses.

It’s a mix of entrepreneurship, creativity, personal growth, and a dash of humor. With episode titles like “How I Bought a Million Dollar Egg Carton Business for Zero Dollars,” it’s tough not to binge this podcast.

Listen on Apple podcasts

Listen on Spotify

The Quest Pod with Justin Kan

The Quest pod seems to have hit the pause button, with no new episodes since February 2022. But don’t let that stop you – there’s a treasure trove of past episodes waiting. Justin Kan, one of Twitch’s co-founders, leads the show. Twitch, by the way, is that video game streaming giant that Amazon bought for a cool billion.

What sets Justin apart as a host? He’s down-to-earth. In a chat with him, he said he used to think you needed to be some kind of genius to run a successful company. But he’s no whiz at coding, math, or management – and yet, he made it big. That same humble vibe comes through when he interviews other successful founders. 

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Small Business War Stories

It’s been a while since this show released a new episode – November 2019, to be exact. But trust me, it’s worth going back and giving it a listen. The host, Pablo Fuentes, spent three years traveling the country, chatting with small business owners face-to-face. He dives into all sorts of businesses – hostels, record stores, neon art shops, clothing stores, guitar repair stores, cafes… you name it.

These small business owners share their struggles, funny stories, and day-to-day lives. And with over 150 episodes in the catalog, there’s plenty to keep you entertained and inspired

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

The Tim Ferriss Show

Tim Ferriss is like the godfather of podcasting. He’s been at it since 2014, and his show has racked up over 700 million downloads. A favorite among small business owners, you might know Tim from his New York Times bestseller, The 4-Hour Workweek.

He talks about more than just business – fitness and mental health are on the menu too. But with over 700 episodes, you’re sure to find interviews with entrepreneurs that’ll get your wheels turning. One of my top picks? “One Person Businesses That Make $1,000,000 Per Year.” Give it a listen if you think success means managing a huge team. You might be surprised.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Masters of Scale

Reid Hoffman, the guy behind LinkedIn, has a podcast. It’s all about tech entrepreneurs – think Netflix and Slack CEOs. They talk about how they grow their businesses. It’s a chance to learn from them and see if you can use their ideas for your small business.

But heads up – this isn’t your typical interview-style podcast. They like to mix things up with music and sound design. Some folks find it distracting, or say the interviews feel chopped up. Give it a listen and see if it’s your cup of tea.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

GaryVee Audio Experience

Gary Vee, you either love him or you hate him. But one thing’s for sure…he’s hard to ignore. He first made waves by creating Resy, a reservation software company. Now, he’s got his hands in advertising and media agencies while dishing out entrepreneurial advice on social media.

He’s got a podcast too, where he chats about the future of business and marketing and brings in other experts for a fresh take.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Diary of a CEO

Ever wonder what runs through a CEO’s mind? “Diary of a CEO” might be your answer. Hosted by Steven Bartlett, a young entrepreneur and former CEO of a leading social media company, this podcast offers an unfiltered peek into the highs and lows of leading a business. Steven doesn’t just share his own journey; he brings on guests who open up about their triumphs and failures. It’s raw, honest, and sometimes brutally vulnerable – exactly what the entrepreneurial soul needs.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

How I Built This

You have likely already listened to How I Built This. If so, you know what it deserves a spot on this list. If you haven’t, stop what you’re doing and pull up an episode. This is one of the leading business podcasts out there. Guy Raz, the host, is a master interviewer. He digs deep into the origin stories of household brands like Lululemon, Eventbrite, Supergoop, and others.

Listen on Spotify

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Best small podcasts for tactical advice

Profit First Nation

Mike Michalowicz, a small business author, has penned books like The Pumpkin Plan, Fix This Next, and his big hit, Profit First. He’s got a unique take on accounting. Instead of the usual revenue minus cost equals profit, he believes revenue minus profit should equal costs. Sounds odd, right? But if it piques your interest, give his podcast, Profit First Nation, and book a try.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Badass Small Business Owner

A bunch of small business podcasts out there seem to be more about inspiration than real, down-to-earth advice. Badass Small Business Owner is different. They focus on trades like handymen, cleaners, landscapers, painters, dog groomers, pool cleaners, and so on.

If you’re working over 40 hours a week and struggling to grow your small business or find financial freedom, this is the show for you. Check out episodes like 7 Key Pillars of a Strong Business Foundation, Why Your Competition is More Profitable Than You Are, and You’re Paying Yourself Wrong in Your Small Business.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Business Made Simple with Donald Miller

Donald Miller wrote a fantastic book called How to Build a Story Brand. If you’re a small business owner trying to tell your brand’s story, you need to read it. But that’s not all – Donald also hosts a podcast, Business Made Simple, where he helps business owners run their companies better. He talks with other experts about things like online marketing, social media balance, media presence, and negotiation secrets.

What’s great about his podcast is how focused each episode is on a specific topic. You can skim through the list and find exactly what you need. For example, there’s an episode called Your Website Probably Stinks. Here’s How to Fix It. Or another one titled How to Unleash Your Instagram Potential. No need to listen in order – just find the advice that fits your current small business challenge.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Indie Hackers

If you’re running a classic brick-and-mortar or service business, this podcast might not be right for you. But if you’ve got an online venture or an app, then pull up a chair. This one’s for folks building online businesses and side hustles to break free from the nine-to-five grind.

You’ll hear about startup trends, marketing your side projects, reaching that first taste of profit (known as “ramen profitability” in software circles), and growing your app. 

Listen on Spotify

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HBR IdeaCast

One of the longest-running and most popular business podcasts is still going strong since its launch in 2016. Weekly episodes keep coming, thanks to hosts Allison Beard and Kurt Nikish. Allison, an executive editor at Harvard Business Review, used to be a reporter at the Financial Times. Kurt, also an editor at the same review, holds an MBA from Boston University and has covered business topics for NPR, Marketplace, and Fast Company.

Each episode tackles a different topic. They’ve talked about the four fears that hold you back from great ideas, big data, and how to build your company’s culture. No wonder people keep tuning in.

Listen on Spotify

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That Will Never Work

You might not know Mark Randolph, but you’ve probably heard of his little creation called Netflix. He’s got a podcast called That Will Never Work, where he mentors startup founders. He answers questions like: Is pre-revenue funding just a fantasy? Should you buy or lease your location? How do you deal with resistance to change?

It’s like eavesdropping on a chat between Mark and ambitious founders. And when it’s over, you walk away with real advice you can use.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

The Bootstrapped Founder

Some people think you need piles of cash to make it as an entrepreneur. This podcast says otherwise. Arvid Kahl, the host, is all about bootstrapping your business. He knows what he’s talking about – he built and sold a company called Feedback Panda in under two years.

On The Bootstrapped Founder, Arvid shares the wisdom he picked up along the way. He’s a big believer in running a self-funded company. And he thinks it’s often better than chasing investors or racking up debt.

Listen on Spotify

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Perpetual Traffic

Tier 11 is an ad agency that dishes out a podcast twice a week. Every episode focuses on a particular tactic to get more leads and sales. You’ll learn stuff like blending Google Ads with Meta Ads to boost returns, or hear about must-have tools for marketers. If you’re a small business owner seeking digital marketing tips, this podcast might be right up your alley.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Everyone Hates Marketers

Do you think marketing is BS? This show’s for you. Host Louis Grenier isn’t scared to go against the grain. Over seven years and 250 episodes in, he talks timeless stuff: brand positioning, content marketing, product marketing, advertising. He chats with big names like Seth Godin, diving deep for an hour on things like shaking up change-hating industries, building a genuine social presence, and creating a content marketing empire.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Startups for the Rest of Us

For those who love staying small and bootstrapping your business, this one’s for you. Rob, the host, wrote the book Start Small, Stay Small. In each episode, he chats with experts about stuff like finding the perfect product-market fit, discovering your dream customer, and keeping your remote team fired up. Just a heads up, this podcast is mostly about software as a service. So if that’s not your jam, maybe choose another show from the list.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Tropical MBA

So, you started a business to make it work for you, not the other way around? The TMBA podcast might just be your thing. It’s for founders who crave personal freedom and want to shake up the old work-life balance idea. With over 10 million downloads and meetups worldwide, it’s worth giving a listen.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Build the Damn Thing

This show makes you want to get straight to work. Hosted by Kathryn Finney, one of Inc. Magazine’s most influential women in tech, she turned a blog into a seven-figure startup. Kathryn covers the basics: making sure your business solves a problem, getting the money to grow, and exiting a company to start anew. Her show even snagged a Webby Award nomination for Best Business Podcast.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Noah Kagan Presents

I discovered Noah Kagan through his YouTube channels where he does stuff like knocking on mansion doors to ask millionaires how they made their millions or asking billionaires if they have any regrets. His podcast dives into entrepreneurship too. 

Some of my favorite episodes? The one with productivity whiz Ali Abdaal, and the one with Jerry Colonna, the CEO coach known for making any CEO tear up. Noah’s got this infectious energy in his shows. Give it a listen.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

The $100 Dollar MBA Show

Budget-friendly and practical, “The $100 MBA” is a no-fluff small business owner podcast. Omar Zenhom, the host, breaks down complex business concepts into bite-sized, actionable lessons. The best part? Each episode is around 10 minutes long, perfect for those on-the-go moments. It’s like having a business coach in your pocket, offering insights on everything from marketing strategies to time management. A must-listen for those who prefer straight talk over jargon.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Side Hustle School

Got a side hustle or thinking of starting one? “Side Hustle School” is your daily dose of inspiration and advice. Chris Guillebeau, the host and author of “The $100 Startup,” shares stories of regular folks who’ve started successful side hustles. Each episode is short and sweet, focusing on practical tips and creative ideas for making extra income. It’s empowering, especially for those dreaming of turning their passion into profit without quitting their day job.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Podcasts

The post 31 best small business podcasts to listen to in 2024 appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

Don’t panic. 

We’ve learned a thing or two after helping thousands of customers send out millions of messages, and let us reassure you:

It’s possible to retrieve deleted text messages. 

Follow this step-by step guide to quickly and safely recover your deleted messages.

How to restore deleted texts on Android

The good news is that if you accidentally delete messages from your Android phone, your data sticks around–but only for a limited time. 

That means the best way to recover your messages is to act quickly. 

Google Drive backup 

This option requires you to have Google Drive backups enabled on your device already. 

If so, all you need to do is navigate to your phone’s Settings app, choose “System,” then “Backup,” to locate your backed-up data.

The other way to restore your data in this case is to initiate a factory reset. 

When your phone prompts you to sign into your Google account, use the account you used to backup your data in the first place. 

Finally, just choose the “SMS Messages” button to recover your texts.

How to retrieve deleted text messages using iCloud

Most iPhones automatically back up text messages to the iCloud. All iPhone users receive 5GB of free iCloud space. 

If you’ve upgraded your account, it’s likely that all of your text message data is stored safely.

1. First, check to see if there’s a backup from before the messages were deleted. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups 

(Note that anything added to your device after the backup you select will not be restored and will require its own backup).

2. Once you find the right backup, you’ll need to reset your device by going to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.

3. Your device will ask how you’d like to set up the device. Select the option to restore it from an iCloud Backup.

4. Your device will then restore its data to the selected backup and the lost messages will be recovered.

How to retrieve deleted text messages using Finder

If you regularly backup your iPhone to your computer, this is the easiest way to recover your lost text messages.

1. Connect your iPhone to your computer. 
2. Open Finder (or iTunes in macOS Mojave and earlier) if it does not automatically open.
3. Go to the side bar and select your device.
4. Then click on “Restore iPhone.”
5. That’s it. All the texts from your most recent backup are now on your device.

Please note that this method will replace your current data with your most recent backup.

How to restore deleted texts using third-party apps

Just because you clicked “delete” doesn’t necessarily mean your message is gone. 

If you don’t use iTunes or iCloud to keep your data backed up, you may still be able to recover deleted iPhone data using a third-party data recovery app. These apps also work with Android devices. 

Be aware, though, that there is a large market for data recovery apps that don’t actually work very well. 

If the companies don’t have a clear explanation of how the recovery process will work or any contact information on their websites, it’s best to stay away. 

Two companies with good reputations are Tenorshare Ulta iPhone Data Recovery and PhoneRescue by iMobie.

Tips for getting old messages back

Now that you know how to recover your messages after they’re lost, let’s go over a few more helpful tips for preventing and retrieving lost messages.

Avoid headaches with regular backups

It’s always a good idea to maintain an up-to-date backup of your important data and messages. 

That way, you never have to worry about accidentally deleting an important text message and losing it forever.

Don’t use your personal phone

Every day we hear from customers who use their personal phones for business matters. 

This is tempting, especially if you’re a small business owner on a budget. 

But while this may be convenient at first, it soon becomes hard to manage. 

It can also lead to costly mistakes if you delete important business messages when all you really meant to do was remove yourself from a group text you’re not interested in. 

If you’re sending texts for a professional purpose, it’s best to use a business texting service instead.

Contact your carrier

One last method you can use to potentially recover your deleted or lost texts is to raise the issue to your cell phone carrier.

How long carriers keep text messages varies by company, and you may need a court order to access your old data, but it’s worth the effort if you can’t recover your messages any other way.

The wrap on recovering deleted texts

Mistakes happen, and everyone loses a message now and then.

But if texting is a huge part of your business’ communication strategy, it pays to keep all your messages safe and central in one location (not your cellphone).

Try streamlining your SMS efforts with a 14-day SimpleTexting trial–no credit card required.

The post How to recover deleted text messages appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

Links that send text messages can give your customers an easy way to text you to book an appointment, buy your products, sign up for events, or take any other action you (and they) need.

If you’re reading this, I’m guessing you know that you can create a link that launches the SMS app on your customers’ phones using HTML and you’re looking to find out how.

Let’s hold it right there. I don’t know about you, but I nearly faint when I hear “HTML.” Code isn’t my favorite thing in the world to work with, but even I can set up useful links that send SMS text messages. I’ll explain the process right here.

What is a click-to-text SMS link?

A click-to-text SMS link is a link that triggers a phone’s native messaging app with the recipient’s number auto-populated in the ‘To’ box. Simple as that.

Click-to-text links are also versatile. You can create and add an HTML link to most areas of a website, and it doesn’t have to be placed in a line of text.

It only takes a couple of minutes to create an HTML link that sends a text. Not only do these links allow you to auto-fill the recipient’s phone number, but you can also pre-populate an actual SMS message using the same link.

As an example of a click-to-text link, e-commerce retailer Backcountry displays a website popup providing a discount to those who subscribe to receive text messages. 

While this is technically a button that’s linked (we’ll teach you how to do that, too, don’t fret), it’s an example of a link that, when clicked, will open natively in the clicker’s text messaging app.

After you click Backcountry’s initial call to action, the number to text and default SMS message automatically load. 

In this example, the default SMS message is, “Send this text to subscribe to recurring automated personalized marketing alerts (e.g. cart reminders) from Backcountry.”

All the person needs to do from there is hit “send” to opt in.

Benefits of a link that sends a text message

With all the opt-in methods available to you for your SMS marketing efforts, why should you go with click-to-text SMS links? 

• They’re fast. Because click-to-text links run on automated functions, there’s no delay between first click and opt-in.
• They’re convenient. Your customers would rather click two buttons to join your text list than manually fill in your number and a message from scratch (trust us on this).
• They encourage customers to subscribe. The speed and convenience of click-to-text links mean your customers are much more likely to take action. The easier the request, the more willing your audience will be to engage.
• They’re versatile. Click-to-text links can be placed in lots of different places on your site and can serve more or less any function (but I’ll get to that in a moment).

How to create a click-to-text SMS link

If you’re looking to increase customer engagement, grow your contact lists, or make customer service simpler for your audience, here’s the rundown on how to create a click-to-text link for your website.

There are three elements you’ll  need to create a click-to-text link:

1. The text that is linked, which we think of as a call to action
2. The phone number the person will text and the text message they will send you
3. The actual hyperlink that contains the number and text message

If that sounds like gibberish, don’t worry. I’ll break it down for you here step by step.

1. Write your link text call to action

This is the text that your website visitors will read and click on. Keep it simple and be sure to let readers know what will happen when they click and why they should do it in the first place. 

Skip the basic “Click here to text us” and go with Something like, “Enter to win $100 when you sign up for texts,” as Xero Shoes does.

A perk to incentivize opt-ins will always work better than a lackluster call to action.

2. Write your default SMS message

When visitors click on your link, their default SMS app will launch with a pre-written message they can send you.

As you create that default message, consider who your users are, what they’re looking for, and why they’re communicating with you. 

Make sure your first message gives them a taste of what they’re seeking and invites them to engage with you.

3. Create your hyperlink

Now that you have your link text and first SMS message written, it’s time to put the two together.

Without going down the coding rabbit hole, in HTML, links are set apart with the <a> tag.

They also contain an “href” tag that signals where the link should lead. If you’ve ever added an HTML link to your website, the process for creating a click-to-text link is exactly the same. 

Set up your href tag like this:

<a href="sms:+18664504185?&body=Hi%2520there%252C%2520I%2527d%2520like%2520to%2520place%2520an%2520order%2520for...">Click here to text us!</a>

Just make sure to replace the number after “sms:+” with your phone number and add your message’s copy after “body=” with a “%” symbol after each word (you’ll also want to swap “Click here to text us!” with whatever text you’d like visitors to click on).

Where to place click-to-text links

As far as where you can put your click-to-text link, the sky’s the limit. But to give you a solid starting place, here are a few common spots to drop your link.

• Calls to action in your website copy or ads
• Your contact us page
• Your website footer
• Your email signature

How to set up click-to-text link alternatives

Not into click-to-text links, or looking to diversify the ways you bring customers to your text lists alongside your links? I’ve got you. 

Here are a couple of the most popular click-to-text tools.

Free click-to-text button generator

If you’re worried about your link getting lost on your website, opt for an attention-grabbing button instead.

Several SMS platforms (SimpleTexting included) let you add a button to your mobile site that launches your customers’ native text messaging app.

Our free click-to-text button generator also allows you to pre-write the message contacts will send you and pre-populate your contact details.

The best part is that this tool requires no design or coding experience (thank goodness). Everything from the pre-written SMS message to the icon to the font type is easily customizable.

Once you’re happy with your button, all you have to do is paste the automatically generated code into the footer of any pages where you want your button to appear.

Mobile sign-up widget

Click-to-text buttons are great for providing SMS customer service or bringing in sales leads. However, if you’re using an opt-in keyword and want an easy way to promote it, then consider a mobile sign-up widget.

When mobile site visitors click on the button, it opens up a pop-up graphic with more details about your promotional SMS program.

Upon clicking the pop-up, your customer’s native text messaging app will open with the keyword typed out and your contact details prefilled. Similarly to the click-to-text button, everything is 100% customizable. 

By the way, I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that, with SimpleTexting’s mobile sign-up widget, Toroe Eyewear saw a 156x return on its text marketing.

Click-to-text link best practices

Before you set your link live, there are a few key tips and best practices to keep in mind.

• Hide your link in desktop mode. Even though many desktops and laptops are capable of sending SMS messages, these links work best on mobile devices. 
• Check your link’s compatibility. Some versions of iOS don’t accept pre-written messages. Use an analytics tool like Google Analytics to determine what OS the majority of your visitors use, then adjust accordingly.
• Avoid spammy language. We’ve all seen a link that looks suspicious. Don’t use all caps or language like “FREE,” “BUY NOW,” or “$$$.” This will just turn your visitors off, and compliance with industry laws and regulations is a must.
• Be sure you have a compliance message set up. Clearly state your brand’s name, how often contacts can expect to get texts, what type of messages you’ll send them, and how they can unsubscribe from your texts. If you use SimpleTexting, your compliance message is automated and free.

Click-to-text link use cases

You’re almost at expert status when it comes to click-to-text links. Last but never least, let’s dig into a few common applications for links like these.

Converting your email subscribers to text contacts

If you have a thriving email list that you’re looking to move over to your text list(s), SMS links are by far the easiest way.

All you’ll need to do is include your link in an email to your list with an incentive to join your text program. As I mentioned, you can also leave your link in your email signature so no one misses the memo.

Driving website traffic to your SMS marketing program

Similarly, don’t miss out on the opportunity to turn website visitors into text subscribers by placing your click-to-text link on a banner, in your navigation bar, on your site’s footer.

This not only brings your audience into a program where you can easily communicate with them, but it can also help you move them along the customer journey more efficiently.

For customer service and support functions

Help your audience avoid phone tag and endless waits for an email by encouraging them to get in touch with your customer support team through your SMS link. 

This can improve your customer retention rates, by the way. The data says that 90% of customers report that an “immediate” response is essential or highly important when they’ve asked a customer service question. And 60% of those customers say “immediate” would be 10 minutes or under.

The post How to create a link that sends an SMS text message appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

We often see businesses make these two mistakes:

• Not showing off their keyword. (If customers never see it, they won’t text it in.)
• Forgetting the legal stuff. (Yep, there’s some important compliance language you need.)

“If you build it, they will come,” doesn’t apply to SMS marketing. You need to advertise your text list. And you need to do it in compliance with TCPA regulations, which means including important disclaimers alongside your calls to action. 

To help you do this, we put together these easy-to-edit Canva templates designed for SMS marketing.

Disclaimer: Please note that this advice is for informational purposes only and is neither intended as nor should be substituted for consultation with appropriate legal counsel and/or your organization’s regulatory compliance team.

How to use these templates

All you need is a free Canva account. Once you’ve opened an account, click on a template below, and follow these steps to make these templates your own:

• Adjust the look: Match the templates to your brand by tweaking the colors and photos. Use Unsplash.com for free stock photos.
• Add on your logo: Plan to print the template? Make sure you use a high-res version of your logo.
• Pop in your keyword: Need help creating one? Follow our guide to setting up a keyword. It takes 30 seconds.
• Update your phone number: Swap out the template number with yours. It’s in the top-left corner of your SimpleTexting dashboard.
• Swap the incentive: Decide your offering to subscribers in exchange for their opt-in. Not sure? Start with a discount.
• Add your privacy policy link: Add the terms of your SMS program to your website and add the link to the template.

We put together 5 unique template sets, each including:

1. A square post for social media
2. A social story
3. A cover photo for Facebook
4. A printable poster
5. A sticker

1. The modern playful template

Social square template

Social story template

Facebook Cover template

Poster template

Sticker template

2. The vibrant template

Social square template

Social story template

Facebook Cover template

Poster template

Sticker template

3. The dark template

Social square template

Social story template

Facebook Cover template

Poster template

Sticker template

4. The calm template

Social square template

Social story template

Facebook Cover template

Poster template

Sticker template

5. The classic template

Social square template

Social story template

Facebook Cover template

Poster template

Sticker template

Now that you’ve got the tools, it’s time to grow your text list. Remember, consistency is key. Advertise your keyword regularly and be sure to stay up-to-date on SMS compliance.

The post 20 free Canva templates to advertise your text marketing list appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

See, as data collection gets more sophisticated, consumers expect any messages or offers they receive from brands to be tailored to them and their interests. At the moment, 76% of customers report that they’re more likely to buy from brands that personalize their marketing.

So, you need to personalize. But how do actual brands do so successfully? I’ll show you. I’ll also cover how to boost your response and retention rates and create more solid relationships with your customers.

What is text message personalization?

Text message personalization is a technique that uses customer data to create specific, targeted messaging.

Those data points could be:

• Location (city, zip code)
• Program participation
• Yearly revenue
• Past purchases and product preferences
• Birthdays
• Date of opt-in

Or just about anything else. 

Personalization helps marketers build strong relationships with their customers and treat them as unique individuals instead of numbers on a spreadsheet. This, in turn, builds up trust between brands and their customers.

“When crafting messages, it’s essential to make each one feel tailor-made for the recipient. Address them by name, reference previous interactions or specific details relevant to their needs, and provide value aligned with their interests. Incorporating automation into your text messaging strategy can be quite helpful. However, remember that it should enhance, not replace, personalization.” – Marc Bishop, Director of Business Growth at WYTLABS

Why send personalized text messages?

Even when they’re not personalized, SMS messages are one of the most effective forms of communication.

In fact, 90% of text messages are read within three minutes of being received, and 45% of them receive a response. These impressive engagement rates are even higher when the text messages are personalized.

Forbes has reported that consumers are exposed to around 10,000 brand messages per day. That’s a lot of background noise, meaning your audience is more likely to interact with a message that feels like it was written specifically for them.

Personalized messages can range from small touches, like adding a name, to messages based on the interests of a specific group of people, to texts written with one specific person in mind.

By sending a personalized text message or custom SMS message, you can not only give your customers a better experience, but also promote better performance for your marketing campaigns.

When texting one-on-one, as in the case of customer service, your messages should naturally be more personal. However, if you’re sending a mass text, it can take a little more creativity to make recipients feel like the text is meant just for them.

What are the benefits of personalized text messages?

Personalized text messages can do wonders for your marketing campaigns.

Benefits range from an increase in click-through rate (CTR) to increased ROI, and even a big boost in customer satisfaction.

Here are some facts and figures to know:

• Fast-growth companies drive 40% more of their revenue from personalization than slower-growth businesses.
• 80% of consumers are more likely to make purchases when brands personalize their experiences.
• Based on our own research at SimpleTexting, we found that the average click-through rate (CTR) for messages including the first name custom field was 71%.
• 40% of consumers wish brands knew more about their style preferences and what suits them.

You can gather simple data points like names, locations, and product preferences via text messages to personalize future experiences with your brand.

Personalized text campaigns: Key terms to know

If you’ve never sent a personalized text message before, there are a few important terms you should know before diving in.

1. Data Collection

Data Collection is a tool that lets you send questions to your contacts and record their responses in a custom field.

2. Custom Field

A custom field is a piece of information about a contact. All SimpleTexting accounts include default fields such as:

• Phone number
• First name
• Last name
• Birthday
• ZIP code
• Gender

You can also add an unlimited number of custom fields specific to your contacts.

3. List

A list is a group of contacts, along with their custom fields. You can store your contacts in one master list or create separate lists for different types of contacts. 

For example, you may want to have one list for customers and another for employees, or separate lists for each location your business owns.

How to send personalized mass text messages

Now you have a good idea of what information to collect, but how do you go about collecting it? For our visual learners, here’s a quick video (and be sure to read on for more tips).

1. Import existing contact information

You can easily upload existing contact information to our platform as a CSV or Excel spreadsheet. It goes like this:

1. Head to the Contacts tab in your SimpleTexting account, then Lists.

2. Before uploading, make sure your file includes a header row so that you can easily map your fields later.

3. Select Choose a file or just drag and drop the file you want to upload. Then pick which list your contacts should be added to, and click Next.

4. You can also add any of our default custom fields or ones you’ve created previously with Add a new custom field.

5. Check the boxes next to Confirm contact import and I agree to SimpleTexting’s Terms and Conditions. Select Import, and you’re done.

It’s important to note that you must have explicit written consent from your customers before you text them. We’ve taken care of this requirement for you by setting up a free compliance message to send with your campaigns. Learn more about SMS compliance.

2. Collect additional information

Starting from scratch? No problem. Here are some of the easiest and most popular ways to collect data from your subscribers.

Method 1: Keyword data collection

Using our Data Collection tool, you can send customers questions and record their responses automatically. As soon as a new customer joins one of your lists using your keyword, they’ll receive your auto-confirmation message along with a series of prompts to collect the info you need.

1. Head to Apps in your SimpleTexting account.
2. Select Data Collection.
3. Choose which keyword your data collection series should connect to.

4. Start a new data collection series.
5. Add your prompts.

6. Save your series.

Method 2: Web forms

You can also use a web form to collect customer names, numbers, and other relevant information like zip codes. 

These fields are crucial for businesses like The Warehouse Sale, who use a web form to collect customers’ zip codes and personalize their messages based on each customer’s location.

Zapier

Already have a list of phone numbers who have given you permission to text them? You can integrate your CRM with SimpleTexting through Zapier! You can learn more about our Zapier integration here.

3. Segment your audience

Segmentation is an optional, but useful, step. Separate your customers into lists based on the information you gathered using the Data Collection tool. 

The only requirement is that these subscribers have something in common. If you run a gym, for instance, segment your audience based on health goals like weight loss or attendance at a particular yoga class.

4. Create and send your personalized mass text messages

Now comes the fun part. Compose your message and choose the custom field you’d like to add.

Each field corresponds to a merge tag, which is a piece of text that looks like this: %%mergetag%%. Our platform will automatically replace this tag with the information stored for the corresponding field.

For instance, the merge tag %%firstname%% will be swapped out for each individual’s first name from your mass texting list.

How brands personalize text messages

One of the most important pieces of marketing personalization is knowing which details you should use. Put another way, which details will get you the best results?

For answers, we went to our own customers. We looked at more than 100 accounts that use custom fields to personalize their messages and then compared their results with over 100 accounts that do not. Here's what we found out.

1. First and last names

While it may sem insignificant, getting a casual, polite text that's obviously meant only for me means the world. Plus, I tend to immediately open messages that include my name.

The numbers tell us that 75% of consumers are more likely to buy from a retailer that recognizes them by name. Even if you run a nonprofit or another organization that doesn’t rely on sales, greeting your subscribers by name can help foster trust.

Check out these results:

For one religious organization we surveyed, text messages that included the subscriber’s first name were the only ones to receive 0 unsubscribes.

For a client in the event and entertainment industry, the average number of unsubscribes for customized messages was .9%. Messages without name personalization had an average unsubscribe rate of 5%.

Another entertainment organization found that messages with recipients’ names got more views and more engagement. Their average click-through rate (CTR) for messages including the first name custom field was 71%. Non-personalized messages had an average CTR of 55%.

The conclusion: Using names within text messages makes them feel more personal and relevant to each contact. This is better not only for your brand reputation but also for your core metrics.

2. Email addresses

We may love SMS, but we love email, too. In fact, we believe they work best together. You can easily collect email addresses from your text subscribers to make sure you can reach them on both fronts.

Although there are plenty of hypothetical use cases, the gist is this:

Texts are best when you need to send a quick update and emails are better for more detailed communications.

Think of a political campaigner collecting phone numbers using an opt-in keyword. They can then ask for each subscriber’s email address to send them longer, more comprehensive information on relevant issues or candidates. 

The conclusion: Texts are an easy gateway to gathering more information about a contact. By pairing these two together, you can continue short-form communication over text and follow up with long-form messaging via email.

3. Custom notes

At least 1/3 of the customers we talked to set up their own custom field for notes relevant to their specific organization and needs. So, rather than just “first name” or “zip code,” these fields allow for a more individualized response.

In this case, American Airlines let me detail my specific issue and set out to help me from there.

Here are a few other interesting ways we've seen custom fields put to use:

• An entertainment organization set up a custom field titled “event ratings” to help them gather feedback.
• An HR and recruiting group created a custom field for asking what geographical radius recipients would like to receive job listings for. 
• A political campaign created a custom field titled “polling questions” to ask recipients if they planned to vote a certain way on an issue. 
• A church created a custom prayer field. A field like this would allow congregants who texted in to share personal prayer requests.
• An e-commerce retailer created a custom field asking what a customer purchased. You can then take that information to inform your post-purchase personalization.

The conclusion: Many businesses work their custom fields into their marketing funnel. They create a keyword, collect information with custom fields, and market accordingly.

4. Interests and preferences

Whether it's products or programs, you can give your subscribers updates on the activities or items they're interested in from your brand.

This text from outdoor brand Salomon is an excellent example. The standout feature of this particular message is that they're not directly trying to sell the recipient. They are strictly sending out helpful information for their subscriber on their favorite activities.

Use this tactic to communicate with:

• Members in specific programs of yours
• Subscribers who've bought particular products in the past and may be interested in related ones
• Customers who shop at a specific location
• Subscribers who are looking to use your brand to grow in an area of interest
• Customers who've taken part in a certain sale or promotion before and may do so again

4 tips for personalizing your text messages

You’re almost ready to start sending. Let’s put a bow on your newfound knowledge with these last few tips. 

1. Be as specific as possible

I’ll add a personal example here.

When I call to make a boarding appointment for my cat, this is how the conversation usually goes:

Customer rep: “Can I have your pet’s name, please?”

Me: “Solar.”

Rep: “Oh, we can’t wait to see her! Is she losing any weight?”

Me: “A little! I know she can’t wait to see you!”

That may seem trivial, but the fact that this boarding establishment remembers my cat (and the fact that she’s a tad chunky) specifically and fondly actually means a lot to me.

Show your customers the same consideration to help build lasting, profitable relationships with them.

2. Take notes as you text

Do you use SMS for customer service or have a lot of one-on-one interactions with your customers?

If you do, the easiest way to document details that you’ll want to include later is to note them down as you talk to your contacts.

You can do this directly from your SimpleTexting inbox. When you open your inbox, you’ll see a button labeled “Note.” Open it and you can type in any detail you want to remember about that contact. 

The best part? If another person on your team gets a text from that contact, they’ll be able to see the note you left and include that information in their message, so your customers feel valued no matter who they’re talking to.

3. Don't overdo it

It’s important to send customers the occasional reminder when they have an appointment, a payment coming due, or a record or test result available to view. This cuts down on no-shows and does wonders for your customer retention and even your revenue.

But I strongly caution you not to send more than one or two.

The best appointment reminders come down to good timing. Plan to send one confirmation message when they book with you, and one reminder 24-48 hours before they’re due to come in. 

You can even set these messages to send automatically by scheduling them through your Inbox or setting up an Autoresponder, so there’s no hassle on your end. 

And, as always, include a personal detail like the customer’s name or service (or both) in your reminder text to keep it specific.

4. Keep a friendly tone

Lastly, make sure what you’re sending doesn’t sound like it’s coming from a robot. You don’t have to wax poetic and drone on but do write your text like you’re talking to a colleague.

That means:

• Start with a greeting – A simple “Hi” or, “Hey there” can make you sound much more approachable.
• Stick to your brand voice – If your brand is known for humor, include a witty introduction. If not, keep things cordial and light but straightforward.
• Be careful about the details you include – We want details like your customer’s favorite ice cream flavor, not a family tragedy or other sensitive information.
• Offer options for continuing the conversation – Let your contacts know that they’re welcome to reply/call/email with any questions or concerns.

Examples of great personalized texts

To help get your creative juices flowing, here are some templates you can use to see the benefits of personalization yourself.

Hello [Name], your upcoming piano lesson is confirmed for [Date] at [Time]. Can’t wait to see you there!

[Name], we noticed you recently sent a customer service support request. Did we resolve your issue? Please reply Y or N.

[Name], I hope you’re enjoying the [Product] you ordered last month! Would you take a second to leave a review? [Insert link here]

Your free trial of [Service] is about to end. Would you like to upgrade, [Name]?

Hi [Name], it’s been [X Months] since your last [Service]. Let’s get you scheduled for another: [Insert link here]

Hi [Name]. It’s time for [Pet/Person name’s] checkup! Schedule your appointment here: [Insert link here]

With summer around the corner, you’ll be in need of [Product]. Here’s a 10% off coupon to get you set before you sweat. [Insert link here]

Hi, [Name], did you enjoy your reservation at [Restaurant name?] If you could, please leave us a rating and review.

Hi [Name], great news! Your order [Number] just shipped! It should be delivered by [Date].

Hi [Name], we just restocked [Favorite product category] in-store. Show this text at checkout for 15% off!

[Name], we saw that you didn’t complete your [Signup/Purchase]. No worries, you can do it now. Just click here [Insert link here]

Hi [Name], we haven’t seen you at [Location] in a while. Ready to stop by for a visit this week?

Thanks for submitting your review [Name]! We’ll follow up if you’re this week’s raffle winner.

Common custom SMS message mistakes to avoid

Personalization helps your customers feel special. However, clumsy attempts at personalization can tank your campaign’s performance.

Here’s a few common mistakes we’ve seen (and how not to make them) to help you avoid some of these common snafus.

1. Over-personalizing messages

Have you ever had a not-very-close acquaintance bring up specific details from your Facebook? It’s creepy.

Be sure to limit your personal details to high-level information they’ve shared with you, like which of your locations they frequent or their birthday.

Also, be sure not to over-personalize your messages with too many fields. This can sound like a robot wrote your texts, which defeats the purpose.

2. Letting records lapse

An easy way to sabotage your personalization efforts is to leave information untouched for years. Think of how many times your last name, phone number, or favorite Starbucks has changed.

Don’t let too much time go by between a new contact joining your list and updating their information.

Side note, this is actually a great opportunity for re-engagement. Messaging your contacts to confirm that their information is current is a great way to keep your brand top-of-mind.

3. Skipping the double-check

Before sending any personalized campaign, be sure to double (maybe even triple) check that your fields have populated correctly. There’s no reason they shouldn’t, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Start sending personalized messages now

Now that you’re an expert on sending valuable, personalized messages to your contacts, you’re ready to get started.

Sign up for a free 14-day trial of SimpleTexting and send your first message.

The post Why and how to send personalized text messages appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

What was once a three-person startup now serves over 17,000 businesses. And, importantly, we’re now part of Sinch, a global cloud communications company with over 4,000 employees across 60 countries.

One thing hadn’t changed much over the last 10 years: our look. 

We were long overdue for a makeover. Today, we unveiled refreshed branding to better reflect our company’s mission to help small businesses win.

What’s different and what isn’t

Our goal was to honor what people love about SimpleTexting. So, while a few key elements have been brought into the 21st century, a lot has remained the same.

The logo
Some folks used to see our name as “SimpleTextin'” because the chat icon doubled as the letter “G.” Well, fear not, the chat icon is here to stay, but it’s retiring from its role as the “G.” 

You’ll also notice our wordmark proudly bears the Sinch name. We wanted customers (and potential customers) to know that we’re part of a company with deep experience in cloud communications and a strong reputation around privacy, security, and deliverability. 

In fact, Sinch was recently named a leader in the first Gartner® Magic Quadrant for Communication Platform as a Service (CPaaS).

The font
We’ve adopted Clash Grotesk and Instrument Sans as our new brand typefaces. Clash Grotesk shows a little more of our company’s personality but is still highly legible and sophisticated. Instrument Sans is classic and readable.

The colors
Blue is still our primary color. But we’ve updated our palette to be more vibrant and flexible. We also introduced “chatty yellow,” a bright color we’ll use sparingly to draw attention when needed.

Other elements
In the past, nearly every photo on our site showed a person on their phone. It didn’t reflect all of the exciting things our customers do on a regular basis. While you’ll still see people on devices (after all, we’re a texting company) we’ve introduced more photos that reflect the true nature of running a small business. 

Finally, you’ll notice a unique yellow line here and there throughout our updated site. We call it our communication line. Texting provides businesses with a direct line to their customers. We provide a simple, direct path to getting started with texting. This is a subtle, visual nod to that idea.

The outside now matches the inside

We wanted this brand refresh to feel like a step forward, not a step in a different direction. At our core, we’re still the same SimpleTexting. The inside of our customers’ accounts has remained the same. We’re still focused on building an amazing product to make it easier for marketers, small business owners, and other professionals to do their jobs. Now the outside matches the inside. Thank you to all of the businesses who have turned SimpleTexting into what it is today. We can’t wait to see what you’ll do next.

The post About SimpleTexting’s new look appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

I went from being a SimpleTexting employee to being a customer. This gave me a unique opportunity to put our product to the test.

After growing the bee business from $60,000 in revenue to over $250,000, I eventually decided to return to SimpleTexting. (That’s a story for another day.)

In this post, I want to share the results of a marketing experiment I ran involving SimpleTexting and Taradel’s direct mail service.

The strategy

I sent out 1,000 postcards, for a total cost of $590 — $320 for the postcards themselves and $270 for postage.

For our list, I selected zip codes where we already had paying customers and added extra criteria based on what we knew about our customer base, including household income and age range.

Here’s the postcard we sent out:

Even though we had been working in these neighborhoods for years, we purposefully designed the postcard to make it look like we were just launching. 

The call to action was simple: I encouraged people to text the word “BEES” to our number to arrange a property assessment.

The setup

Out of those 1,000 postcards, we got 21 replies — a 2% response rate. Not bad, considering the data around direct mail response rates.

Now, the crucial question: Did any of these 20 replies translate into new business?

Before delving into the results, let me explain how I used SimpleTexting to follow up with these leads. From the beginning, I knew I wanted to set up an automation to get back to them instantly. So, I configured an away message to get back to all leads right away. 

Another way to automate these kinds of messages is to set up a text-to-join keyword, which people text to your number to opt in to your SMS list. 

Keywords are especially useful if you want to send mass messages for things like sales announcements and product updates. Just be sure to follow SMS compliance rules when you promote your keyword for mass texting.

After sending out the postcards, I used the SimpleTexting app to monitor our inbox and jump into the conversation manually.  

I followed up by requesting the customer’s name and email and sent over a detailed PDF outlining our services and pricing.

The final outcome

Of the 11 who scheduled a property assessment, two signed up for our service. The combined lifetime value of these two contracts amounted to $13,200.

So, tally it all up: $619 spent (with $590 for the mailers and $29 for the SimpleTexting account), and we’re looking at a return of $12,581. In terms of cost-effectiveness, we saw a CAC payback period of only one month. 

As a digital marketer, I’d always had my doubts about old-school tactics like direct mail. These results changed my mind. 

It won’t be a surprise to hear that residential beekeeping is a very niche product. 

I’d bet that for more traditional home service businesses, combining direct mail and texting could yield even better results!

The post The $590 texting and direct mail experiment that drove a 21x return appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.

Around 145 million Americans used coupons in 2021. Combine that number with texting’s 98% open rates and you have a winning combination in text coupons.

Coupons through SMS are a great way to engage customers at every stage, from just after opt-in to years of loyal buying.

Let’s dive into how they work and when to send them out for best results.

What is SMS coupon software?

SMS coupon software is designed specifically for sending out mobile promotions. There are many of these platforms online. A lot of them work great…if all you want to do is send coupons and nothing else.

However, for most retailers, it makes more sense to go with an all-in-one text marketing platform. After all, coupons are only one piece of the SMS marketing puzzle. We recommend searching for a site that gives you the power to:

• Schedule messages in advance
• Include trackable links
• Add photos and other media alongside your coupons
• Engage customers with text message drip campaigns

3 types of text message coupons

Once you’ve selected an SMS coupon software or text marketing platform, we recommend you spend time thinking about what kind of coupons you want to send out. Here are three of the most popular.

1. Discount codes

Most e-commerce platforms, such as Shopify, let you create temporary discount codes. You can offer a fixed value, percentage, or shipping discount. These are tied to a word that is applied at checkout. The benefits of discount codes are that you can:

• Specify the dates a code should be valid.
• Add a limit to how many times a code can be used.
• Create a minimum order amount that makes the code valid.
• Only allow the code to be used for certain products.

Hey YETI text club members! We want you to have the ultimate summer BBQ. Use code SUMMER2019 for free shipping on any orders over $100.

2. Barcodes and QR codes

Barcodes are especially useful if you run a brick-and-mortar store and have a POS system with a scanner. Using MMS, you can send your text message subscribers a barcode and scan it right from their phone. If you do offer this type of coupon, you should promote right in your store. Add a sign near the register encouraging people to text in your keyword and save on their order:

You might be thinking—if my customers are already in my store, why offer them a discount? As it turns out, shoppers are often on their phones while browsing in-store. 53% of them are actually searching for discounts on products they’re thinking about buying.

Offering a coupon may be just the thing that takes someone from a window-shopper to a happy customer. Plus, you’ll have valuable info you can use to bring them back later: their phone number.

Want a free drink with your next chicken tender sub? Just bring in this coupon next time you come in! Offer valid until 12/7/19

3. “Show this text at checkout”

Have a physical business location? One of the simplest mobile coupons to use is the “Show this text at checkout” promo. Just write your message, explain the details of your promotion, and ask customers to show it to your staff at checkout in order to redeem your coupon.

MobCraft, a brewery that turns its customers ideas into new beers, uses this type of mobile coupon to drum up taproom foot traffic.

Here’s how it works:

1. Create a text coupon campaign. Ryan Doolan, MobCraft’s marketing director, creates a mass text campaign with the promotion details, a link to their menu, and a phrase like, “show this text to redeem”.

2. Decide how you’ll track coupon redemptions. To track mobile coupon redemptions, Ryan adds a discount code into his point-of-sale (POS) system. Staff members manually select the discount code at the register every time a customer shows the text coupon.

3. Launch your text campaign. Ryan sends the coupon text campaign to customers who have signed up for MobCraft’s text list via a text-to-join keyword. He promotes the keyword in MobCraft emails, which invite customers to join the text list to receive exclusive updates and rewards.

4. Wait for customers to redeem the coupon. Customers show the text to MobCraft’s taproom staff to redeem the offer.

5. Track coupon redemptions in real time. MobCraft’s staff logs the coupon redemption by selecting the discount code in the POS system that matches the text coupon.

Text coupon use cases and examples

Wondering where text coupons might fit into your SMS marketing strategy? Here are a few common use cases to consider.

Welcome texts

Make a great impression right off the bat by offering your subscribers a coupon code just for joining your list.

Welcome to the [BRAND NAME] family! As a thank you for tuning into our texts, here’s a code for 20% off your next order: CSOVT32

Re-engaging cold leads

Sometimes customers or prospects get busy and lose touch, it happens. Give them a reason to revisit the conversation with a tempting coupon offer.

Hey [NAME], it’s been a while, so I just wanted to reach out and send you a unique coupon for your next [BRAND NAME] order. You can redeem it at [LINK].

After a purchase

Thank customers for their business and build up some momentum by following up a purchase with a small discount code or link to apply to their next shopping trip with you.

We hope you enjoy your [ITEM]! As an extra thank you for your purchase, visit [LINK] for 10% off your next order with us

Ahead of a big sale

Need to drum up some excitement for a big sale or event coming up? Gift your contacts a text-exclusive coupon to motivate them to shop the sale and add the feeling that your text list is the place to be for secret deals.

Get excited! Our Fall Sale kicks off on [DATE] and we can’t wait to see you there. Just for our text subscribers, here’s a code for 30% off your order from [DATE] until [DATE]: NQ3VDK56

On an anniversary 

You can also show your customers some love if they’ve been loyal to your organization for a year or more. This is an excellent way to maintain strong customer relationships and may boost your retention rates.

Happy anniversary, [NAME]! We’re so thankful to have you as a customer that we got you a gift. Visit [LINK] for a personalized coupon code from us to you!

How to send coupons by text message

Now that you know the different types of text message coupons you can send, let’s walk through how to actually send one.

1. Collect phone numbers

There are two ways of doing this. The first one is with a keyword. Not to be confused with the discount code itself, a keyword is a word or phrase that customers can text to your number to sign up for messages.

For example:

Text the word OFFER3 to 239663 to join Bed, Bath and Beyond’s mobile coupons program.

(That’s their actual keyword and number, by the way. Thank us later.)

The second way to collect phone numbers is with a web form. With SimpleTexting you can create embeddable forms which can be added right to your site.

2. Write and send your message

The next step is to write your text. Be sure to explain the terms of the promotion. Is there a minimum order quantity? Expiration date? Can it be used online or in-store only? Be sure to include all of these details.

You have a few different options for how to send these texts through SimpleTexting:

Campaigns

Campaigns are a good way to send your text coupons out to many or all of your contacts at once, and you can send them in seconds.

1. Head to the Campaigns tab on the left-hand menu. 
2. Click New.
3. Name your campaign and write out your message.

4. If you’re linking to a special coupon page, be sure to use the link shortener to save characters.
5. Choose which list will receive your text.
6. Decide whether to send your campaign immediately or schedule it for the future.

The inbox

Sending coupons through the inbox is a much more personal method, and we recommend this format for one-on-one interactions.

1. Choose Inbox from the left-hand menu. 
2. Start a new conversation with a contact or open an existing one.
3. Add your coupon code or link in the message box and write the rest of your text. 

4. Hit Send or select the clock icon to schedule your message.

Autoresponders

Autoresponders are a great way to set your text coupons to send automatically right after a contact joins your list.

1. Click Autoresponders on the left-hand menu.
2. Choose New autoresponder.
3. Name your autoresponder and select the keyword it will connect to.
4. Write out your message.

5. Set the delay for your text.
6. Adjust any other scheduling parameters you’d like and hit Save.

Do text message coupons increase sales?

The short answer? Yes. 80% of consumers say they’d try a new brand if offered a discount.

If you’re still looking for some inspiration, read about how the beloved juice brand Main Squeeze uses text message coupons to sell more smoothies. They’re not the only ones. One of the nation’s leading car wash chains, Delta Sonic, speeds up their slow seasons with text messages.

We thought if our customers are willing to join our text clubs it means they want our offers, and we’re going to utilize that.

Kim Allen

Marketing Director, Delta Sonic

Join the thousands of businesses that use SMS to send coupons to their customers. Get started with a free trial and see what the hype is about.

The post How to send text coupons to your customers step-by-step (with examples) appeared first on SMS Marketing & Text Marketing Services – Try It For Free.