If you’re new to marketing or not familiar with text message lingo, you may be puzzled by the term “SMS.” What is SMS, and what’s the difference between SMS vs. text?
In this article, we’ll cover the basics of SMS, debunk the common misconceptions about SMS vs. text messaging, and whether SMS or MMS is better for your text marketing campaigns.
Text messaging, also known as SMS or MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service), is the process of sending text messages, images, and other multimedia files between cell phones. Text messages are limited to 160 characters per message, while MMS messages can be up to 4,000 characters long.
Which is better for your business – SMS or MMS?
That depends on your needs. If you need to send longer messages or want to include images or even emojis, MMS is the better option. However, if you’re looking for a way to quickly and easily send text-based messages to customers, SMS is the better choice.
The good news is that most text messaging providers (like Txtra) have both SMS and MMS capabilities and you can use either as needed.
We’ll explore both SMS and MMS in more detail below. But first, let’s take a look at some of the most common misconceptions about SMS vs. text messaging.
We’ll cover the following in this post:
- What is SMS?
- The difference between SMS and text messaging
- The benefits of SMS for businesses
- How to use SMS for your business
- The dos and don’ts of SMS marketing
- 3 types of SMS campaigns you can run for your business
What is SMS?
SMS, or Short Message Service, is a technology used to send text messages to cell phones. They can either be sent from other cell phones or from a texting service provider (like Txtra!). SMS was originally designed as a way to send text-based messages between two people, but it’s become increasingly popular for businesses to use as a way to communicate with customers.
The Difference Between SMS and Text Messaging
Text messaging, also known as SMS or MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service), is the process of sending text messages, images, and other multimedia files between cell phones. Text messages are limited to 160 characters per message, while MMS messages can be up to 4,000 characters long and include things like images and emojis.
Which is better for your business – SMS or MMS? That depends on your needs. If you need to send longer messages or want to include images or even emojis, MMS is the better option. However, if you’re looking for a way to quickly and easily send text-based messages to customers, SMS is the better choice.
The Benefits Of SMS For Businesses
There are many benefits of using SMS for your business. Here are just a few:
- SMS is an easy way to communicate with customers
- SMS is quick and efficient – texts are delivered almost instantly
- SMS can be used to send reminders, alerts, and notifications
- SMS can be used to promote special offers and discounts
- SMS can be used to gather feedback from customers
If that’s not enough to convince you to try texting for your business, recent research has shown that 99% of all text messages are read by recipients, and that’s…compared to only 10% of all emails.
How To Use SMS For Your Business
Now that you know the benefits of using SMS for your business, let’s take a look at how to actually use it. Here are a few tips:
- Add an SMS opt-in form to your website and in-store signage
- Send out regular text messages with news, updates, and special offers
- Use text messages as a way to gather feedback from customers
- Respond quickly to texts
The Dos And Don’ts Of SMS Marketing
SMS marketing can be a great way to connect with customers, but there are a few things you should keep in mind. Here are some dos and don’ts:
- DO make sure you have permission to send text messages to customers
- DON’T spam customers with text messages
- DO use SMS as a way to connect with customers
- Do adhere to all laws and regulations related to text marketing
3 Types Of SMS Campaigns You Can Run For Your Business
There are many different types of SMS campaigns you can run for your business.
Here are three of the most popular:
- Contest/giveaway campaign – Run a contest or giveaway and collect entries by sending a text message.
- Customer survey campaign – Send a survey to customers and collect feedback by texting them a link to the survey.
- Time-sensitive campaign – Send out a text message with a special offer or discount that’s only available for a limited time.
You’ll be glad to know that Txtra has all of these features built-in and available to all of our customers.
That’s all for today! Be sure to check back soon for more great content from our blog. In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. We always love to hear from our readers! 😃👍🏼💡📝☺️😘🎓👌🏻👋🏼😊✌️😎↙️
