I've had an idea for the last month or so to start going around to local brick and mortar businesses and talking to them about starting text message advertising campaigns. Basically they collect customer's phone numbers (with their permission of course) then they provide me with the numbers and I add them into a database for their company. We then work together to come up with a promotion to send out to increase traffic.

I have did some Google-ing and came up with a few online mass SMS/MMS providers however I was wondering if anyone here has any real world experience with this and could recommend a company to use? It's hard to find any reviews from other users online to tell which is not a scam or potential disaster.

Thanks!

Bad idea, no one wants to be bugged on their phone from the pizza place down the street..

There were a bunch of these that popped up a few years ago.. None of them are around now..

I think it would lead to a lot of brand hate to be honest.

77startup said:

I think it would lead to a lot of brand hate to be honest.

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In which case.. approach local businesses and:

a> Tell them that unless they pay you $X / month, you will start spamming their business via SMS under the guise of free advertising

or

b> Ask them to pay you $X / month to spam their competitors brands

"A" will make you a shake-down man, Godfather/mafia style. I like it.
"B" makes you a mercenary, hired to kill. The danger-factor may make you popular with the ladies.

JackEdwards said:

Bad idea, no one wants to be bugged on their phone from the pizza place down the street..

There were a bunch of these that popped up a few years ago.. None of them are around now..

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I see, thanks for the feedback. :smx6:

Talisman said:

In which case.. approach local businesses and:

a> Tell them that unless they pay you $X / month, you will start spamming their business via SMS under the guise of free advertising

or

b> Ask them to pay you $X / month to spam their competitors brands

"A" will make you a shake-down man, Godfather/mafia style. I like it.
"B" makes you a mercenary, hired to kill. The danger-factor may make you popular with the ladies.

Click to expand...

lol "legion of doom, Inc"

Actually I'm looking at doing something similar. But not exactly for the same reasons.

I am looking for some direct response to certain advertisements (such as my crazy ninja sign spinner that will be sitting outside of the elementary schools doing crazy moves next month - hehehe)

But more-so to communicate simple messages. "Congratulations on achieving your new belt." "Great work in class today."

I am also wanting to test it to confirm appointments. "Your first introductory class is scheduled tonight at 6:45, text YES to confirm" (or something like that)

Big signs that say "Text Chop to 55555 to get a free class and a free t-shirt!"

As far as advertising and marketing goes, I have my hands in EVERYTHING, except texting and QR codes.

Kung Fu Steve said:

I am also wanting to test it to confirm appointments. "Your first introductory class is scheduled tonight at 6:45, text YES to confirm" (or something like that)

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That's an idea I've had floating around my head for service based businesses. Integrate it with a bigger product like clients being able to schedule appointments online for also. Instead of all those stupid 2 seconds phone calls "While you be at your appointment tomorrow? Yes? Ok, bye" ha - waste of time for businesses, and the clients

JackEdwards said:

Bad idea, no one wants to be bugged on their phone from the pizza place down the street..

There were a bunch of these that popped up a few years ago.. None of them are around now..

Click to expand...

Jack, I value your input on a lot of topics, but on this you unfortunately are wrong.

Pizza Place SMS Marketing Case Study

These three key statistics are from a Hipcricket study:

57% of respondents said they would be interested in opting in to a brand’s SMS loyalty program.
80% of survey respondents said they have not been marketed to via SMS by their favorite brands.
90% of mobile users who had participated in an SMS loyalty club felt they had gained value from being a part of the program.


SMS Marketing is a growing industry. There are many different players in it, doing many different innovative things.

DeuceRooster said:

Basically they collect customer's phone numbers (with their permission of course) then they provide me with the numbers and I add them into a database for their company. We then work together to come up with a promotion to send out to increase traffic.

Click to expand...

What you suggest here is the wrong way to go about it... That would be considered spam. Most reputable SMS providers will not allow you to do this. What is an acceptable way is whats called "opt-in" and with the federal regulations on spam this is the only way that's permitted. What I mean by opt-in is this (and the right way to go about an sms marketing campaign):

You put up a sign or advertisement that states: "Text "Pizza" to 70259 and get a free slice of pizza" or something like that.

Customer sees the sign or advertisement and does just that.

An auto reply is sent that reads: "Thanks for subscribing, show this text to the cashier to receive your free slice. Msg & Data rates may apply. Text HELP for help or STOP to Unsubscribe."

That customer is then added to an opt-in list and can be text messaged again with future promotions.

There are several companies out there:

SMS Marketing

Sundrop Mobile

Mobile Marketing Companies | SUMOTEXT


There are also some great organizations that promote the sms marketing industry:

Mobile Marketing Watch | Mobile Marketing News and Information

SMS Marketing Blog | Tatango

There are several programs out there to help people just like you get started in the sms marketing world. Some better than others.

What I would suggest you do, is google:

SMS Marketing
SMS Marketing Case Studies
Text Message Deals
Text Message Campaigns
SMS Marketing Companies

There is so much you can do in the SMS world beyond what you are looking to do. Just do some more research.

I am in the midst of working on several SMS marketing projects. As well as some other people I know.

It's a great industry and it is growing everyday.

10 Reasons Why Your Business Should Use Text Marketing | Moto Message

Numbers 4 & 5 are quoted below:

4. Text message marketing is effective and produces a redemption rate anywhere from 20% to 70%. Compare that to print, TV, radio or direct mail which averages 1.5%.

5. Over 90% of text messages sent are opened and read by your customers in 15 minutes. No other advertising medium has that relationship with the consumer. Text message ads engage the consumer in a way that makes them look forward too more offers from you.

Click to expand...

To Your Success,

Pete

So here is How I am seeing these Txt deals

Mini groupons, with a more local flavor, and better deals for the merchants

zen******* said:

Mini groupons, with a more local flavor, and better deals for the merchants

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Exactly the idea. I'm aware of many local mobile consultants using this model successfully and will start my own once my current project is off the launch pad.

Kung Fu Steve said:

I am also wanting to test it to confirm appointments. "Your first introductory class is scheduled tonight at 6:45, text YES to confirm" (or something like that)

Click to expand...

Trumpia offers Mobile Text Appointment Reminders for your mobile marketing campaigns. Leader in Mobile SMS Marketing

I'm also aware of one successful implementation. A guy sells self-designed clothes, and whenever
there's a new collection, he texts his entire phonebook, which automatically earns him money.

One more real example, a friend is a caffe-owner, and whenever they have some theme party, or
event of any kind, people are texted just so they have one more option where to go out.

Me, being on both lists, didn't mind it ever, and in fact it's nice to know, you feel like they do you a service.

BUT:

- they don't spam, and only sms once in a while

- they do it by simply texting their phonebook, so yeah, we're friends too, and that also might influence my feelings,
I'm just glad they're making it - maybe some 3rd party sms would have different effect (it usually does!)

- they do it themselves, and don't need intermediate, though, if someone offered to them mass texting maybe they'd take up on the offer.

HOWEVER:

- maybe this idea of yours is not bad at all, if you text the right list, or if people opted for it (crazy idea:
why not make flyers with a place for phone # and have people fill it in on some, say techno party - so that
they're texted when something cool goes on. Then go ahead and offer to club owners texting your list about their event.

- i can also see older people would potentially like it, they often lack and need attention so your sms is probably welcome,
but also has to be on the right subject - in my poor country information about discounts would be an absolute hit, I'm sure,
but maybe over there it's something different (like, where you can find fancy cruises, or anti age treatments)

Thank you petethepeddler that was a really helpful post. Thank you to all the others for your input as well.

GPS/bluetooth mobile marketing is growing as well. As long as its opt in and easy to opt out and you do not spam too often and offers are relevant, why not?

QR codes bring archaic print alive by offering weblinks on printed material. information/offers etc...u could track various print offers by QR code tracking to see what is effective.

DeuceRooster sms marketing is a viable and profitable business that is rivaling email marketing and business nowadays are looking for ways to promote themselves or upsell on there current customers.

but I dont know how many of you remember when he had snail mail and it was great opening just because it made you wonder who it was from or what it was. when email came it was great but it had its cons and nowadays just look in your inbox and mostly all your emails are not from someone you know, so what do we do to not waste time reading all those annoying emails. we check them in to the spam box. I believe the same thing will happen to sms marketing. Yes you will have opt-ins but sooner or later people will take advantage of this and also ruined it just like they did for email marketing.

There is very good companies out there that you can resell there sms broadcasting platforms and if you search on the web in seo marketing forums you willl see some great companies. There is one that I believe is the best in the industry and puts money in your pockets just by selling there platform to local businesses. There short code is the most branded recognized short code in the industry

petethepeddler said:

Jack, I value your input on a lot of topics, but on this you unfortunately are wrong.

Pizza Place SMS Marketing Case Study

These three key statistics are from a Hipcricket study:

57% of respondents said they would be interested in opting in to a brand’s SMS loyalty program.
80% of survey respondents said they have not been marketed to via SMS by their favorite brands.
90% of mobile users who had participated in an SMS loyalty club felt they had gained value from being a part of the program.


SMS Marketing is a growing industry. There are many different players in it, doing many different innovative things.



What you suggest here is the wrong way to go about it... That would be considered spam. Most reputable SMS providers will not allow you to do this. What is an acceptable way is whats called "opt-in" and with the federal regulations on spam this is the only way that's permitted. What I mean by opt-in is this (and the right way to go about an sms marketing campaign):

You put up a sign or advertisement that states: "Text "Pizza" to 70259 and get a free slice of pizza" or something like that.


Pete

Click to expand...

Hey Pete..

What's your experience with sms text marketing? What did you send out and to whom? What was the response?

Does anyone else on here have real examples of campaigns they did that worked or did not work?

Just because people say it works and there are companies selling it does not mean it works.

As a matter of fact, I know of nothing that would kill a brand faster than a text marketing campaign.

That's just my opinion..

JackEdwards said:

Hey Pete..


As a matter of fact, I know of nothing that would kill a brand faster than a text marketing campaign.

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I can see your point. However I don't think that a permission based campaign would be that offensive to anyone. Not like I would be sending out to random numbers. However to many messages to often could certainly piss some people off.

How about offering an SMS service with advertisements?

You offer to pay for their monthly service texting fees (unlimited text messaging). You'll then have an expense of $10/month (based on Canadian wireless provider's standard rates where I reside) but every 25 texts they send, they will receive an advertisement via SMS? Just a thought.

This is just my opinion, but text messages on my phone would be the LAST way I want to be delivered ads or coupons.

I do not want to be alerted the very second a business sends me a coupon or ad. That's what my e-mail is for. It would get VERY annoying to get a notification each time. In fact, I see that medium of advertising as unethical because of the interruption it causes. Though I suppose it's not unethical when the potential customer opts in. But even then, I'd be surprised if you would get people to voluntarily sign up to be bothered with new text message alerts on their phone throughout the day.

As easy as someone can opt-in, they can opt-out. Yes, there will be consumers that won't want to be bothered with text alerts but there are many more who will. The stats for current mobile use in combination with sms opt-in and response rate isn't made up. Any business that chooses to integrate mobile marketing in their marketing toolbox should do so knowing the best practices of sms marketing. This is where a reputable consultant or sms company comes in handy.

MamaD said:

Any business that chooses to integrate mobile marketing in their marketing toolbox should do so knowing the best practices of sms marketing.

Click to expand...

I agree completely. I have to admit I was a bit surprised at the statistics since I find myself in the minority of the users, who would never opt-in for SMS ads. Then again, it probably has to do with having less of a "consumer mindset" that those who would choose to receive such ads on their phone.

Though I would probably opt-in for something that's once a week, such as a particular store's "Deal of the Week" or a "One Day Sale" type of thing. But nothing that would turn my phone's SMS into an "ad ticker" :smug2:

Thank you for this thread, it sparked a potential fastlane idea in my head.

Calgary said:

Thank you for this thread, it sparked a potential fastlane idea in my head.

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Tell us more!

Calgary said:

How about offering an SMS service with advertisements?

You offer to pay for their monthly service texting fees (unlimited text messaging). You'll then have an expense of $10/month (based on Canadian wireless provider's standard rates where I reside) but every 25 texts they send, they will receive an advertisement via SMS? Just a thought.

Click to expand...

I really think that's a great idea....