When it comes to contacting customers, the most successful approach requires quality AND quantity. Combining the forces of email and SMS is an efficient way to reach that goal, and to quickly achieve incredible results.
For businesses, email communication is the preferred marketing method, as it provides the most significant Return on Investment (ROI). SMS comes in a close second, ahead of social media. If you’re asking, ‘is email or SMS marketing better?’, a quick comparison is a good place to start. The two can complement, rather than rival one another. You just need to consider a few things.
| BENEFITS OF EMAIL MARKETING | BENEFITS OF SMS MARKETING |
| ✉️Builds strong relationships with customers | 📱Reaches customers where they spend the most time: on their phones. |
| ✉️ Creates Excitement and anticipation for new releases/competitions | 📱High click-through and open rates |
| ✉️ Enables a variety of engaging formats | 📱Cuts through inbox noise |
| ✉️ Detailed Customer Analytics | 📱Creates a sense of urgency |
| ✉️ Wide outreach |
So, they both have their positive points. But there are also, of course, the more negative aspects to consider…
| DRAWBACKS OF EMAIL MARKETING | DRAWBACKS OF SMS MARKETING |
| ✉️ Easy for important messages to get lost in inbox noise | 📱Strict Telecommunications regulations |
| ✉️ Spam Filters can limit accessibility | 📱Limited Formats and dynamics |
| 📱Needs mobile optimisation | |
| 📱 SMS marketing can become costly |
In all, many marketers find that the drawbacks of both methods mean that a complimentary system is ideal. Besides, In 2022, 69% of marketers used emails to distribute content. This means you have to stand out to be successful. Accompanying your emails with a follow-up SMS might just do the trick.
For example:
- EMAIL: ‘BIG PRIZES’ campaign, sent out two weeks before the competition’s end date, followed by reminders at regular intervals during the competition period. This creates awareness and builds excitement.
- SMS: On the final day before the competition deadline, a text is sent out, ‘24 hours left to win!’ followed by a call to action. This inspires urgency and reminds those who have been interested for the past two weeks to finally enter.
The verdict? SMS is definitely an investment worth your time if you have the resources available.
