Lora Says » The Basics of Text Marketing for Local Businesses

The Basics of Text Marketing for Local Businesses

March 19th, 2011

Text marketing enables business owners to send a text to anyone subscribed to their text messaging list. Text marketing for local businesses in Orange County is becoming quite popular. Text Marketing consists of a keyword like BURGERS and a short code, such as 41411. A short code is like an ordinary ten digit phone number, but just shorter. Utilizing local search engine optimization services in Orange County will be useful in acquiring a subscriber base.

Wanna See How Your Website Ranks? Show Me The Rankings!

There may be many different keywords per short code, but no duplicates allowed. So if my customer in Baltimore has reserved the keyword PIZZA on the 41411 short code, then a different pizza client in Las Vegas will have to use PIZZA2 (or some other key phrase). Or they must try to find a short code different than 41411 that has PIZZA available.

Additionally, short code companies need to make arrangements with wireless networks to make sure that each subscriber can receive texts. The importance here is not every mobile carrier will work with every short code. The largest mobile carriers like AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile..they’re all going to be available. The trouble is with the regional and lesser known wireless carriers. They sometimes do not work.

Another thing to think about is that each person’s wireless plan is different. While many individuals have unlimited monthly texting, some do not and can be charged to get texts. Thus, it becomes extremely important that all Text Marketing list campaigns are 100% opt-in. That means the user subscribes themselves to the campaign through a text message.

Something like: text APPLEPIE to 41411.

Subscribers can also opt-out of the list on their own. We prefer to utilize such a method of subscribing because the subscriber has complete control, and if they are no longer interested in receiving any more text messages, then they do not need to bother the local business at all. They have the option to take care of it themselves.

By the way, you may have heard of something called SMS Messaging…that’s the same thing as text messaging. SMS means Simple Messaging System, and you’ll sound like a geek by using that term. But you may impress all your friends!