How to Be Compelling in 160-Characters or Less

November 27, 2017 8:00 am by grouptexting

SMS marketing has massive potential to take your business to the next level. Text messages have a high open rate and response rate. However, you are limited to just 160 characters, which makes it difficult to create the perfect message.

Do you struggle with sticking to 160 characters to get your point across? The following tips will help you create compelling marketing texts by making every character count.

Stick to One Message

Don’t overwhelm your subscribers with more than one message in your text.

Conveying multiple messages in one text is tempting. However, this makes it difficult to remain clear, concise and compelling. Focus on just one message. It is best to have a single goal or purpose behind the text, such as promoting a sale or increasing the number of customers. Decide the purpose of the message before you start drafting it.

Don’t Forget the Necessary Information

When crafting your message, do not forget to include required information that every text should have. Examples include opt-out information, your company’s name and a link to the terms and conditions.Your subscribers should always know how to stop receiving texts and have easy access to learn more about your program.

Most importantly, do not forget to identify yourself. Many customers do not save your text number on their phone. If you do not give them your information, they might not know how to respond to your text. This could reduce the efficacy of your campaign even if you craft the perfect message.

Avoid Abbreviations and Slang

It is tempting to use slang and abbreviations to make it easier to remain within the 160 character limit; however, this has a downside. Recipients might view your text as unprofessional, and some might not understand it. Stick to common abbreviations such as states and write out the rest to ensure you remain clear to all of your subscribers.

Personalize It

For compelling marketing texts, take a moment to personalize. This requires you to leave space within your 160 characters to do so. A simple greeting is a good starting point, and incorporating a name is even better. However, personalization does not just mean incorporating a salutation and name; it also includes tailoring the texts to the person’s preferences, demographics, and more.

Use Active Language that Motivates and Captivates

When you write your message, language is key. You only have 160 characters to engage and motivate to take action. The best way to do this is the right choice of words. Use active language, especially strong verbs that motivate. Avoid using excessive words, such as helping verbs. Instead, keep your sentences active, which makes your message stronger and also does not require as many words.

Start Strong

Grab attention from the beginning of the text to keep people engaged.

The first part of your text is the most important. When you create your marketing texts, spend some time focusing on creating a compelling opening. Consider the preferences of your target audience and write something that grabs their attention that relates to the promotion. For example, if you target new moms shopping for groceries, then you could start the promotion with, “No time to grocery shop?” Questions are a great way to grab attention and get people to keep reading.

When creating your marketing texts, always keep the value in mind. Start by asking yourself what you plan to achieve with the texts and focus on one message and purpose. Then, consider what information you must include, including items such as your name. Find the right words that motivate while also create a clear message. Start strong with a statement or question that grabs the attention and then include the rest of your message. You will be surprised at how much you can actually pack into 160 characters.

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