Bulk SMS Marketing: How to Reach More Customers in Seconds

"Sorry, I didn't see your email"

How many times have you heard that from a customer? Or said it yourself?

Now think about the last time someone told you they didn't see your text message. It wouldn’t be as often, right? That's the simple magic behind bulk SMS marketing – people actually read texts. We're talking about a marketing channel with a 98% open rate. Let that sink in for a minute.

Easify is a bulk SMS marketing platform. Bulk SMS marketing involves sending text messages to multiple customers at once. It’s direct, it’s personal, and with platforms like Easify, it’s surprisingly easy.

Restaurants use it to fill empty tables with last-minute dinner specials. Salons book appointments that would've stayed empty. Retail stores turn slow days into profitable ones with personalized flash sale texts.

The best part? You don't need to be a marketing guru or tech wizard to make it work. When you choose bulk messaging platforms like Easify, we handle the complicated stuff. And you? Well, you can focus on growing your business!

In this guide, I'll walk you through everything you need to know about bulk SMS marketing – from why it works to how to get started today.

Ready to start conversations with customers that actually get read? Let's get started.

Why Choose Bulk SMS Marketing?

Let’s be honest - your email inbox is probably overflowing. And you’re not alone. The messages you send to your customers might even get lost in the spam folder. In short, emails are not that reliable. But SMS marketing? It truly stands out. Here’s why it’s worth your attention:

High Engagement Rates

SMS has some of the highest engagement rates out there. Most texts are read within minutes! It’s quick and direct. So, it cuts through the noise better than emails or calls. People are more likely to take action when they receive a text. Whether you’re sending reminders, promotions, or updates, SMS keeps customers engaged and responsive. If you want to reach your audience fast and effectively, texting is the way to go!

Instant Reach

Text messages arrive instantly. No waiting, no spam folder.

If you need to tell customers about a flash sale happening today, SMS is your best bet. People carry their phones everywhere. Your message gets seen right away.

This instant connection leads to quick responses too. Customers can reply to your text, open a link, or use a coupon code within seconds of receiving your message.

Cost-Effective

Did we mention SMS marketing is super affordable? You don't need a massive budget to see real results. Think about it – no printing costs, no postage fees, no expensive ad space. Just simple messages that go straight to your customers.

With Easify, you can start small and scale up as needed. A clear pricing that won't surprise you later. We have multiple price plans for you to choose from. You can compare the costs and choose one that fits your business needs the best.

For businesses of all sizes, bulk SMS marketing is one of the most cost-effective marketing tools out there. Even a modest SMS campaign can drive significant traffic and sales when done right.

So how could these benefits improve your marketing? Think about your last campaign. How many people actually saw it? How quickly did they respond? Now imagine reaching almost everyone on your list, within minutes, at a fraction of the cost. That's the SMS difference.

Ready to give it a try? Get started with Easify!

10-DLC Compliance

Here's something really important when it comes to bulk SMS marketing. The wireless industry uses something called 10-Digit Long Code (10-DLC) for business texting. This matters because it affects whether your messages actually reach customers. Non-compliant messages might get blocked or filtered as spam.

What exactly is 10DLC compliance? It refers to the regulations set by U.S. carriers for businesses using 10-digit phone numbers to send SMS and MMS messages. It ensures that businesses follow proper registration and messaging guidelines to reduce spam and improve message deliverability.

Do you wish to know more? Learn everything you need to know about 10DLC compliance with this detailed guide.

10DLC might seem like a super complicated process, but Easify makes 10-DLC compliance super easy. We handle the registration process and keep your campaigns compliant with the regulations.

This also means:

• better delivery rates
• improved sender reputation
• fewer messages flagged as spam

How to Get Started with Bulk SMS Marketing

Ready to jump in? Here's your step-by-step guide to launching your first bulk SMS marketing campaign:

Define Your Goals

Before sending your first text, get clear on what you want to achieve. It could be anything like:

• Boost sales for a new product
• Increase foot traffic to your store
• Remind customers about appointments
• Build brand loyalty
• Re-engage inactive customers
• Announce a special promotion/limited time offer
• Gather customer feedback
• Send order confirmations/shipping updates
• Promote an upcoming event or webinar
• Share exclusive discounts for VIP customers
• Send personalized birthday messages/offers
• Provide customer support
• Encourage app downloads or website visits
• Automate follow-ups for leads or inquiries
• Send alerts for restocked or newly launched products
• Offer referral rewards to encourage word-of-mouth marketing
• Share important business updates or policy changes

Your goals will be determined by three ain factors:

• The kind of business you run
• Your audience
• What you wish to achieve

You could start by setting 2-3 specific goals that you wish to achieve through bulk SMS marketing. For example: "Increase weekend store traffic by 15%" or "Reduce appointment no-shows by 25%."

Choose a Reliable bulk SMS Marketing Platform

The right platform makes all the difference. Look for these essential features when choosing your bulk SMS messaging platform:

• Easy contact management: Import, organize, and segment your contact lists without headaches. A push to CRM feature (like Easify offers) to store all data would be ideal.
• Message scheduling: Plan campaigns in advance and send at optimal times. This works best for holiday offers and helps you beat the holiday rush.
• Personalization tools: Add customer names and custom fields to make messages feel personal.
• Analytics and reporting: Track delivery, open rates, and responses to see what's working. Easify helps you with detailed analytics so that you get insights on what’s working and what’s not.
• Compliance features: Ensure your bulk messaging partner helps you meet regulations and industry standards. Staying compliant is extremely important!

Easify offers all these features in an intuitive platform that doesn't require a tech degree to use.

Sign up for Easify’s free trial and explore the best features and tools to take your business communication and marketing to the next level. Start your 7-day free trial today and gain access to all of the features and services!

Build and Segment Your Audience

Not all customers want the same messages. Smart marketers segment their audience for better results.

You might group customers by:

• Purchase history
• Location
• Age or demographics
• Interests or preferences
• How recently they've engaged with your business

Sending targeted messages to specific groups leads to higher engagement and fewer unsubscribes.

Create at least 2-3 customer segments based on your business needs. Let’s take the case of a restaurant, for instance. For them it might be regular customers and VIP customers who make reservations.

Craft Compelling Messages

Bulk SMS marketing is a great marketing strategy. We might’ve proved that point by now. But still, many businesses stumble. Any guesses why? Well, great SMS marketing isn't about blasting sales pitches – it's about providing value in every message.

Follow these best practices:

• Keep your messages short – aim for 160 characters or less.
• Limit your texts to only the customers who have opted-in.
• Start with your business name so they know who's texting.
• Include a clear call-to-action – what should they do next?.
• Add value – offer something useful, interesting, or money-saving.
• Create urgency when appropriate – limited time offers work well.
• Use simple language – avoid jargon and complicated terms.
• Respect opt-outs – if a customer unsubscribes, it should be effective immediately.

When you send a text to a customer, it should feel like the message was drafted just for them. Take personalization to the next level!

For example:

Schedule and Launch Your Campaign

Now that you’ve learned the basics, we’ll talk about another important element in bulk SMS marketing. Timing. It matters more than you think. Send at the wrong time, and your message might be ignored or even annoy customers.

Generally good times include:

• Business hours on weekdays (avoid early morning or late evening)
• Lunchtime for restaurant or retail promotions
• 1-2 days before events or appointments

Weekends for entertainment or leisure businesses

Avoid:

• Very early mornings or late nights
• Sending on the day of major holidays
• Sending too frequently (most businesses do well with 2-4 texts per month)

Easify lets you schedule messages in advance, so you can plan your entire campaign at once. Schedule your first SMS campaign with Easify. Start small – perhaps with your most engaged customer segment. You can track results using our SMS analytics and choose to scale up later.

Overcoming Challenges with Easify

Even the best bulk SMS marketing strategies can meet with challenges. Here's how to handle the common ones with SMS marketing:

Compliance with 10-DLC

As mentioned earlier, 10-DLC compliance is crucial for successful SMS marketing. Here's what you need to know:

10-DLC compliance can make or break your business marketing.

Non-compliance can result in:

• Messages not being delivered
• Being flagged as spam
• High penalties
• Potential account suspension

Easify simplifies this process by:

• Handling the registration steps for you
• Providing templates that meet compliance standards
• Monitoring regulatory changes and updating as needed
• Offering dedicated support for compliance queries

Avoiding Spam

Nobody wants to be seen as a spammer. Follow these strategies to keep your messages welcome:

• Always get explicit permission before texting customers
• Make it easy to opt out (include "Reply STOP to unsubscribe" in messages)
• Provide real value in every message
• Personalize whenever possible – use customer names and relevant information
• Respect frequency – don't overwhelm with too many texts
• Segment your audience to ensure relevance

Remember: One relevant, valuable message will outperform ten generic blasts every time.

Some of the best SMS marketers actually send fewer messages, not more. They focus on quality and relevance rather than quantity.

By following the steps in this guide and leveraging Easify’s advanced features, you can create SMS marketing campaigns that customers actually look forward to receiving.

Ready to get started? Sign up today to begin your SMS marketing journey with a free trial. Your customers are waiting to hear from you – directly in the one inbox they always check!