The first step in a successful SMS marketing campaign—recruiting subscribers and building a list

The first step in a great SMS text message marketing campaign is to collect and get permission to gather consumer cell phone numbers. There are many ways in which you can do this. There’s the most basic way—have a sign up form on your Web site or allow customers to sign up right in your store, restaurant or nightclub. However, it is generally much more effective to come up with a creative tactic that offers more to the consumer—people love prizes, memberships, bonuses and other kinds of free stuff.

As you build your database of cell phone numbers, try to elicit more than just that one piece of information. Other things that may be of use are the consumers’ zip code, which will allow you to reach out and market to a particular geographic region. You can also ask for your customers’ hobbies and create announcements or special promotions based on specific interests. Your SMS text message marketing campaigns will be more successful the more information and demographics you collect—it never hurts to tailor your marketing campaigns!