SMS marketing has evolved into a powerful tool for businesses to connect directly with customers, delivering timely, personalized messages that drive engagement and boost sales. Klaviyo’s SMS capabilities are built to enhance these connections, offering tools for targeted campaigns, segmentation, automation, and in-depth analytics. If you’re looking to elevate your SMS marketing game, here are the key strategies to leverage Klaviyo’s platform to its fullest potential.
Building your Klaviyo SMS marketing subscriber list
The foundation of any effective SMS campaign starts with a compliant and engaged subscriber list. Since SMS requires explicit consent, focus on collecting opt-ins creatively and transparently.
Use pop-ups and signup forms. Klaviyo’s pop-ups make it easy to ask website visitors to join your SMS list. Offering a small incentive, like a discount or free shipping, can encourage people to subscribe while letting them know they’ll get exclusive offers and updates.
Integrate SMS with email campaigns. Promote your SMS list within your email campaigns by explaining the unique perks of being a subscriber. Consider offering SMS-only deals, sneak peeks, or early access to new products to incentivize signups from your email audience.
Leverage social media and QR codes. Promote your SMS list across social media and in-store with QR codes that allow customers to subscribe with ease. This approach can help capture the attention of social followers and in-person customers alike, building a more comprehensive list of SMS subscribers.
Personalizing SMS campaigns for deeper engagement
Personalization is crucial to making your SMS campaigns feel relevant and valuable to your audience. Klaviyo’s powerful segmentation tools allow you to customize messages based on behavior, preferences, and purchase history.
Segment based on customer behavior. Use Klaviyo’s segmentation features to create targeted lists based on actions customers have taken, such as browsing specific product categories or making recent purchases. For instance, you can send tailored product recommendations to customers who haven’t bought in a while or follow up with those who recently browsed a product but didn’t make a purchase.
Send targeted promotions to specific segments. Offer exclusive discounts or incentives based on customer segments, like first-time buyers or loyal repeat customers. Segmenting your audience for specific promotions ensures each subscriber receives content that is most relevant to them, increasing the likelihood of engagement.
Personalize with names or past purchases. Adding personal touches, such as addressing subscribers by their names or referencing previous purchases, helps build rapport and makes your messages feel more conversational. These small details show that your brand recognizes individual customers and cares about their unique experiences.
Automate key SMS messages for high-impact moments
Automation is a game-changer in SMS marketing, allowing you to deliver timely, relevant messages without manual effort. Klaviyo’s automated workflows make it easy to set up sequences that reach customers at critical points in their journey.
Welcome series for new subscribers. A warm welcome message sets the tone for future communications. Automate a welcome series to thank new SMS subscribers and offer a special welcome discount. This series introduces your brand and helps build initial engagement right from the start.
Abandoned cart reminders. For e-commerce businesses, abandoned cart reminders are essential for recovering lost sales. An automated SMS reminding customers about the items left in their cart, along with a gentle nudge or a small incentive, can be an effective way to encourage them to complete their purchase.
Post-purchase follow-ups and upsells. After a customer makes a purchase, follow up with a thank-you message, shipping updates, or a request for feedback. Post-purchase messages also provide an opportunity to upsell or recommend complementary products, increasing the lifetime value of each customer.
Birthday or anniversary offers. Make customers feel valued by recognizing their birthdays or the anniversary of their first purchase. A thoughtful message with a personalized discount can encourage repeat purchases and foster customer loyalty.
Promoting flash sales and events with SMS
SMS is ideal for promoting limited-time offers, flash sales, or exclusive events because it reaches customers instantly and creates a sense of urgency.
Use urgency to drive action. Create a sense of urgency with phrases like “Only a few hours left!” or “Ends tonight!” Urgency motivates recipients to act quickly, making it more likely they’ll take advantage of your offer before it expires.
Offer exclusive deals for SMS subscribers. Reward your SMS subscribers with exclusive deals, providing added value for joining your list. Offering SMS-only discounts or early access to sales adds an element of exclusivity, encouraging more people to remain engaged with your SMS messages.
Send timely reminders for upcoming events. For big events like flash sales or product launches, consider sending a series of reminders leading up to and during the event. A well-timed reminder can capture last-minute purchases or encourage subscribers to tune in right as the event begins.
Tracking and optimizing Klaviyo SMS marketing performance
Analyzing your SMS campaigns is essential for continuous improvement. Klaviyo’s analytics and reporting tools provide insights into which strategies are working and which may need adjustment.
Monitor open rates and click-through rates. Track metrics like open rates and click-through rates to see how recipients are interacting with your messages. High open and click rates suggest that your content is resonating, while low rates may indicate that it’s time to revisit your message content, timing, or segmentation.
Use A/B testing to find winning messages. A/B testing is an effective way to determine what resonates most with your audience. Klaviyo allows you to test different versions of your SMS messages to refine send times, promotional offers, or call-to-action language and find what works best.
Assess revenue attribution and conversions. To understand the financial impact of your SMS marketing, measure the revenue generated from each campaign. Klaviyo’s revenue attribution tools help you pinpoint which messages are driving sales, enabling you to allocate resources more effectively and invest in high-performing campaigns.
Watch unsubscribe rates to fine-tune frequency. Monitoring your unsubscribe rate is an indicator of how well you’re maintaining a balanced messaging frequency. A high unsubscribe rate may suggest you’re sending too many messages, so consider adjusting your strategy to focus on high-value, targeted content rather than frequent general messages.
Ensuring compliance in Klaviyo SMS marketing
Compliance is essential in SMS marketing, as regulations are in place to protect consumer privacy. Klaviyo includes tools to help businesses remain compliant with these standards.
Require explicit opt-ins. Make sure customers provide clear consent to receive SMS messages by using transparent language in signup forms. Avoid adding contacts who have only opted in to email marketing to your SMS list.
Make opting out easy and accessible. Each message should include clear instructions for opting out, such as “Reply STOP to unsubscribe.” This transparency is essential for building trust and staying compliant.
Keep messaging frequency in check. Avoid overloading your subscribers with too many messages, especially those that don’t offer real value. Carefully plan the frequency of your SMS campaigns and limit them to high-impact or time-sensitive communications.
Crafting effective SMS messages that resonate
Crafting the right message is essential in SMS ideal marketing team structure, especially given the limited space. Here are a few tips for writing SMS messages that engage and resonate with your audience.
Be concise and direct. SMS messages should be brief and clear. Avoid excessive text, and get straight to the point to respect the recipient’s time.
Include a strong call to action. Tell recipients exactly what you want them to do next, whether it’s to “Shop Now,” “Learn More,” or “Claim Your Discount.” A strong call to action increases the likelihood of conversions.
Add a touch of exclusivity. Words like “Just for you” or “VIP Access” can create a sense of exclusivity, making recipients feel valued and more inclined to engage.
Time your messages appropriately. Schedule SMS messages to arrive at times when your audience is most likely to engage, keeping time zones and optimal send times in mind to avoid inconvenience.
Conclusion
Klaviyo’s SMS marketing tools provide a powerful way for brands to connect with their audience through targeted, timely, and personalized messages. From building your subscriber list to setting up automations, promoting flash sales, and tracking performance, Klaviyo offers a comprehensive suite of SMS tools that can significantly enhance customer engagement and drive sales. By following these best practices, you can make the most of Klaviyo’s SMS capabilities and foster meaningful connections with your audience.
