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8 SMS marketing trends to watch for in 2023

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Melinda Jennings

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Dec 21, 2022
5 min read

2023 is set to be a big year for SMS marketing. Not only have businesses already adopted texting as a source of communication (with most using SMS to send messages about scheduling and customer service), but consumers have also become used to being communicated to in this way. 

With this foundational work already in place, the stage has been set for SMS marketing to boom, and we’ve identified some exciting trends to look forward to in 2023.

>> Want more SMS marketing trends? Download our complete guide.

1. Instant gratification

In such a connected world, consumers expect businesses to provide instant acknowledgment and gratification after they’ve had an interaction with them. This can mean anything from confirming a booking to summarising a sales call. 

SMS provides an instant and personal way of communicating this gratification in a way that resonates with your audience.

2. Call deflection

Nobody wants to be stuck waiting in long queues when calling a business. An increasing trend in 2023 gets around this problem, by using text messaging as a call deflection method.

This works by offering people who are waiting in a call queue an option to receive an SMS with a link. This link takes them to a solution for whatever they’re calling about – for example, they might receive an online form to fill out, a link to a booking system, or even a way to request a call back at a time that’s convenient for all parties involved.

3. Pay by text

Contactless payments are old hat by now. The next big thing in convenient purchases? Well, unsurprisingly, it has to do with SMS marketing.

Pay by text is set to take the world by storm in 2023 and beyond. By allowing your customers to pay via SMS, you give them the opportunity to use a channel they’re familiar with and even prefer. It also makes it easier for you to accept payments on the fly, without unnecessary (and expensive) administration tools and hardware.

>> If you’re in the US, increase your revenue by up to 85% with our Pay by Text service.

4. Seamless integration across channels

While this article is about SMS marketing, that doesn’t mean text messaging should be your singular focus. With 80% of consumers using up to 6 channels before making a buying decision, your communication approach should incorporate cross-channel integration. 

SMS marketing is an excellent tool for seamlessly moving with your customers and prospects. For example, if someone abandons a cart online, you can use SMS as a cut-through method to effectively follow up with them.

5. SMS chatbots

Chatbots have seen immense growth over the last few years in particular, and there are no signs of them slowing down. In fact, it’s predicted that the chatbot market will be worth $454.8 million in revenue by 2027 (up from $40.9 million in 2018). 

While chatbots are usually hosted on a website, within an app, or via a social media messaging app, the new trend will see more people engage with bots on a channel they know and love – yep, we’re talking SMS. 

SMS chatbots deliver responses right to your audience’s phone, without making them download an app or visit a particular website to engage. With an SMS chatbot, getting assistance is only a text message away – no matter what time of day (or night) it is.

6. Voice messages via SMS

People send more than 7 billion voice messages on WhatsApp every day. A third of Gen Z prefer them as a way to communicate with friends and family. So, in other words, if you’re not considering voice messages as a method of communication – you’re missing out.

While not appropriate for every use case, using SMS to send voice messages can be a great way to convey messages in a more personal, accessible, and comprehensive way. 

7. Personalisation

By no means a new trend, personalisation is set to skyrocket in terms of the level of sophistication that consumers have come to expect. In order to foster truly meaningful connections and conversations with your audience, you need to be able to offer a level of customisation that goes beyond simply including their first name at the start of a text.

Contact segmentation is a crucial part of achieving high personalisation. With the right data sets, you can create specialised lists that group your audience based on demographics, buyer behaviours, and so much more. From there, you can craft your personalised SMS messages accordingly.

8. Promotions and discounts

According to a recent study, customers believe that a great discount on a product and service is one of the top three most valuable types of text messages to receive from a business. If you want to give your audience what they actually want, you can’t go past what the data says.

Spruce up your 2023 SMS strategy with the help of Whispir

Now that you’re armed with a better knowledge of what SMS marketing trends to expect in 2023, what can you do with this information? Well, having an intelligent communication platform in your toolkit certainly helps.

Whispir allows organisations all around the world to deliver elevated and engaging communications across multiple channels – including, of course, SMS. Tap into the power of text messaging, build integrated web pages, send voice messages via SMS, and so much more – all from one central platform.

To give yourself the best shot at a higher ROI in 2023, book a free demo with us today by filling in the form below. Or, learn more about our predictions for SMS marketing in 2023 (and some expert insights into best practices for texting as a business), by downloading our comprehensive guide.

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