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Businesses use both email and text message to reach customers. But which one works better?
Each one has its strengths. SMS has a high open rate because most people read their text messages fast. Email, on the other hand, is great for sharing more details and telling a story.
Knowing when to use each can help you get better results in your marketing efforts. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at SMS vs email marketing to see which one is right for your business. Let’s start with Email marketing.
Email marketing: Its strengths and best use cases
As stated earlier, email marketing is one of the best ways to talk to your customers. It helps you send messages to many people at once without spending too much money. Email marketing lets you use pictures, videos, and links to make your message more interesting. Amongst all these, here are some of its top benefits.
Text customer service makes talking to customers easy. A customer service template helps you send the right message and makes sure every reply is kind and helpful. When customers feel happy, they come back again. Infact, 96% of people say customer service helps them decide where to shop (Premier Contact Point).
Benefits of Email Marketing
Saves money
You can send emails to thousands of people without paying for each message. All you need is a great internet connection and you’re good to go.
Lets you share more
With email, you can write longer messages without worrying about the number of characters. You can also add pictures, videos, links, and buttons to make it easier for people to understand what you are saying.
Keeps customers engaged
You need to stay connected with people that already know your business, and patronize you. Email marketing helps you do this. You can send them helpful tips, special offers, and updates to keep them interested.
Works well for long-term marketing
Some customers may not buy from you immediately they know about your business. Instead of sending SMS to them, which some of them might find offensive, sending an Email is better. This way, you are being professional while being on their mind until they are ready to make a purchase
When should you use email marketing?
For newsletters
A newsletter is like a regular update from your business. You can send useful information, company news, or upcoming sales.
For promotions and discounts
If you have a sale, email is a great way to let people know about it. You can even add a button so they can shop right away.
For product launches
When you release something new, an email can explain why it is special and how people can get it.
For customer education
Email is perfect for sharing guides, tips, and other helpful content that teaches people how to use your products.
For brand storytelling
You can use email to tell your company’s story, share customer success stories, or introduce your team. This helps people feel connected to your brand.
Now, we’re done looking at the benefits of email marketing and why it is a great choice for keeping customers engaged and informed. Let’s look at SMS.
SMS marketing: Why it’s a game-changer for engagement
Have you ever noticed how quickly you check a text message? The beautiful thing is, it’s not just you. Almost everyone reads a text within minutes of receiving it. This is why most businesses love SMS marketing. It helps them reach customers fast and get quick responses. Let’s take a quick look at some of its top benefits.
Benefits of SMS marketing
People read texts quickly
Studies show that SMS messages have a 98% open rate. This is much higher than emails. Not because people don’t read emails, but because people don’t read emails as quickly as they read text messages.
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- Resources : Link
Fast responses
When you send an SMS, if it’s a message that needs a response, people usually reply in a few minutes. This makes it a great choice for urgent messages that need quick responses.
More people click links
To open an SMS, you don’t need Wi-Fi or data, unlike opening an Email. This is why when a business sends a link in an SMS, more people click on it. The SMS creates a sense of urgency and curiosity, so even if they don’t have access to the internet connection at the moment, they make an effort to get access as soon as possible. To back this up, studies show that the click-through rate (CTR) for SMS is 19%, while emails get only 2-3% (Sender.net).
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- Resources : Sender.net
Short and simple
Text messages are easy to read and straight to the point. People don’t have to scroll through long content like they do with emails.
Best use cases for sms marketing
Appointment reminders
Businesses send SMS reminders for doctor visits, salon bookings, and meetings so people don’t forget.
Flash sales and discounts
Time-sensitive promotions like limited-time discounts work well with SMS because people read texts fast.
Delivery and order updates
When you order something online, businesses send SMS updates so you know when your package is coming.
Customer support alerts
Companies use SMS for important messages like bank alerts, flight delays, and service updates.
RCS Messaging: A Better Version of SMS
Before we move on to the next section, let’s look at a “not-so-recent” development in SMS technology, RCS messaging.
RCS stands for Rich Communication Services. It is like an upgraded version of SMS. It lets you:
- Send pictures, videos, and voice messages.
- Create group chats, just like WhatsApp or iMessage.
- Have interactive chats with businesses, clicking buttons inside messages instead of typing.
The best part? You don’t need to download an extra app. If your phone supports RCS, it works right in your messaging app.
With RCS, SMS marketing becomes even more powerful. Now, businesses can do the same things they do with email, but in a faster and easier way.
SMS vs Email Marketing: Which one to use and when?
Combine Email and Text message marketing with TruText
Yes, you read that right. TruText is an Business texting platform that understands that most businesses use SMS and email to talk to customers. But sometimes, most businesses miss SMS responses from their customers.
Yes, you read that right. TruText is an Business texting platform that understands that most businesses use SMS and email to talk to customers. But sometimes, most businesses miss SMS responses from their customers.
So how does TruText fix this? TruText fixes this problem by ensuring that when a customer sends an SMS inquiry, businesses receive an email alert immediately. This way, no message goes unnoticed, response times improve, and customer engagement gets better.
Don’t let missed messages or slow replies make your business lose a valuable customer connection. Try TruText today and keep every conversation smooth and responsive.
FAQs
Q: Is SMS marketing better than email marketing?
A: They are good for different things. SMS is great when you need a quick reply. Email is better when you want to share more details. Using both is the best idea.
Q: Can I automate both email and text message marketing?
A: Yes! With TruText, businesses can set up text message and email to send by themselves, making talking to customers easier.
Q: What is the response rate difference between email and text message?
A: More people reply to text messages—about 45 out of 100 people. But only about 6 out of 100 reply to emails. That means SMS works faster.
Q: How does TruText’s email notification feature help businesses?
A: TruText makes sure businesses don’t miss messages. When a customer sends an SMS, the business gets an email too, so they can reply quickly.
Q: When should I use SMS over email?
A: Use SMS when:
- When you need a fast reply (like confirming an appointment).
- When you have a short-time offer (like a big sale).
- When updating customers (like telling them their order is on the way).
Q: Is SMS marketing more expensive than email marketing?
A: Yes, sending SMS costs more than email. But since it has a higher engagement rate, it brings more value to businesses.
