As a nonprofit organization, you constantly seek new ways to reach and engage with your supporters. While email marketing and social media are still effective channels, SMS marketing is quickly becoming a preferred method for nonprofits to communicate with their audience.
Text messages have an incredibly high open rate and can be personalized and automated for maximum impact. However, it is crucial to understand the best practices for using texting services for nonprofits to ensure you send the right message to your supporters. This article will talk about the best practices for nonprofit SMS marketing, including using mass texting services for nonprofits, texting platforms, and free mass texting for nonprofits.
Understand the Benefits of Texting Services for Nonprofits
Before we dive into the best practices, let’s first look at why texting services are an effective tool for nonprofits. Here are some of the benefits:
High open rates:
Text messages have an open rate of around 98%, much higher than email.
Personalization:
Text messages can be personalized to include the recipient’s name, making them feel more connected to your organization.
Automation:
Text messages can be automated to send personalized messages to your supporters at the right time.
Increased engagement:
Text messages can increase engagement with your supporters and encourage them to take action.
Cost-effective:
Text messages are typically cheaper than other forms of marketing, making them an excellent option for nonprofits with limited budgets.
Choose the Right Mass Texting Service for Nonprofits
When it comes to SMS marketing, choosing an exemplary mass texting service for nonprofits is crucial. Here are some things to consider:
Features:
Look for a texting platform with automation, personalization, and segmentation features.
Pricing:
Make sure the pricing fits within your nonprofit’s budget. Some texting services offer free plans or discounts for nonprofits.
Integration:
Check if the texting platform integrates with your other marketing tools, like your CRM or email marketing software.
Support:
Choose a texting service that offers good customer support, as you may need help setting up your account or troubleshooting any issues.
Some popular texting platforms for nonprofits include Power Textor, SimpleTexting, TextMagic, and EZ Texting.
Create Compelling Text Messages
Once you have chosen a texting platform, it’s time to create your text messages. Here are some best practices for creating compelling text messages:
Keep it short and sweet:
Text messages should be no more than 160 characters, so make sure your message is clear and concise.
Use personalization:
Use the recipient’s name in the message to make it feel more personal.
Include a call to action:
Encourage the recipient to take action, whether it’s to donate, sign up for an event, or volunteer.
Use emojis:
Emojis can add personality to your messages and make them more engaging.
Here is an example of a compelling text message:
“Hi [Name], we are so grateful for your support! Don’t forget to join us at our upcoming event on [Date]. RSVP now to reserve your spot! 🎉”
Segment Your Audience
Segmenting your audience means dividing them into smaller groups based on their interests, behaviour, or demographics. By segmenting your audience, you can create more targeted and personalized text messages that are more likely to resonate with them. For example, you could segment your audience based on the following:
Donation history:
Send different messages to donors who have given before and those who have not.
Interests:
Send messages about specific programs or events that align with the recipient’s interests.
Location:
Send messages about events or volunteer opportunities in the recipient’s area.
Follow SMS Marketing Regulations
Following SMS marketing regulations is important to ensure you are not spamming your supporters. Here are some best practices to follow:
Get consent:
Always get consent from the recipient before texting them. This can be done by having them opt-in via a form on your website or by texting a specific keyword to your texting service.
Offer opt-out:
Include an option for recipients to opt out of receiving your messages.
Follow guidelines:
Follow guidelines set by regulatory bodies such as the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the Mobile Marketing Association (MMA).
Be transparent:
Identify your organization and provide a way for the recipient to contact you with questions or concerns.
Measure and Analyze Results
As with any marketing campaign, measuring and analyzing your results is important to see what is working and what isn’t. Here are some metrics to track:
Open rates:
This measures the percentage of recipients who opened your text message.
Click-through rates:
This measures the percentage of recipients who clicked on a link in your text message.
Conversion rates:
This measures the percentage of recipients who took the desired action, such as donating or signing up for an event.
Tracking these metrics allows you to make data-driven decisions about your SMS marketing campaigns and improve your results over time.
Consider Free Mass Texting for Nonprofits
Free mass texting services can be an excellent option for nonprofits with limited budgets. Some texting platforms offer free plans or discounts for nonprofits. Here are some examples:
Twilio: Twilio offers a free trial and discounts for nonprofit organizations.
Textedly: Textedly offers a free plan that includes up to 50 messages per month.
Trumpia: Trumpia offers a 10% discount for nonprofit organizations.
While free mass texting services may have limitations, they can still be a great way for nonprofits to get started with SMS marketing.
Conclusion
Texting services for nonprofits can be a powerful tool for reaching and engaging with supporters. By following best practices such as choosing the exemplary mass texting service, creating compelling text messages, segmenting your audience, following SMS marketing regulations, measuring and analyzing results, and considering free mass texting options, your nonprofit can effectively use SMS marketing to communicate with your audience and achieve your goals.
If you’re looking for a powerful and effective texting platform for your nonprofit, Power Textor is an excellent choice. With its segmentation capabilities, automation features, compliance features, and excellent customer support, Power Textor can help your organization effectively communicate with your audience and achieve your goals.
