Text message marketing has become an increasingly popular communication tool for nonprofit organizations. Data shows that 90% of text messages sent are read within three minutes of being received, making text messaging the most efficient, direct, and cost-effective tool available. However, as more organizations adopt SMS marketing, non-profit organizations have to stay ahead of the curve in order to cut through the noise and raise more donations.
In this blog, you’ll learn how to avoid some of the most common mistakes and optimize your SMS marketing campaign to improve your results.
The Power of Text Message Marketing
Most nonprofit organizations have limited budgets and resources to reach potential and existing supporters. That’s why discovering low-cost and efficient tools is crucial to achieving their goals.
Among the many marketing strategies, SMS marketing is one of the most cost-effective for nonprofits and advocacy groups. Mobile messaging has a 99% open rate, way higher than the 28% open rate of email marketing. Not only is text messaging highly effective, but it’s also easy to adjust for tight budgets without sacrificing success.
Nonprofit supporters are passionate and love to help the causes they care about. However, the nonprofit sector is saturated, and many organizations have to compete for that support. With more than 10 million nonprofits and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) worldwide, attracting and maintaining committed donors and supporters can be challenging.
Partnering with an SMS software provider experienced in the nonprofit sector, like Tatango, makes SMS messaging even more fruitful than traditional marketing channels. For the past 14 years, Tatango has been the industry leader in helping nonprofit organizations gain more traction and reach their audiences through SMS messaging. With more than 10 billion text messages sent—and a measurable ROI of $5 in donations for every $1 spent on text message marketing—we know how to create successful nonprofit SMS campaigns.
3 Common SMS Marketing Mistakes Your Nonprofit Organization Should Avoid
We’ve put together three of the most common mistakes to avoid, so you can gain more supporters, increase engagement, and quintuple donations.
1. Not Integrating Your SMS Number and Website
Setting up your text message campaign is simple. All you have to do is add a single line of code to your website, so that whenever someone submits a web form containing their phone number, they are automatically synced into your SMS marketing campaigns.
This increases the likelihood of future donations AND keeps your subscribers updated on your organization’s progress. It’s a win-win for busy nonprofits who need a simple, efficient way to scale while raising more money.
2. Not Personalizing Text Messages
Supporters want to feel connected to the causes they care about and the organizations they back. Sending personalized text messages helps you gain your supporters’ trust. Data shows that 54% of people are more likely to take action when receiving personalized content.
With Tatango, you can segment your SMS subscriber lists to send valuable and relevant content to your supporters. For example, if your nonprofit organization has nationwide reach but you’re planning a local event, it’s a great idea to send an event reminder only to subscribers in the area where the event is happening.
Remember, relationships are a two-way street. Sending personalized content enhances your supporters’ engagement and lets them know you care about them.
3. Not Adding Multimedia in Text Messages
A picture is worth a thousand words, and nowhere is that more evident than in SMS marketing. Data shows that text messages with multimedia content increase engagement by 300% compared to text-only messages.
In the nonprofit sector, many supporters and donors act emotionally rather than rationally. The key to a successful nonprofit SMS marketing campaign is to appeal to your supporters’ hearts. MMS makes it possible to send captivating text messages with softhearted images to move your subscribers to take action. MMS also allows more characters, which can help you better explain to supporters why their support matters. Astonishingly, organizations that include MMS content in their text messages have achieved a 6,000% increase in ROI.
For example, capture your supporters’ hearts by demonstrating how your organization puts in the work. If your mission is to protect the environment, incorporate images that show how your team is taking action.
Create a Successful Nonprofit SMS Marketing Campaign Today
Now that you know some common mistakes to avoid, let Tatango help you apply this knowledge and leverage your nonprofit SMS marketing for broader reach and better results. To learn from the pros and avoid missteps, partner with us. Our nonprofit SMS marketing experts will be with you every step of the way.
Schedule time to chat with an SMS marketing expert to strategize how text messaging can lead your nonprofit organization to success. Want the complete guide on the top 10 SMS marketing mistakes? Download our free guide, Top 10 Worst Text Message Marketing Mistakes.
