Effective text message marketing is important for retail businesses to build customer loyalty. SMS marketing allows retailers to directly reach customers on their mobile devices with timely offers and promotions. Case studies show that text message offers can drive increased store visits and sales. The benefits of SMS marketing for retailers include increasing purchase frequency of existing customers and providing other valuable information to subscribers beyond just offers. Businesses should avoid over-marketing and instead provide value to customers who opt-in to their mobile programs.

1. Effective Text Message Marketing in Retail

2. More than ever, In today's economy, many retail business owners rely on a loyal clientele, one that provides a steady, recurring business.

3. Building loyalty can be dependent upon a variety of factors including but not limited to, location, hours of operation, advertising, inventory and quality of product, services, and competitive pricing.

4. SMS marketing is an ideal complement to a retailer's marketing efforts, providing a direct and immediate channel to a business' patrons.

5. The busy lifestyle led by most consumers today necessitates the need to market to their mobile devices in order for the marketing message to be viewed by the consumer, and in a timely fashion.

6. When businesses have a Text Marketing or "SMS mobile program" in place they are, in fact, inviting their clientele to establish a one-on-one relationship with them, with the expectation that upon joining the program, the consumers will receive exclusive incentives that drive them to continue, and INCREASE their patronage.

7. One recent CASE STUDY is that of Moe's Southwest Grill in South Florida.

8. This location acquired 5,000 mobile opt-ins and sent a text message offer on July 4th, 2011.

9. The offer drove 10% of the subscribers to redeem their same day offer, driving 500 customers to the establishment on what the industry would otherwise consider a slow holiday.

10. What are some of the Benefits of using Text SMS for Retail Stores?

11. SMS marketing programs are designed to increase the purchase frequency of a business' existing customers, typically offering coupons or other promotional specials to prompt purchases.

12. It should not be forgotten, however, that loyalty is not only based on the offer of lower price.

13. A business should also use its Text Messaging Marketing program to send other information of value to its program subscribers.

14. For example, an automotive service company could send out winterizing tips; a business could conduct a satisfaction survey through SMS.

15. Put yourself in the place of your consumers and ask yourself what you would want from your business.

16. Whatever the nature of your business, remember that the people who've subscribed to your mobile program have provided you something of tremendous value; permission to market to their cell phone.

17. Don't abuse the privilege.

18. Provide value in return, and you'll see fantastic results.

19. For the past few years, the adoption of text messaging as a means to directly connect businesses and organizations with their loyal patrons and consumers has seen a steady rise.

20. Launched in 2008, Text2VIP provides clients with a knowledge base of consumer opt-in best practices and guidelines.

21. Working with small and medium size businesses and organizations, their campaigns have helped produce measurable results.

22. Case studies have been featured on both their website as well as industry periodicals such as Mobile Marketer Daily, Mobile Marketing Watch, and e-marketer.