What about this for a NEW 'Fresh' Marketing option?

[guest14]

I've got a mailing list that has an option to add an extra field to my opt-in's on lists.

I'm thinking of adding a phone number for new releases. SMS isn't free, but it IS, or can be, very cheap and is way better than paying for advertising. What's more, there is over a 90% open rate.

Is it a service we could utilise?

[Vidya]

Sounds like a great idea to me, unless I’m missing something.

I don't have a cell phone. Would it be very expensive to SMS hundreds or thousands of people from one country to another?

[idontknowyet]

Text messaging is free from most providers in the US so costs here would be negligible. It's actually a really really good idea. People are more likely to react to a text message than they are to an email especially if there is a link right in the message. That said aren't there laws governing ads in text messages? I would check that out before starting.


This idea is brilliant I would do this over email any day. 

[Bill Hiatt]

I haven't checked for the availability of this service in Mailchimp, but they are for some time been advertising the use of post cards. (People get far less postal mail than email these days, and a bright post card might catch their attention.

Of course, to implement either of these suggestions, you have to be sure your subscribers have opted in appropriately. I haven't had anything but email turned on in my opt-in options up to this point.

[Max]

LOL Why does this post make me think about your post re: a woman sending you nekkies and giving you the wrong iPhone?

[Tom Wood]

I would never give my phone number to something like this. I'm probably an outlier, but this sounds like an awful intrusion.

Get off my phone!

[EB]

I remember that HM Ward used to utilize text messaging, not sure if she still does. I gave it a shot last year and used Textedly, which was very reasonable and easy to use, but it didn't seem to catch on, most folks just continued to sign up for my mailing list when given the choice of text vs email.

[Denise]

You need to make sure that the people want to receive it.

I got a couple text messages from something publishing related, from some self-publishing courses. I'm not sure what it was, if it was something I bought, or if I just opted in to download a pdf, it was a long time ago. I don't remember. Anyway, I never, ever, ever, gave anyone authorization to text me.

First time I got it I replied with &^&^%#^2 REMOVE ME FROM LIST.

A couple months ago, I got a text again. I'm screaming at my phone because I can't mark it as spam. Again I asked to be removed. I hope it works. I don't know, if it happens again I'll see what I can do about it.

Cause an email I can open when I want. I don't get notifications on my phone. It won't interrupt me. I only get text messages from people I know, and they are the only notifications I get. I don't have notifications for anything else.

So my opinion is that it's annoying, and I really want to punch the people in that company who've sent me two text messages. Being interrupted by a text message to realize it's some junk is infuriating beyond measure.

That said... if people are crazy enough to opt in for that... Fine, I guess. Some people get tons of notifications on their phones. I still find that text is personal, it's almost like calling me, and I don't like it.

[Ghost5]

Is it universal that you can text STOP to anyone sending text notifications and you'll be removed from the service?

[Ace Fletcher]

If the contacts on your mailing list are up to date and you feel you have established a good rapport with them, why not create a poll and ask if they'd like the option?  They may be flattered  you asked.

Also, consider the demographics of your readers. Are they likely to text a lot themselves?