The fundamental nature of SMS demands brevity, and a common mistake in mass SMS marketing is sending messages that are too long or contain too much text. People typically scan text messages quickly and are deterred by large blocks of dense text. Avoid jargon, unnecessary words, and overly complex sentences. Get straight to the point, deliver your value proposition concisely, and ensure your CTA is clear and prominent. For businesses in Bangladesh, where mobile data costs can be a consideration for some users, concise messages are also appreciated for consuming less data. Keep your messages under the standard SMS character limit to avoid splitting messages, which can confuse recipients and increase costs.
Neglecting to Personalize the Sender ID
A subtle yet impactful mistake beginners make is neglecting to personalize their Sender ID. While using a numerical long code is default for many, a branded alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., your company name like "Grameenphone" or "DarazBD") significantly increases recognition and trust. Messages from an unknown number are often ignored or even deleted immediately. A recognized Sender ID instantly communicates who whatsapp data the message is from, boosting open rates and reinforcing brand identity. While subject to local regulations and registration, investing in a branded Sender ID is a crucial step for establishing credibility and enhancing the professional appearance of your mass SMS campaigns.
Not Segmenting and Respecting Customer Journeys
A major oversight in mass SMS marketing is failing to segment leads based on their stage in the customer journey and sending them irrelevant messages. For example, a prospect who just signed up for your newsletter should not receive the same SMS as a loyal customer who has made multiple purchases. Beginners often treat all leads equally, leading to irrelevant communication. Segmenting allows you to send targeted messages—welcome series for new subscribers, product updates for recent buyers, or re-engagement offers for inactive users. Respecting where a customer is in their journey ensures that every SMS is timely and relevant, guiding them effectively through the sales funnel.