Texting has become second nature in daily life. People send quick messages while waiting in line, during commercial breaks, and in countless everyday moments.
For businesses, tapping into this habit makes perfect sense. But there’s a challenge: getting customers to start the conversation. Fortunately, you have a powerful tool available: SMS keywords.
Keywords make it simple for customers to text your business. When customers see “Text SALE to 55555,” they know exactly what to do and what they’ll get. It’s a great option for turning passive audiences into active participants with minimal effort.
The role of SMS keywords in marketing campaigns
SMS keywords are simple words customers can text to connect with your business. These keywords trigger an automatic response, making it easy to collect signups, send promotions, or provide customer support.
Wondering how this works? Think about your local auto repair shop. They could create unique keywords for various SMS marketing promotions and service offerings, such as:
- “OIL” for oil change information
- “TIRES” for new deals on tires
- “WINTER” for seasonal maintenance tips
- “QUOTE” for price estimates on repairs
- “VIP” for loyalty program signups
Then, when you text “OIL” to the shop’s number, you instantly receive a response like “Thanks for your interest! Reply SCHEDULE to book your oil change or PRICE to see our current rates.”
It’s like having a 24/7 Customer Service rep who always responds immediately. No waiting on hold, just a quick text and you get precisely what you need. And the shop connects with customers exactly when they’re thinking about their car needs.
Why use SMS keywords for your campaigns
Want to see better results from your marketing efforts? SMS keywords might be the missing piece. These 3 benefits show why they’re worth adding to your marketing mix.
Grow your subscriber list
SMS keywords make it easy for customers to join your text messaging program. They just text a simple word like “JOIN” to your number, and they’re in. This simplicity helps you build your contact list faster while staying on the right side of texting laws.
Boost customer engagement
When customers use your keywords, they’re actively choosing to hear from you. And they’re far more likely to respond to offers or promotions as a result. This two-way conversation drives higher conversion rates than traditional marketing channels.
Improve personalization
Keywords act like natural sorting tools for your customer base. Each keyword signals a specific interest or need, creating automatic segments in your audience. This lets you deliver the right message at the perfect moment, every time.
Effective SMS keyword campaign ideas
Put SMS keywords to work for your business with these campaign ideas. Each approach offers a different way to engage customers and drive measurable results.
- Milestone celebrations: Mark special occasions for your business with limited-time offers. For a store anniversary, promote using “Text BDAY to 55555 for a special gift with your next purchase.”
- Product restock alerts: Give customers a heads-up when popular items return. Use “Text RESTOCK to 55555 for an alert when your favorite items are back in stock.”
- Exclusive product drops: Give your SMS subscribers first access to new merchandise. Try something like “Text FIRST to 55555 to shop our new collection 24 hours before anyone else.”
- SMS coupon campaign: Send digital discounts straight to customers’ phones. Drum up interest with “Text COUPON to 55555 for an instant 15% discount code.”
- Event registrations: Simplify signups for in-store or online events. Promote your event with “Text EVENT to 55555 to reserve your spot at our exclusive workshop.”
- Refer-a-friend rewards: Turn your satisfied customers into brand ambassadors. To promote the program, use “Text FRIEND to 55555 to get your personal code. When friends use it, you both get 25% off.”
- Text-to-win contests: Create buzz with simple-to-enter prize drawings. Get people to sign up for the contests with “Text LUCKY to 55555 for your chance to win $500.”
A step-by-step guide to using SMS keywords
Launching successful SMS keyword campaigns requires a simple plan. This guide will walk you through each essential step.
Step #1: Set up your SMS marketing platform
First things first, you’ll need an SMS marketing platform to power your campaigns. Look for a platform that offers features like keyword management, autoresponders, and analytics to help you track performance. Many platforms offer free trials or demos, so take advantage of those to test the tools before choosing.
Step #2: Choose a phone number
Now, you need a number that people can text. You have a few options:
- Dedicated short code: A short code is a 5-6-digit number that’s easy for customers to remember (like 55555). These cost more but work great for sending lots of messages at once.
- Toll-free numbers: Toll-free phone numbers start with 800, 888, or similar prefixes. They’re more affordable than short codes but still deliver messages reliably.
- Registered local: A local phone number matches your business area code. These feel more personal and trustworthy, but they can’t handle very many messages at once.
Consider your budget, message volume, and brand personality when choosing your phone number. National brands often benefit from short codes and toll-free numbers, while small businesses might connect better with customers using a local phone number.
Step #3: Select your text message keywords
Now comes the fun part—choosing specific keywords in your SMS marketing platform. Start with keywords for 2-3 campaigns or core offers.
Before you click Create first keyword, keep in mind that these words should be:
- A single word
- Easy to spell
- Highly memorable
- Relevant to the offer
Test your keywords to make sure they don’t get changed by autocorrect. For example, “DEAL” seems like a solid choice, but it could easily become “DEAR” on some phones, leading to missed connections.
Craft a clear call to action (CTA) for each keyword you choose, like “Text SAVE to 55555 for 30% off your next purchase.”
Step #4: Set up automated responses
Once you’ve chosen your keywords, it’s time to create clear, engaging responses that will send automatically after customers text you from their mobile devices. A good text message reply should do 3 key things:
- Confirm the action: Let customers know you received their message and what happens next.
- Provide value: Deliver what they’re looking for, whether it’s a discount or information about your business.
- Allow opt-outs: Always include an easy way for customers to unsubscribe if they want to.
Test your keywords and auto-responses before launching each campaign. Confirm that the messages arrive quickly and display correctly on different devices.
Step #5: Promote your SMS campaign
Your SMS campaign is ready to launch. Now, you need to get the word out so customers know how to connect with you. For the best results, promote your SMS keyword campaigns across multiple online and offline channels:
- Website: Add your keyword and a clear CTA on your homepage, checkout page, and pop-ups.
- Social media: Post about your text message campaign on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
- Email: Include your text program details in your email signature and send a dedicated email announcement to your current subscribers.
- In-store: Display your keyword prominently on checkout counters, receipts, and signage throughout your store.
- Packaging: Print your keyword and instructions on shopping bags, product packaging, and shipping materials.
Consider using slightly different keywords for each channel. This helps you track which promotional methods are most effective at bringing in new subscribers.
Key takeaways
- The digital doorbell: Use SMS keywords to create simple entry points that invite new customers to connect with your business on their own terms.
- Marketing multi-tool: Beyond simple communication, keywords build subscriber lists, boost engagement, and automatically segment your audience.
- Campaign creativity: From exclusive drops to contest entries, SMS keywords power diverse campaigns that drive measurable business results.
- Five-step success: A complete SMS keyword strategy requires the right platform, number type, keywords, responses, and promotion plan.
Word wisdom: The best keywords are single words that relate to your offer, resist autocorrect interference, and stick in customers’ minds.