Bulk SMS is one of the most popular ways to market products or services in this current digital era. Due to the highest opening rate, it has become the most preferred marketing tool for marketers to reach the maximum audience within seconds. Though there are several marketing tools available nothing can beat the popularity and effectiveness of bulk SMS campaigns.
Many businesses today opt for this effective marketing tool to promote their brand. However, before going ahead, it is crucial to understand how to start a bulk SMS campaign.
Bulk SMS service can be initiated in two ways. These are including:
- Self mode
- By availing of bulk SMS service from providers
When you want to go solo, you need several components for the bulk SMS service. These are mentioned here.
DLT Registration
DLT stands for Distributed Ledger Technology and it is a blockchain-based registration system. It is mainly implemented in the public interest to control SMS spam. Business organizations that want to send bulk SMS, have to first register themselves under DLT. It is entirely controlled by the TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India). There are certain steps to follow in order to register DLT. These are including:
- Entity or Organization Registration
- Header (Sender Id) Registration
- Content Template Registration
One thing is to keep in mind that, entities that are not on the DLT platform, can’t send SMS.
Recipient datasheet
After completion of the DLT registration, you need to have the receiver’s number for sending SMS. The mobile user numbers can be collected from different sources. Various organizations sell mobile number data for a specific region. Either you can collect the user’s data from them otherwise, if you have a dedicated user datasheet, you can use that for sending the SMS to specific individuals.
A platform to draft, send and track SMS
In order to send bulk SMS, you need a platform that allows the administrators to draft, select the recipient list, draft, and finally track SMS. This platform is known as API (Application Programming Interface)
Various service providers offer different types of APIs. You should choose the API according to your requirement. Once the SMS API has been configured, you no longer have to manually log in to an application or platform to send SMS messages. Instead, these protocols allow for the process of sending SMS messages to become automated.
Get a short code
Your messages can wind up in the spam bin if you send more than a few hundred messages each day using a long code (or a 10-digit phone number). When attempting to send bulk SMS messages, that can be an issue. Therefore, it is a recommendation to use shortcodes ( 5 or 6-digit numbers) to send SMS. Most of them are preapproved by the carriers or you can buy the shortcodes from various providers. Shortcode will help you to deliver your message to a maximum number of individuals, unlike long code.
Craft the message
Once you have got the short code, you are almost ready to send your SMS. All that’s left is to choose which audience you’re sending to and draft your message. Though it sounds simple, you should be very careful and creative while composing the message. Every text blast you send should be meaningful and provide value to your subscribers, so they remain engaged and loyal to your brand.
Send the message
After preparing all of these things, this is the time to send the SMS to the selected receivers. Your recipient list will be who you’re sending to, while your company’s long or short code will be your sender. Your SMS content consists of the full-text message and URL that can redirect the recipients to land at your desired landing page. Once you have all this information prepared, you’re ready to send the SMS.
After sending the SMS, you can start tracking the message’s performance. Your API will let you know the opening rate and the response of the audience toward your messages. You can learn what messages and offers your customers like to receive so that you can replicate and refine these results time and time again.
Availing of Bulk SMS Service from Message160
Sending bulk SMS without the help of any service provider is a lengthy, costly and painstaking task. Therefore, many organizations prefer to avail of the service from bulk SMS vendors. From DLT registration to recipients’ data and from SMS API to creating shortcodes, they will fulfill all of these technical requirements. After all, they will provide you with several bulk SMS packages to choose from according to your business requirement.
Therefore, it is a recommendation to contact a reputed bulk SMS service provider for a complete hassle-free bulk SMS process. Message160.com is one of the renowned and trusted bulk SMS service providers near you that can let you boost your business communication within a short time.
Summary
As we are becoming a mobile-first society, bulk SMS has become the most powerful tool to reach a maximum number of people. Many entities use it to engage with their audience. Availing of bulk SMS service from a vendor will let you enjoy its benefits without spending time, effort, and resources.