Imagine this scenario: you want to schedule an appointment with your favorite personal trainer. The fitness studio where she works says you can make a booking via text, email, or telephone. Which option would you choose?<\/p>\n
If your answer is text messaging, you\u2019re not alone. According to stats from ZipWhip,\u00a067% of clients<\/a>\u00a0prefer to schedule and manage appointments via text messages rather than phone or email. This figure reflects the power of direct, real-time communication, something that has become particularly apparent throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve struggled to remind clients to tune into livestreamed fitness classes or keep people up to date about reopening plans, text message marketing could significantly improve your communications strategy. Around\u00a060% of millennials<\/a> prefer to communicate with businesses via text messages for reasons of speed and convenience. Phone calls and emails simply don\u2019t measure up. They could leave clients feeling frustrated and inclined to find another fitness studio or gym membership.<\/p>\n Unsure how to use text message marketing to your advantage? Take a deep breath\u2014we\u2019ve got you covered, thanks to our text message 101 guide! Check out the following tips for creating killer text marketing solutions:<\/p>\n The good news about text message marketing is that open rates for SMS communications are thought to reach a\u00a0mind-blowing 98%<\/a>! What\u2019s more,\u00a061% of clients<\/a>\u00a0open text messages within five minutes of receiving them. If you\u2019re hoping to convey urgent information as quickly and conveniently as possible, you won\u2019t have to look further than text messaging.<\/p>\n Of course, this doesn\u2019t mean you should take client engagement for granted. Here are a few tips for ensuring people see your messages:<\/p>\n Clients love to feel seen and heard, with\u00a080% of consumers<\/a>\u00a0more likely to make a purchase following a personalized experience. But how can you personalize a text? Here are a few best practices:<\/p>\n According to an\u00a0influential 2016 study<\/a>, customers are more likely to purchase goods or services if availability is perceived to be limited. In this way, promotional offers with tight expiry dates represent a great way to drive leads and conversions. Thanks to the speed and efficiency of SMS communications, text messaging marketing is one of the best ways to secure as much engagement as possible within a short timeframe.<\/p>\n The promotional offer itself can take a range of different forms. You could, for example, offer subscription discounts to new members, allow current subscribers to try out new classes for free, or arrange a flash sale on your branded apparel or water bottles. Get creative and ensure that your special offers are appealing and financially workable.<\/p>\n The health and fitness space thrives on communication and friendly customer service. In fact, research by IHRSA has shown that almost\u00a090% of health club members<\/a>\u00a0value messages from staff members.<\/p>\n Two-way SMS marketing has the potential to transform the client-staff relationship. As well as helping you disseminate urgent information and special offers, this type of marketing allows clients to reach you in record time.<\/p>\n Remember\u2014the quicker you can address customer queries, the more likely the customers are to remain loyal. With\u00a046% of consumers<\/a>\u00a0expecting businesses to send responses in under four hours, text messaging is a valuable tool for keeping clients satisfied.<\/p>\n Gyms and fitness centers often struggle to fill class rosters, particularly during weekdays. Fortunately, it\u2019s possible to encourage participation with relatively little effort on your part. Sending motivational texts could make the difference between clients attending classes or remaining on their couch all day.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t bombard your members with inspirational messages\u2014gently remind them about their fitness goals and briefly explain how your classes could help. It may help to offer special discounts or send timely reminders a few hours before classes take place. If you\u2019re lucky enough to have waitlists for your classes, remember to send notifications to listed members when vacancies arise.<\/p>\n Retaining gym members is notoriously difficult, with\u00a060% of clients<\/a>\u00a0canceling their subscription within six months of registering for a new exercise regime. Sending scheduled motivational texts is a simple and cost-effective way to encourage engagement and reduce client turnover.<\/p>\n Here are a few ways to make the most of your mass texting capabilities:<\/p>\n According to a\u00a0survey conducted by Podium<\/a>, 93% of consumers claim that online reviews influence their purchasing decisions. Some businesses simply wait for reviews to pile up on Google or other platforms. However, it is possible to collect positive feedback using SMS surveys.<\/p>\n On average,\u00a031% of clients<\/a> respond to SMS surveys\u2014a very high rate that will produce compelling data for your marketing materials. Try to keep questions short and sweet to improve response rates. As well as providing solid evidence of what your company is doing right, you can also use the results to build on your weaknesses. Remember\u2014the client-business relationship is a two-way street. You must ensure members feel valued if you want to hang on to them!<\/p>\n Data is king in the world of digital marketing, and SMS marketing is no exception. On average, businesses can expect to increase their return on investment by\u00a0five to eight times<\/a>\u00a0with the help of data-driven methods. So, what does this mean in practice? Here are a few handy metrics to consider:<\/p>\n Struggling to collect data? One of the best tools for keeping track of your sending history and open rates is WellnessLiving\u2019s\u00a0SMS History Report<\/a>.<\/p>\n To conclude, text message marketing has quickly become one of the most efficient, convenient, and cost-effective ways to communicate with existing and potential clients.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re wondering how to pull it off, look no further than WellnessLiving\u2019s two-way text messaging feature<\/a> and the Message Center<\/a>. Two-way SMS is the key to strengthen communication with leads and clients, resulting in more conversions, a better client experience, and improved retention rates. Message Center then allows you to send personalized text messages and engage in full end-to-end two-way SMS conversations with your clients.<\/p>\n1. Ensure your messages get read<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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2 . Increase your client engagement with personalization<\/h2>\n
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3. Promote your services with exclusive offers<\/h2>\n
4. Boost membership rates<\/h2>\n
5. Fill more classes<\/h2>\n
6. Motivate your clients and gym members<\/h2>\n
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7. Request feedback from clients<\/h2>\n
8. Track text marketing metrics<\/h2>\n
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Supercharge your client relationships with text marketing solutions<\/strong><\/h2>\n