Why SMS marketing automations work well for restaurants
Anatomy of an effective SMS marketing automation
Three SMS marketing examples for restaurants
As a follow-up to our post about why SMS marketing matters for restaurants , we’re diving deeper into why SMS marketing automations work, the anatomy of an effective campaign, and three examples any brand can use to drive engagement and sales.
Automation might just be the best tool in the SMS marketing toolbox. Before we get into why, here’s a quick definition: SMS automations are marketing text messages that send automatically, triggered by guest behaviors.
For example, with help from a restaurant CRM , you can set up an automation to send right after a guest dines on-premise or places an online order , thanking them for their business and requesting feedback on the experience.
While mass SMS campaigns can drive results for specific goals, SMS automations have real advantages in driving predictable, sustainable results.
Despite the built-in power of SMS automations, the content must still be carefully crafted for opens, engagement, and returns.
Once the brainstorming starts, use cases for automated SMS marketing campaigns are limitless. Get inspired and build on the basics of effective SMS campaigns with these examples:
Campaign Goal: Reward opt-ins and build a 1:1 connection with guests
Trigger: New SMS opt-in from WiFi, website, etc.
SMS Content: Welcome text with exclusive value-added content
Campaign Goal: Drive continued takeout menu exploration and guest frequency
Trigger: Guest ordered [menu item] but not [menu item] (a combo your brand knows drives repeat orders most often)
SMS Content: A simple reminder from a friend about menu items they love, and what they pair well with, is often enough to keep your brand top-of-mind come mealtime
Campaign Goal: Boost online order frequency and average check
Trigger: Ordered [menu item] online
SMS Content: Incentivize guests with a special perk that’s redeemable when they order online (for a limited time)
In summary, SMS automations not only save restaurant marketers time and streamline workflow, but they’re also more likely to create immediate and meaningful ROI for the business than most other channels. Leading brands are texting with their most engaged and loyal guests multiple times a week—building a 1:1 relationship by adding value with each message and creating urgency because every SMS is triggered by individual guest behaviors.
Check out our Guide to Restaurant Marketing Automation and 15 Restaurant Marketing Campaign Ideas for more ways to boost engagement and drive profitable traffic.
Photo Credit Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
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