FASTSMS

Contact Groups: What is it?

This is a feature in NetMessenger allowing you to group your contacts into categories so they are easier to find, manage and send to.

As with groups in email clients such as MS Outlook, people underestimate just how much of a difference a well organised contact database can make.

In the long run, if you're more organised, you can do things quicker, and as we all know being more time efficient saves money.

Visit our Information Section for more guides and learning resource.

If you have any questions or would like any assistance with your account, call us on 0800 954 5305 or email helpdesk@fastsms.co.uk.

Bulk Import Messaging Report: What is it?

Bulk Import Messaging Reports are used in NetMessenger when a broadcast is sent via the Bulk Import Send option, this is available from the send page in NetMessenger and works for lists of numbers that you want to send to once as it bypasses the need to create a List and import the numbers to be held in your account. These are also available for distribution lists, background sends or FTP/SCP uploads.

Bulk Import Send is a simple feature that is designed to make it easier to manage your account - rather than having to create a large address book and then delete it when your done you simply import your contacts and send there and then.

The Messaging Report then becomes available after you have sent the broadcast.

Login to NetMessenger by following this link.

If you would ever like any of the FASTSMS features explained to you, whether an existing customer or not, feel free to call us on 0800 954 5305 or email helpdesk@fastsms.co.uk

For more information and learning resource visit our site.

Blacklisting: What is it?

Blacklisting is a feature of NetMessenger that allows users to manage numbers that should not be sent to again, whether by request of the recipient or other circumstance. Adding a number to the blacklist will stop any messages being sent to this number from the account. This feature can be found in the “Lists” section of NetMessenger.

Blacklisting is the best way to ensure someone doesn't get sent any more messages by mistake after they have un-subscribed or been removed from a service.

It helps avoid any complaints and possible legal issues that might otherwise occur.

Learn more about what NetMessenger can do by following this link.

If you have any questions about SMS features available through FASTSMS call us on 0800 954 5305 or email helpdesk@fastsms.co.uk

For more learning resources, browse our blog or visit our ever growing information section.

The Power of SMS in Retail

The following video is a perfect example of just how much of a difference SMS can make to your business.

Starring in the video is 'Dave the Shoe Guy' and he tells us how he has used text messaging to grow his U.S.A. based shoe business from $650,000 to $1.3 Million a year in sales.

If you'd like to boost your business through SMS call us on 0800 954 5305 or email helpdesk@fastsms.co.uk and we'll set you up with a free, no obligation trial of the service.

If you would like to learn more about SMS Marketing take a look at our beginners guide to Mobile Marketing.

How do you measure SMS Marketing?

This is a question that is getting a lot of attention at the moment due to the sudden realisation from businesses of all sizes that SMS Marketing should be playing a role in their overall strategy.

Many are expecting the same level of reporting as channels such as Email Marketing wanting to see a break down of open rates, click through rates and a list of hot prospects - unfortunately the technology simply isn't there yet, and there is no evidence to suggest it ever will be, with little change in the way SMS works since its conception.

The issue with the analytics is more down to a lack of understanding by the user than the technology itself, and the experienced mobile marketer will tell you as much.

The following points all require consideration when in the planning stage of your campaign so your results can subsequently be measured...

1. Planning: A comprehensive mobile strategy is an absolute must, running a one-off venture will tell you little about its success with nothing to compare it with. Having a strategy running its course over months or years will show its success over time.
2. Goal Setting: Having a clearly defined goal is a must, if you don't know what you're aiming for how will you know when you achieve it. Whether it is phone calls, visitors, leads, sign-ups, replies or something else you need to pick a variable and measure it.
3. Overall Strategy: SMS works best when incorporated into your overall strategy supported by various other channels. The biggest mistake hopeful mobile marketeers make is implementing SMS on its own - combining it with Email Marketing, Telemarketing, Social Networking or Offline Advertising will increase its success noticeably.
4. Analysis: If you have done everything you should in preparation of your campaign you should have the data you require to be able to analyse and move forward.
5. Refine: It is then crucial that you take what you have learnt from your initial campaign and implement it to improve its success. Try combinations of channels and messages to find what works best for your business.

To find out more take a look at our beginners Guide to Mobile Marketing.

For more information or to launch your own campaign call us on 0800 954 5305 or email helpdesk@fastsms.co.uk

Mobile Marketing 5 times more effective than online, study says.

A recent study by digital marketing research firm InsightExpress has concluded that mobile ad campaign norms were four-and-a-half to five times more effective than online norms.

"The Mobile InsightNorms study measured unaided awareness, aided awareness, ad awareness, message association, brand favorability and purchase intent. The study included a comparison of mobile media types and verticals to the effect of online advertising, and these findings continue to show the power of mobile as an advertising channel." (Dan Butcher, Mobile Marketer)

To read the full article at Mobile Marketer follow this link. (This will take you away from the FASTSMS Blog)

 
The study has reinforced the power of SMS as a marketing tool highlighting its effectiveness at increasing upper level purchase funnel metrics such as awareness measures.

"SMS campaigns generated increases of 5 percentage points for unaided awareness, 10 percentage points for aided awareness and 18 percentage points for ad awareness."

Findings such as these really do support the notion that mobile, particularly SMS, will be around for a long time to come and that businesses looking to capitalise on all the marketing channels available to them should get a handle on it sooner rather than later or risk being left behind at the curve.

To find out more, our Mobile Marketing Guide is a good place to start.

If you would like a free consultation on how you could be using SMS within your business call us on 0800 954 5305, email helpdesk@fastsms.co.uk or follow this link to fill out a simple form.

Background Send: What is it?

Background Send is a feature exclusive to NetMessenger. Although it can be used for smaller broadcasts, we strongly recommend its use for broadcasts of over 1000 recipients. Choosing Background Send allows the system to send your broadcast in the background, managing the throughput automatically while you continue using NetMessenger for something else.

Note that this has an effect on the reporting and a Background Send Report should be run to check the progress of the broadcast.

Its just another way we have improved our system thanks to feedback from our users.

Follow this link for more information on NetMessenger and its various features.

For more learning resources and guides visit our Information Section. Alternatively if you would like to ask us a question or discuss anything give us a call on 0800 954 5305 or email helpdesk@fastsms.co.uk

d most important tngz R d hardest 2 sA, cuz wrds diminish dem...

Although Stephen King's view on Love doesn't seem quite so eloquent in 'text speak' it's not to say that SMS doesn't have a major part to play in the day of Love these days...

Whether you look forward to, or try to ignore the day of St Valentine there is no denying that primarily it is an opportunity for businesses to capitalise on a niche market (loved up couples) and make some money.

It is widely recognised that last year, Valentine's Day was the busiest day for SMS in the first quarter with well over 1 billion texts being sent. The average consumer will spend over £60 on the holiday - which opens the door for some highly targeted SMS Marketing.

Here are just some of the ways your business could be striking while it's hot to drive customers through the door...

1. A simple reminder: although important to some, it is not always a holiday that is at the front of everybody's minds. A simple reminder to your busy customers can make the world of difference to both your business and the recipient. E.g. "There are still 10 tables for 2 available for Feb 14th @ Luciani's - book now, call 020 XXXX XXX"
2. Love is in the air: a mobile contest is quick to set up and easy to run, and Valtentines Day does the hard bit for you - giving you a relevant theme and an appropriate prize. Already capitalised on by radio stations, it also works for shops, restaurants and events specialists - a great way to use viral marketing to gain new customers.
3. It's the thought that counts: who says cheap is bad, especially these days - although everyone says "it's not about the money" to the person who is paying, it usually plays its part. By sending out a simple real time mobile coupon, redeemable at point of purchase you can sway your potential customers towards you without them even shopping around - everyone loves a bargain!
4. It's just what i wanted: there is a common theme to Valentines gifts, and that is that they are usually things that nobody really needs, and that's fine - it's about what they represent. But what if when someone bought something they didn't need, that got something they possibly did - this is where the idea of a Free Gift can really work. Simply text your customers (assuming you know something about them) and let them know that when they buy a Valentines gift, you will give them something else for free.
5. If music be the food of love: a specialised romantic promotion, correctly timed can get customers through your doors in droves. Discounts and specials on dining and entertainment is the perfect way to catch the attention of those who are unsure of how to spend the holiday.

If you're looking to capitalise on the Love-fest using SMS - we can help.

Our Mobile Marketing Guide will show you just how simple it is to run your own effective campaign and see a genuine return on your investment.

For more information visit our site, email helpdesk@fastsms.co.uk or give us a call on 0800 954 5305.

Auto-Responder: What is it?

Auto-responder is a feature in NetMessenger that allows you to set up automated responses to either all incoming messages, or specific messages that contain a certain keyword.

There are numerous applications for this, from something as simple as an 'out-of-office' type response to all incoming messages to numerous campaigns set to respond to particular phrases.

A great example of this is some Estate Agents publish a code on their for sale sign-age or ads in the property pages. People can then text in this code (for example 'house123') to the agents Virtual Mobile Number or Shortcode. The prospect who sent in the code then gets an automated response containing details such as number of bedrooms, asking price etc.

It could also be as simple as a confirmation message, like many takeaways use "Thank you for your order, it will be with you in XX mins".

We also have nightclubs and events specialists using it to issue free or discounted entry, guests text in and get the discount code as a response.

If you would like more information on NetMessenger and its features, follow this link.

For more learning resources and guides visit our Information Section.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss anything, give us a call on 0800 954 5305 or email helpdesk@fastsms.co.uk

API (Application Programming Interface): What is it?

An application programming interface (API) is an interface implemented by a software program to enable interaction with other software, much in the same way that a user interface facilitates interaction between humans and computers.

APIs are implemented by applications, libraries and operating systems to determine the vocabulary and calling conventions the programmer should employ to use their services. It may include specifications for routines, data structures, object classes and protocols used to communicate between the consumer and implementer of the API.

We offer access to our API with all our accounts, this is available using the following programming protocols; HTTP, SMTP, FTP/SCP and XML. Supporting documentation with sample scripting for PHP, ASP.net and XML is also provided.

For those who don't already have an account with us we offer a special Free Developer Pilot Programme for developers looking to add SMS functionality into their software - all you have to do is provide us with some basic information and we'll give you everything you need to get set up for free - click here for more information.

A great accompaniment to using our API is becoming an affiliate - this means that anyone who uses the SMS function you build into your project with FASTSMS generates commission for you. For more information on our Affiliate Programme, that is available to everyone, not just our developers follow this link.

Click here to find out more about our API and developer packages.

We are always trying to help our users understand all that they can about FASTSMS and SMS in general so that they can get the most out of their account. Visit our extensive Information Section for more guides and learning resources.

If you have any questions give us a call on 0800 954 5305 or email helpdesk@fastsms.co.uk