Adding SMS to your marketing tech stack? Check out (and save) these resources that’ll help you get set up for success.

You’ve probably heard about brands of all sizes using SMS marketing to build loyalty with their customers and drive more revenue. But let’s rewind for a minute: Why is it such a powerful channel? What do you need to know before getting started? And, how can you set yourself up for success?

We've rounded up ten resources to help you start your SMS journey on the right foot and get the most out of the channel from Day 1.

More of a visual learner? Watch these quick videos on getting started with SMS marketing. 

‍

1. An introduction to the benefits of SMS marketing

SMS is a great channel for reaching your customers, keeping them engaged, and getting them to convert. This post walks you through the fundamentals of SMS marketing to help you get started, from the definition and the benefits to best practices and strategies. If you’re already in the early stages with SMS, use this as a resource to help educate your team about the value of the channel.

‍

‍

2. A quick primer on SMS vs. MMS (and when to use each)

If you’re wondering what the difference is between SMS and MMS, and if you should be using one message format over the other, check out this short and sweet guide. It breaks down the basic definitions of SMS and MMS, plus best practices and examples of when to use each to get the most out of every message you send.

‍

‍

3. This glossary of 48 SMS marketing terms and acronyms 

CTIA, MMS, short code, two-way messaging—the world of SMS is filled with its own unique language. Browse this easy-to-follow glossary to familiarize yourself with some of the most commonly used terms and acronyms you’ll encounter along your SMS marketing journey (or use it as a quick refresher).

‍

4. This guide to choosing the right SMS platform for your brand

The first step to investing in SMS is choosing the right vendor for your brand. You need a partner that can both meet your needs today and keep up with your growth, your tech stack, and industry regulations. So, what should you look for when evaluating an SMS marketing platform? This guide covers everything you need to know, whether you're starting from scratch or want to know if you're currently working with the right vendor.

‍

5. The most important things to know about SMS compliance

SMS is a regulated channel with strict standards of compliance‌ and a specific set of rules for each country. Before you start texting your customers, it’s important ‌to make sure you and your team are familiar with SMS compliance best practices. This guide walks you through the basics of how to launch and run a compliant SMS program.

‍

6. Answers to the top 10 questions marketers have about SMS 

If you’re new to SMS, you might ‌have questions about who should run your SMS program or how to grow your subscriber list. Or, if you’ve already been using the channel for a while, you may be wondering how you can make it work harder for you. Get the answers to these pressing SMS marketing questions (and more).

‍

‍

7. This guide to launching (and scaling) your SMS program

Need help getting your SMS program off the ground (so you can start sending text messages that drive results)? Consider this your complete guide to setting your brand up for success. It covers how to lay the groundwork for your strategy, the types of text messages you should be sending, and best practices to keep in mind as you build and evolve your strategy. 

‍

‍

8. This 4-step SMS campaign planning checklist

When you send an SMS campaign, you see the impact immediately (think: more web traffic and revenue). While every campaign is different, there are some consistent steps you can follow to make sure each one goes off without a hitch. ​​Bookmark this checklist for step-by-step guidance, tips, and best practices—from figuring out the details to measuring success.

‍

9. This list of 30+ texting statistics you need to know

Text messaging is a high-value channel for both brands and consumers, and ​​the proof is in the numbers. Check out this list of essential SMS marketing statistics about why the channel works, what makes consumers opt-in, how it improves the shopping experience, and more.

‍

10. This list of 35+ e-commerce statistics

With e-commerce projected to keep growing in the coming years, marketers need to understand the current landscape and how the industry is changing. Bookmark this list of over 35 essential e-commerce statistics that highlight the latest trends in online shopping and consumer behavior.

‍

‍Ready to take everything you’ve learned and put it into action? Follow this 30-day plan to start growing your SMS list, create your channel strategy, and drive results from the get-go.