Text & Win Campaigns - Bigger Than Ever

Text & Win campaigns are bigger than ever and although person to person ( P2P) SMS is in decline, non-P2P SMS is actually in growth and its getting bigger.

As people move from SMS to WhatsApp for person to person related messaging that has in turn cleared a path for SMS to be a great channel for brands and business to engage with consumers, shoppers and businesses. 

In addition to this new, much welcomed 'anti spam' legislation like the sender ID registry means that companies will have to register the name that appears on the SMS with mobile operators - otherwise like the deflector shield in StarWars the SMS simply wont get through. 

So here are some examples of brands and businesses using SMS for alerts, promotions and as a direct response mechanism for traditional media:

First up: MR BEAST

 

Mr Beast runs a lot of text and win campaigns ( sweepstakes) - need we say more?

SMS text and win campaigns are just soooo easy to set up, really cost effective compared to designing and building landing pages, and most of all incredibly easy to use for consumers and shoppers.

SMS greases the wheels of direct response advertising ( like the below from Dublin Bus and Mr D Trump) 

NEXT UP: Dublin Bus

*DublinBus SMS Campaign by Return2Sender*

Next Up PIZZA Hut: Text for your pizza

Dirty Lemon : text in to order and subscribe to alerts: 

SMS works brilliantly for Shopper, Retail and Out of Home Media:

A little-known fact about SMS 'text and win' promotions is that shoppers—especially in retail settings—may feel self-conscious or unsure about using QR codes and other digital entry methods. As a result, they might overlook the promotion altogether, either because it is just a bit too much hassle or due to a past negative experience with a similar activation.

SMS is also great at signposting to web links - this ad below from Bank Of Ireland is a good example of that. A QR code just wouldn't work here because the poster is too high up and searching for the product is too much hassle on the BOI website. 

So an SMS response number with a link in the reply message does the job perfectly. 

Bank Of Ireland:

Dublin Bus ( again): 

*Dublin Bus SMS campaign by Return2Sender*

Why SMS works so well

With SMS there is so little effort required to enter a promotion or request a voucher, call back or more information. All you have to do is remember the CTA 'keyword' and the SMS short-code and you’re on your way. 

SMS also works brilliantly in situations where the network signal is poor say at festivals or in grocery aisles, tube stations ( like the Pizza Hut example) or busy QSR environments. 

At a festival getting ( possibly, brand-funded) SMS reminders of bands that are about to go on stage is so handy and beats faffing about with leaflets apps and reminders especially with a 2 day hangover in the lashing rain on 10% battery. 

Sample campaigns: Here are some sample applications and examples of recent campaigns

-On-pack promotions: text in a code to enter a daily prize draw

-In-store promotions: text in a keyword from point of sale for a chance to win

-Prize drops: text in to register for prize drops or ‘fastest to reply’ activations or clues for social promos

-Ecomm - register online to receive offers, exclusive invites, product launches. 

-Competitions lists: text in or enter your mobile on a web form to register for ad hoc promos or offers

-Alerts and notifications: news, vouchers, competitions, last minute offers etc 

-SMS Voting 

Bord Bia Bloom Food Truck SMS Voting By Return2Sender

Key benefits:

-Easy to set up ( hours not weeks!)

-Rapid integration with POS

-Little scrutiny from IT Security and Brand Police

-100% Shopper Centric ( Retail Partners also love text and wins)

-Links to web entry mechanics where shoppers can text in to get the web URL/link to enter

-Cost Effective

Some more examples:

US Presidential Election

*Denny SMS on pack promotion by Return2Sender*

Finally, some key considerations for set up and costing:

-Location of activity ( UK, N.IRE, Rep Of Ire, Europe, USA, Australia etc)

-Number of keywords/retailers running the promotion

-Prize mechanic ( daily, weekly, magic moment prizes draws)

-Data required as part of entry ( e.g. text BRAND and name, address, DOB barcode, unique code etc)

-Live Date/End Date

-Short T&Cs required for POS

-Possible URL required for T&Cs ( we can host if required)

-Any IT sign off or docs/warranties required for IT audit or sign off/compliance

-Prize fulfilment and process for contacting winners 

GET IN TOUCH!

Contact us on info@Return2Sender or click below to discuss your how text and win and SMS response can help you achive your activation and business goals.