You’re probably aware of SMS marketing and are probably already utilising it for your company. SMS is, after all, the most efficient way to communicate with your team members, partners, clients, and customers. What about MMS, though? What makes it unique compared to SMS, and why should you invest in it? Learn more about how MMS can help your marketing initiatives.
MMS Marketing: What is it?
Multimedia messages sent via MMS are used in MMS marketing to reach customers and leads. SMS users can send multimedia content using MMS, or the “Multimedia Messaging Service,” which was developed using the same technology as SMS. Typically, this takes the form of pictures.
Video files, phone contacts, and audio files can all be sent using it.
MMS is sent using a mobile network, just like SMS. Unlike SMS, which has a standard limit of 160 characters, MMS has no such restriction, and the majority of carriers can reliably handle messages of at least 300KB in size.
The Distinction between MMS and SMS
There are significant distinctions between SMS and MMS even though both fall under the same messaging services. Short Message Service (SMS) messages can be up to 160 characters long and use conventional text-based formatting. In addition to SMS, Multimedia Message Service (MMS) provides the message with additional context. It consists of pictures, videos, animated GIFs, and occasionally audio clips. Because MMS adds visuals to the text, SMS marketing has a greater impact.
Why Use MMS in 2023?
1. You can send your audience a rich multimedia experience using MMS.
One message can contain several images, audio files, or videos. The majority of MMS service providers today will resize and modify this content for the intended device.
Depending on the network operator and the destination handset, video and audio attachments are frequently time-limited.
Generally speaking, you can send 25 to 30 seconds of video before exceeding the size restrictions imposed by US carriers for message delivery. Due to lower audio sample rates, the video quality will decline after 30 seconds. Numerous businesses include their logo, product details, or coupons.
2. Both inbound and outbound communication can be used for MMS marketing.
MMS messaging offers more advantages than just the ability to send a lot of content to a phone. Either an SMS or an MMS can be used to quickly respond to an MMS. As a result, MMS is an excellent two-way communication tool where one party may speak more than the other. People don’t need to download and install an application, worry about whether it will work on their phone, or worry about being charged for data to submit pictures. Additionally, sending an MMS message from the inbox is just as quick as sending an SMS text message.
3. You can learn more about your audience’s devices and networks by using MMS messages.
The service provider can gather both device and network information when an MMS message is delivered. Using device information, you can divide your audience into groups according to the types of phones they use. Network data can be used to identify their carrier and occasionally other data. Knowing this information frequently aids in defining the kind of messaging campaign to run and the number of times you should communicate with the subscriber.
4. MMS messages offer delivery confirmations, ensuring that crucial messages are delivered.
A delivery receipt is sent back each time an MMS message is sent, along with the message’s status. You can obtain a FINAL delivery status for each message regardless of the carrier you use because MMS delivery receipts are required. Social networks, email, and even all SMS messages do not experience this.
5. Cost Effective
MMS delivery pricing has significantly decreased from the levels it was at just a few years ago, making MMS messages relatively affordable given the advantages. An MMS message can now be delivered for just a few cents more than an SMS message. MMS is an obvious
choice if you are already paying for a short code and/or SMS connectivity.
6. Both feature phones and smartphones can send and receive MMS.
SMS and MMS are currently the two messaging services with the greatest usage. The same inbox receives both SMS and MMS messages. They are currently compatible with both feature phones and smartphones, but in a few years, they will also be supported by home phones, TVs, and automobiles. To use or access an MMS message, you do not need to install any software or register for an account.
7. MMS messages are typically read shortly after being received.
According to studies, 90% of SMS messages are opened within three minutes, according to a commonly quoted statistic in the sector. This would suggest that the same number of MMS messages, if not more, are read in the first three minutes. Why? because a preview often appears when you receive a new message notification on many phones, including the iPhone.
It would be reasonable to assume that having a picture pop-up in place of text would speed up the original 90% of recipients’ viewing of the message and persuade some of the remaining 10% to immediately review an MMS instead of the SMS.
9. MMS recipients can distribute and forward messages to anyone in their contacts.
Any MMS message can be forwarded to your contacts at your discretion. In actuality, you can send an MMS to numerous recipients at once. The easiest and most reliable way to share content is probably by choosing a friend from your contacts.
9. Because MMS messages can contain more than 1000 characters, text abbreviations are not necessary.
MMS can send messages with thousands of text characters. How much can your company or brand say in 160 text characters? You do not need to send a novel-length text message, but a few hundred characters per communication would be sufficient, negating the need for any abbreviations. Additionally, it implies that each message may include multiple links to various web pages.
10. The same shortcode that delivers SMS messages also delivers MMS messages.
The cost of a new shortcode is not necessary. Your current shortcode already supports MMS. Additionally, you don’t need to create a fresh opt-in list. On the same shortcode, your current subscribers who have opted in can access their MMS messages. Your shortcode needs to go through a few steps to be approved for MMS. Simply submit a fresh brief to your aggregator.
Boost your SMS/MMS marketing campaigns with Guni.
In the mobile world of today, Guni assists your business in connecting with customers. With two-way texting, engagement rates can be increased. Use pictures, GIFs, and videos to increase the impact of your messages. Set specific times for sending these multimedia messages. Sending promotional messages or automated messages to customers with a high purchase intention will help your SMS/MMS campaigns succeed.