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9 Practical Ways to Grow Your SMS Subscriber List

Customer engagement is extremely vital to marketing success, and grabbing and maintaining this type of connection is no easy feat.

As attention spans dwindle and competitors strive to find new ways to hook consumers, exploring innovative avenues to engage your target audience is necessary. One channel with proven effectiveness is SMS marketing.

As of 2021, only 47% of businesses use mobile messaging as a marketing tool. Now, that’s an opportunity to maximize a low-competition marketing strategy, especially with the ubiquity of mobile phones.

To help you out, this article recommends solutions to one of SMS marketing’s most pressing challenges—growing an SMS subscriber list—with tips to boost your reach.

How to Effectively Grow an SMS Subscriber List

Strategic implementation is crucial when expanding your SMS subscriber list. These tactics that attract, engage, and retain subscribers can maximize the impact of your SMS marketing efforts.

1. Incentivize opt-ins

Opt-in promotions, such as discounts on subsequent purchases or entry into a giveaway contest, are compelling motivators for people to subscribe to your SMS list.

If you offer SMS-exclusive deals that are unavailable through other channels, it’s an incentive for prospective subscribers to join your SMS list so they can access these benefits.

2. Migrate your email subscribers

Do you have a sizeable email subscriber list? If so, you have a uniquely valuable opportunity to jumpstart your text marketing efforts. 

Leverage your existing email subscribers list by migrating them to your SMS list. This strategy lets you maximize your current audience and engage with your target market more personally than email marketing. Just remember to notify your subscribers about the transition to avoid seeming intrusive.

3. Add a signup form on your website

Your website is a central hub for engaging with potential customers and converting them into followers. You can utilize it for SMS opt-ins by integrating signup forms throughout your website and placing them on high-traffic pages to maximize visibility. 

For example, if your business is in healthcare, you can use SMS opt-ins with trivia as CTAs for medical-related content. You can seamlessly integrate SMS opt-ins into the customer journey using existing signup forms and checkout pages.

4. Develop a referral scheme

Word-of-mouth marketing is an often forgotten but effective strategy that allows using your subscribers’ existing networks to expand your reach and list exponentially.

Encourage existing subscribers to refer their friends, family, and colleagues by offering discounts for successful referrals. This process can be tedious, especially if your shoppers need to figure out how referrals work without proper guidance.

You can avoid this by providing clear instructions and tracking their progress toward rewards to encourage referrals.

5. Establish an exclusive VIP membership club

Recent studies reveal that 83% of consumers in an exclusive club, such as a loyalty program, are more likely to support a brand.

Follow suit and boost your list’s exclusivity by offering special privileges and benefits for VIP members. These offerings include early access to new products or services, member-only sales, and dedicated customer support.

6. Use traditional SMS marketing methods

While digital marketing channels enable you to reach a broad audience, you cannot overlook the effectiveness of traditional methods for growing your SMS subscriber list.

Consider handing out business cards and flyers with information about your SMS list at relevant events. Ensure you train your frontline staff to engage with customers and ask them if they are interested in joining your list.

These traditional efforts can help you hook potential subscribers in a more personal and tangible way, especially those who aren’t engaging with your brand online.

7. Collaborate with brands and influencers

About 4 of 10 social media users (39%) admit that influencers affect their purchasing decisions, demonstrating the effectiveness of influencer marketing. So, collaborate with celebrities and brands in your niche to amplify your reach and attract new SMS subscribers.

You could offer exclusive deals to your partner brand’s audience with opt-in opportunities. Don’t forget to create engaging content encouraging your followers to subscribe.

8. Run social media campaigns

Social media is a valuable avenue for reaching a vast audience of potential subscribers. In fact, numerous users prefer finding new offerings on social media over other marketing channels.

Take advantage of this opportunity by creating targeted social media campaigns highlighting the benefits of subscribing to your SMS list. You may post sneak peeks of the discounts and exclusive content awaiting subscribers to build anticipation for events or product launches. 

In addition, graphics, videos, testimonials, and other content materials are powerful marketing tools to grab your followers’ attention and encourage opt-ins.

9. Provide an opt-out

While it might seem counterintuitive, knowing your SMS has a quick and easy opt-out makes your messages seem less intrusive. In turn, customers might be more willing to subscribe. 

A straightforward way for subscribers to leave your SMS list is by including clear and prominent opt-out instructions in every message template, such as a short keyword reply that automatically unsubscribes them from your list.

This strategy demonstrates your respect for subscribers’ preferences. Who knows, it may lead to a more positive perception of your brand and retain subscribers’ long-term engagement with your SMS campaigns.

Expand Your SMS Subscriber List with Semaphore

SMS subscriber list growth is crucial for boosting visibility and securing the success of your marketing efforts. The strategies above can form part of your business SMS campaign, but you can always remain on the lookout for new, innovative tactics that further expand your reach.

Fortunately, you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re in the market for a reliable partner that enables trusted SMS marketing for businesses, look no further than Semaphore. Our tried-and-tested SMS API can help you take your text marketing initiatives to the next level.

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7 Ways SMS Solutions Can Improve Healthcare Communication in the Philippines

Effective communication is paramount in healthcare delivery, helping facilitate positive patient experiences and health outcomes.

In line with this goal, medical service providers seek innovative ways to enhance communication in today’s interconnected world. Fortunately, SMS solutions are powerful tools for improving healthcare communication and providing quality patient treatment in the Philippines.

7 Advantages of SMS Solutions for Healthcare Communications

With the increasing need for continuous connectivity, SMS solutions for healthcare provide value and benefits to providers and patients alike. 

1. Better accessibility and convenience 

Patient-healthcare communication is the lifeblood of a successful treatment process. SMS solutions offer a convenient and straightforward way of connecting with patients regarding their health and recovery.

In particular, these tools make vital information and updates accessible to patients. With the widespread use of mobile phones, text messages can reach patients wherever they are and at whatever time. 

This accessibility is especially crucial in regions where internet connectivity may be limited, such as rural areas in the Philippines. SMS solutions ensure you stay connected to patients despite geographical barriers.

For example, a patient living in a remote village can receive essential healthcare reminders and instructions via SMS, ensuring effective treatment.

2. Timely appointment reminders

Missed appointments can disrupt healthcare workflows and lead to delays in patient care. Fortunately, SMS alerts can help patients remember their appointments and arrive on time, improving clinic efficiency and patient satisfaction. 

Consider patients who are busy professionals juggling multiple responsibilities, causing them to forget about their check-up appointments.

An SMS reminder about their upcoming doctor’s appointment is an excellent way to solve this issue, helping them manage their clinic or hospital trips effectively and prioritize their health. 

At the same time, SMS solutions for healthcare communication can reduce the likelihood of no-shows.

3. Hyper-personalized patient outreach

No matter the industry or nature of business, personalized communication plays a crucial role in building strong customer relationships—and the healthcare sector is no different. SMS solutions for healthcare communication can be a powerful tool.

Firstly, SMS solutions enable you to deliver hyper-personalized messages tailored to each patient’s unique needs and preferences. For example, you can use personalized reminders to help diabetic patients monitor their blood sugar levels regularly.

SMS solutions also let you customize messages to send specific instructions and tips for managing your patients’ conditions so they can take control of their health. This personalized approach fosters trust and patient engagement, resulting in better treatment adherence and health outcomes.

4. Enhanced staff efficiency

More than improving patient treatment adherence, SMS solutions for healthcare can streamline communication processes and significantly improve staff efficiency and productivity.

SMS solutions enable you and your healthcare team to communicate more effectively. In effect, you can reduce the need for time-consuming phone calls or manual paperwork. 

Instead of spending hours making phone calls for upcoming check-up appointments, your administrative staff can leverage automated SMS reminders to reach multiple patients simultaneously.

This automation frees up valuable time so you can focus on delivering quality patient care and addressing complex medical issues.

5. Improved cost-effectiveness

Traditional communication methods like phone calls and postal mail can be expensive and inefficient for healthcare organizations, especially those operating on tight budgets. Luckily, SMS solutions for healthcare offer a cost-effective alternative. 

For example, sending SMS reminders for medication refills or health screenings is significantly cheaper than mailing physical letters or phone calls. This cost savings enables you to allocate resources more efficiently.

You can invest in other areas of patient care and facility improvement while maintaining high communication and engagement standards.

6. More effective documentation

Accurate record-keeping is essential for maintaining complete patient information and ensuring continuity of care.

With SMS solutions, you can improve documentation as they provide a digital trail of communication between you and your patients.

For one, text messages serve as a record of appointment confirmations, medication reminders, and follow-up care instructions, making it easier to track patient interactions and monitor treatment progress.

Likewise, they can enhance patient accountability in adhering to their treatment plans.

Additionally, SMS facilitates seamless communication between healthcare teams, leading to more coordinated and effective patient care.

7. Positive health outcomes

Perhaps the most significant benefit of incorporating SMS solutions into healthcare communications is the positive impact on patient health.

As mentioned, SMS solutions promote adherence to treatment plans, facilitate follow-up care, and enhance patient-provider relationships. All these factors contribute to better health outcomes and overall patient satisfaction. 

Plus, SMS-based interventions can support preventive care initiatives, including reminders for flu vaccinations or cancer screenings. In effect, you can help patients better manage their illnesses and even prevent some with early detection.

Advancing Healthcare Communication with SMS Solutions

SMS solutions are valuable in healthcare communication. From enhancing connectivity to promoting personalized patient treatment, SMS offers a versatile platform that bridges communication gaps and fosters meaningful patient-provider interactions.

Leveraging this technology can help you streamline and improve processes, ultimately elevating the standard of care you deliver.

To optimize healthcare communication, consider partnering with Semaphore. Our trusted SMS marketing for businesses offers reliable solutions for quality care for patients. Learn more about our SMS offerings today.

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Network Coverage and Signal Strength for Popular Mobile Carriers in the Philippines

A depiction of Mobile Phone Signal Strength.

In the Philippines, mobile phones are the lifeline of communication for over 149 million mobile subscribers, so having strong network coverage is crucial.

Imagine the hassle of a dropped call or a delayed text in the middle of an important conversation. For this reason, you need to choose a mobile carrier wisely. 

In line with that goal, this blog explores what mobile phone network coverage and signal strength are and examines the leading mobile carriers in the country so you can make an informed choice. 

What is Network Coverage and Signal Strength?

A depiction of slow Mobile Phone Signal Strength

Network coverage refers to the geographical area where a mobile carrier’s service is available. On the other hand, mobile phone signal strength gauges the quality of the connection within the covered area. 

Technically, you can measure signal strength in decibels relative to a milliwatt (dBm). The perfect standard is -30dBm, but it is rare.

For optimal performance, a range between -30dBm and -60dBm is desirable to ensure fast and reliable data delivery. 

You can check your phone’s signal strength using speed test apps. Alternatively, you can simply look at the signal bars at the top of your phone—the more bars you see, the stronger your signal.

If you use a mobile carrier with comprehensive network coverage, you can have uninterrupted service in urban and rural areas.

Conversely, if your carrier has limited coverage, you might experience signal loss in selected city parts, rural areas, or challenging terrains such as mountains and forests.

Types of Mobile Phone Signals 

You might notice signal symbols on your phone during Wi-Fi or mobile data use. Familiarizing yourself with them is essential for a smooth and reliable mobile experience.

  • GPRS (Global Packet Radio Service)

    This type was the first network connection for mobile phones using the global system for mobile communications or GSM—the technology that a SIM card employs to connect with a digital mobile network.

It’s usually indicated as “G” next to a phone’s signal bars. 

While it provides a basic form of mobile data, it’s relatively slower than more advanced technologies.

It typically reaches speeds between 40 Kbit/s to 50 Kbit/s. Smartphones with 3G or 4G service no longer offer GPRS. However, rural areas lacking advanced technology still use the latter.

  • EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) or E

    EDGE is an improvement over GPRS, offering faster data transfer speeds.

Smartphones today still use EDGE service, albeit as a last resort for connection. It’s not fast enough to provide internet access, but it can help you send texts and connect to calls at around 400 Kbit/s.

You can see it as “E” beside your signal bars.

  • 3G

    3G is a notable advancement in mobile communication, serving as a pivotal bridge between the earlier 2G technologies like GPRS and EDGE and the more advanced 4G networks.

    It offers faster data speeds for web browsing and video calling and has a crucial role in transitioning from the limitations of 2G to the more robust capabilities of subsequent generations.

It usually reaches speeds from 384 Kbit/s to 42 Mbit/s.

  • 4G

    Also known as Long Term Evolution or LTE, 4G brings even higher data speeds and improved network reliability.

It is the standard for high-speed wireless communication, enabling smoother video streaming, online gaming, and other data-intensive applications. It can reach speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s.

The impact of this signal generation is phenomenal.

Its improved network capacity and efficiency make 4G pivotal in developing the Internet of Things (IoT), where everyday devices like smart homes and wearables communicate with each other.

4G precedes the 5G generation of mobile technology, which promises even greater speeds and a wider range of applications.

  • 5G

    The latest mobile technology, 5G, delivers significantly faster data speeds, lower latency, and support for numerous connected devices.

Due to its enhanced capabilities, it can revolutionize healthcare, transportation, smart cities, etc.

Its speed is between 10 Gbit/s and 20 Gbit/s, surpassing Wi-Fi networks. Suffice it to say that 5G, up to this point, is the ultimate end product of years of hard work and continuous development.

Currently, 5G is the peak of mobile phone signal performance and a benchmark for future developments.

Network Coverage and Signal Strength of Philippine Mobile Carriers 

The three leading mobile carriers in the Philippines vary in area coverage and signal strengths.

  • DITO Telecommunity

    DITO primarily provides 4G services throughout the Philippines. Currently, it deploys 5G services in selected regions and cities, including Metro Manila, Batangas, Bacolod, Cebu, and Davao.

    This carrier has the distinction of offering the most consistent, high-quality network coverage. Also, it has the fastest increase in download speeds (32.3%) compared to Smart (12.7%) and Globe (14.8%).

  • Globe Telecom

    Globe mainly offers 4G and 4G+ services nationwide, save for a few rural areas in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, and Soccsksargen.

    Similar to DITO, Globe is in the process of rolling out 5G services nationwide. It’s available in select regions and cities such as Metro Manila, Rizal, Nueva Ecija, Laguna, Batangas, Cebu, Iloilo, Davao Del Sur, and Agusan Del Norte.

    Globe offers the best experience for video streams, multiplayer mobile games, and voice apps on all signal types compared to the other mobile carriers.

5 Tips to Boost Mobile Phone Signal Strength

Signal loss can occur even in areas with network coverage. Here are some ways to enhance your mobile phone’s signal strength.

 

1. Restart your phone

When moving around, your phone tries to find the best cell tower signal. However, sometimes, the transition between towers isn’t perfect, leading to a weaker signal.

Also, like a computer, your phone’s software can have temporary issues that affect its ability to connect to a network smoothly.

In such instances, you should restart your phone to resolve these temporary hitches and ensure a more robust and reliable signal.

In some cases, restarting your device allows it to return to its default setting, which can help achieve optimum performance for mobile phone signal strength.

2. Clean or buy a new SIM card

Over time, SIM cards can endure wear and tear. Constant insertions and ejections can cause the gold contacts on the chip to misalign or be damaged.

Dust, pocket lint, and other debris can also accumulate on these contacts, creating a physical barrier that disrupts the signal transmission.

These seemingly minor issues can have major consequences for your mobile experience.

Hence, you should clean your SIM card or invest in a new one for your device and network to have a smooth and secure connection. A SIM card replacement can also potentially enhance signal reliability.

3. Check your frequency bands

Frequency bands refer to the specific radio frequencies allocated for wireless communication. In the context of mobile networks, different signals use distinct frequency bands.

Checking if your phone supports your carrier’s frequency bands can optimize compatibility and improve signal strength.

All you need to do is go to your phone’s settings and look for “Network Information” for Android or “Cellular” or “Network” for Apple.

4. Check for software updates

As a large number of Filipinos use smartphones, outdated software can contribute to signal issues.

For this reason, you should regularly update your phone’s software to equip it with the latest enhancements and optimizations that can address signal strength issues and improve overall performance.

If your mobile phone can no longer accept software updates, you should consider buying a new one that can handle the unique features of modern signal enhancements.

5. Use a cellphone signal booster

A signal booster or repeater captures, amplifies, and redistributes cell tower signals within a designated area.

Additionally, it boosts and transmits the signal a phone emits back to the cell tower for improved connectivity.

This device is particularly beneficial in remote or low-signal areas, ensuring a consistent mobile experience.

Just remember to get an NTC-authorized booster, as signal boosters must comply with the law and not interfere with the cellular network’s operation.

Don’t Let a Weak Signal Get in the Way

In a world where staying connected is vital, your telecommunication service provider can make all the difference.

A reliable network ensures that every text and call is hassle-free, which is crucial for personal and professional connections.

Consider the points above when choosing the suitable mobile carrier for your needs and boosting your phone signal strength. With the right choice, you invest in dependable communication.

If you’re looking for a reliable telecommunications service provider, look no further than Semaphore. We offer trusted SMS marketing for businesses, helping you reach customers and make every message count. 

Check out our SMS services to learn more.