B2B SMS marketing: Strategies and best practices

Learn how companies are using B2B text messaging to close more deals, improve efficiencies, and enhance client engagement.
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What is B2B SMS?

B2B SMS, or business-to-business short message service, is a powerful communication tool that enables companies to send text messages to other businesses or business contacts. It differs from business-to-consumer SMS, which is defined as a business texting with consumers. B2B SMS focuses on streamlining operations, enhancing partnerships, and facilitating real-time updates between enterprises.

Whether it's for order confirmations, inventory alerts, or appointment reminders, B2B SMS offers a quick, reliable, and cost-effective way to keep business networks connected and informed. With its high open rates and immediate reach, it's an essential asset for any modern business looking to optimize communication and efficiency.

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Advantages of B2B text messaging

<span class="text-center">In an age where every second counts, B2B text messaging equips companies with a simple, convenient, and quick way to get digestible information to clients and partners. Here's why it should be a cornerstone of your business communication strategy:</span>

Immediate updates

Text messages are read within minutes, making them a great tool for time-sensitive information. Say goodbye to emails that sit unread in crowded inboxes for days.

Sky-high open rates

With an average open rate of 98 percent, text messaging outperforms other communication channels. Your message is not just sent; it's seen.

Streamlined efficiency

Cut through the clutter of overflowing email inboxes and get the replies you need. A text message goes directly to the mobile devices people check and gets straight to the point. This, coupled with its high 45 percent response rate, can improve communication efficiencies for your organization. 

Cost-effective

Compared to other forms of communication, text messaging is incredibly cost-efficient. You get maximum impact for a fraction of the cost.

Preferred tool for communication

Research suggests that 90 percent of business leads would rather get a text message than a phone call. Use this to your advantage to book more demos with key decision makers and close more deals.

Build stronger relationships

Text messaging allows for a personal approach to marketing, sales, and logistics. Your business contacts and leads want quick, convenient, and personal communication. Text messaging helps you build a more personal approach and communicate with business contacts with ease.

Use cases for B2B SMS marketing

B2B SMS marketing isn't just a trend; it's a game-changer with a multitude of applications that can revolutionize how you engage with other businesses. From real-time updates to nurturing long-term relationships, the use cases for B2B SMS marketing are as diverse as they are impactful.

Here are some common ways businesses utilize B2B text message marketing:

Appointment reminders

Missed appointments and last-minute meeting cancellations are costly for businesses. SMS reminders serve as a timely nudge, ensuring that all parties are aware and prepared for upcoming meetings, service appointments, or consultations. The immediacy of text messages makes them ideal for this purpose, often resulting in higher attendance rates compared to other reminder methods.

Order and inventory updates

One of the most practical applications of B2B SMS marketing is in the realm of order and inventory management. Businesses can send real-time updates on order statuses, shipping details, and inventory levels to their business partners. This keeps your business contacts in the loop and allows for quick adjustments. SMS order and inventory updates help businesses make informed decisions to help reduce headaches and instances of stockouts or overstocking.

Promotional alerts and special offers

B2B relationships are often long-term engagements, but that doesn't mean you can't utilize the power of texting to send special offers or promotions. Limited-time discounts, bundled services, or exclusive previews can be effectively communicated via SMS. 

Because of texting's high open rate, promotional messages are more likely to be seen and acted upon, providing an excellent opportunity to boost sales and strengthen business relationships.

Gain feedback from clients

Businesses can use tools like text surveys to get valuable insights about performance and client relationships. This can be a powerful way to increase client retention and improve your products. 

You can also use surveys to test the waters with new services or ideas before bringing them to market. Setting up surveys is incredibly easy on our business texting platform.

Company news

With SMS, you can share key company news with your business contacts. For example, if you’re offering a new feature or update, share it with your SMS business contacts to keep them informed. You can also share business hour updates or any impacts to your service like when maintenance on your product is happening.

Sales follow up

One of the most popular ways B2B companies use SMS is to enhance its sales outreach. SMS is an effective way to reach new leads quickly. Sales teams can use SMS to quickly get a meeting booked, remind prospects about an upcoming demo, nurture prospects by sharing helpful articles, or follow up after a meeting. This communication channel is highly engaging and helps sales teams get results, and two-way texting allows prospects to respond directly to your follow up messages.

Payment reminders

Even B2B companies deal with late payments. Remind business partners about upcoming invoice payments to help you get paid on time. SMS reminders are quick and easy ways to ensure businesses know about upcoming payments and how to pay.

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Why B2B companies should text

90%

of business leads prefer to get a text than a phone call. — FranchiseHelp

98%

is the average text message open rate. — CTIA

21%

of B2B organizations send text messages. — MessageDesk

Get your B2B texting number properly registered

A new industry standard is SMS phone number registration. Mobile carriers require registration for any business wanting to text contacts, regardless of use case. The requirement is an effort to curb spam texting.

Textline makes phone number registration easy and compliant for all businesses. Textline users can register phone numbers in the app by filling out our built-in forms. Our form provides examples, and our team is always available to answer questions. Ensure your B2B texting number is registered correctly and quickly with Textline.

Are you interested in trying out Textline first? You can! Textline lets you explore the platform and test features before registering or awaiting carrier approval.

Boost your sales pipeline with strategic B2B texting

With its near-instantaneous delivery and impressive open rates, texting allows you to follow up with leads in real-time, keeping the sales momentum going. Sales teams can use texting to reach out right after a lead fills out a contact form and quickly follow up after a product demo or trade show. B2B texting can be highly personable and keeps your brand fresh in the minds of potential clients. 

Use SMS to alert your leads about new product offerings, flash sales, or exclusive promotions. SMS creates a sense of urgency that emails just can't match. You can even use automated texting to guide a prospect through the sales funnel, from initial interest to final purchase. 

Let's also not forget the power of a simple "Thank you" text after a deal is closed, laying the groundwork for future upsells and long-term relationships. By leveraging B2B texting, you're not just staying in touch; you're accelerating the sales process and closing deals efficiently.

Best practices for success with B2B texting

Navigating the world of B2B SMS marketing can be complex, but adhering to these best practices can significantly improve your results.

  • Get consent. Always obtain explicit permission from your contacts before sending any text messages. This not only is a legal requirement, but it also builds trust.
  • Pay attention to timing. The immediacy of SMS is one of its greatest strengths. Use it for time-sensitive information and updates, but avoid sending messages at inappropriate hours. For business messaging, it’s best to keep texts to business hours.
  • Keep it concise. SMS is limited to 160 characters. Use this character limit wisely by getting straight to the point. Clear and concise messaging is key to effective communication.
  • Personalize when possible. Make messages more engaging by using the recipient's name or mentioning a past interaction with your brand. Personalization increases the likelihood of a positive response.
  • Include a clear call-to-action (CTA). Whether you want businesses to visit a webpage, reply to a text, or leverage promotion, make sure your message includes a clear and compelling CTA.
  • Measure and analyze. Track key metrics like time to respond, average resolution time, response rates, or engagement rates. This data will help you refine your SMS strategy over time.
  • Follow up. Don’t be afraid to follow up; this is especially true in B2B sales. One message is rarely enough. Implement a follow-up strategy to keep your audience engaged and move them through the sales funnel.
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Why you can trust Textline as a B2B texting provider

The experience with Textline has been eye-opening and has minimized a lot of busy work for the team, and we have become more productive in a short amount of time.

— Elena V., Capterra

Textline offers the most robust platform for our sales, customer service, and operational needs. Textline has been extremely open to feedback and suggestions and have been wonderful to work with when looking for solutions and have become more critical as I plan long-term.

— Evan K., Capterra

Textline is so easy to use! I literally use it all day everyday! Makes my day so much easier and it's so easy to communicate with all my leads. If you're in sales, you need this product.

— Rebecca E., Capterra
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Additional resources for B2B teams

Integrations to help businesses thrive

Facilitate B2B interactions with Textline's pre-built integrations. Textline integrates with top B2B software platforms like Slack, HubSpot, Salesforce, Help Scout, and more. Integrate texting with these platforms for more seamless communication.

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Harness the power of B2B SMS with Textline

Ready to take your business communication to the next level? With Textline, you'll unlock the true power of B2B SMS marketing. Our platform is packed with features to help you modernize communication and seamlessly add texting into your workflow. Plus, our advanced technology ensures your data is protected and messages reach intended recipients quickly. With Textline, you can manage all text conversations in one centralized dashboard, and take advantage of real-time analytics to refine your text strategy. Plus, we integrate with top sales tech and CRM software. Book a demo with our team today to learn more or start a free 14-day trial to test the platform yourself.

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