| Transactional SMS allows immediate two-way | | | | extremely popular and cost-effective method of |
| communication via mobile devices such as mobile | | | | communication used in Europe and Asia. |
| phones and PDAs. With a 97% delivery and read | | | | AbsoluteROI, a multi-channel marketing services |
| rate, SMS messaging is increasingly gaining recognition | | | | company, recently conducted a case study with a |
| as the perfect customer communication tool. | | | | payday lender that integrated transactional SMS |
| In order to receive transactional SMS messages such | | | | messaging. AROI's triggering platform was set to pull |
| as requests for information, alerts, or other types of | | | | from the database the mobile numbers of borrowers |
| notifications-the subscriber must give permission, or | | | | in good standing and sent them a real-time |
| "opt in." Permission can be granted by phone, in | | | | transactional message directing those borrowers to a |
| writing, through a website, or, of course, an SMS. In | | | | website where they could fill out an application for a |
| order to avoid big trouble with cell phone carriers, | | | | second loan. In 41 weeks of testing the transactional |
| SMS marketers must obtain permission prior to | | | | SMS campaign, it produced the following results:o |
| transmitting commercial or even transactional | | | | 132,726 texts sento 18,255 visits to the application |
| messages. There are no exceptions here. | | | | websiteo 2,065 loans funded |
| Transactional SMS may be defined in a variety of | | | | During the testing period, $110,628 net revenue was |
| applications. For example, an airline might send SMS | | | | generated, with the lender incurring a $13,272 cost to |
| alerts when a flight is canceled or delayed. An | | | | send the text messages. Overall, the lender realized a |
| individual may use them to receive stock quotes, | | | | 833% return on investment. Staggering compared to |
| health tips, or to vote their preferences in contests. | | | | traditional methods. |
| In addition, many companies now utilize this popular | | | | Cell phone messaging can be applied, implemented, or |
| communication tool to boost sales. An auto | | | | integrated into almost any business that |
| dealership's service department could generate | | | | communicates with their customers. The ability to |
| substantial add-on revenues by sending scheduled | | | | obtain opt-in mobile numbers and meet FCC and |
| SMS notifications for services such as oil changes. | | | | carrier compliance requirements is the key to a |
| Transactional SMS payment reminders are an | | | | successful transactional SMS program. |