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Mobile marketing is one of the most powerful ways to propel your business to success in the 21st century. This form of marketing is an ideal way to connect with customers through devices that remain constantly within reach. According to research firm Statista, global smartphone subscriptions currently exceed 6.0 billion. Moreover, experts predict that mobile subscriptions will exceed 7.6 billion by 2027.
However, the various acronyms can become confusing when it comes to mobile marketing. What exactly is MMS messaging? How does it differ from SMS messaging or regular text messaging? A look at the important components of MMS messaging can help you maximize the impact of your mobile marketing campaign.
Basics of MMS Messaging
Two popular types of messages are used in mobile marketing: SMS and MMS. But what is MMS messaging, and how does it differ from SMS or standard text messaging? MMS is an acronym that stands for “multimedia messaging service.” This type of messaging enables you to send variety of file types, including images, videos, audio files, or GIFs.
In addition to a range of media types, MMS messages allow you to send texts with a much higher word count. With MMS messaging, you can typically send 1,600 characters per message. Some MMS messaging providers allow messages of up to 5,000 characters, depending on the service plan.
In contrast, SMS is an acronym that stands for “short message service.” These messages are strictly limited to text and do not include features like video or GIFs. SMS messages are also limited to 160 characters in total. If a message exceeds 160 characters, the carrier may divide it into multiple messages and deliver the texts separately.
Features of MMS Messaging
MMS messages showcase a host of features beyond regular texting. These features allow you to personalize your brand. With MMS messaging, you can send animated GIFs and larger memes. Whereas text messages often limit file type, MMS messaging usually supports PNG, JPG, or JPEG image files. In addition to images, MMS messaging is a great way to send audio MP3 files and MP4 video files.
Another important feature of MMS messaging is that you can use it to send conversion tools like QR codes. This allows customers to connect with a business campaign in a single step or with “one-click” and can increase the effectiveness of company outreach. In social media sharing, MMS messages are also advanced enough for event invitations or extensive feedback forms. This mode of communication goes beyond basic texts and helps make mobile marketing feel more complete.
Benefits of MMS Messaging
Regarding strategy, there are several advantages to using MMS messaging for your marketing campaigns. Foremost, MMS messages inspire consumer engagement with the use of detailed and eye-catching content. According to a University of Houston study, individuals remember 80% of the images they see compared to just 20% of the text that they read.
This means that if you rely on the mere 160 characters of a text message, customers may miss out on the information you can convey with a visual campaign. Experts recommend using text messages for order confirmations, quick alerts, or customer service updates such as shipment tracking. However, any type of product launch, major sale, event invitation, or brand promotion should use MMS messaging instead.
Another key benefit is that MMS messages encourage greater interaction and sharing. According to Adobe Business, MMS messages demonstrate 300% more engagement than text-only messages. In addition, customers are eight times more likely to share an MMS message than a plain text message. In the age of influencer marketing, MMS messages take your brand beyond the smartphone and into each facet of consumer life. This form of multimedia is also a great way to reconnect with customers who can benefit from a fresh take on your product or service.
Conclusion
While simple texts have their time and place, there are numerous perks to taking mobile marketing to the next level with MMS messaging. Whether you want to tell a rich story with diverse media or send colorful interactions that stand out from the crowd, MMS messages can make an impact within moments. Use MMS messaging to keep your brand relevant in every aspect of 21st-century commerce.
