Text Message Marketing SMS Campaign Strategy and Planning 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the recommended maximum length for a standard SMS marketing message to avoid character splitting?
- 160 characters (Correct answer)
- 256 characters
- 320 characters
- 140 characters
Correct answer: 160 characters
A standard SMS is limited to 160 characters using GSM-7 encoding; exceeding this splits the message into multiple segments, increasing cost and reducing readability.
Question 2: Which type of SMS campaign sends a message to the entire subscriber list at a scheduled time?
- Broadcast campaign (Correct answer)
- Drip campaign
- Transactional campaign
- Triggered campaign
Correct answer: Broadcast campaign
A broadcast campaign (also called a blast) sends a single promotional message to all subscribers or a defined segment simultaneously at a scheduled time.
Question 3: What is the primary advantage of SMS drip campaigns over single-blast campaigns?
- They deliver a series of timed, relevant messages that nurture subscribers through the customer journey (Correct answer)
- They have lower opt-out rates because messages are shorter
- They are cheaper per message than broadcast campaigns
- They do not require TCPA compliance
Correct answer: They deliver a series of timed, relevant messages that nurture subscribers through the customer journey
SMS drip campaigns send automated, sequenced messages triggered by time or behavior, allowing brands to build relationships and move subscribers toward conversion progressively.
Question 4: What does 'list hygiene' mean in SMS marketing strategy?
- Regularly removing inactive, invalid, or opted-out numbers from your subscriber list (Correct answer)
- Encrypting subscriber phone numbers for data security
- Formatting all phone numbers to E.164 standard
- Purging duplicate email addresses from cross-channel lists
Correct answer: Regularly removing inactive, invalid, or opted-out numbers from your subscriber list
List hygiene involves periodically cleaning your SMS list by removing unsubscribed, invalid, or non-engaging numbers to maintain deliverability and reduce wasted spend.
Question 5: Which call-to-action approach typically generates the highest SMS opt-in conversion rates?
- Offering an immediate incentive such as a discount or freebie in exchange for subscribing (Correct answer)
- Listing all terms and conditions upfront before the opt-in keyword
- Requiring a credit card before subscribing
- Asking subscribers to fill out a long web form first
Correct answer: Offering an immediate incentive such as a discount or freebie in exchange for subscribing
Offering an immediate, tangible incentive (like 10% off or a free item) at the point of opt-in dramatically increases subscription rates by giving consumers a clear reason to sign up.
Question 6: What is the best day of the week and time to send promotional SMS messages for retail brands in the US?
- Tuesday through Thursday between 10 AM and 2 PM local time (Correct answer)
- Monday at 6 AM to catch early commuters
- Saturday after midnight for weekend shoppers
- Sunday at 9 PM for relaxed evening browsing
Correct answer: Tuesday through Thursday between 10 AM and 2 PM local time
Industry benchmarks consistently show Tuesday through Thursday mid-morning to early afternoon yields the highest open and click rates for retail SMS campaigns.
Text Message Marketing SMS Campaign Strategy and Planning 1
What is the recommended maximum length for a standard SMS marketing message to avoid character splitting?