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SMS Marketing for Contractors: A Game-Changer for Your Business
Bjorn Orvar
December 22, 2024
With the rise of mobile technology, SMS marketing has become a powerful tool for businesses across industries. But what does it mean for contractors and construction companies? If you're looking to enhance communication, drive business, and build lasting customer relationships, SMS marketing could be the solution you're searching for.
From scheduling updates to promotional offers, SMS marketing helps contractors reach their customers in real-time, making it an incredibly effective digital channel.
This blog will break down everything you need to know about SMS marketing, why it’s crucial for contractors, and how to implement it successfully.
What Is SMS Marketing?
Ever received a text message from a business offering a discount or confirming an appointment? That’s SMS marketing—a direct and personal way to connect with customers via text messaging.
For contractors, SMS marketing isn’t just about selling; it’s about building trust and delivering value.
Whether you’re confirming a project timeline or sending maintenance reminders, text messages allow you to keep communication simple, fast, and reliable.
Benefits of SMS Marketing for Contractors
Instant Communication: Text messages boast a 98% open rate, with most being read within minutes. This ensures your message cuts through the noise.
Customer Engagement: Customers are more likely to respond to a text than an email when it comes to appointment confirmations or follow-ups.
Cost-Effective: Compared to other forms of digital marketing, SMS marketing is affordable and delivers high ROI.
Enhanced Reliability: Unlike emails, which can get lost in spam folders, text messages are delivered directly to the recipient’s phone.
Whether it's a same-day update, a discount offer, or a general check-in, SMS keeps contractors front-of-mind for their customers.
Building a Subscriber List
Before you can start sending messages, you’ll need a subscriber list. But building this list ethically is key to staying compliant and establishing trust with your clients.
Strategies for Collecting Phone Numbers
Customer Onboarding: Ask new customers to opt into SMS updates when they book a service.
Website Sign-Ups: Use a simple form on your website encouraging visitors to subscribe for text alerts or exclusive offers.
Job Completion Feedback: Include an opt-in link on invoices or post-service surveys.
Social Media Promotions: Run a campaign offering discounts in exchange for SMS sign-ups.
The Value of Permission-Based Marketing
Always ensure you’re gathering phone numbers with explicit consent. Permission-based marketing not only keeps your campaigns compliant with regulations but also increases the likelihood that your customers will engage with your messages.
A transparent opt-in process builds credibility and ensures you're communicating with people who genuinely want to hear from you.
Crafting Effective Messages
Your text messages need to do more than just inform—they need to engage. Keep in mind that SMS marketing is all about brevity and impact.
Best Practices for SMS Content
Keep It Short: Limit your message to 160 characters. Focus on delivering one clear point or call to action.
Be Personal: Use your customer’s name or include personalized details to make the message more engaging.
Add Value: Whether it’s a reminder, a thank-you note, or an exclusive deal, ensure every text adds value to the customer experience.
Include a Call to Action: Encourage customers to take immediate action, such as “Schedule your appointment today!” or “Reply YES to confirm.”
Time It Right: Schedule your messages during normal business hours to avoid annoying customers.
Successful Campaign Ideas for Contractors
Appointment Reminders: “Hi [Name], your plumbing appointment is confirmed for Monday at 3 PM. Reply YES to confirm!”
Promotion Alerts: “Get 15% off your next landscaping service! Book by Friday to save. Reply SAVE to claim your offer.”
Customer Updates: “Your deck installation is on track! Materials will arrive tomorrow, and work will resume on Wednesday.”
Managing Campaigns and Analytics
To maximize success, you’ll need the right tools to manage your SMS marketing campaigns and gather useful data for improvement.
Tools for SMS Campaign Management
(*See bottom of article for affiliate info)
Metrics to Track
Open Rates: Track how many people are opening your messages; the higher, the better.
Click-through Rates: Measure how many recipients engage with your links or promotions.
Response Rates: Monitor how often customers respond to your calls to action.
Opt-Out Rates: Keep track of how many users unsubscribe to identify potential areas for improvement.
Use these insights to fine-tune your campaigns for maximum effectiveness.
Compliance and Best Practices
SMS marketing is regulated, so staying compliant is essential to avoid legal troubles and maintain customer trust.
Understanding Regulations
TCPA Compliance (US): Ensure you have proper consent and provide clear opt-out options in every message.
GDPR (EU): Secure explicit consent in the EU and safeguard customer data.
Include Opt-Out Instructions: Always provide recipients with an easy way to unsubscribe, like replying “STOP.”
Best Practices for Compliance
Double-check that every phone number in your database has opted in.
Avoid sending messages too frequently—two to four times per month is a good baseline.
Ensure your content is relevant to the customer to minimize opt-out rates.
Start Transforming Your Communication Strategy Today
The numbers don’t lie—SMS marketing is a simple, affordable, and highly effective option for contractors looking to grow their business.
Whether you’re scheduling appointments, sending promotions, or keeping clients in the loop about project updates, SMS bridges the gap between you and your customers like no other channel.
If you’re ready to elevate your business communication game, it’s time to put SMS marketing into action.
Need help getting started?
Build Your Marketing and Sales System (Free Setup Included!)
Are you a home services contractor ready to take your business to the next level? Imagine having a streamlined marketing and sales system that saves you time, simplifies processes, and drives revenue—all without paying hefty agency fees. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, I’m here to make that dream a reality.
And here’s the best part—I’ll help set it up for you, completely free.
What’s the Catch?
There’s just one small condition. You’ll need to use one of the best tools platforms on the market for home services contractors via my affiliate link. There’s no additional cost on your end, and as a result, you’ll get a fully functional system valued at $1,000—without spending a dime on setup.
What Will Your System Include?
Here’s a breakdown of everything I’ll take care of for you:
Appointment Reminder System: Ensure you never miss an opportunity to communicate with your clients.
Post-Appointment Follow-Up System: Follow up seamlessly to strengthen client relationships.
New Lead Follow-Up System: Engage with potential clients instantly with automated follow-ups.
Completed Project Follow-Up System: Keep your customers involved even after the project ends.
Request Reviews and Referrals: Build your reputation and grow your network effortlessly.
Customer Satisfaction Checks: Confirm your clients are happy with the results.
Online Appointment Scheduling: Make bookings simple and convenient for your clients.
Two-Way Communication via App: Manage customer messages from wherever you are.
Sales Pipeline Tracking: Visualize and manage your sales process effectively.
With these tools, you’ll have a comprehensive system designed specifically for your needs as a contractor.
Why Act Now?
My mission is simple: to help 10,000 home services contractors build and operate their own marketing and sales systems. To achieve this, I’ve created tailored step-by-step templates that simplify the process and allow you to customize the system for your unique business. The best part? Advanced AI features will handle up to 95% of the work for you.
But here’s the deal—before I allow contractors to fully automate this process on their own, I’m personally assisting 300 contractors by setting up everything for them. This means I’ll do all the heavy lifting while you get to reap the benefits of a fully functional marketing and sales system.
Once the setup is complete, the system is yours to own—no ongoing reliance on expensive agencies that could cost you $1,500 or more per month.
What Does It Cost?
The setup is 100% free. The only cost is the platform's subscription, which begins with a 14-day free trial. After that, it’s just $97/month. For a system that boosts your operational efficiency, streamlines your marketing efforts, and secures your business’s future, it’s a minimal investment.
Plus, this isn’t just about marketing and sales. The platform also offers additional features like website hosting and AI-powered sales agent support, making it an all-in-one powerhouse for growing your business.
What’s Next?
If this sounds like exactly what your business needs, I’d love to help. Getting started is simple:
Send me an email at [email protected].
We’ll chat about your needs and goals to tailor the system perfectly for your business.
I’ll take care of your entire system setup.
Start Building Your Ultimate Marketing & Sales System Today!
This is your chance to own your business’s future without relying on expensive third parties. Take charge, improve efficiency, and create a seamless client experience with just one powerful system. Don’t wait—spots for free setup are limited! Email me today to get started.
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* Please note, I’m an affiliate of HighLevel, meaning I earn a commission when someone signs up through my link. This allows me to provide free resources, advice, and pre-made HighLevel systems to my readers because I truly believe HighLevel is the right option for most home services contractors. HighLevel has all of the tools and systems local businesses need to thrive, and my mission is to provide you with the systems and guidance to set up and operate your own marketing and sales system.