How a Last-Minute Reminder Saved My Weekend Plans
A few months ago, I almost missed one of my favorite local food truck festivals. It was one of those months where everything was moving a million miles an hour, and the date just slipped my mind. I had seen the emails and the social media posts leading up to it but by Saturday morning, I was completely unaware of what I was about to miss.
Then, around 11 a.m., I got a text. It was a simple reminder: “Don’t forget, the festival starts at noon! Come on down and grab a bite.” I looked at my phone, thought about how much I’d been looking forward to it and I didn’t even hesitate – I dropped everything and headed out to the festival. I couldn’t keep my Korean corndog waiting any longer.??
That text saved me from missing one of my favorite events of the year. It also made me realize how effective a well-timed reminder can be because that one simple message got me to show up.
This experience made me realize the power of SMS marketing, which Nicholas Jackson highlights in his Be A Marketer podcast episode. Nicholas, who works at the Parsippany Library , uses SMS reminders to boost attendance at library events. Like my food festival experience, his library found that people often intend to show up but get caught up in their day-to-day lives. Sending a quick text reminder a few hours before the event made a huge difference in how many people actually attended.
The Power of a Timely Nudge
What struck me most about Nicholas’s strategy and what I experienced firsthand is how simple yet effective SMS marketing can be. In today’s world, where inboxes are overflowing and social media algorithms are often burying important posts, a well-timed text is hard to ignore. It’s direct, it’s personal, and it’s delivered right where people are already paying attention: their phones.
Nicholas mentioned that before implementing SMS reminders, they struggled with no-shows for library events. People would register, but life would get in the way, and many wouldn’t make it. But with the addition of SMS reminders, people not only showed up more consistently, but they also appreciated the nudge. It was a win-win for the library and the attendees.
Take Action
This got me thinking: How many of us are overlooking opportunities like this in our marketing?. Whether you’re promoting events, sending reminders, or offering last-minute deals, a simple text could be the game-changer that boosts your engagement.
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So, here’s my challenge for you: What’s one upcoming event or promotion where you could use SMS to give people that helpful nudge? Let me know in the comments, and tune into Nicholas Jackson’s episode below!
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