How Marketing Has Transformed Over the Last Three Years: The Rise of Text Messaging and the Evolution of Customer Engagement

Marketing today is vastly different than it was three years ago. The rise of digital platforms, changes in consumer behavior, and the evolution of communication tools have transformed how brands interact with their audiences. While email, social media, and traditional advertising are still important, one channel has risen above the rest: text message marketing. This article will explore how marketing has changed in recent years, focusing on the power of SMS marketing, the overwhelming success of text messaging as a communication tool, and how businesses like Textdrip are helping companies stay ahead of the curve.

The Explosion of Text Messaging

Over the past decade, the number of texts sent globally has increased by over 7,700%. This growth isn't just staggering—it’s an indicator of how essential texting has become in everyday life. Today, more than 560 billion texts are sent each month worldwide, which equates to 18.7 billion texts per day and a mind-blowing 913 million texts every single hour, not including app-to-app messaging like WhatsApp or iMessage.

Why are consumers increasingly turning to text messaging? It's simple: convenience, control, and real-time communication. People now expect faster, more direct interactions from the businesses they engage with. Text messaging is the most-used data service in the world, making it the ultimate tool for reaching consumers exactly where they are—on their mobile devices.

Text Message Marketing: A Necessity in the New Era

As consumers become more adept at managing their digital interactions, they’ve found ways to block traditional marketing efforts. Ad blockers, spam filters, and notification settings allow them to filter out unwanted messaging. This makes it difficult for businesses to get their message across through conventional channels. Enter text message marketing (SMS marketing), a strategy that ensures your messages are not just sent but seen.

Unlike email marketing, which has an open rate of just 20%, text messages boast an astounding 98% open rate. This is largely due to the fact that most people check their phones every 12 minutes, making text messaging an ideal way for businesses to get in front of their customers quickly and effectively.

According to Leslie Crews, senior content strategist at BPC Content Co., “Text message marketing reduces the pressure of conventional correspondence like email or snail mail and helps to reduce the pressure already inherent to sales. People buy from you because they feel comfortable.” Text messaging offers a personal touch that fosters a sense of comfort and trust, ultimately creating a sticky relationship with customers.

Building Two-Way Communication with Text Messaging

The best text message marketing campaigns are more than just promotional—they're conversational. Today’s customers want more than one-way communication; they want to engage with brands in real-time. SMS marketing enables this two-way dialogue through tools like auto-responders, surveys, and polls.

• Auto-responders: These allow businesses to send pre-programmed messages when certain actions are triggered, such as a new sign-up or survey completion.
• Surveys and polls: By sending short surveys, brands can gain valuable insights into what customers want, helping businesses tailor their offerings to meet customer demands.
• Coupons: Offering exclusive deals through text messages drives customer engagement and incentivizes immediate action, increasing sales opportunities.

Text message marketing isn’t just about convenience; it’s about humanizing the brand, helping businesses build lasting relationships with their customers. As Maria Kiagias, founder of Social Gold, says, “It’s how you use it that counts. Get in the mind of your customer [and] don’t abuse the technology.”

The Role of Textdrip in the Marketing Evolution

At the forefront of the text message marketing revolution is Textdrip, an award-winning SMS marketing automation software. Textdrip’s journey began in 2019, founded by visionary entrepreneur Phil Portman. Dissatisfied with the available communication tools, Phil sought to create a modern platform that simplifies the way businesses interact with their customers. His goal? To automate SMS marketing and help businesses drive more meaningful, timely interactions.

Textdrip’s features—such as automated drip campaigns, message scheduling, and AI integration—allow businesses to deliver the right message at the right time, fostering stronger connections with their audiences. By empowering businesses with the tools they need to nurture relationships through SMS, Textdrip has quickly become a market leader, helping brands in industries like real estate, insurance, and mortgage marketing redefine their customer engagement strategies.

Phil Portman’s vision and entrepreneurial drive have led Textdrip to incredible heights. As the founder of multiple startups, including Landline Remover and Argos Automation, Phil’s approach to business is holistic, combining his passion for technology with a deep understanding of the digital marketing landscape. Today, he continues to interact with industry leaders and other startup founders through his Success Is Podcast, sharing his knowledge and helping others build successful brands.

The Shift in Consumer Preferences

Consumer preferences have changed significantly over the past three years, and the way they engage with brands reflects that. As a study by LivePerson highlights, nearly 75% of Gen Z and Millennial consumers prefer texting over phone calls, largely because it gives them control over their communication. They can respond on their own time, avoid small talk, and eliminate the stress of having to answer immediately.

Another Uswitch survey revealed that 70% of consumers aged 18 to 34 prefer to receive a text over a phone call. This shift in preference has profound implications for marketers. In a world where consumers are bombarded by ads and promotions, brands must adapt their communication strategies to meet these new demands. Text messaging offers a direct, non-intrusive way to reach customers, making it the perfect tool for modern marketing.

A personal anecdote shared by Yasmin Rufo of the BBC further highlights the evolution of communication. Reflecting on her teenage years, she talks about how text messaging became a primary mode of communication: “A quarter of people aged 18 to 34 never answer the phone - respondents say they ignore the ringing, respond via text, or search the number online if they don't recognize it.” This highlights a generational shift where texting, not calling, has become the norm.

Marketing in 2024 and Beyond

As we look ahead, it’s clear that SMS marketing will continue to play a critical role in the evolving marketing landscape. Textdrip’s mission to empower businesses with innovative SMS solutions ensures that companies are equipped to meet their customers' expectations. With personalized, real-time messaging, businesses can humanize their interactions, foster loyalty, and drive repeat business.

In conclusion, the way we market has changed dramatically in just three short years. Text messaging is no longer a tool just for personal communication; it has become a marketing powerhouse, allowing businesses to connect with their customers in real time. As companies like Textdrip continue to innovate and push the boundaries of what’s possible with SMS marketing, one thing is clear: the future of marketing is personal, immediate, and built on trust.

Textdrip: A Leader in SMS Marketing Automation

Textdrip's success story exemplifies the importance of evolving consumer preferences. Since its launch in 2019, the platform has revolutionized how businesses communicate, offering a streamlined solution that empowers companies to automate their SMS campaigns and improve customer engagement.

With features like drip campaigns, lead distribution, and personalized messaging, Textdrip helps businesses connect with customers on their terms. And as texting becomes the preferred method of communication for younger generations, platforms like Textdrip are not just a marketing tool—they’re a necessity.

As we move into 2024 and beyond, businesses must prioritize direct, personalized communication. Textdrip’s powerful SMS platform offers a simple, effective way for companies to engage with their audiences, fostering relationships that stand the test of time.