SMS Marketing for Schools & Universities
Operating a gym or fitness center means valuing each member. High enrollment in classes and consistent visits signify thriving business. Conversely, a decline in these areas indicates challenges. Every year starts with a surge in new memberships, with January accounting for approximately 12% of new sign-ups. However, a significant portion of these new year resolution enthusiasts tend to drop off by the third month. So, the question arises: How can you attract new members to your gym and ensure they remain engaged? The solution is straightforward: leverage text message marketing. This essential strategy places your gym’s promotions and updates right at your clients’ fingertips. Through text messaging, you establish a direct line of communication with both existing and potential members, including those who have stopped coming or are considering leaving.
Schools face various challenges in communicating effectively, including engaging with students and their families and sending out emergency notifications quickly. Everyone is busy—students, parents, and staff might not always notice a phone call, making it tough to share crucial updates.
This is where text messages for schools come in handy. Schools from Pre-K to college levels are turning to services like SimpleTexting to connect with their communities and:
- Create a system for emergency text alerts.
- Inform students or parents about school closures, early dismissals, and other urgent updates.
- Establish a question-and-answer hotline for students or parents.
- Provide useful resources to students and parents.
- Share details on college admissions and financial aid opportunities.
- Notify about absenteeism and when report cards are ready.
- Arrange meetings between parents and teachers.
- Remind parents about due fees through text messages.
- And much more!
Why SMS Marketing could be very effective for Schools and educational centers?
Text messaging enables schools to quickly send essential updates to students, teachers, parents, and staff, covering emergencies, school alerts, or general information.
Nowadays, sending mass texts is the fastest and most dependable method for schools to communicate important news.
Everyone Checks Their Phones
SMS for schools is highly effective because students, parents, and teachers always have their cell phones nearby.
On average, Americans check their phones every 12 minutes, amounting to looking at their phones 80 times a day. This behavior contributes to texts having a 98% open rate, with 90% of them being read within three minutes. This is a key reason why many schools opt for text messaging services to quickly reach parents and students in emergencies.
No Need for Extra Apps
Many school communication services ask users to download an app, which can be a reluctant task for many. Google found that prompting users to “download our app” on a website leads to 69% of visitors leaving immediately. In contrast, everyone has a mobile phone and is familiar with texting. Using an SMS system simplifies communication by removing the need for third-party apps.
Preferred by Students
Texting is also a preferred communication channel, especially for 44% of Gen Z, who check notifications within a minute of receiving a text — 27% faster than the national average. No other communication channel achieves the same level of engagement, making it a crucial part of a school’s communication plan.
How Mass Text Messaging for Schools Works
To start sending text messages to your community, you first need to gather a list of phone numbers. There are several strategies for building your SMS audience, and you can also incorporate an existing list by following specific steps.
One of the fastest methods is to promote an SMS keyword across various platforms. A keyword is a specific word or phrase that students, parents, or staff can text to your designated number to subscribe to your updates.
For example, if you want parents to sign up for reminders about parent-teacher meetings and other events, you might choose the keyword “PARENT.” When a parent texts this word to your number, they’ll automatically receive a message thanking them for subscribing.
Schools often advertise these keywords on their websites, social media pages, and even through posters around the school.
Collecting phone numbers via paper forms is another common approach. Ensure your form includes a checkbox for individuals to consent to receiving text messages.
It’s crucial to respect consent by only messaging those who have opted in and to securely store completed forms for future reference. Remember to provide an option for subscribers to opt out of messages. (Further details on SMS compliance can be found through dedicated resources.)
After assembling a contact list, you’re set to send out:
- Emergency alerts
- Important reminders
- Notices about class cancellations
- Information on school events
This guide outlines the simplicity of sending such messages.
Schools have expanded their use of SMS to include updates on sports events, staff communications, and more.
Facilitating Two-Way Communication
Texting also opens the door for two-way interactions. For instance, prospective students often have numerous inquiries for admissions teams. An SMS service allows for swift responses to questions about SAT scores, available majors, and more.
Text messaging can be used for hosting networking events, addressing parent inquiries, and even establishing an SMS hotline for reporting bullying.
To implement this, simply advertise your text-capable number in places where questions are commonly received. This strategy helps organize and efficiently manage incoming messages.
Sample SMS text messaging for Schools and educational centers
✓ Class Cancellation
✓ Emergency Text Alerts
✓ Important Reminders
✓ School Events
✓ Grade Notifications
✓ Bullying Hotline
✓ Homework Assignments
✓ Sports Team Communication
✓ To Fill Open Positions
