SMS marketing for radio stations
Learn how to boost your listener numbers and keep your audience connected with text message marketing. .
For a form of media that’s over 100 years old, radio deserves a standing ovation for standing the test of time.
When it comes to merging the traditional with the modern, no two tools are better suited for each other than radio and texting.
Along with radios, mobile phones are one of the most accessible forms of technology, covering over two-thirds of the world’s population. Additionally, more than two-thirds of smartphone users stream radio every week!
Learn how to combine these two super-mediums to create the ultimate media and advertising experience for all your listeners.
How can radio stations use SMS software?
Texting gives your radio station the opportunity to connect more efficiently with your listeners in real time. Here are just a few of the ways incorporating SMS into your operations will better serve your bottom line:
Easily hear from users
Audience participation via phone calls can be expensive and cumbersome. By offering an SMS live chat option, you provide a more personalized experience between DJs and listeners (that doesn’t break the bank). Listeners can text in directly to the station or via keyword and be met with personalized auto-responses rather than a beeping busy dial tone. Say goodbye to hold time!
💡SimpleTexting tip: A keyword is a short word or phrase that people can text in to your number in order to join your contact list and receive updates. For a radio station, a great keyword would simply be your name: Country102.7, KISS108, etc.
Add value to advertisers
Your text message contact list can be monetized by sponsors as well! Your growing SMS reach is another branding asset you can proposition as a tool for bringing in more revenue.
Gather show content
For a lot of radio talk shows, user submissions are rich sources of material. It’s easy for listeners to text in stories, photos, and other entertaining tidbits you can archive and save for later shows!
Reward loyal listeners
Your SMS program can be a way to connect with and reward your loyal listeners with exclusive offers and deals. Because mass texting requires express written consent, only the most engaged audience members will be on your distribution list ensuring the most effective use of your time and resources.
Sample radio station text messages
Check out these sample messages for some more inspiration.
Local deal texts
Whether you’re promoting your paid advertisers or just your personal favorites, use texts to drive business to local hot spots. You can provide deals or discounts, or just use this space to share fun new information with your listeners!
Weekly text contests
Reward your loyal contacts with weekly contests. You can use these messages as a tool to both acquire new listeners and retain existing ones.
Emergency alert texts
More than 243 million American adults listen to the radio each month making it an important outlet for emergency alerts. From severe weather to Amber alerts, use texting as a way to amplify your on-air alarms.
SMS event invites
Radio stations often have a presence at a variety of community events. Whether it’s one you’re sponsoring, or merely attending, you want to ensure your listeners show up! Use texting as a way to send out invites, event reminders, and more. By using link tracking, you can even segment your list based on click behavior. Send thank you’s to people who have registered, and reminders to people who haven’t.
Text to request
Increase your audience input. From songs to shoutouts, your audience will appreciate the opportunity to have their choices heard on the air. By setting up a keyword or sharing your number with your audience, they can text in all of their preferences directly to you!
Last 10 text
How many times have your listeners been jamming out to a song they heard on your station only to forget what it was called? Eliminate that frustration by allowing your customers to text in a keyword like LAST10 to request a personalized message with the last ten songs on your station.
Poll your listeners
Want to make your radio station the best it can be? Collect feedback directly from your listeners to find out how you can improve your programming with our polling feature.
A. Traffic Reports
B. Uninterrupted music
C. Prank segments
Host giveaways
In addition to smaller contests, a lot of radio stations run big-ticket giveaways. Using SMS as a way to enter is a simple solution for listeners and an easy way for you to stay organized. Sort submissions by time received and leave notes on conversations indicating the number of entries that only you and your team can see! If you use text-to-win, a winner can even be randomly selected for you!
How to get started with texting for radio stations
It’s easy to get up and running with text marketing. Especially for a radio station that already knows about the art of growing an audience!
1. Select a number
Does your radio station have a number that listeners are already familiar with? The good news is, you don’t have to change it! One of our onboarding team can work with you to text-enable your existing voice number.
You also have the option to work with a new registered local number or toll-free number unique to your radio station (just don’t forget to have your toll-free number verified) or provision a custom 6-digit short code.
2. Reserve keywords
Keywords are an essential way for listeners to subscribe to your messages. It’s also a great tool for your station to keep listeners organized based on their interests. Every SimpleTexting plan comes with unlimited keywords.
That means you can create one for every program at your station, for any giveaways you run, or for any events you have coming up! Your keyword confirmation, which can be an SMS or MMS message, also gives you a great opportunity to welcome new contacts right off the bat!
3. Add sign-up forms to your website
Another simple way to get more listeners signed up for your text messages is by adding a form to your website. This is the space where most people visit to find out information, so create a pop-up for each viewer to share their mobile number in order to receive exclusive updates and information. If your web developers are busy there’s no need to worry. We already made the code for you, all you need to do is copy and paste it onto your radio station’s website for an instant sign-up form!
4. Advertise your new texting abilities
The most important part of your text marketing program is the process of informing your listeners that you have one! Make sure your DJs are regularly sharing your numbers and keywords while they’re on the air. Be sure to update all your signage, web material, and advertisements with text-related calls to action. Anywhere you can make your number and keywords visible, do so! Soon enough you’ll watch your contact list (and ratings) begin to rise.
FAQs about radio station text messaging
Ready to see the dramatic effects texting can have on your radio station? Give us a try risk free for 14 days. No credit card, no commitment. We think you’ll be pretty pleased with what you see!