With a staggering 9 out of 10 people opening their text messages within three minutes, SMS is a very popular channel when compared to others such as email, and today, we are going to mention some of the most common and widely used text marketing terminologies that you should know and understand.
This glossary covers the basic texting terms, and once you can master the lingo, you’ll have an easy time with your SMS marketing strategy.
20 most common text marketing terms
1. Short Message Service (SMS)
This is a text-based communication system that enables the exchange of short bits of information between mobile devices. “SMS” is usually interchangeable with “Text Message.” To get started with sending SMS campaigns, you need a bulk SMS gateway from an omnichannel marketing platform to kickstart your campaign.
2. Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS)
It’s a form of messaging that engages audiences with multimedia like video, images, audio, and GIFs within the text message. Messages with images tend to see better performance than those without and you have to try A/B testing campaigns to find the approach that works best for your business.
3. A2P Messaging
This is Application to Person messaging where messages are sent from an application to a mobile user. It is also called enterprise messaging. The message is initiated from your business application and not from the customer’s mobile device.
4. Alphanumeric Sender ID
These IDs are used in one-way messages where a mix of numbers from 0 to 9 in both upper and lower case letters, and space characters are used. One alphanumeric sender ID can be as long as eleven characters and generally represent your brand name.
5. Binary Messages
This message is for sending small files, and rich content such as ringtones, images, and WAP push messages.
6. DLR (Delivery Report)
The delivery report shows the current status of the SMS campaign currently running. The SMS center notifies you through a message that the SMS has been delivered to your intended recipient.
7. CPaaS
Communications Platform as a Service is a cloud-based platform that enables developers to add real-time communications features like voice, video, and SMS messaging into their own applications without needing to build the infrastructure at the backend.
8. Flash SMS
Flash SMS is a pop-up notification that doesn’t deliver as an SMS rather it lands on the home screen of the user’s mobile phone and it deletes automatically if not saved. It is usually sent for emergency alerts, deals, and promos.
9. Mobile Network Operator (MNO)
A Mobile Network Operator, also known as Wireless Carrier, is an organization that provides wireless voice and data communication to its subscribed mobile users. Popular carriers include Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T.
10. Mobile Number Portability ( MNP)
It is a service that allows mobile network users to switch from one wireless carrier to the other, irrespective of the location, without having to change their mobile number. This happens when a user is dissatisfied with the services provided by the current network operator, so he shifts to another operator keeping the same mobile number. You can carry out a mobile number portability check when you start your campaign to confirm your contact’s carrier.
11. Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN)
This is a 15-digit number that helps identify an international mobile phone number.
It is the full phone number of a mobile device that includes country code and area code or national destination code and is used to identify a GSM or UMTS subscription, for example, +44 represents the United Kingdom and +91 is for India.
12. Short Message Peer-to-Peer protocol (SMPP)
This is used in the telecom industry for exchanging messages between external short message entities, message centers, and routing entities.
13. Person-to-Person (P2P) Messaging
Also known as Peer-to-Peer messaging, this is when one mobile phone user sends a text message to another one and a mobile operator acts as the intermediary responsible for forwarding messages from point A to B.
14. Short Links
Short links are URLs that have been shortened (and customized) using a link shortening service. They can be customized, branded, and tracked.
15. 2-Way SMS
Also referred to as “1-to-1 messaging,” 2-way SMS allows your customers to reach you via SMS which saves time and ensures you’re not missing out on solving your customers’ problems, confirming bookings, or sending delivery updates.
16. Home Location Register (HLR)
HLR, also known as Number Lookup or Network Query, is a central database that contains details of every mobile subscriber that is authorized to use the GSM core network.
17. Transactional SMS Messages
Transactional SMS messages are texts that provide your customers with info regarding their order, its status, and expected delivery time.
18. Opt-In
Opting in is when a customer signs up to receive SMS communication from your brand.
19. Opt-Out
Opting out occurs when customers unsubscribe from a brand’s text messages or decline to opt in.
20. Digit Long Code (10DLC)
This is the new industry standard when sending text messages from an application to a person. As opposed to a Short Code.
Now that you know your texting terminology, it’s time to kick off your SMS marketing campaign with BSG and build real relationships with your customers.