Promotional SMS is a powerful SMS marketing tool businesses use to send sales-oriented messages directly to a list of opted-in subscribers. Unlike other forms of SMS, its primary goal is to drive sales, boost customer engagement, and build brand awareness through offers, discounts, and other marketing-focused communications. It is a core component of any effective SMS marketing service in Nepal. How is promotional SMS different from transactional SMS? The fundamental difference lies in their purpose, trigger, and sending method. Promotional SMS is marketing-focused, aimed at creating a new sale. These messages are often sent as a large SMS campaign to a group of customers at a scheduled time. Businesses in Nepal typically use a bulk SMS web portal for this, which allows them to manually upload their opt-in list, craft a message, and send or schedule it. Transactional SMS, on the other hand, is informational and triggered by a user’s action. Its purpose is to facilitate an existing transaction, like an order confirmation. These are sent automatically and individually through an SMS API gateway, which integrates directly into a company’s software for seamless, real-time communication. What are the most effective ways to use promotional SMS? Promotional SMS is incredibly versatile for engaging customers and boosting revenue. Some of the most effective use cases include: Birthday & Anniversary Offers: Sending personalized discounts on a customer’s special day. What are the key benefits of promotional SMS for businesses? Promotional SMS provides a direct and high-impact channel to boost sales, especially given the 98% open rate of text messages. Who are the best promotional SMS providers? Many companies offer robust platforms for sending promotional SMS, often providing both a web portal and API access. International Providers: Providers in Nepal and South Asia: Sparrow SMS: A long-standing provider in Nepal trusted by thousands of clients. Bulk SMS Nepal : A leading bulk SMS provider with a user-friendly dashboard. MSG91 Textlocal Aakash SMS What are some examples of effective promotional SMS? Flash Sale (Retail):“FLASH SALE! Get 40% OFF everything online for the next 3 hours only! Use code FLASH40 at checkout. Shop now: [Link] Reply STOP to opt-out.” Special Offer (Restaurant):“[Restaurant Name]: Beat the midweek slump! Show this text to get a FREE appetizer with any main course purchase today, Oct 26. Reply STOP to opt-out.” New Arrival (E-commerce):“Just Dropped! Our new Winter Collection is here. Be the first to explore. Shop now: [Link] Reply STOP to opt-out.” Event Invitation (Salon):“Hi [Name], you’re invited to our exclusive VIP Beauty Night this Friday! Enjoy 20% off all products. RSVP: [Link] Reply STOP to opt-out.” How much does promotional SMS cost? The cost is based on a per-message fee that decreases with higher volume. In Nepal, the price generally ranges from 1 to 2 Nepali Rupees (NPR) per SMS, depending on the quantity purchased from the provider. How can I get started with promotional SMS? Getting your first campaign running is a straightforward process: Send and Track: Use your provider’s web portal to send the campaign. Then, monitor the delivery reports to track performance and refine your strategy. Frequently Asked Questions