November 2024 | Issue #23
Hello Friend!
November already. Yowza. I’ve been learning more about Shopify, Klaviyo (an email service provider), and Search Engine Optimization (SEO). If you know me at all, you know I love to learn new technology.
SEO is especially interesting lately. Everyone wants their website to perform better on Google. But 1) Will Google continue to dominate search now that it’s providing AI answers to searchers’ queries instead of sending people to websites? 2) With people moving their searches to AI tools like Chat GPT, how do you optimize your website for that?
Chat GPT4 pulls information from Bing (I KNOW, what?!) and Bing has an IndexNow tool that’s improving their searches all the time. One thing about SEO…it’s always changing. Let me know if you need your website sitemap submitted to Bing. Or if you want me to see if that’s already been done for you.
In other news, I finally bit the bullet and got the paid version of ChatGPT. It’s so strange. It performs brilliantly with spreadsheets, but surprisingly terribly in some other applications. At least I can generate interesting photos, like the one in the last article of this newsletter.
In this month of gratitude, I want to send my appreciation out to my mom, clients, friends and newsletter readers. You are so appreciated.
All the best,
Karen Zachary
Anchor Virtual Assistants
P.S: By the time you finish reading this email, you’ll be five minutes closer to the weekend. 🙂
I’ll be OOO December 11 to 22nd.
Is Short Message Service (SMS) marketing effective?
In the past few months, if you’re like me, you’ve endured at least 150 text messages about the election. It’s hard to imagine that such an annoying mode of communication could be profitable. So let’s take a look and see.What is SMS Marketing
SMS marketing, (basically text or image phone messaging), is a strategy where businesses send text messages directly to their customers’ phones. It’s a fast, convenient way to connect with people on the go, reaching them in real-time. With most people spending over five hours a day on their phones, it’s no wonder SMS marketing has become such a powerful tool for businesses.
SMS marketing typically converts at a rate of 1-2%. Conversion rates are higher than other types of marketing because if someone has opted in to giving you their phone number, the prospect already thinks highly of your product. Each SMS can expect an unsubscribe rate of .5 to 1.2%. So it’s critical to add new people to the list all the time. Just as with email, you can track unsubscribe and conversion rates to fine-tune your messaging and send times.
Why Should Businesses Use SMS Marketing?
SMS marketing has several key advantages that make it an incredibly effective tool for businesses of all sizes:
1. High Open Rates
Research shows that 98% of text messages are opened1, with most read within just a few minutes. This is much higher than email open rates. When your message goes directly to someone’s phone, it’s almost guaranteed to get noticed.
2. Fast and Immediate Delivery
Texts reach people instantly, which is perfect for time-sensitive information, like flash sales, reminders, or order updates. SMS marketing enables brands to stay in touch right when it matters most—helping you grab attention in real-time.
3. Excellent Conversion Rates
SMS marketing doesn’t just get noticed—it also prompts action. Studies show that SMS marketing messages have a 45% response rate2, which is double or more compared to email marketing messages. Short, simple messages with a clear call to action (CTA) are easy for customers to engage with.
4. Cost-Effective with High ROI
Compared to other marketing methods, SMS is affordable, and it offers impressive returns. For every dollar spent, businesses typically see about $71 in revenue3, making SMS marketing one of the highest-ROI channels available.
5. Personal and Engaging
SMS messages are personal and can be customized with names, product recommendations, or special offers. This personal touch helps build stronger relationships and keeps your brand top of mind.
Best Practices for SMS Marketing
To make SMS marketing truly effective, it’s important to follow these best practices:
1. Get Consent First
Before sending any messages, make sure you have permission from your contacts. You can ask customers to opt-in through a sign-up form, at checkout, or even through social media. This isn’t just polite—it’s required by law.
2. Keep it Short and Sweet
Texts have a limit of 160 characters, so keep your messages brief. Focus on what’s most important, and don’t overcrowd with unnecessary details.
3. Time Your Messages Carefully
People are more likely to respond to texts they receive at convenient times, like mid-morning or early evening. Avoid sending messages at odd hours or on weekends unless it’s an urgent update.
4. Add a Clear Call to Action
Make it obvious what you want customers to do—whether it’s clicking a link, using a promo code, or replying to the message. The simpler and clearer the CTA, the better the response.
5. Personalize and Segment Messages
Use customer data to tailor your messages to their interests. For example, if someone has recently purchased a product, follow up with a message about a related item. Segmenting your list lets you send the right message to the right group for better engagement.
How to Get Started with SMS Marketing
If you’re ready to try SMS marketing, here’s a step-by-step guide to get you going:
1. Choose a Platform
Look for an SMS marketing tool that’s easy to use and meets your needs. Some popular options include Mailchimp, Klaviyo, and SimpleTexting. I think it’s ideal to have an email service provider that does SMS because then you have your subscriber data in one place instead of two.
2. Build Your Contact List
Gather phone numbers from customers who have opted in. You can do this through your website, social media, or checkout process.
3. Set Up Your First Campaign
Start with a simple message, like a welcome offer or a quick promotion.
4. Track and Measure Success
Monitor how many people open, click, or respond to your texts. This data can help you improve your future campaigns.
Is SMS Marketing Right for Your Business?
If you’re wondering whether SMS marketing is right for you, consider your audience and your goals. SMS works best for businesses with time-sensitive information, limited-time offers, or those looking to provide quick updates. It’s especially popular in industries like retail, hospitality, and healthcare.
FAQs about SMS Marketing
What is SMS Marketing used for?
SMS marketing is used to communicate directly with customers via text. Businesses use it for promotions, reminders, order updates, and other short messages that are easy to read and respond to.
How does SMS marketing differ from email marketing?
SMS marketing offers a more direct, real-time approach, with higher open and response rates than email. However, it’s best used for shorter, time-sensitive messages, while email works well for longer content. 160 characters go quickly!
What are some best practices?
Make sure to get consent, keep messages short, send at convenient times, and always provide a way to opt out. Personalized, relevant content is more likely to succeed.
Why is SMS marketing so effective?
SMS marketing is effective because it reaches people instantly on their mobile devices, has high open rates, and prompts quick responses with concise messages.
Has SMS marketing ever made you purchase a good or service? I’d love to know!
Sources:
“Tap Into The Marketing Power of SMS” (full content available to Gartner clients), Chris Pemberton notes that “SMS open and response rates as high as 98% and 45%, respectively — in contrast to corresponding figures of 20% and 6% for email.
https://info.attentive.com/year-to-date/
The average white-collar worker receives 121 emails every single day. What are you doing to make yours stand out?
Quick Tips and News Tidbits
⚓︎ Post more carousels. If I manage your social media, you already know I LOVE a carousel because you get more views. Adam Mossieri, the head of Instagram recently said “Why [do] carousels often get more reach than photos? Two main reasons. One, multiple pieces of media are going to mean more interactions with your carousel posts, and more interactions is going to mean more reach on average. And two, if someone sees your carousel post but they don’t swipe, we’ll often give that carousel a second chance and automatically move to that second piece of media for the viewer.” Source Carousels have topped the charts with an engagement rate of 10.15%—higher than single images or videos.
⚓︎ Instagram also says keep Reels under 90 seconds or they won’t put it on the Explore tab or Reels tab.
⚓︎ See your competitor’s followers on LinkedIn. From Leah Does LinkedIn on X:
- go to your profile
- click on connections (500+)
- select all filters
- select 2nd
- select followers of
- enter name of connection whose followers you want to steal
- click show all results
There’s your list 👌🏻
⚓︎ See what Google Ads your competition is running. Go to the Google Ads Transparency Center, check out your competitors and then do something better! I made a one-minute walkthrough video.Watch the video
⚓︎ Short-form videos are the social media ticket right now. Here are some statistics that will blow your mind…
- 694,000 Instagram Reels are sent via Direct Message every minute.
- Americans spend more social media time on TikTok than any other platform. In my opinion, this is because TikTok has the best algorithm, videos can be watched at 2x speed, and you can scrub forward and back in videos.
- Facebook videos are viewed 8 billion times per day.
- YouTube Shorts is the #1 short-form video platform for brand and product discovery. Remember, YouTube shorts must be in the portrait/vertical orientation.
Why 2025 Businesses Will Need Virtual Assistants More Than Ever
As we look ahead to 2025, it’s clear that virtual assistants (VAs) are quickly becoming essential. With the rise of remote work, increased focus on digital marketing, and the need for cost-effective solutions, virtual assistants offer businesses flexible, affordable support across multiple areas.
In this blog, we’ll look at why VAs will be more critical than ever for businesses in 2025, what skills are in demand, and how companies can make the most of their VA partnerships.
Why Are Virtual Assistants in Demand?
The global economy is evolving rapidly, and businesses of all sizes are under constant pressure to operate more efficiently, scale effectively, and stay competitive.
Here’s how VAs help:
1. Cost Savings and Flexibility
Hiring a virtual assistant is far cheaper than bringing on full-time, in-house staff. With a VA, you only pay for the help you need. Plus, businesses can scale their virtual support up or down as needed.
2. Access to a Larger Talent Pool
By hiring VAs remotely, businesses aren’t limited to local talent. Businesses can find a specialist with skills that meet specific needs, from SEO and content creation to social media management and project management.
2. Efficiency and Productivity
Many business owners spend too much time on admin tasks, which pulls them away from focusing on growth. VAs can handle routine tasks like website edits, email marketing, setting up email schedulers, and researching needed SaaS, freeing up time for core business activities.
The Most In-Demand Virtual Assistant Services for 2025
As more businesses recognize the value of VAs, demand for specialized skills is rising.
Here’s a breakdown of the most sought-after VA roles and services:
1. Digital Marketing Assistants
With the rise of digital marketing, VAs skilled in social media management, SEO, and content creation are highly sought after. Digital marketing VAs handle everything from creating posts and managing social platforms to tracking engagement and analyzing metrics.
2. Content Creation VAs
Businesses need fresh content to engage customers and improve online visibility. Content VAs write blog posts, social media updates, email campaigns, and more, aligning their work with the company’s brand voice and goals.
3. Web Developers
As online presence becomes critical, VAs with web development skills help create and maintain functional, secure websites. They can develop new sites or improve existing ones, which is essential for businesses that want to make a strong digital impression.
Skills Every Business Should Look for in a Virtual Assistant
While every VA role has unique requirements, here are a few high-demand skills that will be especially important in 2025:
1. SEO Expertise
SEO skills are essential for digital marketing VAs. VAs with SEO knowledge can improve a business’s online ranking, bringing in more organic traffic.
2. Social Media Management
Social media skills are crucial as businesses continue to rely on platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for marketing. Social media VAs handle everything from posting to engaging with followers.
3. Content Creation
VAs with content creation skills add a lot of value. They can develop engaging posts, articles, and marketing materials that reflect a brand’s voice.
4. Software Skills and Willingness to Learn
Familiarity with a wide variety of software, and an “I’ll figure it out” attitude.
FAQ About Virtual Assistants
What does a virtual assistant do?
Why should I hire a virtual assistant instead of a full-time employee?
Virtual assistants offer flexibility and cost savings. You only pay for the work you need.
What are the most important skills for a virtual assistant?
Key skills for VAs include digital marketing (SEO, social media, email marketing), content creation, project management. These skills help businesses run efficiently and engage effectively with customers.
FAQs About Anchor Virtual Assistants
What services does Anchor Virtual Assistants provide?
Anchor Virtual Assistants offers a range of services, including digital marketing, website development, integration setup, content creation, project management, and book launches.
Why choose Anchor Virtual Assistants?
They help businesses operate more efficiently, allowing the client to focus more on revenue, and work they enjoy.
How do I get started with Anchor Virtual Assistants?
Getting started with Anchor Virtual Assistants is easy. You can schedule a free 30-minute discovery call here, or jumpstart the process by buying hours here.
Final Thoughts: Why Virtual Assistants Are a Must-Have for 2025
As we enter 2025, the need for virtual assistants is only expected to grow. They help businesses save money, provide access to global talent, and improve productivity by handling both essential and specialized tasks. Whether you need help with admin, digital marketing, or customer service, VAs offer flexible, affordable support to help your business succeed.
Add Virtual Assistant Time Now
Task You Could Hand Off Today:Create Internal Links on Your Website
Internal linking is when, for example, one blog has a link to another blog. Or a blog links to your services page. The idea is to have many helpful cross-references within your site. This helps with SEO. This can also keep people on your site longer, which can be beneficial for conversions.
This week, I’m looking for mind-numbing content on social media. Here are a few of my favorite sources for a few minutes of good distraction.
@soren_iverson on X: Concepts for unhinged tech product features. Examples include: an iOS “accountability alarm” and Google Meet “jail” for interruptions.
@jordanmyr1ck on TikTok: A professional food taste tester sharing her weekly top five discoveries every Friday.
@peteytheseeingeyedonkey on TikTok: A heartwarming account of a donkey helping a blind horse live a better life.
@calligraphybyct on Instagram: Incredible artistry in lettering, mesmerizing to watch.
@techpidia on Instagram: Fascinating clips of chemical reactions, laser cutting, and clever tools for solving niche problems.
@the_josemonkey on TikTok: Uses technology and wit to locate any spot in the world from a 360º video sent by followers.
@caninecollegemi on TikTok: Fun and music-filled daycare shenanigans with dogs
@feliciawilson_85 on TikTok: This animal transporter befriends every creature she meets; it’s like she has magic.