The World Cup is one of the most widely viewed sporting events in the world, in 2014 the beautiful game reached more than 3.2 billion avid viewers.
This is the one sporting event that brings entire nations together in support of one team, each hoping that theirs will be the one to bring the cup, and of course the glory, home. With just a few weeks to go until the first game kicks off, retailers are looking to capitalise on the frenzied interest that captures billions of consumers.
Whether your business is looking to encourage more people through the door or to increase online visitors and revenue, the World Cup presents an unrivalled opportunity to add value to your existing customers as well as acquiring profitable new business.
Live action updates
When it comes to sharing the latest odds and fixtures, no communications channel can rival the engagement generated through SMS, with an astounding 90% of messages read in just the first 3 minutes.
The real-time nature of SMS enables retailers to send in-play discounts, cash out options as well as free bet offers prior to a game. By sharing the latest offers with your customers during or before a match, you’re able to offer real value to their digital experience, encouraging customer retention and loyalty to your brand throughout the tournament.
The SMS keyword option is incredibly diverse, offering customers access to mobile vouchers, discount codes and competitions with one simple message. Businesses and brands are also finding this feature invaluable for building their contact lists, asking those who do text in if they would like to continue receiving similar offers and updates.
Customer-centric communications
SMS is helping clubs improve fan relationships, sharing the latest stats, the pre-match line-up as well as score rankings and the chance to enter competitions. This season is the ideal time for clubs and brands alike to re-target their dormant customers and increase brand awareness, sending contacts specific offers and exclusive pre-purchase opportunities.
In today’s mobile-first society, connecting with your customer base using their preferred device and channel is the key to success, which is why the use of SMS as a marketing channel has grown 197% in the last two years.
Mobile-first consumers and their ever-increasing engagement with devices, creates an expectation of instant interactions, modern consumers require real-time updates, answers and access. Providing your contacts with a pre-match or in-play offer via SMS enables them to complete their transaction using just one device almost instantly.
If you’d like to discover more about the opportunities of SMS within the gambling and gaming industry, download our latest insights guide.
