Ultimate Guide to Creating an SMS Campaign in the Fishbowl GRM

SMS marketing is a powerful tool for restaurants to engage with customers directly on their mobile devices. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of creating an SMS campaign using the Fishbowl GRM. Whether you're promoting a special event, offering discounts, or sending reminders, this guide will help you set up a successful SMS campaign that reaches your audience effectively.

Step 1: Accessing the SMS Campaign Feature

1. Navigate to the Engage Tab:
   • Start by logging into your Fishbowl GRM account.
   • Click on the Engage tab located in the top navigation menu.
   • You may initially see the Email tab. Make sure to switch to the SMS tab.
2. View Existing Campaigns:
   • Once in the SMS tab, you'll see a list of all your previous campaigns. This is where you can review past performance or duplicate successful campaigns.

Step 2: Creating a New SMS Campaign

1. Initiate a New Campaign:
   • Click the Create Campaign button located at the top of the page. The system will recognize that you are setting up an SMS campaign.
2. Name Your Campaign:
   • Provide a name for your campaign. For example, you could name it “Happy Hour Blast” or “August Birthday Reminders.”
3. Select a Campaign Category:
   • Choose the appropriate category for your SMS campaign. Options include:
     • Welcome
     • Birthday
     • Holiday
     • Anniversary
     • Featured Menu Items
     • Event
     • Transactional
   • Categorizing your campaigns allows you to break down and analyze your SMS reporting by category later on.
4. Choose Your Campaign Type:
   • You can select between two types of SMS campaigns:
     • Broadcast Campaign: Send a message to your entire SMS subscriber database.
     • Keyword Campaign: Engage customers through specific keywords.
5. Confirm Campaign Creation:
   • After selecting your campaign type, click Create to move on to the next step.

Step 3: Setting Up the Audience

1. Access the Audience Tab:
   • Navigate to the Audience tab. The layout will be similar to setting up an email campaign, with some specific SMS options.
2. Select Your Target Segments:
   • Choose the segment of your audience that will receive the SMS. This includes all members who have opted into your SMS program and provided their phone numbers.
   • Ensure you select All Members with a Phone Number to include everyone who is eligible.
3. Choose Participating Stores:
   • If your campaign is relevant to specific locations, you can select which stores will be involved. You can either select all stores or choose specific ones based on your needs.
4. Proceed to the Next Step:
   • Once your audience is set, click Next to move on to composing your message.

Step 4: Crafting Your Message

1. Compose the SMS Content:
   • Enter the content of your message. For example:
     • “Join us for Happy Hour! 3-5 PM. Half-off drinks and appetizers.”
   • Keep the message concise and direct, as SMS messages have character limits.
2. Include an Opt-Out Disclaimer:
   • It's important to provide recipients with an option to unsubscribe. You can add a disclaimer such as “Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”
3. Review Your Message:
   • Double-check the content for accuracy and completeness. This is your chance to make sure all details are correct before sending.

Step 5: Review and Schedule the Campaign

1. Final Review:
   • The final step before scheduling is to review all the information:
     • Campaign name
     • Audience segment
     • Message content
   • Ensure everything is accurate and as intended.
2. Schedule the Campaign:
   • Choose the date and time you want the SMS campaign to be sent out. For example, if you’re promoting an event tomorrow evening, you might schedule the message to go out at 11:30 AM on the same day.
3. Send a Test Message:
   • Before scheduling the campaign, it’s advisable to send a test SMS to yourself. This helps you verify how the message appears on a mobile device.
   • If everything looks good, proceed to schedule the campaign.
4. Confirm the Schedule:
   • Once scheduled, the campaign status will change to “Scheduled” under the Engage tab. You can return here to see the status of your campaigns or make any last-minute adjustments.
5. Unschedule if Necessary:
   • If you need to cancel or reschedule the campaign, you can easily do so by toggling back to the SMS section in the Engage tab.

Conclusion

Creating an SMS campaign in the Fishbowl GRM is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance your restaurant’s marketing efforts. By following these steps, you can effectively reach your customers with timely and relevant messages, driving engagement and boosting your restaurant’s performance.