The Basics of Oracle’s SMS Feature
Oracle Eloqua’s latest SMS releases has made it easier for users to incorporate text messaging into their current Campaigns and Programs. Under controlled availability, Eloqua users can work with Oracle Support to submit their instance for review & approval to utilize this new feature. There are plenty of ways to take advantage of it too:
How You Can Use SMS in Eloqua
- Lead Generation – capturing leads using two-way long/short codes or tracking link
- Emergency Notifications – use shortened links to redirect users to a landing page with more info
- Personalization – utilize any fields available with Field Merges
- Event Reminders and Registrations – send reminder messages to event attendees
- Reply with keywords – programming keywords for customers to respond to – keywords that can provide them with more information
- Surveys & Polls – gather customer feedback with shortened links
- Incorporate into Email Campaigns – you can easily add an SMS path into your Campaign Canvas alongside Email (see below)
How Eloqua Categorizes SMS
Similarly, to emails, text messages can be categorized into two buckets: Promotional & Transactional. Promotional messaging is essentially anything marketing, or sales focused that promotes the brand. Transactional messaging is necessary information the customer needs to know. Currently, there is no difference in functionality within Eloqua between the two.
- There are two messaging types: MT & MT + MO
- MT means “Message Terminate” or Customers receiving a message
- MT + MO means “Message Terminate” and “Message Originate” or Customers receiving a message, Customers responding to a message.
- In simpler terms…
- MT = one way outbound
- For example, “ALERT: There will be a power outage from 2pm – 3pm today. Prepare accordingly.”
- MT + MO = sending a message out, programming replies
- For example, “Text COOKIES to enter for a chance to win a dozen cookies!” User texts COOKIES. User receives, “Thank you for entering the sweepstakes! Keep an eye on your phone in the next hour to see if you’ve won.”
- MT = one way outbound
Design a Text Message
Eloqua’s SMS design portal is intuitive, easy to use, and simplified to the core basics of what you need to create a message. No bells & whistles are there to confuse or distract you from what you are there to do. The SMS design portal helps in other ways:
- It supports Field Merges to allow for personalization
- Links are shortened automatically
- Users may define automated Keywords and invalid Keyword responses
- It displays in real-time your messaging character count and how many messages your copy will require. The standard length of 1 text message is 160 characters.
Unpack Out-of-the-Box Reporting
Eloqua can capture SMS activities including: sends, delivers, hard bounce, soft bounce, replies, click-throughs, unsubscribes. Standardized Insight Reports offer will include intervals: by Day, by Month, by Year.
What Are The Costs Involved?
- Reminder- this is being released on controlled availability. You will need to work with Oracle Support or your Account Manager to be considered. Be prepared to give 1-3 specific business-driven use cases for your instance.
- SMS will work as an add-on to a current Eloqua subscription with additional costs.
- There are two known costs:
- number of short/long/vanity codes purchased. This is a one-time cost per contract.
- Turnaround time establishing short codes can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks.
- message usage cost or cost per message.
- This cost varies globally based on usage.
- number of short/long/vanity codes purchased. This is a one-time cost per contract.
If you’re itching to experience SMS in Eloqua right away, take advantage of our free Twilio SMS Standard App and get started on your first SMS campaign today. Reach out if you have any questions and we’ll be there to assist!
——
Thank you for subscribing!
Subscribe to our Thought Leadership Today
