Why use emojis in SMS marketing and business communication?

You’ve probably wondered more than once: "Is it appropriate to include an emoji in this message or should I leave it as is?"

Texts certainly look more interesting and engaging when accompanied by emojis.

So, here’s how to use emoticons and emojis in SMS communication.

First – What is an emoticon?

An emoticon is a combination of letters, numbers, and punctuation marks that together form a new meaning. Of course, the goal is to mimic gestures, facial expressions, animals, or other things. The name is shortened from the words "emotion" and "icon." The most popular emoticons form smiling faces or express similar emotions.

Here are a few examples of popular emoticons:

:) :( ;) XD :* :/ <3 ^_^ ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

What is an emoji?

Emojis are colorful images that replace emoticons. They are a more modern form of emoticons and originate from Japan. They expand the concept – the symbols expressing emotion are no longer just dots and dashes but have become images, which is where their name comes from – "e" (image) and "moji" (symbol).

It’s important to note that not all emojis display the same way on every device. Or at least not in the same way – but the key point is that the meaning remains intact. It’s best to perform a test before sending SMS messages with emojis.

Emojis in Business Communication

Emoticons, as well as emojis, help make communication more engaging.

They make messages feel more relatable, closer to the kind people exchange with one another daily. And colorful emojis undoubtedly draw attention.

Advantages of emojis:

• They increase user engagement.
• They help make a brand more recognizable.
• They boost success metrics like Open Rate and CTR, as they pique interest.

Of course, we can’t overuse emojis because, like anything bright and colorful, they can distract from the information we want to convey.

Excessive use of emojis risks making us sound or look childish or unprofessional, especially when dealing with serious or important matters. Therefore, careful consideration is needed to decide if they are appropriate at all.

These smiley faces work best when communicating with younger audiences who use them in their daily conversations.

One thing to be cautious of – certain emoticons have secondary meanings, sometimes entirely different from their primary ones. So, choose carefully what and where to place in your message to avoid being misunderstood.

Best Emojis for Text Marketing Campaigns

• ✅ – The check mark in a text message means something is approved or confirmed. You can use this emoji in text messages as a bullet point or to indicate something is confirmed.
• 🤩 – The face with starry eyes expresses excitement or admiration – as if it's speechless. This is most suitable for discount or promotional SMS campaigns.
• 🔔 – Although the bell emoji is used for SMS notifications and reminders, some businesses use it in Christmas text messages and seasonal greetings, as it resembles a Christmas bell.
• 📢 – If you’re sending important messages to your audience, use the megaphone emoji to easily grab their attention toward your SMS message.