For many years, SMS (Short Message Service) has been the go-to channel for business communication. But let’s face it, SMS can feel a bit outdated in today’s multimedia world. However, the recent news that with the release of the iOS 18 likely to arrive in the week of Monday, September 16, 2024, Apple iPhones will now support RCS messages a game-changer, offering businesses a new way to connect with customers.

So, what exactly is RCS messaging, and how can it benefit your business? Here’s a breakdown, along with how Terragon Marketing Cloud can help you leverage this exciting new technology.

What is RCS Messaging?
Think of RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging as the upgraded version of SMS. It offers features that go far beyond basic text messages, including:

• Rich Media: Share images, videos, and GIFs to create more engaging and interactive experiences.
• Improved Delivery & Read Receipts: Know when your messages have been delivered and even if they’ve been read.
• Action Buttons: Direct customers to take specific actions, like booking appointments or visiting your website, directly within the message.
• Chatbots and Automation: Integrate chatbots for automated customer service and personalized interactions.
• Group Chat Features: Facilitate seamless communication within groups for easier customer support and marketing campaigns.

What Does AI-Powered RCS Messaging Mean for Businesses?
The enhanced capabilities of RCS messaging are amplified by Terragon Marketing Cloud’s AI:

• Hyper-Personalized Promotions: Leverage customer transaction data and AI to craft highly relevant promotional messages within your RCS campaigns. Imagine sending an RCS message with a discount on a product a customer just viewed or a service they frequently use.
• Real-time Insights & Optimization: The AI analyzes campaign performance in real-time, allowing you to optimize content, timing, and targeting for maximum impact.
• Predictive Recommendations: Go beyond basic segmentation. Use AI to predict what kind of RCS messages each customer is most likely to respond to, driving even higher engagement and conversion rates.

How Terragon Marketing Cloud Can Help You Master AI-powered RCS Messaging

Terragon Marketing Cloud is an effective platform that equips you to leverage the full potential of AI-powered RCS messaging:

• Omnichannel Marketing: Integrate RCS messaging with your existing marketing channels for a unified customer experience.
• Segmentation & Targeting: Take personalization a step further. Use AI and customer data to create hyper-targeted segments for your RCS campaigns.
• Campaign Management with AI Assist: Create, manage, and schedule your RCS messaging campaigns from a centralized platform with AI guidance for optimal message content and timing.
• Automated Workflows with AI Triggers: Set up automated RCS message triggers based on specific customer actions or events, powered by AI insights.
• Performance Analytics with AI Insights: Track and analyze the performance of your RCS campaigns. Go beyond basic metrics and leverage AI to gain insights into customer behavior and optimize future campaigns.
• Launch Ads within RCS messages, powered by AI to offer data-driven product recommendations

In conclusion, the introduction of RCS messaging on iPhones opens doors for businesses to elevate their customer communication strategies. By leveraging Terragon Marketing Cloud’s AI capabilities, you can unlock the true power of RCS to create highly personalized and engaging experiences, drive conversions, and build stronger custo mer relationships.

Ready to explore the exciting possibilities of RCS messaging? Register to attend a Terragon Marketing Cloud-hosted event themed “RCS & AI: The Duo of Next Gen Business Messaging,” or contact our sales team to schedule a discovery call and key into the potential of Terragon Marketing Cloud