How to Buy Bulk SMS from Safaricom (Latest) (2024)

Want to reach thousands of customers with the click of a button? Bulk SMS is your answer. And in Kenya, Safaricom is the king of the hill.

This guide will show you exactly how to buy bulk SMS from Safaricom, step-by-step, so you can supercharge your marketing and communication efforts.

Table of Contents

Why Bulk SMS? Why Safaricom?

First, let’s get one thing straight. Why bother with SMS in the age of Instagram and TikTok?

It’s direct. No algorithms burying your message. It lands right in their pocket.
It’s personal. You can address customers by name, segment your audience, and tailor your offers.
It gets opened. Let’s be real, who doesn’t check their texts? Open rates for SMS crush email marketing.

Now, why Safaricom?

Massive reach. They dominate the Kenyan market. Your message gets where it needs to go.
Reliable network. Say goodbye to messages getting lost in the ether.
Competitive pricing. They offer bulk discounts that make sense for your business.

Bottom line: If you’re serious about reaching your Kenyan audience, Safaricom bulk SMS is the way to go.

Two Paths to Buy Bulk SMS in Kenya

Safaricom gives you two main options for buying bulk SMS:

Directly from Safaricom: This is the classic route. You buy SMS bundles in bulk at discounted rates.
Through a third-party provider: These guys offer platforms with extra features, like scheduling and contact management.

Let’s break down each option.

Option 1: Buying Directly from Safaricom

This is your best bet if you need a simple, no-frills solution. Here’s the play-by-play:

1. Get Your Ducks in a Row

Before you hit up Safaricom, you’ll need a few things:

A Safaricom business account: If you don’t have one, head to their website or a Safaricom shop to get set up.
A registered shortcode: This is the sender ID your customers will see. You can apply for one through Safaricom.
Your budget: Bulk SMS prices vary based on volume. Know how much you’re willing to spend.

2. Contact Safaricom

Reach out to their business support team. You can:

Call them: Dial their business line (you can find it on their website).
Email them: Shoot them an email with your requirements.
Visit a shop: If you prefer face-to-face, head to your nearest Safaricom shop.

3. Negotiate Your Deal

Safaricom offers tiered pricing based on volume:

The more you buy, the cheaper it gets. Simple as that.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate. Especially if you’re buying a large volume of SMS.

4. Seal the Deal

Once you’ve agreed on the price and volume, you’ll need to:

Complete an order form.
Make your payment. Safaricom usually requires upfront payment for bulk SMS.

5. Start Sending!

Safaricom will provide you with access to their bulk SMS platform. You can start sending your campaigns right away.

Pro Tip: Keep an eye on your SMS balance. You don’t want your campaign to grind to a halt mid-send.

Option 2: The Third-Party Route

If you need more features and flexibility, a third-party provider might be a better fit. Here’s the lowdown:

1. Choose Your Provider

There are a ton of bulk SMS providers in Kenya. Do your research and compare:

Pricing: Look for transparent pricing and volume discounts.
Features: Do they offer scheduling, contact management, and reporting?
Reliability: Read reviews and make sure they have a good track record.

Top Tool Recommendations: #5 Best Bulk SMS Providers in Kenya (+ Rates)

2. Sign Up and Top Up

Once you’ve chosen a provider, you’ll need to:

Create an account.
Top up your account. Most providers work on a pre-paid system.

3. Import Your Contacts

Upload your customer list to the platform. Make sure your data is clean and organized.

4. Craft Your Campaign

Use the platform’s tools to:

Write your message.
Segment your audience.
Schedule your send times.

5. Track Your Results

Most platforms provide detailed reports on:

Delivery rates.
Open rates.
Click-through rates (if you include links).

Pro Tip: Use A/B testing to optimize your messages and improve your results.

Bulk SMS in Kenya Best Practices

No matter which route you choose, follow these tips to maximize your ROI:

Get permission. Don’t spam people. Make sure your recipients have opted in to receive your messages.
Keep it short and sweet. Get to the point quickly. No one wants to read a novel on their phone.
Include a call to action. What do you want people to do after they read your message?
Personalize your messages. Use merge tags to address people by name and tailor your offers.
Time your sends carefully. Don’t blast messages at 3 AM. Think about when your audience is most likely to engage.
Track your results. Monitor your key metrics and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Remember: Bulk SMS is a powerful tool. Use it responsibly and ethically.

Cost of Safaricom Bulk SMS

How much does Safaricom charge for bulk SMS?

The pricing for Safaricom Bulk SMS is structured in volume-based tiers:

25,000 – 124,999 SMS: 1.06 Kenyan Shillings per SMS (VAT included)
125,000 – 524,999 SMS: 0.85 Kenyan Shillings per SMS
525,000 – 1,024,999 SMS: 0.64 Kenyan Shillings per SMS
1,025,000 – 5,024,999 SMS: 0.42 Kenyan Shillings per SMS
5,025,000 – 10,024,999 SMS: 0.21 Kenyan Shillings per SMS
Over 10,025,000 SMS: 0.11 Kenyan Shillings per SMS

Key notes:

All bulk SMS purchases must be paid upfront
The SMS credits are valid for 60 days from the purchase date

As you can see, the price per SMS decreases as the volume of SMS increases, providing better rates for larger purchases.

Maximizing Your SMS Bang for Your Buck

Alright, you know the cost of Safaricom bulk SMS can vary. But how do you make sure you’re getting the most out of your investment?

Here are a few strategies to stretch your SMS budget further:

Optimize your message length: Keep your messages concise. Shorter messages cost less to send.
Segment your audience: Don’t blast everyone with the same message. Target specific groups with relevant offers.
Leverage timing: Send your messages when they’re most likely to be read (think lunch breaks or evenings).
Track your results: Monitor your campaign performance and make adjustments to improve your ROI.

Remember: The goal isn’t just to send a bunch of messages. It’s to send the right messages to the right people at the right time.

Supercharge Your Business with Safaricom Bulk SMS

Now you’ve got the knowledge, it’s time to take action.

Choose your path: Direct with Safaricom or through a third-party provider?
Get organized: Gather your contacts and plan your campaign.
Start sending: Reach your audience and drive results.

Don’t wait.

Get started with Safaricom bulk SMS today and watch your business grow.

How to Buy Bulk SMS from Safaricom (Latest)

Why Bulk SMS? Why Safaricom?