Cell phone shortcode SMS marketing allows businesses and individuals to promote offers and campaigns through text messages. It is an affordable alternative to pay-per-click advertising. Setting up a shortcode SMS list similar to an email list allows businesses to boost profits by texting offers to signed up customers. Politicians and non-profits can also use shortcode SMS to raise awareness of issues and keep constituents informed. Individuals can use their shortcode as a "virtual business card" by giving out their textcode contact information instead of physical cards. To run an effective SMS marketing campaign, consider the target market and offer incentives for people to opt-in to receive texts.