SMS marketing has become a go-to strategy for brands wanting to reach customers fast and directly. Almost everyone keeps their phone close, making SMS a powerful communication tool. With the right strategy, you can turn a simple text into real engagement and action. But before sending your first message, it’s important to understand how to do SMS marketing the right way.
1. Always Ask for Permission
Getting customer consent is one of the core text message marketing best practices. Without it, messages feel intrusive and unprofessional. Customers treat their phones as personal spaces, not ad spaces. They expect respect, relevance, and two-way communication.
How to Do It Right
Use a short signup form with clear language. Let customers check a box or text a keyword to join. Include a privacy statement and let them know they can opt out anytime. Keep the process quick and simple.
2. Keep It Short and Sweet
In marketing through SMS, clarity wins. People open texts expecting brief, relevant info. Avoid long greetings or filler words. Use a casual tone, get straight to the point, and limit each message to a few hundred characters.
How to Do It Right
Write your message like you would text a friend. Remove fluff, focus on action, and test different versions to find what works best.
3. Give Them a Reason to Stay Subscribed
Incentives help retain subscribers. Discounts, early access, or gifts give people something to look forward to. Some brands even offer VIP-only deals through SMS.
How to Do It Right
Send occasional rewards or exclusive deals. Rotate your offers to keep them fresh. Always make the benefit clear in your message.
4. Keep It Timely
SMS works best for real-time updates. Focus on sending reminders, flash deals, or alerts that matter now. Avoid promoting events that are weeks away.
How to Do It Right
Schedule texts for key moments, like mornings, lunch breaks, or just before events. Track results to learn the best timing for your audience.
5. Be Relevant with the Calendar
Plan your messages around holidays, seasons, or major events. Timely texts feel more relevant and are more likely to get noticed.
How to Do It Right
Create a content calendar tied to holidays or trends. Use automation tools to schedule messages ahead of time while keeping a human touch.
6. Use SMS as Part of a Bigger Plan
Don’t rely on SMS alone. Combine it with email, social media, or apps to create a smoother experience. Consistent messaging builds trust and brand loyalty.
How to Do It Right
Plan campaigns across all platforms. Use SMS for quick reminders or exclusive updates. Align each message with your brand voice and strategy.
7. Know Your Audience
Segmentation is key in sms marketing best practices. Don’t send the same message to everyone. Tailor messages based on user behavior or preferences.
How to Do It Right
Use purchase history, location, or engagement level to group your contacts. Send different offers or messages based on these segments.
8. Make It Easy to Understand and Safe to Click
Clarity builds trust. Use your brand name and avoid suspicious links. Subscribers should always know who is texting them and why.
How to Do It Right
Use recognizable URLs or link shorteners that show your brand. Add clear opt-out instructions like “Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”
9. Add a Creative Touch
Creativity makes your texts memorable. Emojis, playful tone, or smart wordplay can make your brand more relatable and engaging.
How to Do It Right
Test different styles like humor or emojis, but stay aligned with your brand voice. Track which messages get the best responses.
10. Learn From Every Campaign
Text message marketing best practices always include looking at performance. Every marketing campaign provides data to help you improve.
How to Do It Right
Review metrics like open rates, click-throughs, and opt-outs. Use that info to refine your timing, wording, and offers moving forward.
Make Every Message Count
SMS marketing gives you a direct line to your customers. When done right, it can boost engagement and drive conversions faster than many other channels.
But success doesn’t come from sending random messages. It comes from understanding your audience, respecting their time, and always delivering value. When you follow these text message marketing best practices, you don’t just reach inboxes, you build real relationships.