12 Best SMS Marketing Tips in the History of Marketing

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, businesses continually seek effective ways to engage customers and drive sales. SMS marketing is one powerful tool that stands out for exceptional ROI. According to Forbes, SMS marketers generate an impressive $71 in revenue for every dollar spent on campaigns, underscoring its profitability.

SMS marketing involves sending promotional or informational text messages directly to customers’ mobile devices. This direct communication channel boasts a remarkable open rate of up to 98%, ensuring that recipients promptly see messages.

SMS marketing's immediacy and high visibility make it a powerful tool for enhancing customer engagement and boosting ROI.

The benefits of SMS marketing are manifold. Its cost-effectiveness, combined with high engagement rates, allows you to reach a wide audience without significant financial outlay. Moreover, the universal abundance of mobile devices means that SMS messages can reach customers anytime, anywhere, facilitating timely promotions and updates.

This accessibility fosters a sense of personal connection between your brand and your consumers, which leads to increased loyalty and repeat business.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the top SMS marketing tips designed to elevate customer engagement and maximize your return on investment. By implementing these strategies, you can harness the full potential of SMS marketing to foster meaningful customer relationships and drive sustained growth.

SMS marketing is proving to be one of the most effective marketing channels. Knowing how to integrate SMS marketing strategically into your existing marketing system can make a huge difference. 

Simply sending SMS messages isn’t enough—your approach needs to be targeted, engaging, and optimized for customer experience.

We’ll now delve into the 12 essential SMS marketing tips that will help you engage customers, drive more sales, and maximize the ROI of your SMS marketing campaigns.

Building a high-quality SMS subscriber list is crucial for the success of your marketing campaigns. Focusing on quality over quantity ensures that your messages reach an audience genuinely interested in your brand, leading to higher engagement and conversion rates. A well-curated list enhances customer relationships, improves deliverability, and reduces the risk of your messages being marked as spam.

To attract your genuinely interested subscribers, offer high-value incentives that provide immediate benefits. For example, exclusive discounts, early access to new products, or VIP perks can entice potential subscribers to join your SMS list.

In fact, offering incentives is a proven way to attract and retain SMS subscribers. A study found that 90% of consumers are more likely to engage with a brand that offers incentives, and 57% have made a first-time purchase solely because of an incentive.

Implementing engaging opt-in methods is essential to demonstrate value and build anticipation. Contests and quizzes not only provide entertainment but also encourage participation and subscription. 

Personalized welcome offers can make new subscribers feel valued from the outset, increasing the likelihood of long-term engagement. Additionally, SMS marketing tools such as automation software and analytics dashboards can help you streamline the opt-in process and manage your SMS marketing strategy effectively.

Implementing audience segmentation allows you to deliver personalized messages that resonate with specific customer groups. This targeted approach fosters stronger customer relationships and drives higher conversion rates.

Segmentation isn’t just about sending the right SMS messages—it’s also about making data-driven decisions that enhance customer experience and drive more sales. 

According to a McKinsey report, a large grocery retailer implemented a segmentation-driven strategy, optimizing pricing and distribution for 300 product categories over two years. As a result, one category alone saw a 2% increase in sales within just six months.

Similarly, a European retailer identified redundant products and optimized its offerings by analyzing customer switching behavior. This segmentation-driven approach helped them reduce their assortment by 10% across 100 categories while improving their profit margins by 1%.

• Demographic Segmentation: Categorize your audience based on characteristics such as age, gender, income level, or education. This approach enables you to create marketing messages that align with the specific needs and interests of each demographic group.

• Behavioral Segmentation: Analyze customer behaviors, including purchase history, product usage, and engagement levels. By understanding these patterns, you can send promotional SMS messages that encourage repeat purchases or reward loyal customers.

• Geographic Segmentation: Tailor your SMS campaigns based on your subscribers' geographic locations. This is particularly useful for promoting local events, region-specific offers, or weather-related promotions.

• Psychographic Segmentation: Delve into your customers' lifestyles, interests, values, and attitudes. Crafting SMS marketing messages that reflect these psychographic factors can significantly enhance engagement and brand affinity.

To effectively integrate segmentation into your SMS marketing program, consider the following steps:

• Data Collection: Gather relevant data through customer surveys, purchase histories, and engagement metrics. This information forms the foundation of your segmentation efforts.

• Automation Tools: Utilize a comprehensive SMS marketing software that supports segmentation and personalized messaging. Automation can streamline the process, ensuring timely and relevant communications.

• Continuous Analysis: Regularly assess the performance of your segmented SMS campaigns. Analyze metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates to refine your strategies continually.

Effective SMS marketing messages are crucial for engaging your audience and driving conversions. Since text messaging marketing strategy relies on conciseness, conveying your message clearly and compellingly is essential.

In SMS marketing, brevity is the key. With a character limit, it’s crucial to communicate your offer succinctly while maintaining clarity. Messages should focus on a single idea to prevent overwhelming the recipient.

For instance, instead of saying, “We’re excited to announce our summer sale where you can get 20% off on all items in-store and online until the end of the month,” a more concise message would be “Summer Sale: 20% off on all items! Shop now: [link].” This approach ensures the main message is immediately clear, increasing the likelihood of engagement.

To inspire your SMS marketing strategy, follow these examples that demonstrate clarity, urgency, and a strong call to action:

• Flash Sale Alert: “Hurry! 50% off all shoes today! Shop now: [link]”

• Exclusive Offer: “Hi [Name], enjoy an exclusive 15% discount on your next purchase. Use code VIP15 at checkout: [link].”

• Event Reminder: “Don’t miss our webinar tomorrow @3 PM. Register now: [link]”

These examples are direct and include actionable language, prompting immediate responses from recipients.

A compelling call to action (CTA) is a cornerstone of effective SMS marketing. It directs the recipient toward the desired action, whether it’s making a purchase, signing up for an event, or visiting a website. 

Incorporating time-sensitive language can create a sense of urgency, encouraging prompt engagement. Phrases like “Shop now,” “Limited time offer,” or “Register today” motivate recipients to act swiftly.

For example, “Limited seats available! Register today to secure your spot: [link].” This message combines urgency with a clear CTA, effectively prompting the recipient to take immediate action.

Personalization in SMS marketing is a powerful tool for building strong customer relationships and enhancing engagement. By tailoring messages to individual preferences and behaviors, you can create meaningful interactions that resonate with your audience

While addressing your subscribers by their first name adds a personal touch, effective personalization delves deeper:

• Behavior-Based Recommendations: Analyze past purchases or browsing history to suggest products that align with your customer’s interests. For instance, “We noticed you enjoyed our summer collection; here’s an exclusive preview of our upcoming fall line just for you!”

• Exclusive Offers: Reward your loyal customers with special deals or early access to new products, making them feel valued and appreciated.

• Engaging Content: Share founder stories or behind-the-scenes glimpses to humanize your brand and foster a deeper connection.

Making your subscribers feel special and appreciated is essential for fostering loyalty and engagement. By offering exclusive deals, promotions, and content not available through other channels, you can create a sense of exclusivity that encourages your subscribers to stay connected and take action.

Providing special offers exclusively to your SMS subscribers rewards their loyalty and incentivizes continued engagement. For instance, you can send a message like “VIP Access! Get 24-hour early access to our new collection before anyone else.”

This approach makes your subscribers feel valued and gives them a reason to remain on your SMS list.

Beyond discounts, consider sharing content that your subscribers can’t find elsewhere. This could include a behind-the-scenes look at upcoming products, early announcements of sales events, or insider tips related to your industry. Such exclusive content enhances the subscriber experience and strengthens their connection with your brand.

SMS marketing is a powerful tool for promoting sales, launching new products, and offering special deals. You can significantly boost engagement and drive revenue by delivering timely and relevant promotions directly to customers' mobile devices.

Utilizing SMS campaigns allows you to promptly inform your audience about upcoming sales events or new product releases. Given that over 90% of text messages are read within three minutes, this immediacy ensures your message reaches customers in real time, increasing the likelihood of immediate action.

To incentivize purchases, craft promotional SMS messages that are clear, concise, and offer undeniable value. Incorporate strong calls to action and create a sense of urgency to promote quick responses. For example, “Flash Sale! 30% off all [product category] for the next 4 hours only. Shop now: [link].”

By offering exclusive deals and time-sensitive offers, you can encourage immediate purchases and foster a sense of exclusivity among your subscribers.

Two-way SMS communication offers a direct channel for building meaningful customer relationships. Unlike one-way messaging, which limits interaction to outbound messages, two-way SMS enables real-time conversations, fostering a sense of connection and trust.

Implementing two-way SMS can significantly enhance customer engagement. This interactive approach allows you to address inquiries promptly, resolve issues efficiently, and personalize interactions based on customer responses. Such dynamic engagement improves customer satisfaction and encourages loyalty and repeat business.

To initiate meaningful dialogues, you can employ strategies that prompt customers to respond. For instance, sending messages like “Reply YES to receive an exclusive discount code!” invites direct engagement. 

Additionally, soliciting feedback through questions such as “How was your recent purchase? Reply with your thoughts” demonstrates a commitment to customer satisfaction and provides insights for continuous improvement.

Tracking and analyzing key performance metrics is essential to maximizing the return on investment (ROI) of your SMS marketing campaigns. By focusing on these metrics, you can make data-driven decisions to enhance your strategies and drive profitability.

• Click-Through Rate (CTR): CTR tracks the number of recipients who clicked on a link within your SMS compared to those who received it. Monitoring CTR can help you assess the effectiveness of your CTAs and the relevance of your content.

• Opt-Out Rate: This metric indicates the percentage of subscribers who unsubscribed from your SMS list after a campaign. A rising opt-out rate may signal that your messages are too frequent or not providing value, necessitating a review of your content and frequency strategies.

• Conversion Rate: This measures the percentage of recipients who take a desired action, such as purchasing after receiving your SMS. High conversion rates indicate effective messaging and offers. With shopping on the rise, reaching customers directly through SMS marketing campaigns increases the likelihood of engagement at the right moment.

According to a HubSpot report, businesses that integrate SMS marketing into their automated workflows can see a 21% increase in conversions, demonstrating the effectiveness of well-timed, targeted messaging.

• A/B Testing: Experiment with different message formats, timings, and content to determine what resonates best with your audience. For instance, test various CTAs or promotional offers to see which yield higher engagement. 

• Segmentation and Personalization: Utilize data to segment your audience based on demographics, purchase history, or engagement levels. Tailoring messages to specific segments can enhance relevance and increase conversion rates.

• Timing and Frequency Analysis: Analyze data to identify optimal times and frequencies for sending messages. Sending messages when your audience is most likely to engage can improve effectiveness. However, it’s crucial to balance frequency to avoid overwhelming your subscribers, which can lead to higher opt-out rates.

Integrating SMS marketing as a standalone channel rather than merely a follow-up to emails can significantly enhance your marketing strategy. While email marketing offers detailed content, SMS messages provide immediacy, ensuring your audience receives timely updates directly on their mobile devices.

• Exclusive SMS Offers: Reward your SMS subscribers with deals available only through text messages, fostering a sense of exclusivity and appreciation.

• Event Reminders: Utilize SMS to send timely reminders for upcoming events or webinars, ensuring higher attendance rates.

• Surveys and Feedback Requests: Engage your customers by soliciting their opinions directly through SMS, making it convenient for them to respond.

Engaging new subscribers promptly is essential for establishing a positive relationship and setting the tone for future interactions. 

Implementing an automated welcome series in your SMS marketing program allows you to introduce your brand, express appreciation, and offer initial incentives, enhancing customer engagement.

• Immediate Engagement: Sending a welcome message immediately upon subscription capitalizes on the subscriber’s interest and fosters a sense of connection.

• Brand Introduction: A series of messages can effectively communicate your brand’s values, mission, and unique selling points, helping to differentiate you from your competitors.

• Incentivization: Offering exclusive discounts or special offers in your welcome messages can motivate new subscribers to make their first purchase and boost initial conversion rates.

It is essential to regularly test different message formats, send times, and content to identify what resonates best with your audience. Traditional A/B testing methods can be time-consuming and may not always yield significant results.

To address this, Postscript offers an advanced AI Infinity Testing feature that revolutionizes the optimization process.

Postscript’s AI Infinity Testing leverages predictive analytics and generative AI technology to create and test thousands of evolving on-brand message variants. This continuous optimization ensures that your SMS campaigns remain effective and aligned with your goals.

Brands utilizing Infinity Testing have reported an average revenue increase of 20% from their top-performing flows.

Compliance with SMS marketing regulations is essential for maintaining customer trust and avoiding legal repercussions. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), all SMS messages must provide recipients with an opt-out option.

This requirement, outlined under FCC regulation 47 CFR § 64.1200, aligns with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and protects consumer rights by giving individuals full control over their SMS subscriptions. 

To maintain compliance:

• Obtain explicit consent from your recipients to ensure transparency.

• Ensure secure storage, management, and handling of contact information.

• Provide the recipient with an opt-out option in every text message.

Implementing a strategic SMS marketing strategy can be a game-changer if you want to drive higher engagement and maximize ROI. 

By leveraging these best practices and tips, you can create compelling, high-converting campaigns that enhance customer relationships and increase revenue.

To optimize SMS marketing efforts, you need a powerful and feature-rich platform designed specifically for e-commerce. The reasons why Postscript stands out are:

• Advanced Analytics & Performance Tracking: Monitor key SMS marketing metrics such as conversion rates, CTR, CLTV, SLTV, and engagement levels to optimize campaigns continuously.

• AI-Driven Message Optimization: With AI Infinity Testing, you can automate the testing and refinement process for different message variants to improve performance and increase revenue.

• Seamless Integrations: Postscript easily integrates with Shopify and other platforms, ensuring smooth automation and enhanced customer experiences.

• Personalized Messaging & Automation: Deliver targeted messages based on customer behavior and drive engagement with transactional messages and promotions. 

The right SMS marketing platform can transform your marketing strategy, helping you engage customers in real time, boost conversions, and build long-term brand loyalty.

Contact our team and schedule a demo today to see how we can help you unlock the full potential of SMS marketing for your business.