7 Proven Strategies to Convert Email Subscribers to SMS

Email and SMS - friends, enemies, or frenemies? The experts at PostScript say, friends, if you do it right. If a customer is already on your email list, they’re only one step away from being a high-intent SMS subscriber. Leveraging this established connection can unlock SMS as a more direct and immediate communication channel. Think of the possibilities: time-sensitive promotions delivered instantly, personalized reminders that cut through inbox clutter, and real-time customer service interactions that foster loyalty.

With SMS open rates reaching 98%, compared to 20% for email, it’s clear that SMS can offer faster and more reliable engagement. It’s a more personal approach, giving your customers a direct line to the heart and soul of your brand.

So, let’s dive in! In this article, we’ll review seven actionable strategies that can help you convert email subscribers to SMS and turn passive readers into active, loyal, and long-term customers.

It’s simple – when it comes to connecting with your customers quickly and meaningfully, nothing beats a strong SMS subscriber list. Converting email subscribers to SMS is a move that pays off. Here’s how:

Let’s face it. Emails can get lost in the inbox abyss, mass deleted, or worse, end up in the purgatory known as the spam folder. If you want your messages to reach your subscribers (something tells us you do), SMS marketing is the way to do it.

Why settle for less when you can achieve higher engagement, with click-through rates reaching up to 36% for e-commerce brands. Not to shade email campaigns, but the best they can do is 4%.

Need more convincing? Text messages have an 8 times higher response rate than email, showing that if you put your texts in front of the right crowd, you’ll see that they prefer to interact with brands through SMS.

Modern shoppers expect more these days: two-way conversations, communication that feels personal, and immediate responses (yes, even outside of business hours). Email marketing often falls short here. 

Unlike widely broadcast emails, AI-powered SMS messages take it to the next level, enabling 1:1 conversations, immediate answers to customer inquiries, product recommendations, real-time order updates, and more. SMS helps your brand connect directly and meaningfully with your subscribers.

When you convert email subscribers into SMS subscribers, you’re opening a direct and immediate channel that gets your customers to act. In fact, ecommerce brands using Postscript have attributed up to a 22% increase in online revenue to their SMS marketing strategy alone. Unlike email, which often faces inbox clutter and delayed open rates, SMS marketing delivers your message directly to your audience's mobile devices, ensuring higher visibility, quicker response times, and more revenue. Cha-ching.

Let’s make sure we’re on the same page. Email and SMS marketing can be friends, if done right. SMS and email are complementary, not competing channels. While email subscribers love receiving detailed newsletters, blog updates, and promotions, SMS subscribers prefer quick-hit updates, discount codes, and personal touches.

One of the most common objections we’ve come across is “But, we already send a lot of emails. Won’t adding SMS annoy our subscribers?”

Not if you do it the smart way. Check out our strategies below:

Once you roll the dice with your email marketing, it’s time to level up your approach. Below are seven proven tactics that will help you convert email subscribers to SMS effectively.

One of the fastest ways to grow your SMS list is to promote your SMS program directly to your entire email subscriber list. 

A dedicated campaign helps communicate the value of your SMS channel. Highlight perks like exclusive updates, early access to sales, and text-only discount codes. Be clear about what your subscribers can expect and why it’s worth opting in.

Your campaign should include:

• A compelling subject line and header

• A concise description of the benefits of signing up

• A strong call to action with an evident “subscribe” button

Check out the strategy in practice! This is how Top Golf promoted its SMS club: by featuring a clever conversation thread between friends.

Add a dedicated SMS opt-in email to your email welcome series that encourages subscribers to sign up for your SMS list.

To make it compelling: 

• Offer a slightly better discount code than what was offered via email

• Consider adding a free shipping incentive

• Promote early access to future product drops

Make sure this email goes only to those who haven’t already signed up for your SMS program yet. This will help you avoid duplication and keep the message personal.

Here’s how the famous jewelry brand JAXXON engaged with its email subscribers who hadn’t yet signed up for their SMS program.

Consistency leads to results. One passive yet powerful tactic is to include a banner or static CTA in every marketing email you send. Regardless of where you place it, in the header or the footer, the goal is to normalize the presence of your SMS program.

Why it works:

• Repeated exposure builds interest and trust

• Reinforces the benefits of opting in

• Keeps SMS top of mind across your subscriber list

This is how Stasher always includes the button at the footer of their email.

Customers who have just completed a purchase are engaged and more likely to opt in for future communications. Use your post-purchase confirmation email to invite them to sign up for SMS alerts. This tactic works because it speaks directly to your customers, and who doesn’t love knowing exactly where their order is and when it will arrive?

Here’s where you can trigger FOMO (the good kind).

Let your email subscribers know that specific launches or exclusive updates will be sent via SMS first. This creates urgency and gives them a reason to opt in.

You don’t have to do this for every launch, but when used strategically, it can drive sign-ups and buzz without needing to offer a discount.

See how Doe Lashes teased a product drop exclusively to their SMS list. Email readers got the message, but only SMS subscribers got the early access link.

Repeat customers are your MVPs, and they already love your brand, so why not invite them to your inner circle?

Segment your contacts based on purchase frequency and target those who have bought from you more than once, but haven’t yet joined your SMS program. Create a special campaign from the founder of your team, thanking them and offering something extra special for joining the SMS list:

• Exclusive discount code

• Access to direct support

• Sneak peeks at upcoming releases

According to Shopify’s 2024 BFCM Recap, U.S. consumers spent over $11.5 billion on Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend, a 24% increase from last year. Don’t sleep on peak sales periods; your customers are looking for a good deal. 

Use your email campaigns to promote that SMS subscribers will get the first heads up, and maybe, even an exclusive SMS-only deal. A simple pop-up or banner promoting your SMS marketing strategy could be the difference between a bounce and a buyer.

To maximize the potential of your SMS subscriber list, it’s crucial to go beyond acquisition and focus on nurturing existing relationships, delivering value, and staying compliant.

To unlock the full power of SMS marketing, segment your newly acquired SMS subscribers based on:

• Purchase history (customers who have purchased in the last 30 days)

• Demographics (geographic location, age groups, etc.)

• Engagement behavior (clicked links, responded to SMS messages)

• Preferences (favorite categories or product types)

Personalized messages go a long way in building meaningful relationships. Here are a few tips:

• Use their first name in your texts whenever possible

• Send exclusive updates based on past purchases

• Celebrate birthdays or loyalty milestones with special discount codes

Let AI SMS marketing take care of the rest! Postscript’s AI tools allow you to automate customized one-on-one messages while keeping your brand voice intact, ensuring every text message feels genuinely personal, and providing your customers with the support they need.

Keep your SMS program fresh and exciting by mixing up your messages. Some proven ideas include:

• Exclusive promotions for SMS subscribers only

• Early access announcements for sales and product launches

• Back-in-stock alerts for popular items

• Loyalty program updates and reward notifications 

Always ensure you have explicit consent before sending SMS messages, in accordance with TCPA, CTIA guidelines, the FCC’s 2012 Soundbite Declatory Ruling, and the FCC regulations under 47 CFR § 64.1200. Be transparent about what types of messages your subscribers will receive, provide straightforward opt-out instructions, and regularly review your process to maintain full regulatory compliance.

Tracking your conversion rates ensures that you know what’s working, what needs tweaking, and where you can focus your efforts.

Here are some key metrics you should watch:

1. SMS List Growth from Email Conversions: Start by measuring how many new SMS subscribers you’re adding from your email list. Keep a close eye on the number of sign-ups tied directly to specific campaigns or email welcome flows.

2. Opt-In Rates from Each Conversion Strategy: Not all campaigns perform equally, so determining if your opt-in rates are accurate is essential for understanding which marketing strategy yields the best results. Track the opt-in rates for:

• Email blasts

• Welcome series prompts

• Post-purchase invitations

• Banner CTAs

3. Conversion Rates from SMS Campaigns: Once you send messages to your SMS subscriber list, measure how many customers actually take the next step, whether it’s making a purchase, signing up for an event, or redeeming a discount code. High conversion rates indicate that your messages are resonating with your audience.

4. ROI of SMS Marketing: Ultimately, your SMS marketing strategy must show tangible results. Track revenue generated directly from SMS to calculate ROI. If you’re seeing solid returns in SMS compared to email marketing, you know you’re on the right track.

5. Subscriber Retention Rate: Growing a list is exciting, but maintaining a strong, loyal subscriber base is just as critical. You should also monitor unsubscribe rates, inactive subscribers, and customer churn over time. If your SMS subscribers stick around and stay engaged, it’s a sign that your content, cadence, and value propositions are spot-on.

Why settle for comparing two messages when you could test hundreds at a time? Postscript’s Infinity Testing replaces traditional A/B testing with a smarter, faster way to optimize performance.

Using predictive analytics and generative AI, it automatically generates and tests countless on-brand SMS variants, so you’re always sending the best-performing messages. 

If your email subscribers are already familiar with your brand, turn them into your most qualified leads. Converting that trust into action by encouraging them to opt in to your SMS program is one of the most effective ways to boost engagement and drive revenue.

If you do it right, with the right partner (ehem, PostScript), SMS won’t just complement your email marketing; it will also enhance it. With stronger open rates, direct customer engagement, and the ability to deliver real-time updates to your audience, you’ll have the competitive edge.

Ready to grow beyond the inbox? Contact our team of experts to help you turn engaged email subscribers into loyal SMS contacts with tools built for real-time connection and revenue growth. Book a demo today and discover how to make SMS your highest-performing channel.