5 Tips for Crafting Effective SMS Marketing Messages

Ashley Gregg • Nov 21, 2022

SMS marketing has become one of the most powerful and effective ways to reach customers and boost sales. With open rates as high as 98%, SMS messaging is a direct and personal way to connect with consumers and drive conversions. However, crafting effective SMS messages can be challenging. In this blog post, we'll share 5 tips for crafting effective SMS marketing messages to help you get the desired results.


It allows businesses to reach customers on their mobile devices, where they spend most of their time. SMS messages have a 98% open rate, which means that almost all text messages are read. This high open rate makes SMS messaging an effective way to increase brand awareness and drive conversions.


By following these tips, you'll be able to craft SMS messages that are clear, concise, and persuasive. They will help you to increase your open rates, drive more conversions, and ultimately, boost your bottom line. So, let's get started!


Tip #1: Keep it Short and Sweet


When it comes to SMS marketing, shorter messages tend to perform better. This is because mobile users are often on the go and have short attention spans. They are also more likely to read and engage with a text message that is quick and to the point. Longer messages can be overwhelming and may be ignored.


Tips for writing concise and clear SMS messages:


  • Use simple and direct language
  • Avoid using too many abbreviations
  • Keep the message under 160 characters
  • Use bullet points or numbered lists to break up the message


Examples of effective short messages:


  • "New sale starting now! 20% off all items in-store"
  • "Don't miss out! Limited time offer ends tonight"
  • "Congratulations! Your account has been credited with $20"
  • "Reminder: Your appointment is at 2 PM today"


By keeping your SMS messages short and sweet, you'll be able to grab your audience's attention and increase engagement. Remember, less is more when it comes to SMS marketing.


Tip #2: Personalize Your Messages


Personalization is a powerful tool in SMS marketing. You can increase engagement and build stronger relationships with your customers by addressing the recipient by name or tailoring the message to their interests or preferences. Personalized messages also tend to have higher open and click-through rates.


Tips for incorporating personalization into SMS messages:


  • Address the recipient by name
  • Use segmentation to send targeted messages
  • Use data from previous interactions to personalize the message
  • Use dynamic content to add a personal touch


Examples of personalized messages:


  • "Hi [name], thanks for being a loyal customer. Enjoy 10% off your next purchase"
  • "Happy birthday [name]! To celebrate, here's a special offer just for you"
  • "We noticed you haven't visited us in a while, [name]. Come back and get a free upgrade"
  • "Thanks for signing up [name], here's a special offer to kick off your membership"


Remember, people are more likely to engage with a message that feels like it was written just for them.


Tip #3: Timing is Everything


Timing is critical when it comes to SMS marketing. Sending messages at the right time can increase the chances of your message being read and acted upon. On the other hand, sending messages at the wrong time can lead to your message being ignored or deleted.


Tips for choosing the best time to send messages:


  • Test sending messages at different times to see which works best
  • Take into account the recipient's time zone
  • Avoid sending messages during non-working hours
  • Consider the recipient's daily routine when choosing the best time to send messages


Examples of effective timing strategies:


  • Sending messages during working hours, when the recipient is most likely to be checking their phone
  • Sending messages on certain days of the week, when the recipient is more likely to have free time
  • Sending messages during key moments, such as the lead up to a sale or event
  • Sending messages at specific times of the day, such as the morning or evening, when the recipient is more likely to have free time


The right message sent at the right time can make all the difference.


Tip #4: Use Action-Oriented Language


The language you use in your SMS messages can make a big difference in the results you get. Action-oriented language is persuasive and encourages the recipient to take action. Using this type of language can increase conversions and drive more sales.


Tips for writing persuasive and action-oriented SMS messages:


  • Use strong action verbs
  • Create a sense of urgency
  • Use clear and specific calls to action
  • Use persuasive language, such as "Don't miss out" or "Limited time offer"


Examples of action-oriented messages:


  • "Don't miss out! 20% off all items in-store today only"
  • "Act fast! Limited time offer ends tonight"
  • "Upgrade now and get 50% off your next purchase"
  • "Book your appointment now and receive a free consultation"


SMS marketing aims to encourage the recipient to take action, so make sure your messages are clear and persuasive.


Tip #5: Test, Test, Test!


Testing is an essential part of SMS marketing. You can see what works and what doesn't and adjust accordingly. You can optimize your messaging strategy and improve your results by testing different elements of your SMS messages.


Tips for testing different elements of your SMS messages:


  • Test different messages to see which ones perform best
  • Test different subject lines
  • Test sending messages at different times
  • Test different calls to action
  • Test the use of personalization


Examples of how testing can improve your SMS marketing results:


  • Testing different subject lines can increase open rates
  • Testing different messages can increase conversions
  • Testing different sending times can increase engagement
  • Testing different calls to action can increase click-through rates


Testing allows you to see what works and what doesn't so that you can adjust accordingly.


In Conclusion


This blog post covered the importance of keeping messages short and sweet, personalizing messages, timing, using action-oriented language, and testing. By following these tips, you'll be able to craft SMS messages that are clear, concise, and persuasive. They will help you to increase your open rates, drive more conversions, and ultimately, boost your bottom line.


Summary of key takeaways:

  • Keep your SMS messages short and sweet
  • Personalize your messages
  • Pay attention to timing when sending messages
  • Use action-oriented language
  • Test different elements of your messages


Now that you better understand how to craft effective SMS messages, it's time to start implementing these tips in your SMS marketing strategy. 


Remember, SMS marketing is a powerful tool, and by following these tips, you'll be able to get the results you want.


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