By Zoe Clark · 11 July 2022
With a 98% open rate and most messages read within minutes, SMS is one of the easiest ways to reach your audience. From product updates to exclusive discounts, the ways to use it are endless.
But customers see marketing messages everywhere, so your SMS has to stand out. Here are eight things to keep in mind when you write your next one.
1. Keep it short and sweet
A standard SMS has 160 characters. Longer messages are split into parts and charged as multiple messages, so keep your copy concise. Save long stories for email, your blog or social media.
2. Speak your audience's language
Use words your audience uses. Matching how they write their own texts makes your message feel natural rather than like a marketing tactic.
3. Focus on one topic
One message, one topic. It avoids confusion and makes the next step obvious. If you have several things to say, an email may suit better.
4. Create a sense of urgency
When customers know they have limited time to act, they decide faster. Phrases like "for a limited time only" or an expiry date on a discount code add urgency.
5. Include exclusive offers
Subscribers opt in expecting value. Offers that feel personal and exclusive, such as holiday promotions or a birthday discount, build satisfaction and loyalty.
6. Get personal
SMS was built for two-way conversation, yet many brands blast out generic messages with no way to reply. Use the customer's first name or mention their recent activity to capture attention and lift conversions.
7. Don't forget your call to action
Every SMS should drive the next step. Make it clear why you are messaging and what the customer should do next.
8. Use branded links
Branded short links save characters, look cleaner than long URLs and appear more trustworthy, which lifts your click-through rate.
If SMS is not yet part of your marketing, now is the time. Reaching customers on the channel they use every day builds loyalty and drives sales.