The SMS Marketing Strategy Playbook: 20 Strategies & Examples

Text messages are outdated.

That’s the biggest myth out there.

While everyone chases customers via social channels, SMS quietly delivers what social media’s algorithm lottery can’t: Guaranteed reach.

Text messages cut through the noise of shrinking attention spans and overflowing inboxes. They land directly on customers’ phones—devices people check 58 times a day according to one report—and are read by 55% of recipients and “viewed” by as many as 100%.

Yet many businesses fail with SMS marketing because they send generic broadcasts instead of crafting personalized conversations that build relationships.

This article reveals 20 SMS marketing strategies that will transform how you connect with your customers—packed with real-life insights and measurable results.

Let’s get started!

20 Proven SMS Marketing Strategies That Work

1. Make compliance your first priority

SMS consent isn’t optional. Non-compliance may result in your messages not getting successfully delivered (or in some cases, legal issues). So, make compliance your first priority and keep your SMS opt-in and opt-out effortless.

Example: “Text YES to get exclusive updates” and “Text STOP to opt out.”

💡Tip: You can allow single or double SMS opt-in using tools like Mobile Text Alerts. While single opt-in is a one-step approach where users provide their consent, double opt-in involves two steps—users express initial interest and then acknowledge to confirm subscription.

2. Send content that shows you understand your audience

Personalization matters.

So use your customer data and insights to make your SMS campaigns work. Grab your audience’s attention by using their first name, mentioning their location, or referencing recent purchases.

Example: WP Creative uses real-time behavioral personalization in SMS marketing. They send an SMS after someone interacts with a pricing or contact page—“Hey, saw you were checking us out. Any questions?” This increases replies and lead conversions without being pushy.

3. Send action-focused messages between 10-5 (for B2B) or at 8pm (B2C)

Sending the right SMS at the wrong time means wasted effort. So identify the best times to send messages to your target audience.

For B2B audiences, weekdays between 10 am to 5 pm work best—when people are at work, checking notifications. For B2C businesses, evenings and weekends, around 8-9 pm, are more effective.

Also, keep your messages action-focused. Give your audience something they want—one clear CTA, no fluff.

Example:

“

Flash Sale: 25% off site-wide. Offer ends midnight. Shop now: [link]

4. Share insider secrets

Use insider secrets with your loyal customers, nudging them to make a purchase. For example, a fashion brand can share exclusive details of an upcoming sale with existing customers.

Example:

“

VIP Tip, Jane: Orders placed before Tuesday 11 am get priority packing. Your package ships the same day instead of the next.

This strategy creates an exclusivity effect as you help your customers feel “in the know.” And it creates urgency to take action.

5. Establish trust through non-promotional messages

While not a direct SMS marketing strategy, you can use text messages to build trust and a positive brand image. This can have a positive impact on customer perception.

Example: The Ad Firm uses SMS marketing strategically to build genuine trust and improve customer engagement. For instance, it uses SMS for two-factor authentication and security alerts, highlighting how the brand cares for its customers.

6. Use two-way messaging to start real conversations

Replace one-way broadcasts with conversations. The conversational SMS marketing technique helps build trust, warm up cold leads, and shorten sales cycles by creating genuine connections.

Chris Brisson, CEO of Salesmsg, emphasizes using two-way messaging to create real-time, human conversations—not just broad messages—on Pipelineology’s podcast. He explains how a conversational SMS strategy boosts engagement and response rates and helps generate leads.

Example: Instead of “Check out pricing details: [link],” try “Hey Jane, we saw you checked our pricing page. Do you have any questions I can help with?”

7. Implement segmented drip campaigns

Segmented drip campaigns group customers based on specific shared characteristics—demographics, customer journey stage, purchase history, etc. This lets you tailor the messages they receive.

Example: Martin Weidemann, Owner of Weidemann.tech, shares that they use segmented drip sequences to re-engage users after onboarding stalls. Users are segmented based on clicks, links, and plan selection. He says, “One key sequence includes a reminder 48 hours after signup and a limited-time offer 72 hours later. This flow increased activation rates by 33%.”

8. Trigger automated messages based on abandoned carts, website visits, recent purchases, etc.

Behavioral trigger SMS or automated messages based on customer behaviors and actions allow for hyper-personalized communication. You can use triggers like abandoned carts, website visits, recent purchases, product visits, or other interactions to create relevant SMS campaigns that boost engagement and conversions.

Example: Follow-up SMS for a user who viewed a specific product: “Hi Sarah! Still thinking about the Nike running shoes? There are only two pairs left in size 8. Got any questions?"

Mobile Text Alerts SMS API integrations can help you automate messaging. They allow you to send personalized SMS, timed precisely to ensure users never miss an update.

9. Send exclusive SMS offers & early access

Offer exclusive deals or early access to subscribers—limited-time offers, exclusive discounts, webinar invitations—to encourage them to join your SMS list. This helps you build a VIP list of engaged customers. Exclusive offers also make customers feel valued, making them more likely to stay loyal to your brand.

Example:

“

VIP Special: Black Friday deals start NOW for SMS subscribers. Everyone else waits until midnight. Shop: [link]

10. Integrate multimedia messaging with texts

This SMS marketing strategy allows you to send videos, images, or GIFs alongside text messages to enhance user engagement. MMS texts allow you to use attractive visuals relevant to your brand and audience to trigger user action.

For instance, instead of sending a text-only message for your company’s upcoming sale, you can send an eye-catching graphic of the products that are up for sale.

Example:

“

Get a 20% discount on your next purchase. Shop [link]. Offer valid until midnight.

11. Incorporate SMS into your omnichannel strategy

SMS works in silo, but for remarkable results, integrate it with email, social media, and other omnichannel touchpoints. For example, use an Instagram story to build interest, followed by a detailed email, and then send an SMS to drive urgency and action.

Example:

“

Only 3 hours left. Grab the $30 ebook for FREE now: [link]. Clock’s ticking!

According to Josiah Roche, a Fractional CMO, “SMS worked best when paired with other channels. Email set up the story, SMS delivered the call-to-action, and ads closed the loop. So, when all three lined up, CAC dropped by 18% and LTV went up 22%.”

💡Tip: You can use Mobile Text Alerts Integrations to create an omnichannel marketing strategy. Integrate text messages with email campaigns, connect with your Twitter (now X) followers, and automatically start SMS chats with your LinkedIn leads.

12. Use text-to-join campaigns

Text-to-join SMS campaigns simplify opt-ins by allowing users to opt in using a specific keyword or number—no wait times or form fill-ups. It’s best suited for webinars, events, or gated content. This strategy helps you grow your SMS subscriber list, expanding your customer base.

Mobile Text Alerts’ text-to-join feature allows you to create custom keywords for your audience to join the SMS list. Once they text the keyword, they’ll be automatically added to your text alert list.

Example:

“

Text INSIGHTS to 12345 for exclusive speaker tips.

13. Launch and promote new product lines

SMS isn’t a loud, mass announcement, but it’s ideal for generating buzz around product releases. When launching a new product, you can send a well-timed text and quietly nudge your loyal customers to inspire action.

Example: A SaaS company introducing a new feature might send, “You asked, we built it. Real-time dashboards are live 🎉 Try them out now: [link]”

With Mobile Text Alerts, you can schedule these announcements, segment your user lists, and track engagement in real time.

Loverboy Inc., a USA-based beverage company, soft-launched its new wine-based spritz via SMS alerts. This prompted 1500 orders on the first day, resulting in 50% inventory being sold on the day before the product’s official release. (Source)

14. Start reactivation campaigns for lapsed users

Customers may drift due to negative experience, changed preferences, or competitive offers. This is where your reactivation campaigns come in.

According to research, selling to existing customers is easier. In fact, existing customers are more likely to buy and spend 31% more than new ones. So, segment users based on inactivity and send a friendly SMS.

Example:

“

Quick question: What made you stop using our product? Reply and get 50% off your next order.

Keeper Tax used data-driven reactivation campaigns, resulting in 20% of inactive customers purchasing within 30 days. Paul Kollick, CEO & Co-founder of Keeper Tax, says, “Data-driven reactivation strategies are key in our campaigns. Tailored messaging and timely offers have helped us retain over 30% of previously inactive users.” (Source)

15. Offer referral incentives via SMS

Referral incentives are effective for reaching new audiences through the existing customer base. Offer cash rewards, discounts, exclusive access to services, or gift cards.

Example:

“

Love us? Share code FRIEND20 and you both get $20 off your next order. Track your referrals: [Link]

Nirmal G., Founder & CMO at WP Creative, shares, “We tried one-off referral texts for current clients—Refer a mate, get $50 off next project. No long form, just a clear offer. Around 10% shared it, and we got a few great clients from it.”

16. Use SMS to collect feedback or run micro surveys

Collect honest customer inputs through short SMS surveys. It helps you gather feedback without taking much of the customer’s time.

Suppose you’ve started a new Shopify store, you can implement customer satisfaction surveys via SMS. After each customer interaction, ask customers to rate their experience on a scale of 1 to 5 and provide additional comments (optional).

Example:

“

Hi Nick, how would you rate our customer support service on a scale of 1 to 5? Reply with a number.

With Mobile Text Alerts’ two-way conversation, you can capture feedback promptly and then use real-time analytics to analyze responses.

17. Send event or webinar reminders with action links

People register for webinars, but things get in the way and they forget the dates. A solid reminder strategy can increase webinar attendance rates and reduce no-shows. So use SMS reminders to drive attendance and engagement without being pushy.

Example: Here’s an SMS sequence👇

• 24 hours before the webinar: “Hi Jane, our webinar on Winning Customers with SMS Marketing is tomorrow. See you at 3 PM. Join here: [link]”
• 1 hour before the webinar: “Starts in 1 hour! Click to join: [link]”

“We find SMS invaluable for event reminders and webinar notifications. Sending a quick text right before an online event dramatically increases attendance and engagement. It ensures that people who signed up actually show up, transforming potential interest into active participation.” —Kevin Heimlich, CEO, The Ad Firm

18. Share tutorial links, market insights, industry trends...

SMS isn’t just for promos and flash sales. You can use it to provide educational insights—weekly tips, tutorial links, market insights, and industry trends. It helps you build trust and keeps you at the top of their mind.

Example: Giant Eagle Grocery shared texts with COVID-related information to its customers in March 2020. In less than 3 months, over 10,000 customers communicated with the brand store via SMS regarding curbside delivery and pickup. (Source)

19. Humanize your brand through personal connections

This SMS marketing technique helps establish connections not only with customers but also with employees. It increases trust, builds loyalty, and creates a positive brand image that strengthens your marketing efforts.

Example:

“

Hi Pat, I’m Jane, the CEO. We hit 10,000 customers just because of loyal customers like you! As a thank-you gift, here’s 20% off your next order.

Aisin Electronics uses Mobile Text Alerts to humanize workplace communication. Jamie Hunsaker, the HR Manager, sends team members information about benefits, health, plant closures, and unemployment. Read the full story.

20. Use SMS for billing updates and payment confirmations

Keep your customers informed about the latest transactions to build trust and loyalty. Whether it’s time-sensitive billing updates, successful transactions, security flags, or failed payments, these messages show customers that you value them.

Amazon sends SMS alerts for Amazon Pay transactions, including an updated balance, and a link to support services in case of suspicious activity. This transparency ensures security and strengthens customer trust.

Example:

“

Payment of $20 using Amazon Pay Balance was successful at Uber Technologies Inc. Updated Balance: $35. For help, click [Link].

Kickstart SMS Marketing

These 20 strategies prove that SMS marketing goes way beyond discounts and limited-time offers. From product releases to customer feedback, SMS marketing can become a direct line to engaged customers.

The key? Treat SMS like a conversation starter and not just another promotional medium. Ask meaningful questions. Share value. Take feedback. And always make your messages timely and relevant to your audience.

With Mobile Text Alerts, you can craft, schedule, personalize, and track your SMS campaigns automatically—while making your customers feel that there’s a real human behind them.

Get a Mobile Text Alerts free trial today. Explore the features. Test the workflows. And launch your next-level SMS marketing campaigns!

FAQs

Is SMS a marketing strategy?

Yes. SMS can be used as a marketing channel to communicate directly with customers. It is convenient, cost-effective, and less time-consuming. SMS marketing offers several benefits:

• Immediate visibility: Text messages land on customers’ phones, making them instantly visible. Hence, you can reach a wider audience using SMS marketing strategies.
• No bounce: Unlike emails that can bounce due full inbox or spam filters, SMS always reaches customers, delivering once connectivity is restored.
• Adapts across industries: SMS marketing scales across industries—from ecommerce, healthcare, SaaS, to nonprofit. You can use SMS marketing to launch product features, promote flash sales, and even send healthcare appointment reminders.

🔖 Check out how Mobile Text Alerts helped Indian Hills Community Church to notify people quickly about events, rehearsal times, updates, and announcements. Listen to the entire story.

What is SMS marketing (with example)?

SMS marketing involves using text messages to promote products, boost sales, and build long-term customer relationships. Ideal for time-sensitive communications, SMS marketing effectively updates customers about new products, discounts, and other business news.

For instance, you can use personalized SMS to offer customers special discounts: “Hey Sarah! Exclusive access to our birthday sale. Flat 20% off site-wide: [link].”

Why is SMS marketing so popular?

SMS marketing is popular because it works. Text messages give you instant visibility, with 55% of messages read and 100% of messages “viewed.” They are easier to read and respond to, and they have a higher level of engagement.

SMS has an average response rate of 45%, which is much higher than the email response rate of 6%.