How to Use an Automated Text Message for Business Engagement

Customers expect quick and simple communication from the businesses they trust.

Automated text messaging makes it easy to meet those expectations while saving time and effort. It lets you send important updates, reminders, or promotions without having to write every message by hand.

What makes automated text messaging powerful is it combines speed with personalization. Instead of sending generic updates, you can use tools to include customer-specific details like names, appointment times, or special offers.

With the right setup, you can use this tool to create meaningful interactions, increase customer satisfaction, and even drive sales.

In this article, you’ll learn how it works, why it’s an effective tool for communication and practical ways to use it to boost customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Why Automated Text Messaging Is a Must-Have for Modern Businesses

Unlike traditional methods, text messaging delivers what modern customers demand: instant, personalized, and actionable updates. Here’s what makes it stand out:

New Approach to Communication

With text message automation, you’re creating moments that strengthen relationships, build trust, and keep your customers coming back.

Instead of waiting for problems or questions to arise, scheduled text messages allow you to anticipate customer needs and act before they even realize they need help.

Every time you reach out to a customer, it is also a chance to leave a lasting impression. Automated text messages can turn routine interactions into thoughtful moments that customers remember.

Automatic text messages also help you create a smooth experience for your customers by connecting every step of their journey. From welcoming them to following up after a purchase, your communication can feel effortless.

However, automation doesn’t have to feel robotic. With the right strategy, you can make your messages feel personal and meaningful, even when they’re automated.

Textellent is a business texting platform that helps you connect meaningfully with your customers. You can use your customers’ names and preferences to make your messages more relevant.

Data-Driven Results

The data surrounding automated texting proves that it’s one of the most effective ways to connect with your customers and grow your business.

Research shows that 98% of text messages are opened, with the majority being read within three minutes of delivery. Compare that to email open rates, which hover around 20%, and you’ll see why SMS marketing stands out.

Instant attention makes automated text messages perfect for urgent updates, time-sensitive offers, or important reminders.

Automated text messaging is cost-effective compared to traditional marketing channels like phone calls or even email marketing. For just a few cents per message, you can reach hundreds of customers at once, which gives you a high return on investment (ROI).

Emotional Connection

Automation often gets labeled as impersonal. But if you do it right, it can create emotional connections with your customers.

Every automated message is an opportunity to make your customers feel valued. Instead of sending transactional texts, you can use warm and personal language that resonates.

Customers are more likely to feel a connection to your business when you go beyond standard updates. These small but heartfelt messages make your communication stand out.

Keeping your communication consistent and reliable can also build trust over time. Customers should know they can count on you for timely updates, helpful reminders, and thoughtful follow-ups.

Textellent allows you to set up recurring messages for things like regular check-ins after a service or appointment and gentle nudges when customers haven’t interacted with you in a while.

Customers don’t just stay loyal because of good products or services. They stay because they feel valued. Emotional connections lead to stronger relationships, repeat business, and positive word-of-mouth.

How to Send Automatic Text Messages Effectively

A customer’s experience with your business is a journey. From the moment they discover your services to long after they make a purchase, every touchpoint shapes how they feel about your brand.

SMS automation powered by tools like Textellent ensures that this journey is smooth, consistent, and impactful.

Welcome Customers the Right Way

First impressions matter. The way you welcome a new customer sets the tone for the entire relationship. Automated text messages can help you create a warm, inviting introduction that feels personal and thoughtful.

• Example welcome message:
  “Hi Rachel, welcome to [Your Business Name]! We’re excited to have you on board. Here’s 10% off your first order to get you started: [Link].”

This kind of message immediately shows that you value their decision to choose your business and provides them with a reason to engage further.

Keep the Experience Consistent

Consistency is key to building trust, and automated texts guarantee no part of the customer journey is overlooked. With tools like Textellent, you can automate key updates and reminders that help customers stay engaged without feeling forgotten.

Examples of Consistent Messaging:

• Order confirmations:
  “Thanks for your order, Sam! Your item #12345 has been confirmed and will ship soon. Track your order here: [Link].”
• Appointment reminders:
  “Hi Taylor, your appointment with Dr. Lee is scheduled for tomorrow at 2 PM. Reply YES to confirm or NO to reschedule.”
• Post-service follow-ups:
  “Hi Jamie, thank you for visiting us today! We hope you enjoyed your experience. Let us know if there’s anything else we can do for you.”

These consistent updates reassure customers that you’re on top of things, which builds a sense of reliability and professionalism.

Proactive Engagement

Automated SMS messages allow you to stay ahead of customer needs. Instead of waiting for them to reach out with questions or concerns, you can proactively provide the information they need.

Examples of Proactive Messaging:

• Sending a reminder when a subscription is about to renew:
  “Hi Anna, just a heads-up that your subscription will renew on [Date]. Let us know if you’d like to make any changes!”
• Offering support right after a purchase:
  “Hi Mike, your new camera has shipped! Need help setting it up? Check out our quick-start guide here: [Link].”
• Checking in when customers haven’t interacted for a while:
  “We miss you, Sarah! It’s been a while since your last visit. Here’s a special offer to welcome you back: [Link].”

Close the Loop After the Purchase

Your relationship with a customer doesn’t end after they’ve paid. Following up after a purchase or service keeps the connection alive and encourages repeat business.

Effective Follow-Up Ideas:

• Ask for feedback:
  “Hi Chris, thanks for your purchase! We’d love to hear how we did. Please share your feedback here: [Link].”
• Upsell complementary products or services:
  “Hi Emma, now that you’ve got [Product], check out our accessories to complete your setup: [Link].”
• Build loyalty with exclusive offers:
  “Thanks for being a loyal customer, Alex! Here’s an exclusive discount just for you: [Link].”

Textellent makes it simple to deliver exceptional customer communication across every stage of the journey. Its sophisticated automation features let you schedule personalized messages for key moments like appointments, purchases, and follow-ups.

You can also track engagement and optimize your messaging strategy with its detailed analytics.

Sign up for a free trial now or request a demo consultation today!

Automated SMS Compliance: What You Need to Know

Automated text messaging is a powerful tool for businesses, but it comes with responsibilities.

When sending SMS messages to customers, you have to adhere to regulations to avoid legal issues and protect your brand reputation. Text messaging is a personal and direct form of communication, which is why it’s regulated to protect consumers from spam and unsolicited contact.

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) governs text messaging practices in the U.S. and requires businesses to obtain explicit consent from customers opting in to receive your messages. This consent must also be documented.

Every message should include instructions for unsubscribing (e.g., “Reply STOP to opt out”), and you only have to send messages to those who have given prior consent.

Texting platforms like Textellent make SMS compliance easier and smarter. It uses advanced AI tools to detect if someone wants to opt out in a non-traditional way.

If a customer texts, “I had a bad experience with your company last time,” Textellent’s system recognizes this as a request to stop communication. That customer is automatically added to a “do not text” list, and the message is flagged for a team member to review.

This extra layer of protection guarantees compliance and gives your business a chance to resolve customer concerns. With Textellent, you can confidently use automated texting while keeping your customers’ trust.

How to Measure the Success of Automated Text Messaging

Without data, it’s impossible to know how effective your messaging strategy is. It also helps you identify any weak points in your campaigns so you can adjust and improve.

To measure the success of your automated text messaging campaigns, focus on the following SMS metrics:

• High delivery rates: Show that your contact list is accurate, but if this rate is low, you may need to clean up invalid or outdated numbers.
• Low open rates: May indicate that your message preview or timing isn’t compelling enough. Consider experimenting with different opening lines or sending texts at times when your audience is most active.
• Low CTR or conversion rates: This could mean your offer or call-to-action isn’t strong enough. Ensure links are relevant and CTAs are clear and actionable.

A/B testing is a great way to refine your automated text messaging campaigns. With this method, you send two variations of a message to see which performs better.

Best Practices for Writing Automated Text Messages

Aside from providing quick updates, automated texting also serves as an opportunity to build stronger relationships with your customers. Check out the best practices to help you craft automated text messages that connect with your customers while driving results.

Make It Personal

Automated text messages don’t have to sound robotic. The key to effective communication is making the recipient feel like the message was written just for them.

You can use friendly, approachable language that’s clear and relatable. Start by addressing them by name and referencing details that are specific to them, like an appointment time or an order number.

Also, avoid overly formal language or overly casual slang that doesn’t fit your brand voice. Keep it conversational, polite, and aligned with how you’d communicate face-to-face.

When your text messages feel like real conversations, they’ll resonate more with your audience and encourage better engagement.

Focus on Timing, Not Just the Message

What you say is important, but when you say it can make all the difference. Customers are likelier to engage with messages that arrive at a convenient and relevant time.

Sending a text at the wrong moment, like late at night or during their busiest hours, can not only go unnoticed but might even leave a negative impression.

Think about your customer’s day and tailor your timing to match their routines. You can send appointment reminders the evening before or a few hours before the scheduled time.

Payment reminders or order updates should arrive during standard business hours when customers are more likely to take immediate action.

Scheduling messages shows respect for your customer’s time and increases the chance they’ll engage with your message.

Include a Clear Call to Action (CTA)

Every automated text message you send should guide the recipient toward a specific action. A direct CTA makes it easy for customers to know what to do next.

Instead of a vague statement like, “Let us know if you have any questions,” a strong CTA looks like this:

“Hi Jamie, your appointment is scheduled for tomorrow at 2 PM. Reply YES to confirm or NO to reschedule.”

CTAs should be simple, actionable, and placed at the end of the message where they naturally follow the text’s main point. Also, using links or keywords in your CTA can simplify the process for your customers.

Test, Analyze, and Optimize

What works for one audience or campaign might not resonate with another. Start by running A/B tests on different aspects of your messages.

You can test varying send times to determine when your audience is most responsive. Then, experiment with different tones or calls to action to see which approach gets the best engagement.

Use Automation Tools

Automated texts don’t need to feel impersonal or transactional. With the best business texting platform, you can automate repetitive tasks, maintain consistent communication, and still offer personalized interactions.

Automation tools help save time and reduce manual effort as they automate tasks like appointment reminders, order updates, and follow-ups. This allows you to focus on delivering exceptional service rather than spending time on routine messaging tasks.

Below, we’ll explore how Textellent stands out as a comprehensive solution for automated text messaging and how it can turn simple interactions into meaningful connections.

How Textellent Can Help With Automated Text Messages

You need the right tools to create impactful automated text messaging campaigns. Platforms like Textellent simplify the process of sending, scheduling, and personalizing messages. It gives you the ability to scale your communication while keeping it efficient and effective.

Here’s how Textellent’s key features make it an essential solution for automated text messaging.

Text-Enable Your Existing Business Phone Number

Unlike other platforms that require a separate number for texting, Textellent allows you to add texting capabilities to your current landline or VoIP number without affecting voice services.

Customers are more likely to trust and engage with a familiar business number. Whether they’re calling or texting, using a single point of contact makes communication simple and professional.

Direct and Personalized Conversations

Textellent’s 1:1 texting feature allows you to engage with customers for timely updates and answer their questions in a conversational manner.

Unlike generic, automated responses, you can customize your messages to make them more personal and relevant. Conversations are archived, so you always have a record of past interactions.

Effortless Bulk and Group Messaging

With Textellent’s mass texting tools, you can send messages to hundreds or thousands of customers. This is ideal for promotions, event reminders, or urgent updates. Dynamic fields allow you to include customer-specific details, like their name or order history, in each message.

Plan Ahead With Scheduled Messaging

Textellent’s scheduling feature lets you set up messages to go out at the perfect time, whether it’s a few days from now or months down the road.

Important updates, birthday greetings, or payment reminders are sent on time without manual effort, which can be helpful for recurring events or deadlines.

Always Available With Auto-Responders

When your team is unavailable, Textellent steps in with automatic replies. These can be customized for after-hours responses, high-traffic periods, or even specific scenarios like vacation closures.

Customers never feel ignored, and you maintain a professional image even during downtime. Auto-responders can also direct customers to alternative options, such as a support page or FAQ.

Save Time With Templates and Media Libraries

Adding visual elements like product images or instructional videos further boosts engagement.

Textellent’s template library is a lifesaver for handling frequent inquiries or recurring promotions. You can save commonly used messages and re-use them whenever needed. Also, the media library allows you to attach engaging MMS content like PDFs, GIFs, or short videos.

Promote Opt-Ins With Easy-To-Remember Short Codes

Textellent simplifies promotions with short codes to make it easy for customers to opt in or get information. 

Short codes are effective for building contact lists and driving engagement in marketing campaigns.

Recurring Text Blasts for Regular Updates

If you need to send recurring messages, Textellent makes it easy to schedule and automate text blasts. You can send monthly meeting reminders or a recurring promotion without the risk of forgetting while staying consistent.

Automate Text Messages Without Losing the Personal Touch

Connecting with your customers should feel effortless. With Textellent, you can bring simplicity and personalization into every text message you send.

From appointment updates to exclusive offers, Textellent allows you to deliver timely, thoughtful messages that customers will appreciate.

Forget juggling platforms or struggling with complicated tools. This automated texting service lets you text-enable your existing business number and start reaching customers in a professional way.

Schedule messages in advance, automate reminders, or even send thousands of texts at once, all while maintaining a professional and thoughtful tone. Features like dynamic templates, compliance features, and detailed analytics keep you organized and intentional with every interaction.

Experience the difference that smarter, more personalized communication can make for your business. Sign up for a free trial now or request a demo consultation now!

FAQs About Automated Text Messages for Business

How do I automate text messages for my business?

To automate text messages, you’ll need a platform like Textellent.

First, choose a tool that allows you to send and schedule messages.

You can use your current business number or a new one for texting.

Set up message templates for common texts like reminders or promotions.

Define when messages should be sent, such as after a booking or before a payment is due. You can also schedule texts for future dates.

Is it legal to send automated text messages?

It’s legal to send automated texts if you follow the rules. You must get permission from customers before texting them. Messages also need to include an easy way for customers to opt out, like replying “STOP.” Platforms like Textellent help with compliance by managing opt-ins and opt-outs for you so you stay within the law.

What is an example of an automated text message?

With automation, you can define triggers for when messages should be sent, such as after a booking confirmation or before a payment is due. Here are some examples:

Appointment Reminder: “Hi Taylor, your appointment is tomorrow at 2 PM. Reply YES to confirm or NO to reschedule.”

Order Update: “Your order #5678 has shipped and will arrive soon. Track it here: [Link].”

Promotion: “Flash Sale! Get 20% off today only. Shop now: [Link].”

Textellent’s mobile apps for iOS and Android apps let you manage automated messages and incoming messages conveniently from anywhere.

Can you auto-generate text messages?

You can create templates for common scenarios like reminders or promotions with Textellent. Dynamic fields allow personalization, such as adding a customer’s name or order number.

Auto-responders also handle replies when you’re unavailable. With the right setup, automated messages save time and keep communication flowing.