Promotional SMS: Strategies, Tips, and Best Practices

Almost everyone carries a mobile phone, which makes SMS one of the easiest ways to reach people.

Text message marketing doesn’t require an internet connection. If you’re sharing a special offer or announcing a sale, promotional SMS is guaranteed to get noticed by your customers.

Promotional SMS marketing costs less than many other marketing options but delivers big results. Businesses often see quick responses, such as increased purchases or more event sign-ups, because text messages are simple and direct.

With a clear message and a link to take action, SMS makes it easy for customers to respond.

In this article, we’ll explore how to write promotional messages that get results, choose the right audience, and make the most of this powerful marketing tool.

Difference Between Promotional and Transactional SMS

While transactional and promotional SMS both serve important roles, they are used for very different purposes. Let’s break down the key differences:

Transactional SMS messages are used to provide customers with updates related to their interactions with a business. Examples include order confirmations, delivery notifications, OTPs (one-time passwords), or appointment reminders.

Transactional SMS can be sent at any time since they often contain time-sensitive information that the customer expects to receive. They do not require prior consent because they are tied to an existing service or transaction.

Promotional SMS focuses on advertising and marketing. These messages are used to promote a product, service, or event. They’re also only sent to people who have opted to receive marketing communications. 

According to the law, promotional SMS must be sent during reasonable hours—typically between 8:00 AM and 9:00 PM to consider the recipient’s time and daily routine.

Why Businesses Should Use Promotional SMS Messages

Promotional SMS provides measurable results and strategic advantages. Here’s how you can take advantage of promotional texts to achieve specific, impactful goals:

Exceptional Reach

When you send a promotional text message, it goes straight to your customer’s mobile phone. Unlike app notifications, which require users to have an account or a downloaded app, SMS only needs a phone number.

Promotional SMS is versatile because it reaches a wide range of customers. It can engage with those who may not frequently check emails or use social media.

Drives Customer Action

The short nature of SMS makes it perfect for messages that create urgency. Phrases like “Limited Time Offer” or “Today Only” grab attention and push customers to act faster.

SMS messages are designed to be brief and concise. A clear call-to-action (CTA), such as “Click here,” “Shop now,” or “Reply YES,” makes it easy for customers to respond without hesitation.

With the inclusion of clickable links, SMS can drive customers to online stores, registration forms, or other digital platforms. It eliminates the extra steps often required in other marketing channels.

Boosts Campaign ROI

Promotional SMS campaigns are less expensive than other advertising methods, such as pay-per-click ads. Bulk SMS services allow you to send thousands of messages at a fraction of the cost. Even for small businesses, SMS campaigns provide an affordable way to reach large audiences.

The ROI of any campaign depends on how many people take action and whether SMS is effective in this area. Customers are more likely to click links, join a loyalty program, use discount codes, or visit stores when prompted by SMS because of its immediacy and personal nature.

Builds Stronger Customer Relationships

Unlike many marketing channels, SMS allows you to interact with customers through polls, surveys, or quick responses. Two-way communication makes customers feel heard and involved.

Promotional SMS also keeps customers in the loop about a product launch, a sale, or a new service. Consistent communication strengthens the customer-business relationship, as customers feel they are always up to date.

Boosts Overall Campaign Strategy

SMS works best when combined with other marketing platforms to create a unified approach. You can use SMS to follow up on email promotions. If an email offers a discount, an SMS reminder can ensure it gets attention.

Promotional SMS is also a great SMS marketing strategy to direct customers to your preferred platforms, such as websites, mobile apps, or physical stores. These targeted messages help achieve specific goals within your larger campaign.

Tips for Using Promotional SMS

Writing a promotional SMS might seem simple, but crafting one that captures attention and motivates action requires strategy and thought. Here are tips on how to send promotional SMS messages that are engaging:

Start with a Clear Purpose

Before you start writing your campaign, decide what you want your recipients to do. Do you want them to visit your website, shop for a sale, or sign up for an event? A clear goal helps you craft a focused message that drives action.

Be Concise

While SMS isn’t strictly limited to 160 characters, SMS messages are expected to be brief.

You can use direct, clear language to deliver your message without unnecessary fluff. If more details are necessary, include a link or image to provide additional information.

Personalize the Message

Customers appreciate it when businesses address them personally. Using names or tailoring content based on preferences or past purchases can make your messages feel more relevant.

Craft a Compelling Call to Action (CTA)

A call to action prompts customers to take action, whether purchasing, visiting a website, or signing up for more information. A clear CTA uses simple language to tell readers what to do next.

You can use strong verbs like “Buy now,” “Register today,” or “Claim your offer” to encourage immediate response.

Create Urgency

Adding a sense of urgency makes your audience feel like they must act now, or they might miss out. Some effective promotional SMS examples use time-bound language, such as “Hurry,” “Last chance,” and “Offer ends soon.” 

Letting people know that an offer is only available “while supplies last” or “for the first 100 customers” makes the deal feel special and limited.

Also, including a specific deadline, like “Sale ends at midnight,” gives a clear cut-off point for those deciding to purchase sooner rather than later. 

Include a Direct Link

A link should provide instant access to more information, a place to register, or a page to make a purchase. It can save recipients the hassle of searching for your website or a specific product page.

Links can also serve as valuable tools for monitoring your campaign’s effectiveness and guiding your future marketing strategies.

Time It Right

Choose the best time to send your SMS based on when recipients will likely read and act on your message.

It’s generally good practice to avoid sending messages too early in the morning or late at night. You want to catch people who are likely attentive to their phones and not busy with other daily routines.

If you’re targeting professionals, weekdays during lunch hours might be optimal. For retail promotions, late afternoons or weekends could be more effective.

Timing your SMS to coincide with special dates or events related to your offer can also increase engagement.

You can send a promotional message about a sale on summer clothing just as the weather starts warming up or a reminder about Valentine’s Day gifts a few days before.

Don’t Spam

Be mindful of how often you send messages. A good rule of thumb is to send SMS messages only when you have something valuable to say or offer.

Depending on your audience’s preferences, this could mean limiting your messages to once a week or even less frequently.

Make every message count by ensuring it offers real value to the recipient. It could be an exclusive discount, important update, or exciting announcement that interests them.

Comply with Regulations

Under the TCPA, recipients must give explicit written consent before sending promotional SMS. They must opt-in to receive messages from your business. You have to keep records of these consents as proof in case they are ever questioned.

When customers sign up for your SMS messages, be clear about the type of messages they will receive, including the frequency and content, so they know what to expect.

SMS messages should include a simple way for recipients to opt out of future communications. This could be a reply text like “STOP” or a link to a preferences page.

How to Send Promotional SMS Campaigns Using Textellent

Launching a promotional SMS campaign with Textellent can help you reach your audience with timely and relevant messages. Here’s how to get started:

Step 1: Sign up with Textellent

Start by signing up for a Textellent account. Once completed, you’ll have access to tools to make your SMS marketing simple and effective.

You can use Textellent’s business texting tools to create a personalized message template that includes customer names, your signature, and helpful links like videos or special offers. The platform also allows you to create multi-level drip campaigns.

For example:

• Start with a welcoming message
• Follow up with testimonials or product highlights
• End with an exclusive discount to encourage action

You can schedule these campaigns to run automatically and even stop them when a customer responds.

Step 2: Choose Your Plan

Select a plan that suits your business needs. Textellent offers various options, so choose one that aligns with the volume of messages you anticipate sending and the features you require.

For those in the Accounting and Tax field, Textellent offers a unique calculator to help estimate your costs.

Other industries can choose from set pricing plans:

• Free Plan: 14-day free trial that includes one user and 50 SMS credits
• Essentials Plan: $49/month comes with one user and 750 SMS credits
• Standard Plan: $99/month allows two users and provides SMS 2,000 credits
• Premium Custom Plan: Offers customizable options for users, credits, and additional credits and campaigns tailored to your business needs

Step 3: Optional Integration

For added convenience, Textellent supports multiple integrations. You can:

• Use the Chrome extension for quick access
• Connect via Zapier for workflow automation
• Utilize APIs for more advanced system connections

These options allow you to sync Textellent with your existing tools and make SMS marketing a seamless part of your operations.

Step 4. Schedule and Automate

With Textellent, you can schedule messages to be sent at the most optimal times, such as seasonal promotions, holiday greetings, or quarterly updates. The platform supports recurring schedules to keep your customers engaged.

Step 5: Segment Your SMS Subscribers

Textellent’s tagging system helps you reach the right audience.

You need to import your contacts into Textellent and tag them based on interest areas, opt-in sources, or customer journey stages.

If you’re running an e-commerce business, you can text-enable every part of the customer journey—from order confirmations to shipping updates.

Meanwhile, service-based businesses can use SMS to engage leads, schedule consultations, or send follow-ups.

Step 6: Schedule a Text Message

Finally, schedule your promotional text messages for optimal times. You can set up a date and time and send scheduled messages without requiring manual effort.

Textellent also offers automated campaign options that allow you to trigger follow-on drip campaigns based on customer actions.

Step 7. Measure and Adjust for Success

You must track your campaign performance using Textellent’s analytics to identify what’s working. Monitor engagement, response rates, and customer interactions and use these insights to adjust your campaigns.

See Immediate SMS Campaign Success with Textellent

If you’re still relying solely on emails to engage your customers, you might be missing out on the immediacy and impact that SMS delivers.

Textellent makes it easy to send timely, personalized promotional messages that grab attention, build relationships, and drive results.

With features like advanced audience segmentation, automated drip campaigns, and seamless integrations, this platform takes the guesswork out of SMS marketing.

Why settle for average results when you can achieve more with Textellent? Sign up for a Free Trial or request a Demo consultation.

FAQs About Promotional SMS

Is there a difference in response rates between SMS/MMS and other forms of marketing?

SMS typically has higher response rates than many other forms of marketing due to its direct nature and the personal way people use their mobile devices. Direct line to customers often results in quicker and more actionable responses than email or social media channels.

What are the key metrics to track in an SMS campaign?

Key metrics you can track include delivery rate, open rate, click-through rate, conversion rate, and unsubscribe rate. These metrics will help you understand how well your SMS campaign is performing and where there might be room for improvement.

How do I handle negative feedback or complaints from SMS recipients?

When you receive negative feedback, respond with empathy. You have to acknowledge the recipient’s concerns and provide a solution or compensation if appropriate. A positive customer service experience can often turn a dissatisfied subscriber into a satisfied one.

If they are asking to be unsubscribed but don’t use conventional words like stop, they can easily be added to the blocked list.