How to Set Up SMS Mailing List and Grow Your Customer Base

Your customers are checking their phones—are you in their inbox?

Setting up an SMS mailing list is the fastest way to reach your audience and drive real-time engagement. With 98% open rates and read within 3 minutes of receipt, SMS marketing outperforms email and social media.

However, manually managing an SMS subscriber list can be frustrating, time-consuming, and risky if compliance isn’t handled correctly.

Without the right tools, you could be missing out on valuable customer interactions and revenue opportunities.

In this article, we’ll walk you through how to set up an SMS mailing list the right way and strategies to keep subscribers engaged. By the end, you’ll have everything you need to launch a successful SMS marketing program that delivers real results.

Is an SMS Mailing List Worth It?

If you’re running a business and relying only on email marketing or social media to reach customers, you’re missing out on one of the highest-converting marketing channels available.

SMS marketing consistently delivers better engagement and faster responses than other communication methods. But is setting up an SMS mailing list really worth your time and effort?

The answer is simple: Yes—because your customers are already responding to SMS marketing.

Many businesses assume customers will find SMS marketing annoying or intrusive, but the reality is the opposite.

Research shows that 75% of consumers have made purchases as a result of SMS marketing. In fact, three-quarters of U.S. consumers say they buy things as a result of SMS marketing messages from companies.

While email marketing is still a useful tool, it doesn’t come close to the speed and conversion power of SMS. The email usually gets lost under spam and unread promotions.

However, not every business sees instant success with SMS marketing. The reason? Many do it wrong.

Sending too many marketing text messages, failing to personalize offers, or not giving customers a reason to stay subscribed can lead to unsubscribes and lost sales.

If you’re serious about using SMS marketing to increase sales, you need a platform that makes it easy to manage your list, automate messages, and send the right offers at the right time.

Get started with SMS marketing without the frustration of managing it manually. Sign up for a free trial or request a demo consultation today!

Build an SMS Mailing List That People Want to Join

If you want customers to stay subscribed and engage with your messages, you need to give them a reason to sign up.

Businesses make the mistake of simply saying, “Join our SMS marketing list for updates,” which doesn’t offer much value. Instead, you need to offer an incentive, simplify the SMS signup form, and create a system that keeps customers interested.

If you get these steps right, your SMS marketing efforts will deliver higher engagement, more conversions, and fewer unsubscribes.

Give Customers a Reason to Subscribe

Customers won’t give you their phone numbers unless there’s a clear benefit to doing so. Your job is to make sure they see why signing up is worth it.

Rather than saying, “Sign up for SMS updates,” you should offer something tangible, like a discount they can use right away or exclusive access to sales before anyone else.

The more immediate and valuable your offer, the higher your opt-in rate will be.

If you’re offering a discount, make sure it’s large enough to matter. A 5% discount isn’t compelling, but 10–20% off or free shipping can drive more sign-ups.

Make Signing Up as Easy as Possible

The process of signing up should only take seconds, not minutes. If you require them to fill out long forms or click through multiple pages, you’ll lose them before they even subscribe.

The best way to collect phone numbers is to use text-to-join keywords. Instead of asking them to type out an entire message, make it as easy as:

“Text DEAL to 12345 to get 15% off your next order.”

Another effective method is using QR codes that instantly open an SMS opt-in page. This works well for in-store promotions, product packaging, and receipts.

If you have a website, add a pop-up form at checkout offering an exclusive discount in exchange for signing up.

Social media can also be a powerful tool for growing your SMS list. Running a click-to-text ad on Facebook or Instagram lets customers opt-in directly from their feed without needing to type anything manually.

If you want more customers to subscribe, make the process effortless. The easier it is, the more likely they’ll join.

Set the Right Tone With Your First Message

Once someone subscribes, your first message is the most important. It needs to confirm their sign-up, deliver the promised incentive, and set clear expectations.

For example:

“Thanks for joining [Your Business] SMS list! Your exclusive 15% off code is WELCOME15. We’ll send you VIP deals and early sale access 1–2 times per month. Reply STOP anytime to opt out.”

This type of message builds trust because it reassures the customer that they’ll only receive relevant messages, not spam. It also delivers value immediately, which reinforces why they signed up in the first place.

SMS List Growth Formula to Keep Subscribers Engaged

Building an SMS mailing list is just the beginning. The real challenge is keeping your subscribers engaged so they continue to open, read, and respond to your messages.

Your goal should be to keep your SMS subscribers interested without overloading them.

Here’s how you can do that to retain subscribers and promote repeat business.

Set Expectations From the Start

When a new customer joins your SMS list, their first interaction with your business sets the tone for the future.

If they know what to expect, they’re more likely to stay engaged. You should send a welcome message immediately after they sign up and let them know what type of content they will receive.

Your welcome message should include:

• A confirmation that they are now subscribed
• The incentive you promised them, if applicable
• A brief explanation of how often you will be sending messages
• A way to opt-out if they no longer want to receive SMS marketing messages

For example, if you run an e-commerce store and offer a discount for signing up, your welcome message might look like this:

“Thanks for joining [Your Business] SMS list! Your exclusive 15% off code is WELCOME15. We’ll send you special deals and early sale access twice a month. Reply STOP anytime to opt out.”

This message immediately delivers value while reinforcing that they won’t be bombarded with daily texts.

Find the Right Message Frequency

The biggest mistake you can make with SMS marketing is sending too many or too few messages.

The right message frequency depends on your industry and the audience’s expectations. Some businesses, such as restaurants or e-commerce stores, can send messages multiple times per month.

While others, such as healthcare providers or professional services, may need to be more selective.

The best way to determine the right frequency for your business is to start with fewer messages and adjust based on engagement levels.

If you notice a rise in opt-outs, you may need to slow down. If engagement is strong, you may be able to increase frequency without losing subscribers.

Personalize Your Messages

One-size-fits-all messages won’t keep subscribers engaged. Your customers want messages that feel relevant to their interests and needs.

To customize your messages, you can:

• Use the customer’s first name to make messages feel more direct
• Segment your list based on past purchases, preferences, or behavior
• Send location-based offers if you have multiple store locations
• Recommend products or services based on past interactions

Personalization makes your texts more impactful and encourages higher response rates.

Use Automation to Stay Consistent

As your SMS list grows, managing engagement manually becomes difficult. Automation allows you to keep messages consistent while still delivering a personalized experience.

With an SMS marketing platform like Textellent, you can automate welcome messages so every new subscriber gets an immediate response.

You can also set up scheduled promotions, send cart abandonment reminders, and trigger SMS follow-ups based on previous purchases or website visits.

Automation makes sure your subscribers stay engaged without requiring constant manual effort from your team. It also helps maintain a structured messaging plan so you don’t accidentally overwhelm your customers with too many texts in a short period.

Track Engagement and Adjust Your Strategy

If you want to keep your SMS list engaged over the long term, you need to analyze performance data and make adjustments based on how subscribers respond.

The essential SMS metrics you should track include:

• Open rates – If customers aren’t opening your texts, your subject lines or timing may need improvement.
• Click-through rates – If few people are clicking on your links, your offers may not be compelling enough.
• Opt-out rates – A high unsubscribe rate usually indicates that messages are too frequent, too generic, or do not provide value.
• Conversion rates – If customers open and click but don’t make a purchase, your call to action may need improvement.

Tracking these metrics helps refine your SMS marketing strategy and keep messages relevant and valuable to your audience.

Common Mistakes That Hurt Your SMS List Growth

If you’re not seeing the results you expected from your SMS marketing efforts, it’s likely due to avoidable mistakes pushing customers away instead of keeping them engaged.

You may already know that sending too many or too few messages can impact engagement. However, there are other critical mistakes that often go unnoticed. These mistakes can silently hurt your SMS list and reduce the effectiveness of your marketing efforts.

To grow your opt-in SMS list and encourage repeat business, you need to avoid the following:

Treat SMS Like Email Marketing

SMS marketing is not the same as email marketing, yet many businesses use the same strategies for both. Compared to email, where you can send long-form content with multiple sections and images, SMS requires brevity and directness.

If you send messages without a clear call to action, your customers won’t engage. Your texts should be short, actionable, and easy to understand within a few seconds.

For example, instead of sending:

“Our summer sale is here! We have a wide range of new styles available, including dresses, swimwear, and accessories. You can shop now on our website and enjoy a special 15% discount when you use the SUMMER15 code. Don’t miss out—the sale ends soon!”

A better approach would be:

“SUMMER SALE: Get 15% off new arrivals! Use code SUMMER15. Shop now: [link].”

SMS works best when it delivers the message quickly and makes it easy for the customer to take action immediately.

Ask for Too Much Information During Sign-Up

If you ask for too much information, such as name, email, birthday, location, or other details, they may abandon the sign-up.

A good rule is to only collect what’s necessary upfront and gather more data later through interactions. Instead of making customers fill out multiple fields, start with a simple opt-in:

“Text DEAL to 12345 to get 20% off your next purchase!”

Once they subscribe, you can send a follow-up text inviting them to provide more details for a personalized experience. This keeps the initial process easy while allowing you to collect useful data over time.

Send the Same Message to Every Subscriber

Customers expect relevant messages. If you send mass texts to your entire list, many will feel disconnected and may unsubscribe.

You can segment your list based on the following:

• New vs. returning customers (new subscribers might need an introduction, while repeat buyers prefer exclusive offers)
• Purchase behavior (customers who bought shoes might be interested in matching accessories)
• Engagement level (some customers respond to weekly texts, while others prefer occasional updates)

For example, if someone hasn’t purchased in 90 days, you can send a win-back offer:

“We miss you! Here’s 10% off your next order. Use code WELCOME10. Shop now: [link].”

Meanwhile, a highly engaged customer might receive:

“As a VIP subscriber, you’re getting early access to our sale! Shop now before anyone else: [link].”

Textellent allows you to automate SMS segmentation so each message feels targeted and relevant instead of a template.

Subscribers Have No Control Over Their Preferences

If a customer can’t choose how often they receive SMS messages, they may opt-out instead of reducing frequency.

You can prevent this by offering an SMS preference center, allowing subscribers to choose the types of messages they want (e.g., promotions, order updates, event reminders).

You must also allow them to select how often they receive texts (weekly, biweekly, monthly) and pause SMS messages instead of opting out completely.

Ignore Opt-Out Trends and Feedback

If customers are unsubscribing at a high rate, you need to figure out why. You can use opt-outs as an opportunity to improve your strategy rather than ignoring them.

To gather feedback, you can send a simple exit survey before they opt out. This helps you identify problem areas and adjust your SMS strategy accordingly.

How Textellent Takes the Hassle Out of SMS List Building

Building and maintaining an SMS mailing list can feel overwhelming. You have to collect numbers, manage opt-ins, personalize messages, and ensure SMS compliance while running your business.

If you’re trying to do everything manually, you’re making it harder than it needs to be.

Textellent simplifies SMS marketing by automating key processes, so it’s easy for you to grow your subscriber list and keep them engaged.

Easy Opt-Ins

One of the biggest challenges businesses face is getting people to sign up for their SMS lists. Textellent ensures that opt-ins are fast, simple, and legally compliant.

You can allow customers to text a keyword to join, a method proven to increase opt-in rates. Rather than collecting numbers manually, you can set up a keyword like “JOIN” to 12345.

If you already have a dedicated phone number, Textellent enables text messaging from existing landline or VoIP numbers so customers recognize and trust the sender.

If you want to capture sign-ups online, you can integrate SMS opt-in forms into your website and social media pages, ensuring that customers can subscribe from multiple touchpoints.

Pre-Built Templates and Campaigns

Starting an SMS marketing campaign from scratch can be overwhelming. Many businesses delay SMS outreach because they don’t know what to say or how to format their messages.

Textellent provides ready-to-use templates and automated campaigns, making it easier to launch effective SMS marketing efforts.

Whether you need to send appointment reminders, promotional offers, or follow-up messages, you can use pre-designed templates or customize them based on your brand’s voice and goals.

API Integration and Workflow Automation

Textellent integrates with Zapier, allowing you to connect SMS marketing with your existing tools. CRM platforms, e-commerce systems, or scheduling software enable seamless data transfer and automation.

You can set up automated SMS triggers based on customer actions. If someone abandons their shopping cart, an automated reminder can be sent. If a client schedules an appointment, they can receive a confirmation text.

Tagging and Contact Segmentation

Textellent’s tagging system allows you to segment your list based on events, customer history, preferences, and engagement levels.

New subscribers can receive a welcome series, repeat customers can get VIP offers, and inactive subscribers can get re-engagement messages. With segmentation, your SMS marketing becomes more relevant and more likely to drive conversions.

Bulk Messaging and Scheduled Campaigns

Textellent allows you to send bulk messages without losing personalization. When you need to announce a limited-time sale or notify customers of an upcoming event, you can schedule messages in advance.

This keeps your communication organized and structured. It also helps you stay connected with your audience without overwhelming them with random messages.

Compliance and Automated Opt-Outs

Legal compliance is a major concern in SMS marketing. Sending messages to customers who haven’t given proper consent can result in penalties under the TCPA in the U.S.

Textellent guarantees that every opt-in is properly recorded so you have proof of customer consent. If a subscriber ever wants to opt-out, they can do so easily by replying “STOP,” and Textellent will automatically remove them from future campaigns.

Real-Time Analytics and Performance Tracking

If you’re not tracking engagement, you won’t know what’s working and what’s driving people to unsubscribe.

Textellent provides real-time analytics, allowing you to measure key SMS metrics to see how customers engage with messages and understand if you’re growing or losing subscribers.

With this data, you can adjust your strategy to improve engagement and increase ROI.

Capture More Customers—Automate Your SMS List Building With Textellent!

Many businesses rush to collect phone numbers without thinking about long-term retention, which leads to high opt-out rates and low engagement. Your SMS list should be about building a relationship with your customers.

Textellent takes the hassle out of building an SMS list so you can focus on growing your business.

With automated SMS signup forms, text-to-join keywords, and quick integrations, you can expand your subscriber list without the manual work.

You can instantly send personalized SMS campaigns, bulk promotions, and appointment reminders while ensuring compliance with built-in opt-in and opt-out management.

It’s time to stop waiting and start connecting. Textellent gives you everything you need to build and manage a high-performing SMS marketing program.

Get ahead of your competitors, keep customers engaged, and watch your business grow. Sign up for a free trial or schedule a demo consultation today!

FAQs About Set Up SMS Mailing List

How to set up an SMS list?

To build an SMS subscriber list, follow these steps:

1. Choose an SMS marketing program like Textellent to manage your list and messages.
2. Create an SMS sign-up form on your website or social media.
3. Use text-to-join keywords so customers can subscribe easily.
4. Get clear consent before sending messages.
5. Segment your list based on customer interests.
6. Automate and schedule SMS campaigns to engage subscribers.

A strong opt-in process helps you gain more SMS subscribers while keeping your list compliant.

Can you create an SMS group?

You can send messages to multiple people by creating SMS groups within an SMS marketing program. Platforms like Textellent let you:

• Send messages in bulk while keeping them personal
• Segment contacts for targeted messages
• Automate follow-ups to keep subscribers engaged

This is better than group texting from a phone, which lacks automation and compliance tracking.

Is SMS marketing legal in the USA?

Yes, but you must follow regulations to avoid fines and complaints. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) requires businesses to obtain written consent before sending promotional text messages.

Textellent helps you stay compliant by automating opt-ins, tracking consent, and managing opt-outs.

How do I send an SMS to multiple recipients?

Sending bulk SMS messages requires an SMS marketing platform that allows you to send messages while maintaining compliance.

While you can send a group text from your phone, this method lacks automation, compliance tracking, and personalization options.

Textellent lets you send personalized messages to thousands of subscribers at once while tracking delivery rates, response times, and engagement.