Text Message Advertising (Benefits, Tips, and Definitions)

Marketing is key for businesses to showcase their products and services. But, it can often seem daunting, especially for startups still finding their footing. 

Fortunately, there are simple and effective strategies that can help make your business more visible. One such strategy is SMS marketing, where you send promotions, alerts, and updates directly to people’s phones.

Text message advertising is not only cost-effective but also highly efficient because people are frequently on their phones. Nearly every message sent is almost guaranteed to be seen.

In this article, we’re going to look at how you can integrate text message marketing into your broader strategy.

We’ll also explore the best texting solution that can help automate your messaging efforts to ensure timely communications.

What Is Text Message Advertising?

SMS advertising is a form of mobile marketing where businesses send promotional messages to customers through SMS (short message service). 

These messages are delivered straight to a customer’s mobile device, which makes it one of the most immediate and direct ways to communicate.

This strategy allows you to share time-sensitive offers, event invites, order updates, or exclusive deals.

For example, a clothing store might text a 20% off coupon to subscribers, or a dentist’s office may send appointment reminders. These are all common SMS marketing examples used to drive sales, improve engagement, and build stronger connections with your audience.

Compared to other channels, text message advertising stands out because of its high open rates, quick delivery, and simplicity.

It’s effective when paired with a trusted SMS marketing service that can help you manage campaigns, track responses, and ensure legal compliance.

When done right, text message advertising is a powerful tool for improving customer loyalty, boosting conversions, and growing your business while being mindful of privacy laws.

Benefits of Text Message Advertising

According to SMS Comparison, 48% of customers prefer texting SMS notifications from businesses over other methods. 

Text message marketing solution strategies are effective for several reasons:

• Boast high open rates, with around 98% of texts being read
• Quick delivery of messages, which is ideal for timely promotions or urgent updates
• It can be easily integrated with other channels, like email marketing
• Helps promote loyal customers through regular updates, personalized offers, and birthday discounts

It’s also interesting how fast SMS marketing is growing in the U.S. By 2025, it’s expected to reach about $12.6 billion, with a growth rate of 20.3% each year. This shows how increasingly important a solid text marketing platform is becoming for businesses.

Types of Messages in Text Message Advertising

Text message advertising examples aren’t limited to just one type of message. Depending on your goals, you can send multiple messages to engage your audience and grow your business.

If you’re planning to use SMS for marketing, it’s important to understand the different types of promotional messages you can send. 

Each type plays a role in how you reach, engage, and convert your audience. Here’s what you should know:

Promotional Messages

You can send promotional text messages to inform customers about sales, limited-time offers, or new product launches. These messages drive fast engagement and encourage purchases.

You must keep it short, create urgency, and always include a clear call to action (CTA).

Example:

“Today Only! Get 25% off your next purchase. Use code SAVE25 at checkout. Shop now!”

Appointment Reminders

If your business relies on scheduled services, appointment reminders reduce no-shows and keep your operations running. You can send reminders 24–48 hours in advance to give customers time to reschedule if needed.

Example:

“Hi John, just a reminder that your haircut appointment is tomorrow at 2 PM. Reply YES to confirm!”

Order and Shipping Updates

Keeping customers updated about their orders builds trust and lowers customer service inquiries. Always include order numbers and tracking links to keep it easy for your customer.

Example:

“Your order #8143 has been shipped! You can track your package here: [link]. Thanks for shopping with us!

Event Invitations

Text messages can be a direct way to invite customers to store events, online webinars, or seasonal promotions. You can highlight any perks or exclusives to boost RSVPs.

Example:

“You’re invited! Join us for our VIP Shopping Night this Friday at 6 PM. RSVP here: [link] — Limited spots available!”

Customer Feedback and Surveys

Asking for feedback via SMS is an efficient way to collect customer opinions while the experience is still fresh. You must keep it short and offer a reward to increase responses.

Example:

“Tell us about your recent visit! Take this 1-minute survey and receive 10% off your next purchase: [link].”

Loyalty and Rewards Updates

Rewarding repeat customers through SMS services is a great way to build long-term value. You may use loyalty updates to make customers feel appreciated and keep them coming back.

Example:

“Good news! You have earned 500 points. Redeem them now for $10 off your next order!”

Personalized Messages

Sending text advertising that’s tailored to each customer builds stronger relationships and better response rates. You can use customer milestones or shopping behavior to make texts feel personal.

Example:

“Happy Birthday, Emma! Celebrate with 20% off your next purchase. Use code BDAY20 at checkout.”

Two-Way Conversations

Using a texting service that supports two-way conversations allows your customers to reply, ask questions, and engage in real time. Make sure you’re set up to respond quickly or route replies to the right team.

Example:

“Hi Mia, would you like to reschedule your delivery for a better time? Reply YES or NO.”

Key Elements of a Successful Text Message Advertising Campaign

There are things you need to consider before running a successful SMS marketing campaign. From crafting a compelling message to ensuring compliance with regulations, each component plays a role in the overall effectiveness of your campaign.

Crafting Compelling and Concise Messages

While modern SMS text messaging isn’t limited to 160 characters, keeping your messages short helps maintain the reader’s attention.

You should start with a clear CTA that tells recipients what you want them to do, such as “Shop now” or “Use code SAVE20.” To make your message more effective, incorporate a sense of urgency with phrases like “ends tonight” or “limited offer.”

Also, keep the language simple and accessible to avoid complex terms or jargon that might confuse your audience.

Adding a personal touch, like addressing recipients by name or referencing their last purchase, can also boost engagement.

Timing and Frequency of Messages

Sending your messages at the right time can impact engagement rates. However, too many messages can lead to opt-outs, while too few might result in missed opportunities.

The timing and frequency of when to send an SMS should be carefully considered based on the audience’s habits and preferences.

A good rule of thumb is to start with a moderate frequency, such as once or twice a month, and adjust based on the audience’s response and feedback.

Generally, it’s effective to schedule texts during hours when people are likely to be alert and attentive but not busy with work or personal obligations. For many audiences, this might be mid-morning or early afternoon.

If your audience is spread across different regions, it’s also essential to consider time zones. Text messages should be scheduled accordingly to ensure they reach people at appropriate local times.

Using Customer Data to Tailor Messages

You can divide your SMS subscribers into groups based on shared characteristics or behaviors.

You could segment customers based on their purchase frequency, the types of products they buy, or their geographical location.

You may also send promotional text messages triggered by specific customer actions. For example, if a customer abandons a cart in your online store, you could send a reminder or offer a discount to encourage completion of the purchase.

Similarly, after a purchase, you may send an SMS review request or offer related products.

A customer who frequently buys a particular type of product may find it useful to receive promotions and updates related to that category. This increases the likelihood of purchase and shows the customer that you understand their needs.

How to Choose the Right Platform for Text Message Advertising

The best text message marketing solution is essential for the success of your campaigns.

The platform you choose will impact how you create, manage, and analyze your marketing strategies. Therefore, choose one that aligns with your business needs and budget.

Here’s what to consider when selecting a text message marketing service for SMS marketing:

Ease of Use

A user-friendly platform minimizes the learning curve and technical challenges, which allows you to launch and manage campaigns with minimal effort.

Textellent uses existing phone numbers to text-enable your business line, simplifying the integration process, whether you’re transitioning or just starting with text marketing.

Automation Capabilities

Automation in SMS messaging saves time and ensures consistent communication with customers at critical touchpoints. 

The platform features a comprehensive appointment management tool that automates messaging at various stages of customer interaction, including intake forms and appointment reminders.

Segmentation Tools

Effective segmentation allows for tailored messages that resonate more with specific groups, increasing the relevance and impact of each campaign. 

Textellent offers segmentation tools that let you filter by purchase behavior, appointment status, or location, which is ideal for businesses with unlimited contacts who need precise targeting.

Integration Options

Seamless integration with existing systems ensures that SMS campaigns complement other marketing efforts and maintain data continuity. 

You can also capture leads with website popups or use QR codes in physical stores to grow your text subscriber base quickly.

Compliance Features

A top priority in selecting an SMS marketing platform should be its compliance features. Making sure the platform adheres to all legal requirements will protect your business from potential legal issues and fines.

Textellent stands out with its advanced compliance features. The platform has been awarded a patent for a new TCPA compliance capability that uses artificial intelligence.

It also makes sure every message contains an unsubscribe link so customers can opt-out easily, and your brand stays compliant.

Analytics and Reporting

Access to detailed analytics helps businesses measure the effectiveness of their campaigns and make data-driven decisions to optimize future efforts. 

Whether you’re a large enterprise or a small business, reviewing performance by message type, timing, or audience group gives you control and insight.

Textellent tracks clicks, response rates, and conversions to provide full visibility into how your campaigns perform, even when you send mass text updates or run a mass texting promotion.

Additional Key Features of Textellent

• Allows images with MMS for better message engagement, which is a feature not available on all platforms
• Offers extensive libraries for message templates and media for MMS to easily create attractive and professional messages
• Automates personalized messages immediately upon inquiry, supports intricate drip campaigns for secure appointments, and drives sales.

Why Should You Choose Textellent?

Textellent sets itself apart from other text message marketing services by focusing on every step of the customer’s journey, from when they first learn about a business to building long-term loyalty. 

As soon as potential customers show interest, this text message marketing platform responds with personalized messages. It keeps customers interested by sending messages specifically tailored to their interests and past behaviors. 

Textellent also excels at re-engaging customers who might have drifted away by sending targeted messages based on their past interactions. 

Plus, its tools allow you to track the effectiveness of the campaigns and make necessary adjustments.

Best Practices for Effective Text Message Marketing

Effective text message marketing involves strategic planning and execution to make sure your messages are well-received and drive the desired actions. 

Here are some best practices to help you make the most of your SMS marketing efforts:

Adhere to Regulations

Different countries have specific regulations governing SMS marketing. In the U.S., the primary regulation is the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). 

It requires businesses to obtain explicit consent before sending marketing messages and provides guidelines for handling opt-outs.

As part of SMS compliance, you must obtain clear, unambiguous consent from recipients before sending text messages. Users should opt-in through a clear affirmative action, such as ticking a box or sending a consent message.

Obtain Explicit Consent

When asking for consent, be clear about what the customer is signing up for.

You must specify the types of messages they will receive, such as promotions, updates, or news. This transparency helps build trust and makes sure customers know what to expect.

You can use an active opt-in mechanism where customers must take a specific action to show their consent. This can be through:

• Signing up via a form on your website: Include a checkbox (not pre-checked) that users can select to opt-in to SMS messages
• Text-to-join campaigns: Customers can send a keyword to a shortcode (e.g., text “JOIN” to 12345) to subscribe to messages
• Point of sale sign-ups: Customers can opt-in through forms available at physical locations or during the checkout process

You must keep a record of when and how consent was obtained. This documentation is essential for compliance purposes and useful if consent is ever disputed.

Respect Opt-Out Requests

When customers decide they no longer wish to receive messages from you, they can typically opt out by sending a simple keyword like “STOP.”

Automated systems should be able to instantly update your messaging list to ensure no further messages are sent to the customer.

Once an opt-out request is received and processed, it is possible to send a final confirmation message to acknowledge that the customer will no longer receive messages, but it is not required.

Sometimes, customers may mistakenly opt out or wish to resume receiving messages after opting out. Provide a simple way for them to opt back in if they choose to do so. 

This could be managed through a keyword like “START,” or they might need to sign up again through your initial opt-in procedure.

Create Compelling, Compliant SMS Campaigns With Textellent

Are you looking to refine your text message marketing strategy? Textellent ensures compliance with AI-driven tools that keep your campaigns within regulatory boundaries.

With Textellent, you get more than just a texting platform. This platform offers a full-featured SMS marketing solution built for speed, compliance, and smart automation.

From scheduling texts to personalized drip campaigns and advanced segmentation, Textellent helps you craft timely, relevant messages that spark action. You can even integrate with your CRM or scheduling software to automate messages based on real customer behavior.

If you’re ready to boost engagement, increase conversions, and create stronger customer relationships, it’s time to start with Textellent. 

Sign up for a free trial or schedule a demo consultation today!

FAQs About Text Message Advertising

How do I advertise on text messages?

To advertise via text, you’ll need an SMS marketing service that lets you send bulk messages to your audience.

Start by collecting customer opt-ins through sign-up forms or mobile device prompts.

Then, use the platform to send updates, offers, or alerts. A good practice is to personalize your messages, keep them short, and always include a clear call to action.

Be sure to comply with privacy laws and include an opt-out option.

What is text messaging advertising?

Text message advertising is the practice of sending promotional content directly to customers via SMS. It’s often used to notify people of sales, limited-time offers, or events.

Effective SMS marketing examples include sending birthday discount messages, abandoned cart reminders, and flash sales. Texting is direct, attention-grabbing, and effective for businesses of all sizes.

Is text message marketing legal?

Yes, it is legal, but you must follow rules like the TCPA. You must get permission before sending texts so that users can opt-out and be transparent about messaging frequency and potential data rates.

What is the best text message marketing service?

The best service depends on your business needs. You need to look for marketing software that supports automation, segmentation, and detailed analytics.

The right tool should help you grow customer loyalty, send timely promotions, and manage compliance easily. A good platform will act as a powerful tool to boost your overall communication strategy and campaign success.