In This Article▼
SMS marketing is the practice of sending promotional or transactional messages to customers via text message. It's one of the most direct and effective ways to reach your audience, with significantly higher engagement rates than almost any other marketing channel.
How SMS Marketing Works
At its core, SMS marketing involves three key components:
- Building a subscriber list — Customers opt-in to receive messages from your business
- Creating campaigns — You craft messages that provide value, promote offers, or share information
- Sending and tracking — Messages are delivered and performance is measured
The Power of SMS
Why do so many businesses rely on SMS marketing?
- Immediate delivery: Messages arrive in seconds
- High visibility: 98% of text messages are opened
- Fast response: Most texts are read within 3 minutes
- Universal reach: No app downloads or internet required
- Personal channel: Direct access to customer's phone
Common Use Cases
E-commerce
- Abandoned cart reminders
- Flash sale announcements
- Order and shipping updates
- Back-in-stock notifications
Service Businesses
- Appointment reminders
- Booking confirmations
- Follow-up requests
- Review requests
Restaurants & Retail
- Daily specials
- Loyalty rewards
- Table ready notifications
- Curbside pickup alerts
SMS vs Other Channels
| Channel | Open Rate | Response Time |
|---|---|---|
| SMS | 98% | 90 seconds |
| 20% | Hours to days | |
| Push Notifications | 7% | Minutes |
| Social Media | 2-5% | Hours |
Getting Started
Ready to launch your first SMS campaign? Here's what you need:
- An SMS marketing platform (like Messaro)
- A compliant phone number (10DLC for US)
- An opt-in strategy to build your list
- A content plan for your messages
With Messaro, you can have your first SMS campaign running in minutes. Our platform handles compliance, deliverability, and reporting so you can focus on growing your business.