Despite all the buzz around social media and chat apps, SMS continues to outperform as a direct, trusted channel. Open rates average over 90%, and most texts are read within minutes. That kind of attention is hard to beat.
For marketers looking to drive action – whether it’s a click, a sign-up, or a purchase – SMS isn’t just still relevant. It’s essential.
At Signal, we’ve helped clients across life sciences, manufacturing, real estate, and other industries bring SMS into their marketing mix often alongside email – to boost engagement, reduce drop-off, and drive faster follow-up.
Here’s how to work SMS into your program more strategically.
Use SMS to capture and qualify leads faster
SMS isn’t just for alerts or reminders. It can actually help generate and filter leads:
- Text-to-Opt-In Campaigns: Offer gated content (like whitepapers or webinars) via SMS opt-ins – no forms, no friction.
- Automated Lead Qualification: Use short surveys or bot-style SMS flows to screen leads before they reach sales.
- Appointment Scheduling: Send texts with direct links to book demos or discovery calls – make it easy.
Keep your brand top-of-mind during lead nurturing
Once a lead is in your pipeline, SMS can be a powerful tool for staying relevant without overwhelming:
- Personalized Follow-Ups: After meetings or events, send tailored thank-yous with helpful content or next steps.
- Drip Campaigns via SMS and Email: Pair concise SMS reminders with deeper-dive email content to keep leads engaged.
- Event Invites & Reminders: Ensure attendance at webinars or trade shows with quick, timely nudges.
Support and retain customers through better communication
SMS shines after the sale, too – whether you’re aiming to improve service or drive repeat business:
- Product or Service Updates: Announce new features, updates, or content that adds value.
- Order & Account Notifications: Send confirmations, shipping updates, renewals, and more.
- Customer Support & Feedback: Let customers reach support via SMS or send short CSAT/NPS surveys.
- Re-engagement Campaigns: Win back inactive customers or upsell new services based on past behavior.
Make sure your foundation is solid
SMS is powerful – but only if you use it responsibly and efficiently. Before rolling out any campaigns, double-check the basics:
- Keep messages short and useful. No fluff.
- Personalize wherever possible – use names and relevant details.
- Send during business hours for better response rates.
- Integrate SMS with your CRM and marketing tools (like Salesforce or HubSpot).
- Stay compliant with TCPA, GDPR, and local SMS laws – opt-in is a must.
Signal typically implements Twilio and other trusted APIs to help clients get these systems running quickly and securely.
Start small, scale smart
Once your SMS setup is in place, it’s not just marketing that can benefit. Other departments – like customer service, HR, and operations – can use it for everything from internal alerts to employee communications. The same strengths apply: high engagement, fast response, low friction.
If you’re curious about how SMS could work in your program – or just want to test a few ideas – contact us to talk through what’s possible.
