7 SMS Marketing Hacks to 10X Your Subscriber List

Why Grow Your SMS Marketing List?

• Reach customers on the channel they prefer. Mobile phones are rarely far from people’s side, so SMS messaging provides a convenient and instant way to engage your audience. Studies show that 98% of text messages are opened, compared to just 20-30% of emails. SMS is a preferred channel for many consumers.
• Increase engagement and conversions. SMS messages have open rates over 90%, meaning your business can drive more engagement through this channel. Send coupons, deals, product updates and events that encourage subscribers to visit your store or website. This leads to more sales conversions compared to other marketing channels.
• Build a valuable marketing asset. Your SMS subscriber list is a owned media channel you can leverage long-term. Send exclusive offers, provide VIP service, get feedback and promote your brand via SMS. Continue nurturing this list to create an engaged audience that grows over time.

Best Practices for Growing Your SMS List

• Be transparent about messaging frequency and content. Clearly state upfront how often subscribers can expect to receive SMS messages from you. Give examples of the type of content you will send - such as exclusive deals, product updates, shipping notifications, etc. Don’t bombard subscribers with too many messages.
• Make it easy to opt-in and opt-out. Allow subscribers to easily sign up for your SMS list online or by texting a keyword. Provide clear instructions on how to opt-out at any time via reply text or online unsubscribe page.
• Provide value with each message. Make sure every SMS you send delivers something useful to the subscriber. Send exclusive discounts, time-sensitive alerts, insider tips, or other content they can’t get anywhere else. Useful messages keep subscribers engaged.

1. Offer Exclusive SMS Deals and Discounts

• Send time-sensitive coupon codes, discount links, and special promos only through SMS. These exclusive deals will entice subscribers since they can’t get them elsewhere.
• Give SMS subscribers early access to upcoming sales, new product launches, or limited-edition items. Create urgency by making the deals SMS-exclusive for the first 24 hours.
• Offer loyalty rewards, birthday discounts, and special subscriber-only sales. For example, send a 20% off coupon for their birthday or after being subscribed for 6 months.
• Segment your SMS list by preferences and purchase history. Send targeted discount offers aligned with their interests and past purchases. This increases relevancy.

Exclusive SMS promos encourage subscriptions, reward loyal customers, and provide direct value with each message you send. Just be sure to clearly communicate the frequency and types of SMS messages subscribers can expect to receive.

2. Use Your Website to Get SMS Subscribers

• Add prominent opt-in forms - Place SMS opt-in forms on high-traffic pages like your homepage, product pages, checkout and contact pages. Use eye-catching design like contrasting colors to encourage sign-ups.
• Offer an incentive to subscribe - Give visitors a reason to share their number. Offer a coupon code, discount, or exclusive content sent via SMS upon opting in.
• Capture numbers at checkout - For ecommerce sites, ask customers to enter their phone number at checkout. Then follow up with an automated SMS for order confirmations, shipping updates and abandoned cart reminders.
• Make it mobile friendly - Ensure your SMS opt-in forms are easy to complete on mobile. This will help you capture more subscribers as most opt-ins happen on smartphones.
• Allow pre-checked opt-in - Let customers opt into SMS automatically by pre-checking the opt-in box on forms. Just make sure to be transparent about your SMS program.
• Use pop-ups strategically - Consider using exit intent pop-ups with SMS opt-in forms on high bounce rate pages. But avoid overusing pop-ups that disrupt the experience.

If you already have an extensive email subscriber list, leverage it to grow your SMS list as well. Send a targeted email campaign inviting your subscribers to join your SMS list for exclusive offers and updates that they wouldn’t want to miss. Include a simple opt-in link or shortcode that they can text to subscribe easily.

3. Convert Your Existing Email Subscribers

Send out a dedicated email campaign explaining your new SMS program and highlighting the benefits subscribers will get. SMS allows you to send time-sensitive alerts and updates like deals, coupon codes, shipping notifications, new product launches and more. Emphasize that they’ll have early access to special offers and information right from their phones.

Make it as easy as possible for them to sign up. Include a prominent call-to-action button or link for them to click to opt-in to SMS messages. You may want to offer an incentive for them to subscribe, like an instant coupon code or discount sent to their phone after opting in.

4. Provide Checkout Bonuses to Grow Your SMS List

Send a Discount Code After Purchase

Offer a special discount code or coupon that you send out via SMS to customers immediately after they complete an order on your website. The SMS can say something like “Thanks for your purchase! Use code SMS10 to get 10% off your next order.” This provides an instant incentive to opt-in right after making a purchase.

Give a Free Gift for SMS Subscribers

Offer a free gift, bonus product, or exclusive content to any customer who opts in for SMS messages at checkout. For example, you can offer a free ebook, sample product, or other digital download exclusively for new SMS subscribers. Just make sure you deliver it instantly via SMS or email.

Send Abandoned Cart Reminders

Capture phone numbers at checkout to follow up with SMS abandoned cart reminders. Send a text within 30 minutes saying something like “Left something in your cart? Get 10% off when you complete your purchase in the next 2 hours!” Use these reminders to also promote your SMS program.

Giving checkout-specific bonuses like exclusive discount codes, free gifts, and abandoned cart reminders are a proven way to rapidly grow your SMS list. Take advantage of the moment when customers are most engaged with your brand and incentivize them to opt-in on the spot.

5. Require SMS for Contest Entry

Social media contests in particular can help you gain a surge of new subscribers in a short period of time. Here’s how to run one successfully:

• Create a compelling contest on social media and require participants to text a keyword to a designated number to enter.
• Be transparent that providing a cell phone number is mandatory to enter the contest, and that the numbers will only be used for administering the giveaway.
• Once the contest is complete, announce the winner(s) both on social media and via SMS.
• In your winner announcement SMS, provide a call-to-action to sign up for your ongoing SMS program to receive special offers and exclusive content.
• Consider offering a discount code or additional bonus for contest winners who opt-in to your SMS list.

Requiring SMS opt-in for contests, giveaways and promotions is an effective subscriber acquisition strategy. Just be sure to clearly communicate the purpose and frequency of messages upfront. Once you have permission, you can then transition those single-use numbers into engaged, loyal SMS subscribers over time by delivering targeted value.

6. Entice Your Social Media Following to Subscribe

Social media is a great way to promote your SMS program and grow your subscriber list. Make posts across your social channels like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to explain the benefits of subscribing to your SMS list. Highlight the exclusive content, deals, alerts and promotions they’ll get access to.

Run social media contests and require an SMS opt-in for entry to boost sign-ups. For example, you could post:

“Enter to win a $100 gift card by following us and texting SIGNUP to 555-1234!”

The SMS opt-in acts as their contest entry. Be sure to clearly state in your rules that phone numbers will only be used for the contest and will not be shared or sold.

After the contest ends, you can then reach out via SMS to announce the winner and deliver their prize. At the same time, promote your SMS program again and encourage contest entrants to stay subscribed for future deals and content.

7. Keep Subscribers Engaged

Growing your SMS list is only half the battle - you also need to keep those subscribers engaged. Here are some tips:

• Send valuable content: The key is to make your messages useful and relevant. Send timely alerts for deals, product launches, events, etc. Provide insider tips, how-tos, or exclusive content only sent via SMS.
• Limit messages: Finding the right cadence is important. Send 2-3 messages per week at most. Daily messages will likely cause frustration and opt-outs. Spread out your messages and don’t overdo it.
• Make opting out easy: Allow subscribers to easily opt-out via keywords like STOP, QUIT, END, etc. This gives them control and shows you respect their inbox. Making opt-out accessible builds trust with subscribers.
• Survey for feedback: Occasionally survey your SMS list to find out what content they like/dislike and improve your messaging. You can send a feedback SMS with a short URL link to an online survey. Use the responses to optimize your SMS approach.

Keeping your subscribers happy and engaged is crucial for building a successful SMS marketing program. Provide value, don’t over text, make preferences clear, and listen to feedback. Follow these best practices and your subscribers will stick around for the long haul.