How to Write Concise and Compelling SMS Copy

SMS is an effective means for promotions, reminders, customer services, etc. Of course, SMS has some limitations, like the size of the text message.

So you need to think of effective SMS copywriting tips to include what you want to say in a limited message of 160 characters.

In this blog post, we’ve gathered the best practices for writing SMS copy that converts. Also, we’ll help you run your SMS campaigns via WSMS, an advanced SMS plugin for WordPress websites. So why wait? Read the article and then contact us for more information.

Create an Effective Structure before Writing SMS Copy

Before starting your SMS campaign, think of a well-structured SMS template. Look at the following SMS template and consider different parts of it:

1. Personalization

It’s essential to start your message with the first name of your audience. This might seem trivial but has a great impact on your recipients.

When they see their name, they feel valued and think you’ve written the message specifically for them.

Of course, there are other methods to personalize your message like mentioning the previous interactions of your customers.

2. Opening Hook

The opening line plays a significant role in the customers’ decision. If you want to grab their attention, start with a bold statement, an exciting offer, or a question like the following samples:

• “Flash Sale: Up to 50% off on your favorites! 🛒”
• “Ready to upgrade your gadgets?”

3. Main Message

In the body of your SMS, you should clearly communicate your main message. Of course, you need to be concise and use simple language. Try to explain the value and focus on your goal.

4. Call to Action (CTA)

In your message, you have to clearly ask what you want from the customer. A compelling CTA can guide your audience on the next step. Try to use phrases like:

• “Shop Now”
• “Claim Offer”
• “RSVP Here”

5. Time Sensitivity

SMS has an immediate nature and this is great for time-sensitive marketing campaigns. So it’s good to think of using phrases like:

• “Offer ends tonight at midnight.”
• “Hurry! Limited stock available.”
• “Book before Friday to save 20%.”

This way, you’ll entice your customers to take action sooner.

6. Sender Name

You can establish trust by clearly identifying yourself. You can use your brand name to make your audience remember your business.

7. Opt-Out Information

Finally, try to provide a simple way for opting out, such as:

• “Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”
• “Text END to opt out.”

In fact, you need to let your recipients choose to unsubscribe.

Tips for Writing an SMS Copy That Works

After choosing your favorite SMS template, you need to consider important factors like the following to write the best version of your SMS copy:

Use the Right Tool

Before starting your SMS campaigns, you need to think of an effective SMS platform. Remember that without the right tool, you can’t reach a high ROI in your campaigns, and this way, you’ll waste your time and money.

Choosing the right tool depends on your business requirements. For example, if you’re running an ecommerce business or you have a WordPress website, your best choice is WSMS.

This is an SMS plugin that allows you to integrate all of your SMS tasks into your website’s dashboard. This way, you don’t need to switch to other platforms when working with your website.

Take a look at some features of WSMS to see why you have to use it:

• Supporting over 350 SMS gateways
• Automation
• Scheduling
• Segmentation
• Integrations and add-ons like WooCommerce, Booking, and GravityForm
• 2FA
• Dynamic content

As you see, WSMS offers everything you need from an SMS platform. So don’t wait and try the demo of WSMS to get started.

Make Sure about Compliance

Now that you’ve chosen your tool, you need to make sure about your compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR and TCPA.

Fortunately, WSMS complies with all the regulations and you don’t need to be worried about it.

Of course, you need to run an opt-in campaign to make sure about your recipients’ consent. Also, it’s necessary to include an opt-out option in your SMS copy.

Understand & Segment Your Audience

Before writing your SMS copy, you have to know to whom you’re sending your SMS. Of course, a deep understanding of your audience’s interests and preferences is essential.

For example, millennials might appreciate casual language and emojis. Also, professionals may prefer concise, formal tones.

You need to align your tone and offer with what your audience might prefer. Segmenting your audience helps create relevant messages. WSMS provides a great segmentation feature that allows you to segment your website’s users and subscribers.

Focus on a Single, Clear Goal

When writing an SMS copy, you need to focus on a single goal. Remember that you don’t have too much space and if you want to include several objectives in your SMS copy, you might dent the effectiveness of your SMS campaign.

Look at the following examples to see the difference between a good and a bad SMS in terms of SMS goal:

Good: “Save 20% on your next order. Use code SAVE20 at checkout.”

Bad: “Save 20%, check out our blog, and visit our store for more deals!”

Keep SMS Copy Short

As said earlier, SMS messages have a 160-character limit, so brevity is essential. You need to think of every word you’re using. Try to avoid unnecessary words and get straight to the point.

Take a look at the following SMS copy samples to see how you can convey your message in a shorter SMS:

Concise:

Wordy:

Avoid Spammy Language

Try to avoid using spammy words and characters like:

• Excessive exclamation marks
• Caps
• Overly promotional terms like “FREE” or “GUARANTEED”

These items can make your message appear unreliable and therefore, your audience might block your number or unsubscribe.

The following samples of SMS copy show the difference between professional and spammy languages:

• Avoid: “GET A FREE GIFT NOW!!! DON’T MISS OUT!!!”
• Better: “Exclusive offer: Get a free gift with your next purchase. Claim here: bit.ly/GIFT.”

This first SMS copy can lead to lower engagement rates and dent your brand credibility.

Consider Personalization

We said that using the first name of your recipient will lead to a stronger relationship. Of course, this is not the only method to personalize your message.

Advanced tools like WSMS allow you to collect data from the previous interactions of your customers and include the data in the message.

Using the dynamic content feature of WSMS, you can personalize your message templates with details like names, dates, product names, etc. This way, the recipient thinks you’ve written the message specifically for them.

Write an Engaging Opening Line

After the name of your customer, you need to include an attractive like. Remember that the first words of your SMS should hook the reader immediately.

You can use curiosity, exclusivity, or a strong benefit to draw their attention.

• “Guess what? Your next coffee is on us!”
• “Exclusive: Members-only early access starts now.”

Writing a smart opening line will increase the chance of reaching higher engagement rates.

Use a Clear and Actionable CTA

A strong CTA is the purpose of writing SMS copies. Try to make it clear, urgent, and beneficial to both your customer and your business.

Here are two examples of actionable CTAs:

• “Claim your 25% discount now: bit.ly/OFF25.”
• “Sign up today and earn $10 credit: bit.ly/OFF10.”

Run A/B tests

To make sure about your SMS copy, you’d better run A/B tests to find the best version of your SMS copy.

You can consider several factors like personalization, offer, language, CTA, and timing for your A/B test campaigns. Compare the results and see what SMS copy appeals more to your audience.

Track and Optimize the Performance

Finally, you’ve to constantly track your performance and try to remove weaknesses to optimize your SMS campaigns.

Remember that the SMS copy is not the only thing you have to think about. You need to improve your strategies based on the trends and take advantage of other channels like social media as well. This way, you can expect a high marketing ROI.

Successful Examples of Concise & Compelling SMS Copy

Now, let’s see the mentioned tips in practical SMS examples:

SMS Copy for Promotions and Offers

Promotional messages are the most common type of SMS we send in our campaigns. Look at the following sample of promotional text messages:

As you see, this message is really concise, while it includes a time-sensitive promotion, and provides a clear CTA.

SMS Copy for Customer Engagement

In this SMS example, you’ll how you can send a feedback request and encourage customers to share their opinions in return for a perk:

The message is really short but it includes almost all the necessary parts of a standard SMS copy.

Event Announcements

You might think you need a lengthy SMS to invite a customer to an event but this is not correct.

Look at the following SMS copy to see how you can include all the necessary information in a concise SMS:

Appointment Confirmations/Reminders

Sending reminders is an important application of SMS campaigns and you need to learn how to write appointment reminders. Here is an example of a reminder:

This SMS copy includes all the essential information like personalization, confirmation, date, and a way to interact. This concise reminder doesn’t bother the audience and also reduces your cost because it is less than 160 characters.

Abandoned Cart Reminder

Sometimes you want to re-engage with customers who have left their purchasing cart. How can you include all the necessary details in a reminder? The following SMS copy shows how to do that:

Conclusion

Writing an SMS copy that gets a high engagement rate is not easy. You need to write a concise, compelling SMS that includes all essential parts like the customer’s name, deal, CTA, and an opt-out option.

Try to focus on clarity and personalization to make the most of it. One great idea to make sure about your SMS copy is to run A/B tests. This way, you can find the best version of your SMS copy.

Using the tips we provided in the blog post, you can write compelling SMS copies and get a high conversion rate. Of course, you need an effective SMS platform like WSMS to run your SMS campaigns. Try this tool’s demo version to ensure it is effective for your SMS marketing campaign.

FAQs

How to write an SMS copy?

Your SMS copy should be short, clear, and to the point. Remember that it’s better to keep it under 160 characters or you have to pay for an extra SMS. So every word counts and you need to stick to simple, easy-to-understand language while including all the details like offers, CTA, and opt-out.

How to write SMS copy for marketing?

First, try to personalize your SMS by using the first name of your recipient. Then, try to open the message body by clearly saying your goal. Also, include a valuable offer and a compelling CTA. It’s also important to include a way to unsubscribe.

How to make sure about the SMS copy?

You can run A/B tests to make sure you’ve written the best SMS copy.