Texting is easily the best way to reach people fast because it’s personal, direct, and almost impossible to ignore. For most daily updates, like a flash sale alert or thank-you message, a few words are really all you need.
But sometimes, there’s more to share. Maybe it’s a price list, a detailed product guide, or a new seasonal menu. A portable document format (PDF) keeps all that information neat and professional. And it’s easy to just tap the attachment icon and add the file to your text, right?
Technically true, but attaching PDFs to text messages is more trouble than it’s worth. Fortunately, there’s a better way: hosted links. Ready to learn why attachments fall short and how to send PDFs the right way? Let’s get started.
Why sending PDF file attachments is a bad idea
Before getting to the solution, let’s talk about why PDF attachments are such a disaster. There are 3 main reasons to avoid them, and they all hit where it hurts: your deliverability, customer experience, and budget.
Poor deliverability
Attachments turn your text into a multimedia messaging service (MMS) text, and MMS messages fail a lot more than SMS. Carrier restrictions, file size limits, and mobile device compatibility issues mean your PDF might never arrive. Or it arrives corrupted. Either way, your customer doesn’t get what they need.
Clunky customer experience
Even when attachments do arrive, they’re often a mess. Multimedia files won’t open on certain devices. Images look compressed or distorted. Some Apple and Android devices download the file automatically, while others make customers jump through hoops. It’s frustrating, and frustration isn’t what you want associated with your business.
High costs
Standard MMS messages cost about 3 times more than regular SMS. And that’s without attachments, which would drive costs even higher. Why pay triple (or more) when a simple link in an SMS does the job better for a fraction of the price?
What to do instead: Upload and link.
So, if attachments are out, what’s the alternative method? It’s simple. Just upload your PDF to secure cloud storage, then text the link.
Here’s where you can host your files:
- Google Drive: You get free storage, simple sharing controls, and the ability to access your files from anywhere. Like most small businesses, you’re probably already using this file manager.
- Business website: Build a resources page or upload files to your existing business website. It’s great for sharing PDF files that your clients need often, like product manuals.
- Mailchimp: The content studio makes texting PDFs easy. Upload your file, copy the link, and drop it into your message. Since you’re already in Mailchimp, there’s no jumping between platforms.
Pick whichever fits your workflow best or mix and match. For example, your website could host evergreen resources like menus, while Mailchimp handles campaign-specific files.
Perfect use cases for PDF links in SMS
You’re probably already thinking about all the important information you could send this way. Invoices? Product sheets? Updated menus? Here are the times when texting a PDF link really pays off.
Financial documents
Invoices, digital receipts, and product pricing sheets are much easier to send by text than by mail or email. A PDF link gives your customers a permanent record they can access anytime, right from their messaging app.
Product and service info
Launching something new or outlining your offerings? A well-designed PDF lets customers save, skim, and come back to the details when they’re ready. You can include JPG images, video or audio file links, or even a personal note, all in a single tidy file.
Business updates
Big changes don’t belong in a tiny text bubble. The PDF format gives you room to explain things like policy shifts, new hours, or announcements without overwhelming the message itself. Customers can download it on any cell phone or computer and refer back as needed.
Customer resources
Need to send setup instructions, onboarding guides, or FAQs? A hosted PDF lets your recipient open the info instantly in their favorite mobile app, whether that’s a browser or Acrobat Reader. And if you’ve enabled form fields, they can even edit PDF files to add notes or fill in details as needed.
Steps to sending a PDF file via text using Mailchimp
Looking for a simple way to send documents by text? Mailchimp’s free file hosting makes it easy to upload PDFs (plus audio files, videos, images, and more) and get a link you can drop into any new message. Here’s how.
Step #1: Upload your PDF to Mailchimp
Start by heading to Mailchimp’s content studio. It’s your central spot for managing everything from images to larger files like PDFs, with support for documents up to 10MB each.
To get there, log in, then click the Content button on the left sidebar. This opens your file library. From there, click the Upload button in the top-right corner and choose the file you want to send. Mailchimp will store it for you—no need to worry about deliverability issues from bigger files or unsupported attachments.
Step #2: Generate the shareable URL
To share files by text, you’ll need a direct link. In the Uploads tab, find your PDF and check the box next to it. Then, click the dropdown arrow on the View Details button at the top and select Copy URL.
You’ll see a quick confirmation at the bottom of the page letting you know the link’s copied and ready to go. Be sure to run your SMS URLs through a URL shortener before sending to improve readability and save space in your message.
Step #3: Write your SMS message
Now it’s time to craft your new message. Keep it short, clear, and focused on the value of the PDF you’re sending, whether it’s a menu, product guide, or pricing sheet. Paste in the shortened URL and give your audience a reason to click.
Some SMS message examples:
- “Hi, [Name]. Check out the latest offerings from [Company Name]. Full brochure inside: [link]”
- “Here’s your quick start guide from [Company Name]: [link] It’s packed with answers, but we’re always here if you need more.”
- “Hello, [Name]! Need to locate your receipt later? Save this [link] from [Company Name] for easy access.”
You don’t need to say much. The goal is to get your recipients to open, view, and download the file without distractions.
Step #4: Test your text before sending
Before you share files with your customers, do a test run. Send the text to yourself and a few colleagues to confirm the message is on brand, the link opens properly, and the file loads quickly on all devices. Once you’re happy with how everything looks and performs, you can hit Send with confidence.
Key takeaways
- Skip the attachments: Attaching PDFs to texts turns them into MMS messages, which cost more, fail more often, and create a clunky experience for your customers.
- Send a PDF link instead: Using a hosted link is a business owner’s dream because it works on every device and doesn’t eat up your SMS budget.
- Know your options: Google Drive, your business website, and Mailchimp’s content studio all let you host and share files securely, so pick what fits your workflow or mix and match.
- Trust the content studio: Mailchimp’s content studio lets you store, manage, and share PDFs, videos, and more, streamlining your entire SMS workflow.
- Test before sending: Always send a test message to confirm the link works and the PDF opens correctly before your customers see it.