SMS Marketing Trends: Get Ahead of the Game in 2025

Timing and frequency

Want your SMS communications to get results? Get your timing right. Send messages between 10 am and 8 pm in the recipient’s time zone to respect quiet hours, maximize customer engagement, and follow regulations.

As for how often to message, less is more. Limit your sends to 1-2 times weekly to avoid overwhelming subscribers.

The best guide for timing and frequency is your own data. Check your SMS analytics to see exactly when your target audience is most responsive, then schedule your messages during those peak customer engagement windows.

Attention-grabbing SMS marketing strategies for 2025

So, you’ve looked at SMS marketing statistics. Now, let’s talk strategy. How do you use those insights to create campaigns that grab attention and get results? Here are some SMS marketing strategies to help you stand out.

Send hyper-personalized messages

Generic blasts are out. Today’s customers expect texts that feel personalized. You must know what people like, when they buy, and what catches their attention. Then, turn those insights into relevant messages they’ll want to open.

Start by really getting to know your customers through their data. What do they buy? What deals get them excited? Which messages do they respond to? Use that information to craft offers new and existing customers can’t resist, recommend products they’ll love, and send texts that feel like you’re speaking directly to them.   

For example, if someone regularly buys your protein water, text them when you launch a new healthy drink. If a customer loves your handmade soaps, make sure they’re the first to know about your limited-edition holiday scents.

But don’t stop there. Mix and match what you know about your customers to create super-targeted offers. If a customer shops late at night and loves flash sales, send them a discount code that expires before midnight. Or, if they’re into your skincare and makeup items, offer them a personalized bundle deal.

Enhance personalization with SMS automation

Picture this: A customer fills their online cart but doesn’t check out. Minutes later, they get a friendly text reminding them about their items, along with a small discount to complete their purchase—that’s SMS automation in action.

But cart recovery is just the beginning. Using SMS marketing software, you can set up automated texts for all kinds of customer actions, like:

• Welcome new subscribers: Send a friendly hello with a first-purchase discount, then follow up with info about things like your best-selling products and loyalty program.
• Celebrate milestones: Regularly mark birthdays, subscription anniversaries, or VIP achievements with exclusive subscriber-only deals.
• Guide the purchase journey: Send shipping notifications, share product care tips after delivery, and ask your new customer for feedback once they’ve had time to try their items.
• Keep customers coming back: Alert current customers when their favorite items are back in stock or remind them to reorder essentials.
• Re-engage quiet customers: Check in and give exclusive offers to those you haven’t seen in a while, invite them to upcoming events, or share what’s new since their last visit.

Think about creating a whole journey with automated texts. When a subscriber opts in to receive your messages, send a welcome text to introduce them to your brand. Once they make their first purchase, follow up with a thank-you message.

After their order arrives, check in to see if they’re satisfied. Later, you can send personalized product recommendations, deals, and friendly messages celebrating key milestones. The possibilities are endless. And once you set up these workflows, they run automatically. 

Use rich media messaging to tell stories

Plain text messages still work, but rich media lets you create more engaging experiences. The key is thinking beyond basic product photos. Share a behind-the-scenes peek at your business, demonstrate how to use your products, or showcase real customer stories.

For example, a bakery might send videos of fresh bread coming out of the oven. A clothing store could share styling tips through GIFs. A gym might text workout demo clips to keep members motivated and moving toward their goals.

For the best results, aim to add value, not just flash. Every image, GIF, or video should help tell your brand’s story and give people interesting information they want to share.

Roll out interactive content

SMS marketing has a unique superpower—it lets you have real conversations with your customers. Unlike most marketing channels where you’re just broadcasting messages, texts can go both ways. Why not make the most of it?

Think of fun ways to start conversations. Ask customers to text back their vote for next month’s special ice cream flavor. Create mini challenges where they can win discounts. Let them book appointments or reserve items with a quick reply.

Just remember to take note of all responses. Every reply gives you insights into what your customers like and want. Use this feedback to shape future campaigns and make your texts more engaging.  

Offer gamified rewards

Who says marketing can’t be fun? Turn your SMS campaigns into a game with exciting rewards and challenges, such as:

• Spin-to-win: Give customers a chance to win discounts and bonus gifts with virtual wheels. You could say, “Text WHEEL to try your luck. You could win anything from 10% off to a free item.”   
• Trivia challenges: Test your customers’ knowledge with fun questions. Say something like, “Think you know your coffee? Answer today’s bean trivia for $2 off your next drink.”
• Scavenger hunts: Take your customers on an exciting treasure hunt. Your message could read, “Find all 5 clues in our weekly texts to unlock our mystery box prize.”

Mix in some simple contests, too. Have customers text a keyword to enter or share a photo of their favorite purchase. The prize doesn’t need to be huge, either. Even a $25 gift card can get people excited.

And don’t forget about loyalty rewards. Let customers earn points for buying products, referring friends, or answering your texts. Make it super easy for people to check their points and grab rewards through text. For example, you could say, “Want to see your points? Just text POINTS. Ready to get rewards? Text REDEEM.”

Embrace omnichannel marketing

SMS marketing works best when it’s part of a bigger picture. Think of texts as just one way you talk to customers, naturally flowing together with your emails, social posts, and in-store experience.

Let’s look at how this works. Maybe you send a quick text about items left in a cart, then follow up with an email showing more product details. Or you could text customers when you’ve posted something cool on social media they won’t want to miss. After someone shops in your store, send their receipt by text with an easy way to leave a review.

Another example is a restaurant could text about happy hour specials, post tasty food pics on Instagram, and keep everyone updated with a monthly newsletter. Each channel works together to create a complete experience.

Leverage geotargeting

If you have a physical store, geotargeting helps you reach customers at just the right moment. By sending messages based on location, you can connect with people when and where it matters most.

For instance, a retail store could text nearby shoppers about a current flash sale. A restaurant could share lunch specials with office workers within walking distance. You could even tie offers to the weather, like promoting hot drinks on cold days.

Just remember to keep it helpful. Nobody wants random texts just because they’re in the neighborhood. Make sure each message gives people a real reason to stop in. 

Set up conversational AI chatbots

Want to make sure your customers get instant responses, even when you’re not available? Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots can help. When set up properly, these chatbots serve as your 24/7 Customer Service team.

AI chatbots can handle simple requests like checking store hours, tracking packages, or scheduling appointments. Or let’s say someone wants to know if you have a product in stock. The chatbot can check and respond in seconds. If someone needs to reschedule a booking, the bot can handle that, too.

Make your chatbot feel like a natural part of your team by setting up responses that match your brand’s personality. And always include a straightforward way for customers to reach your live staff when they need a human response.

Make the most of mobile wallets

Turn your SMS marketing efforts into instant sales by connecting texts with mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay. That way, when customers get your promotional texts, they can save deals and buy your products directly from their phones.

For example, you could text about a sale and include a link that adds the discount straight to the recipient’s mobile wallet. When sharing customer loyalty rewards, let customers save their points and perks with a single tap.

Digital coupons and event tickets work great, too. Customers can immediately add them to their wallets and pull them up whenever needed. Plus, you can send reminders whenever people are nearby, or their exclusive deals are about to expire.

Tips for optimizing your SMS marketing campaigns 

Want to ensure your campaigns always hit the mark? These optimization tips will set you up for success.

Keep messages short

Get to the point quickly—every word should count in a text message. Think about what your customers need to know and leave out everything else. If you need to share more details, share a link to a landing page or follow up with a more detailed email message. 

Ideally, you want to keep your message at 160 characters or less. Why? Because longer messages might get split up, and people don’t like getting texts broken into multiple parts.

Plus, your customers are probably checking their phones on the go. They’ll appreciate you respecting their time with a clear and concise message.

Here are some quick tips to keep it brief:

• Cut unnecessary words like very and really.
• Lead with value (“25% off today” rather than “We’re excited to announce…”).
• Use digits instead of spelling out numbers.

Remember, urgency works best in SMS. If you’re promoting a time-sensitive offer, put that right up front. Something like “24HR FLASH SALE: 30% off winter gear. Shop now: [link]. Reply STOP to opt out” gets the job done in just a few words.

Prioritize accessibility

Ensure everyone can read, understand, and act on your texts. It’s like rolling out the welcome mat for every customer. Show them they’re valued and included. Here’s how.

• Keep it readable: Avoid text speak like “ur” and “2day” and stick to clear, simple language. It’s easier for your customers to understand and works better with screen readers, too.
• Limit emojis: While emojis can be fun, too many can confuse screen readers and clutter your message. If you use them, keep them at the end of your text.
• Make it easy to see: Use high-contrast colors, like dark text on a light background, for your rich media messages. Choose simple font styles and keep the text size big enough for small screens.

Also, be sure to give options for accessing your content. If you send a promo code via text, ensure customers can also find it through email or your app. Some people might prefer scanning a QR code, while others need a simple tap-to-call option. The more ways to engage, the better.

Respect the unsubscribe

Make it ridiculously easy for people to opt out of your messages. It might seem counterintuitive to help people leave your list, but a clear opt-out process builds trust and keeps you compliant with messaging regulations.

Always include opt-out instructions in your texts, typically “Reply STOP to unsubscribe” at the end of your message. But here’s where you can go beyond the basics:

• Allow other opt-out keywords: Customers might reply with “END,” “CANCEL,” or “UNSUBSCRIBE,” even if instructed to reply “STOP.”
• Process opt-outs instantly: No one likes getting messages after they’ve said goodbye, so ensure your system stops sending messages to a number as soon as someone opts out.  
• Respect customer decisions: When someone opts out, don’t try to win them back through SMS. Once they unsubscribe, that channel of communication is off-limits.

Here’s a pro move: Track why people opt out. Are they leaving after promotional messages or during certain times of the day? This intel helps you fine-tune your strategy. If you notice a spike in opt-out rates, take it as a signal to review your messaging time, frequency, and content.

Ensure data privacy

Protecting your customers’ data is a must. And it’s not just about following the rules. Ensuring data privacy helps build trust with every text you send.

Start with explicit permission before sending that first text. Tell customers exactly what they’re signing up for, what kind of messages they’ll get, and how often. Being transparent from the start means fewer frustrated customers later.

Always treat your customers’ phone numbers with care. Lock the numbers up in secure systems and never share them without permission. A single data breach can destroy the trust you’ve worked so hard to build.

Also, follow privacy laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) when handling any customer data. Document every opt-in, keep detailed records about customer preferences, and have a clear privacy policy that’s easy to find and understand.  

Key takeaways

• SMS works: With high open and response rates, SMS marketing is one of the most effective ways to reach your customers.  
• Personalization matters: Sending tailored texts like product recommendations or birthday deals keeps customers engaged.
• Automation saves time: Automating messages like cart reminders or follow-ups makes your campaigns easier and more effective.
• Other channels help: Use SMS alongside email and social media to create a smooth and connected customer experience.

Stay up-to-date: Emerging trends like rich media, geotargeting, and mobile wallets help keep your SMS campaigns fresh and relevant.