What SMS length for business outreach?
When sending SMS messages for business marketing, keeping your message clear and concise is key. The ideal SMS length ensures your audience receives your message quickly without losing interest.
Most experts agree that the optimal SMS length is between 90 and 160 characters. This fits within a single message segment, avoiding extra charges and ensuring the full message appears without being split.
Why keep SMS short?
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Short messages get read faster and have higher engagement rates.
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Longer texts may be broken into multiple messages, increasing costs.
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Clear, focused messages reduce confusion and improve call-to-action responses.
Focus on crafting compelling, straightforward content that respects your customers’ time. Remember, every character counts when you want to maximize impact and ROI in SMS marketing campaigns
How to use clickable links in SMS?
Including clickable links in your SMS campaigns is a powerful way to drive traffic, increase conversions, and provide customers with easy access to offers or information. Most modern smartphones automatically detect URLs and make them clickable, but it’s important to format links correctly for the best user experience.
Tips for using clickable links in SMS:
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Use short, simple URLs to avoid breaking links or cluttering your message.
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Place the link near the end of your message, following a clear call to action.
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Test your messages on different devices to ensure links appear correctly.
To keep links concise and trackable, use a reliable link shortener like Bitly. Bitly not only shortens URLs but also provides click analytics to help you measure campaign effectiveness. Using clickable links strategically in SMS boosts engagement and helps you connect customers directly to your offers.
Importance of SMS Timing in Marketing
When it comes to SMS marketing, timing can significantly impact your campaign’s success. Sending messages at the right time increases the likelihood your customers will read and engage with your content.
Best Practices for SMS Timing:
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Send messages during business hours, typically between 9 AM and 8 PM, to avoid disturbing recipients.
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Avoid early mornings, late nights, and weekends unless you know your audience prefers those times.
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Consider the recipient’s time zone to ensure your message arrives at an appropriate local time.
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Schedule messages based on your audience’s behavior and past engagement patterns.
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Use SMS scheduling tools to automate delivery at optimal times.
Proper SMS timing helps you respect your customers’ preferences, reduce opt-outs, and maximize engagement and conversion rates. Remember: a well-timed message is often as important as the message itself.
Why a clear Call-To-Action CTA is essential
SMS messages are short, immediate, and usually read within minutes, which makes a clear call to action (CTA) critical for driving results. Without a specific next step, even a well-written message can fail to convert.
A strong SMS CTA tells recipients exactly what to do and removes friction from the decision-making process.
Best Practices for SMS CTAs:
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Use one clear action per message, such as “Shop now,” “Confirm your appointment,” or “Get the offer.”
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Place the CTA at the end of the SMS so it’s easy to spot after reading.
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Keep the CTA short and action-oriented to match the fast nature of SMS.
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Pair CTAs with clickable links to simplify follow-through.
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Create urgency with time-based language like “Today only” or “Limited offer.”
Clear CTAs improve click-through rates, reduce confusion, and increase conversions by guiding recipients toward one simple, intentional action.