8 Tricks to Boost Engagement via Text Messaging

Text messaging has become one of the fastest-growing marketing channels in 2025. With open rates that often reach above 95%, SMS gives businesses an unmatched way to connect with customers in real time. Unlike emails that can get buried or social posts that disappear in crowded feeds, a text almost always grabs attention.

Yet, sending texts alone is not enough. The real challenge is getting people to engage—whether that means clicking a link, replying to a survey, redeeming a coupon, or simply remembering your brand. To achieve this, businesses need to apply strategies that make messages relevant, timely, and irresistible.

This guide explores eight powerful tricks you can use to increase engagement through SMS marketing. Each tip is practical, simple to implement, and designed to help you create messages that your audience wants to receive and act on.

1. Personalize Beyond the First Name

Personalization is no longer optional. Customers expect it. But personalization should go beyond just adding a first name. Instead, tailor messages based on past behavior, purchase history, or geographic location.

For example, imagine a fitness studio that sends:

“Hi Alex, we noticed you joined our yoga class last month. Here’s 20% off your next session this weekend!”

This message feels specific and relevant. Customers are more likely to respond because the text speaks to them directly, not to a crowd.

Personalization builds trust, creates emotional connections, and ensures that your texts feel like one-to-one communication rather than generic advertising.

2. Use Clear and Irresistible Calls-to-Action

Every text should lead the customer somewhere. Without a clear call-to-action (CTA), people may read but not act. Your CTA should tell them exactly what to do and why they should do it now.

Strong CTAs include:

• “Tap to unlock your exclusive code.”
• “Reply YES to join the VIP list.”
• “Show this text for 15% off today only.”

Notice how these CTAs are short, direct, and urgent. They remove confusion and create a sense of immediacy. Customers appreciate this clarity and are more willing to follow through.

3. Master the Timing of Your Messages

The right message at the wrong time often goes unnoticed. Timing is a critical factor in SMS engagement. Consider your audience’s routines. Texting at 7 a.m. when people are rushing to work may irritate them, while sending a reminder at 4:30 p.m. might hit them right before they shop on their way home.

Retailers often find success by sending texts right before lunch or late afternoon, while event reminders tend to work best a day before and again an hour before the event.

Experiment with different times, track response rates, and build a schedule based on actual engagement patterns. The goal is to show up when your customers are most likely to welcome your message.

4. Reward Subscribers with Exclusivity

Why should someone stay on your text list? The answer lies in exclusivity. People love to feel special. Offering exclusive deals, early access, or subscriber-only rewards keeps customers hooked.

For example: “VIP Alert 🚨: Our Labor Day Sale starts tomorrow, but you get early access tonight. Shop first, save more!”

This creates urgency while also rewarding loyalty. Customers are not just receiving promotions; they’re getting insider privileges. Over time, this builds stronger engagement and reduces opt-outs.

5. Keep It Short, Sharp, and Engaging

Text messages are designed for quick reading. Long, cluttered texts cause people to skim or ignore them altogether. Keep your copy short, sharp, and engaging. Use clear words, avoid filler, and get straight to the point.

Instead of: “We are very excited to let you know that our store is hosting a seasonal clearance event with discounts across many categories.”

Say: “Clearance Event 🎉 40% off storewide this weekend only. Don’t miss it!”

The second version is shorter, more energetic, and much easier to process. Remember: less is more when it comes to SMS.

6. Create Two-Way Conversations

SMS doesn’t have to be a one-way street. Customers engage more when they feel part of the conversation. Add interactive elements like polls, surveys, or quick reply options.

Examples:

• “What flavor should we launch next? Reply A for Chocolate, B for Caramel.”
• “Rate your visit: Reply 1-5.”
• “Need help with your order? Reply SUPPORT.”

These interactions do more than increase engagement. They also give you valuable insights into customer preferences, which you can use to improve future campaigns.

7. Segment Your Audience for Maximum Impact

Not all customers are the same. Sending identical messages to your entire list often reduces engagement. Segmentation allows you to target groups based on age, purchase habits, or interests.

For instance, a clothing store could send new arrivals to customers who recently bought seasonal outfits, while promoting clearance sales to bargain hunters.

By sending tailored content, you ensure that customers receive messages that matter to them. The more relevant your texts, the more likely they’ll engage.

8. Measure, Learn, and Optimize

The final trick is simple but essential: track everything. Monitor open rates, click-through rates, and opt-outs. Run A/B tests on message length, CTAs, or send times. Over time, this data helps you refine your strategy.

For example, if your “Flash Sale” texts get higher clicks at noon than at 5 p.m., adjust your future campaigns accordingly.

Optimization is an ongoing process. Each campaign gives you lessons that can improve the next. By staying data-driven, you’ll steadily increase engagement without guessing what works.

Why Engagement Matters More Than Ever

In 2025, consumers are bombarded with digital content. Emails, ads, and social media posts compete for their attention. SMS stands out because it cuts through the noise. But without engagement, even the highest open rate won’t translate into results.

Engagement shows that your customers care about what you send. It leads to clicks, sales, loyalty, and long-term relationships. That’s why these tricks are not just optional—they’re essential.

Final Thoughts

Text messaging is one of the most powerful tools in digital marketing today. But its effectiveness relies on how you use it. By personalizing messages, adding clear CTAs, choosing the right timing, rewarding subscribers, writing short copy, creating two-way interactions, segmenting audiences, and optimizing campaigns, you can transform SMS into a high-engagement channel.

Customers don’t want just another text. They want relevant, timely, and valuable communication. Give them that, and your SMS campaigns will deliver results far beyond simple opens.