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Blogging is more competitive than ever. With millions of posts published daily, standing out is tough. Social media algorithms limit your reach, and email open rates keep dropping. So, how do you ensure your audience sees and engages with your content? The answer is SMS marketing.
Text messaging offers high open rates, instant engagement, and direct communication. It helps bloggers build a loyal following, increase traffic, and even monetize their content.
Ready to take your blog to the next level? Let’s dive into why SMS marketing works for bloggers and how to use it effectively.
Why Bloggers Should Use SMS Marketing
Most bloggers rely on email and social media for audience engagement. While these channels are important, SMS marketing offers several unique advantages that can’t be ignored.
Unmatched Open and Engagement Rates
Email newsletters are essential, but only about 20% of recipients open emails. On the other hand, SMS boasts a 98% open rate, with most messages read within three minutes.
With SMS, your updates don’t get lost in spam folders or buried under hundreds of emails. Readers see your content immediately and are more likely to engage.
More Reliable Than Social Media
Social media platforms control your reach with algorithms. Even if you have thousands of followers, only a fraction sees your posts.
SMS eliminates this barrier. You control the message and reach 100% of your subscribers directly. Whether it’s a new blog post, a giveaway, or an exclusive offer, your readers will see it instantly.
Instant Traffic Boost
Struggling to get traffic when you publish a new post? SMS can drive immediate visitors to your blog.
Example SMS:
New Blog Post Alert! Check out my latest guide on [Blogging Tips]
Unlike emails that often go unread for days, SMS gets opened right away, sending a real-time traffic surge to your blog.
Choosing the Right SMS Marketing Platform
Selecting the right SMS marketing platform is crucial for bloggers looking to boost engagement, automate communication, and stay compliant with regulations. With so many options available, it’s important to choose a tool that aligns with your needs and audience.
Comparing SMS Marketing Tools
Several SMS marketing platforms cater to different blogging needs. SimpleTexting is a user-friendly option that offers automation, mass texting, and link tracking, making it ideal for bloggers who want a streamlined approach. EZ Texting is another beginner-friendly platform with pre-built templates, MMS support, and drip campaigns, perfect for those looking for a hassle-free setup.
For bloggers who want more control and customization, Twilio provides an API-based solution that allows for advanced automation and integration with other marketing tools. However, it requires technical knowledge to set up. If engagement is your main focus, SlickText offers SMS polls, loyalty programs, and contests to keep your readers involved. Meanwhile, TextMagic is a budget-friendly choice for those who need bulk messaging and simple scheduling without a monthly subscription.
Each platform has its own strengths, so choosing the right one depends on whether you prioritize ease of use, automation, cost-effectiveness, or advanced customization.
Key Features to Look For
When selecting an SMS marketing tool, bloggers should consider several essential features. Automation and scheduling allow you to send messages at the most effective times without manual effort, ensuring that updates reach subscribers when they’re most likely to engage. Personalization is another important factor—adding a subscriber’s name or tailoring messages based on their interests can increase response rates.
A platform with two-way messaging is beneficial for bloggers who want to create a conversation with their audience, allowing readers to reply and interact. Analytics and tracking are also crucial, as they help measure the effectiveness of SMS campaigns, providing insights into open rates, click-through rates, and conversions. Additionally, integration capabilities with tools like email marketing platforms, CRM software, or e-commerce websites can streamline your overall marketing strategy. Bloggers who want to add a visual touch should also look for MMS support, which enables sending images, GIFs, or short videos.
Staying Compliant with SMS Marketing Regulations
SMS marketing is a powerful tool, but it comes with legal obligations. To remain compliant, bloggers must ensure that subscribers explicitly opt-in before receiving messages. This means providing clear consent language when collecting phone numbers, such as a signup form stating, “Subscribe for exclusive SMS updates and promotions.”
Every message should also include an opt-out option, allowing subscribers to easily unsubscribe by replying with a keyword like “STOP.” This is a requirement under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) in the U.S. and similar laws in other regions. For bloggers targeting an international audience, compliance with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) rules in Europe is essential, ensuring that subscriber data is handled responsibly.
To maintain trust and prevent subscriber fatigue, it’s best to limit SMS frequency. Sending one to two messages per week is usually enough to keep engagement high without overwhelming your audience.
By choosing the right platform and following best practices, bloggers can effectively use SMS marketing to drive traffic, boost engagement, and build a loyal subscriber base.
How Bloggers Can Use SMS Marketing
Now that you understand the benefits, let’s explore practical ways to integrate SMS into your blogging strategy.
Grow Your SMS Subscriber List
Before you can send texts, you need subscribers. Invite your audience to opt in to your SMS updates by offering something valuable.
Ways to collect phone numbers:
- Pop-ups or banners on your blog
- A call-to-action in your email newsletters
- Exclusive content for SMS subscribers
- A text-to-join feature (e.g., “Text BLOG to 12345 for updates!”)
Make sure to get permission before sending texts to stay compliant with SMS regulations.
Send New Blog Post Alerts
Every time you publish a new post, send an SMS to notify your readers.
Example SMS:
New Post Alert! Learn how to boost your blog traffic FAST! Read it here: bit.ly/newpost
Keep messages short, engaging, and linked directly to your blog.
Offer Exclusive SMS-Only Content
Reward your SMS subscribers with exclusive perks. This keeps them engaged and encourages more sign-ups.
Examples of exclusive content:
- Early access to new posts
- Bonus content not available on your blog
- Special Q&A sessions
When readers feel valued and included, they stay loyal to your brand.
Run Giveaways and Contests
Use SMS to increase participation in giveaways. Ask readers to text a keyword to enter.
Example SMS:
Giveaway Alert! Win a FREE blogging toolkit! Enter by texting “BLOGWIN” to 56789
This increases engagement and brand visibility while growing your SMS list.
Promote Affiliate Links & Products
Monetizing your blog? Use SMS to promote affiliate links, ebooks, or courses.
Example SMS:
Want to make money blogging? Check out my top affiliate programs: bit.ly/affiliates
Since SMS has higher conversion rates, your promotions are more likely to succeed.
Send Event & Webinar Reminders
Hosting a live webinar, podcast, or Q&A session? SMS reminders boost attendance rates.
Example SMS:
Live Webinar Tonight! Don’t miss my Q&A on blogging success. Join us at 7 PM! bit.ly/joinnow
Since texts are read instantly, your audience is less likely to forget your event.
Best Practices for SMS Marketing as a Blogger
To get the best results from SMS marketing, follow these best practices.
- Keep It Short & Valuable: SMS has a 160-character limit. Get to the point fast. Every text should provide value.
- Don’t Spam Your Readers: Limit texts to 1-2 per week unless there’s an urgent update. Respect your audience’s time.
- Personalize Your Messages: Use names when possible and segment your list. Personalized texts increase engagement.
- Include a Clear Call-to-Action (CTA): Tell your audience exactly what to do—click a link, reply to a question, or join an event.
- Use a Reliable SMS Platform: Choose an SMS marketing service that integrates with your blog and automates campaigns for better efficiency.
Final Thoughts!
SMS marketing isn’t just for big brands—it’s a powerful tool for bloggers, too. With higher open rates, direct engagement, and instant traffic boosts, SMS helps build a loyal audience and drive conversions.
Key Takeaways:
SMS reaches 98% of subscribers instantly
It’s more reliable than email and social media
It boosts traffic, engagement, and monetization
If you’re serious about growing your blog, it’s time to start using SMS marketing.