SMS marketing is still one of the most powerful tools in your outreach arsenal. With open rates as high as 98% and most texts read within minutes, it’s a channel no business should ignore.
But here’s the catch: just sending an SMS isn’t enough—you need to make it count. That means writing SMS messages that are concise, compelling, and action-oriented to boost both high open rate SMS and SMS response rate.
This blog outlines proven SMS best practices that can drastically improve your SMS performance. Whether you’re reminding a customer about an appointment or launching a flash sale, these tips will help your message rise above the noise.
Tip 1 – Hook Them Early: Make the First Words Count
The first few words of your SMS are what the user sees in the notification preview—and they determine whether the message is read or ignored.
Best Practices:
- Start strong: Use a benefit, offer, or urgent update in the first line.
- Personalize early: Mention the customer’s name if available.
- Avoid fluff: Get to the point in under 10 words.
Example:
“Hi Riya, your delivery is scheduled for today. Track here: [link]”
“Flash Sale Today! Flat 30% OFF on all electronics. Shop now.”
Make your first line so valuable that it demands attention. That’s how you build a high open rate SMS strategy.
Tip 2 – Stay Laser-Focused: One Message, One Goal
A common mistake in SMS marketing is cramming too much information into one message. You have 160 characters—keep it focused.
Best Practices:
- Communicate one offer or reminder per SMS.
- Avoid combining messages like “We miss you + new product launch + sale.”
- If needed, link to a landing page with more details.
Example:
“Still want that shirt? It’s waiting in your cart—plus 15% off! Tap to buy: [link]”
When your message has clarity and intent, your SMS response rate naturally improves.
Also Read: How to Choose the Best SMS App for Salesforce: Features You Must Consider
Tip 3 – Include a Strong CTA (Call to Action)
An SMS without a clear CTA is like a road with no destination. Tell your reader exactly what to do next.
Best Practices:
- Use phrases like “Book now,” “Reply YES,” or “Click to buy.”
- Keep CTAs short and bold.
- Always include a short, trackable link if directed to a page.
Example:
“Your quote is ready! View it here: [shortlink]”
“Seats are filling fast. Reserve now: [link]”
A powerful CTA increases user engagement and ensures your messages drive results—not just impressions.
Tip 4 – Time It Right
Timing can make or break your SMS performance. A perfectly written message sent at 3 AM? Wasted.
Best Practices:
- Ideal hours: 10 AM–1 PM or 3 PM–6 PM
- Avoid sending late nights or early mornings unless it’s urgent
- Adjust based on your audience’s location and behavior
Industry Insights:
- Retail: Early evenings or weekends for sales
- Healthcare: Morning reminders for appointments
- B2B: Mid-morning for professional messages
Scheduling SMS at optimal times ensures better open and response rates—something a good Salesforce SMS app like Lead Manager Ninja handles with ease.
Also Read: How to Nurture Leads with Automated SMS Drip Campaigns in Salesforce
Tip 5 – Personalization Beyond Names
Go deeper than just “Hi [Name]”. Mention products viewed, locations, or previous actions to create a message that feels tailor-made.
Best Practices:
- Use merge fields to personalize based on customer data
- Trigger SMS based on actions: cart abandonment, form fill, or last purchase
- Match the tone to the customer’s history with you
Example:
“Rakesh, your bike service is due next week. Book your slot now: [link]”
“Hi Meera, we saved your wishlist! Enjoy 10% off today only—[link]”
When customers feel like you’re speaking to them, not at them, you build loyalty—and higher SMS response rates.
Tip 6 – Segment for Relevance
Segmenting your audience ensures each group gets messages relevant to their needs, boosting your SMS open rate and reducing opt-outs.
Best Practices:
- Segment by behavior (new users vs. repeat buyers)
- Use filters like location, age group, or last activity
- Align messages with lifecycle stages
Example Segments:
- Inactive: “We miss you! Here’s ₹100 to shop again.”
- Frequent buyer: “You’ve earned a VIP upgrade. Enjoy 25% OFF today.”
- New sign-up: “Welcome! Claim your first-time offer now.”
Lead Manager Ninja, a robust SMS app for Salesforce, lets you create these segments using real-time Salesforce data—automating personalization at scale.
Tip 7 – A/B Test for Continuous Improvement
What works today may not work next month. A/B testing lets you find what resonates through real data.
Best Practices:
- Test CTAs, tone, timing, and content length
- Run small-scale tests before rolling out
- Monitor open rates, CTR, and opt-outs to declare winners
Example:
Message A: “Only 3 hours left for your 20% discount. Shop now.”
Message B: “Flash Deal Ends Tonight! Use code FAST20 at checkout.”
With Lead Manager Ninja, you can automate A/B tests and track performance directly inside Salesforce.
Also Read: How to Use SMS for Outstanding Payment Reminders
Tip 8 – Track, Measure, Optimize
Don’t let your SMS strategy run blindly. You need analytics to track what’s working and why.
Key Metrics:
- Delivery Rate: Did the message reach the user?
- Open Rate: Was it read?
- Click Rate: Did the user take action?
- Response Rate: How many replied or engaged?
Lead Manager Ninja offers smart reporting dashboards that track every SMS interaction, so you can optimise and scale what works.
Power Your SMS Game with Lead Manager Ninja
All these SMS best practices are only effective when supported by the right tools. That’s where Lead Manager Ninja, the go-to Salesforce SMS app, shines.
An all-in-one communication powerhouse, Lead Manager Ninja lets you:
- Personalize SMS with dynamic tags
- Schedule messages by time zone
- Segment and target users precisely
- Automate follow-ups based on response
- Track delivery, open, click, and reply rates
- Send SMS, WhatsApp, Email, and more—from one platform
It’s the ultimate tool for building high open rate SMS campaigns that are not only high-converting but also easy to manage at scale.
Also Read: Unlock the Full Potential of Salesforce with Seamless SMS Integration
Key Features of Lead Manager Ninja
- Multi-Channel Messaging (All-in-One Platform)
Communicate through SMS, WhatsApp, Email, MMS, Telegram, and Facebook Messenger—all from one inbox within Salesforce.
Benefit: Stay organized, centralized, and fast.
- One-to-One Personalized Messaging
Send tailored messages using dynamic fields from Salesforce records.
Benefit: Personalized SMS boost open and response rates.
- All-in-One Inbox for Seamless Conversations
Manage all incoming and outgoing messages from one place.
Benefit: Never miss a message or delay a response.
- AI Chatbot for 24/7 Engagement
Let the bot handle replies, lead qualification, and scheduling when agents are offline.
Benefit: Keep your leads engaged round-the-clock.
- Drip Campaigns
Automate sequences that send SMS based on user actions or timing.
Benefit: Nurture leads without manual effort.
- Schedule Messages in Advance
Set perfect timings for global or local outreach.
Benefit: Hit the inbox when it matters most.
- Real-Time Notifications for Link Opens & Replies
Track when a message is interacted with.
Benefit: Follow up instantly and improve closure rates.
- Bulk Messaging with Smart Segmentation
Target groups based on geography, behavior, or history.
Benefit: Avoid generic blasts and drive relevance.
- Analytics Dashboard & Reports
Monitor campaign success right inside Salesforce.
Benefit: Make data-driven decisions and optimize every message.
Conclusion
SMS remains one of the most direct and effective ways to connect with your audience, when done right. By applying these eight tips—focusing on clarity, personalization, timing, and continuous optimization—you can dramatically boost your SMS open rates and response rates, driving real business outcomes.
But the real game-changer lies in how you execute your strategy. With Lead Manager Ninja, you don’t just send messages—you build conversations that convert. From intelligent automation to real-time tracking, it’s the ultimate Salesforce SMS solution designed to help you scale personalized engagement like never before.
So if you’re ready to transform your SMS marketing from guesswork to growth, Lead Manager Ninja is your next move.
Try it today and start seeing better results—one powerful message at a time.
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