SMS text is powerful—so long as you craft your messages right. Read on for six tips on how to craft the perfect SMS text that compels action from your audience.

Key Takeaways

6 tips and Tricks to Craft the Perfect SMS Text

I continue to be amazed at the staggeringly positive statistics that surround SMS text. You know the ones I mean:

  • 90% of texts are read within 3 minutes

  • 98% read rate

  • 90% of mobile phone users want to talk to business using text messaging.

And so they keep going!

I think, then, we can all agree that text messaging is genuinely one of the best ways to connect with customers and market in real-time. But what if your text campaigns aren't getting the interaction you anticipated? Any you just can't figure out why?

The answer could be to do with the way you craft your messages. The good news is that there are some simple tips and tricks below that you can put into action to get your messages noticed.

So whether you're creating a reminder or marketing message or sending information or alerts, try including

1. Identify Yourself Clearly From the Start

State who you are upfront. This will immediately help recipients understand the context of your message and make them much more likely to engage with its content.

2. Keep It Short, Keep it Simple, Keep it Clear.

Nobody likes reading long, rambling text messages, so brevity is everything. Don't get lost in the detail. Get to the point quickly, right after identifying yourself, and use simple, direct language. This is not the place for overused, fluffy buzzwords. Instead, say what you mean and say it clearly.

YakChat's AI-Assit is a feature that can help you here. It intelligently condenses your messages to fit within a single SMS segment while preserving your tone and intent. It’s a fast, reliable way to keep your texts professional and impactful—without the extra effort.

And remember: never make your customers guess what you mean. Confusion leads to frustration, or worse—being reported as spam.

3. Target the Right People at the Right Time

Studies show that mobile phones are used most between noon and 6 pm, Monday thru Friday. So send your texts during mid- to late-afternoon on a weekday to boost engagement.

But timing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Not all customers are created equal, and a message sent at the wrong time can hurt more than it can help. For instance, if your audience includes night-shift workers, sending texts in the middle of their “night” (your afternoon) will not endear you to them.

That’s where Scheduled Messages come in. With this feature, you can compose a message when it’s convenient for you and schedule it to be sent when it’s most convenient for your audience: Even if you’re off the clock. Whether it’s a well-timed appointment reminder, a morning update, or an afternoon promotion, scheduled sending helps you stay relevant, respectful, and organized.

In short: understand your audience, respect their routines, and use smart timing tools to meet them where they are—literally and figuratively.

4. Add Value and Speak their Language (literally!)

Whatever your message, make it matter. Create content that truly resonates with your audience and adds value to their experience with your brand. Provide helpful information — alongside exclusive discounts, promotions, and sneak peeks — to keep your audience engaged and loyal.

But to build meaningful connections, you also need to speak your audience’s language — literally. With YakChat, you can easily translate your messages into your customers’ native languages, and receive their replies seamlessly in your own. This ensures that nothing gets lost in translation and that every interaction feels personal and authentic.

In today’s global marketplace, language should never be a barrier to delivering exceptional customer experiences.

5. Include a Clear Call-to-Action

After your recipients have read your message, what do you want them to do next? Make it easy for them to take action. Should they contact you? Provide clear instructions and the best way to reach you. Do you want them to use the information you’ve shared? Show them how to apply it. Offering a special deal? Include a direct link or simple steps to redeem it.

Make sure there’s no confusion — a clear call to action makes your message more effective and inspires immediate response.

6. Make Opt-Out Options Clear

Always make it simple for recipients to opt out of future messages. One of the most effective ways is to add a clear opt-out link or statement at the bottom of your messages. For example:

'To stop receiving these messages, reply STOP or click here to unsubscribe.'

When people know that they can opt-out easily, they'll tend to view you and your messages as trustworthy and feel more inclined to opt-in from the start.

Your Next Move? Engage Your Audience

Discover how YakChat can transform your messaging and boost audience engagement. Contact us here or book a demo to see it in action.