How to Get Customers to Say “Yes” to Your Texts

But here’s the thing: when you nail SMS marketing, it’s basically having a direct line to your customers’ pockets. (In the nicest, least creepy way possible.) Text messages get a 98% open rate while your carefully crafted emails are out here getting ghosted harder than a bad Hinge date.

So how do you get people to actually want your texts sliding into their messages? Let me break it down for you.

Nobody is sitting around thinking, “Wow, my life would really be complete if I got more promotional texts.” Your opt-in needs to hit different.

We’re talking exclusive discounts, VIP early access, or perks that make your email subscribers lowkey jealous. The magic word here is exclusive. If Susie can get the same 15% off by following you on TikTok, why would she give up her digits?

Try something like: “Text VIBES to 64600 for 20% off right now—because our text fam always eats first.” 

And here’s a smart Mobiniti move:
Have your very first automated message include a vCard (.vcf). This lets subscribers save your brand as a contact right away, so every future text shows up with your name attached—building trust, boosting recognition, and keeping your messages out of the “Who dis?” zone.

That’s how you make your opt-in hit hard, stay compliant, and look polished from the first text forward.

Sliding into someone’s DMs without permission isn’t just weird, it’s illegal. The TCPA says you need actual written consent before you start texting people about your business. No permission? No texting. Period.

But beyond just avoiding legal trouble (which, you know, is a solid goal), it’s actually better for your business. People who actively choose to hear from you are way more likely to engage, buy stuff, and stick around. Use keywords, QR codes, and clear opt-in forms. Tell people what they’re signing up for and how often you’ll text them.

Nobody likes surprise texts from brands. Well, except surprise “here’s 30% off” texts. Those can stay.

You wouldn’t FaceTime someone at 3 AM to tell them about a sale (I hope?!?), so don’t text them then either. Send messages during actual human hours like 10 AM to 8 PM in their time zone.

Also, be strategic about when your message lands. Promoting a weekend brunch special? Send that Saturday morning when people are still in bed scrolling. Flash sale? Drop it mid-afternoon when everyone’s looking for a reason to stop working. Timing can literally be the difference between “delete” and “take my money.”

SMS is casual. It’s the group chat, not the boardroom. Nobody wants to get a text that sounds like it was written by their bank’s compliance department.

Keep it conversational and fun. Use emojis (but don’t go full emoji keyboard explosion, please I beg you). Your brand voice should shine through whether that’s snarky, warm, or somewhere in between.

Let me give you an example:

Version A: “Dear valued customer, we are pleased to present you with a time-sensitive offer.”

Version B: “Yo! 🔥 Flash sale happening RIGHT NOW. 30% off everything for 3 hours. Don’t sleep on this.”

Which one makes you actually want to click? Exactly.

Not everyone wants the same thing, and that’s fine. Some people are first-time buyers. Others have been with you since day one. Some are obsessed with your summer collection while others live in your hoodies year-round.

Segmentation is how you send the right message to the right person. Someone who just bought running shoes doesn’t need you to remind them that you sell running shoes. But they might be into some new workout gear or a sick water bottle.

The more relevant your texts, the more people actually engage. And engaged customers? Those are the ones who keep coming back and bringing their friends.

Every text needs a clear call-to-action. “Shop Now.” “Grab Your Code.” “Reply YES for Early Access.” Whatever it is, make it crystal clear what you want them to do next.

And just as important: make it easy for people to opt out. Include an unsubscribe option (usually “Reply STOP to opt out”) in every message. Yeah, you’ll lose some people. But the ones who stay? Those are your ride-or-dies. Quality > quantity, always.

Here’s where it gets spicy (if you’re into metrics like I am). SMS marketing is super trackable. You can see open rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, all of it!

Pay attention to what’s working. Did the emoji-filled text get more clicks? Are people more responsive to percentage discounts or free shipping? Is Tuesday afternoon your sweet spot or should you be texting Friday mornings?

Test different approaches, check the data, and keep tweaking. Your customers are literally telling you what they want, you just have to actually listen.

At the end of the day, SMS marketing isn’t just about blasting promos. It’s about building actual relationships with your customers. Use texts to:

When customers feel like you genuinely care about them, not just their credit card number, they’ll stick around, engage with your messages, and hype you up to their friends.

Getting customers to say “yes” to your texts boils down to one thing: don’t be weird about it. Respect their time, their inbox, and their trust. Give them actual value. Be real. And never make them regret giving you their number.

Do that, and you won’t just get customers to opt in. You’ll get them genuinely excited every time they see a text from you pop up.

Ready to stop fumbling the SMS bag? Mobiniti gives you everything you need to create campaigns that actually connect with people.