The Perfect Promotional Text: 7 Ingredients of Messages People Actually Read
In the noisy world of 2025 marketing, you can’t afford to throw text messages out into the void and hope for the best. With mobile habits evolving and consumer expectations rising, the real question isn’t whether to use SMS — it’s how to craft a message that actually gets read, acted on, and builds loyalty. Here at Betwext.com, we partner with small businesses who need SMS that delivers — not just pings. In this article, we blend the most credible industry data with good storytelling so you (yes, you!) can write texts people actually read.
Why SMS is no longer optional — it’s essential
Before diving into how to write a good message, let’s cover why SMS must be part of your stack in 2025.
- SMS open rates hover around 98% — a number confirmed in multiple studies. (Constant Contact)
- Most SMS messages are read within minutes: up to 90% within 3 minutes. (Infobip)
- Click-through rates (CTR) for SMS are much higher than email: many sources show 19–36% as a range. (Sakari)
- Conversion rates also impress: industry benchmarks show 21–40% conversion for SMS, depending on vertical. (Infobip)
- Consumer adoption and opt-in are strong: in 2025 about 84% of consumers say they are opted in to receive business texts.
In short: If you’re a small business looking for direct reach, immediate engagement, and measurable impact — SMS isn’t just an add-on. It’s a channel you ignore at your peril.
7 Ingredients of a promotional text people actually read
Here’s your messaging checklist. Think of each ingredient as a knob you can tune.
1. Clear & compelling subject-hook
Your first few words matter. Because so many messages are opened within 3 minutes, your lead must grab. Use urgency, clarity, or a benefit-first angle:
“Your 20% off ends at midnight”
“We’ve restocked your fave – shop now”
Avoid vague intros like “Hey there! New stuff inside…” — you’ll lose attention.
2. Relevance to the recipient
Even with high open rates, you won’t get mystic clicks. Relevance ties to segmentation: – what they bought, when they last engaged, what they care about. Data shows personalized SMS why-offers increase opt-in and drive better ROI. (Klaviyo)
Ingredient: mention what’s likely relevant (“Because you last bought…”, “Back by popular demand…”).
3. A single, clear call-to-action (CTA)
You want a conversion. That means one CTA, one link (if any). With SMS CTR in the 19–36% range, you’re in good shape — but only if you don’t dilute the message. (Sakari)
Example: “Tap here to reserve your spot” or “Reply YES to opt in”.
4. Brevity + readability
SMS = short. When your audience gets 100s of messages daily, the easier you make it to digest, the better. Think:
- One-liner hook
- One value statement
- One CTA
Cap your character count so it’s readable in one glance.
Tip: Use line breaks or emojis sparingly but purposefully.
5. Time-sensitive & action-oriented
Data shows SMS works best for offers tied to immediacy: flash sales, restocks, appointment reminders. Because users check texts so quickly (within minutes) — you leverage the immediacy. (Mozeo)
Example: “Today only: 30 min flash sale” or “Reply within 2 hours to claim”.
6. Respectful frequency & opt-in clarity
High open rates don’t give you free license to spam. In fact, one study showed that texting too frequently is the fastest way to lose subscribers.
Keep your frequency aligned with expectations (once a week might be ideal for many) and always respect opt-out.
Ingredient: A short footer like “Reply STOP to end”.
7. Consistent brand voice + value
SMS is intimate — it lives in the same inbox as personal texts. So your tone should match your brand but feel human. Add a touch of personality: your voice should come through. And always deliver value: discount, update, early access, VIP invite.
When you combine relevance + voice + value, you build trust — and higher engagement.
Why this works (with data)
By staying respectful on frequency and delivering value, you maintain your subscriber list and build loyalty over time.
With open rates ~98%, you’re almost guaranteed the message is seen.
Because most are read within minutes, you capitalize on immediacy.
CTRs of ~19-36% means if your CTA is clear and relevant, you’ll see clicks at a scale higher than most email campaigns.
Conversion rates in the 21-40% range mean that when you drive clicks, you’re driving real outcomes (not just vanity metrics).
Bonus: A simple chart you can include in your internal memo
| Metric | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Open rate (SMS) | ~95%-99% |
| Click-through rate (SMS) | ~19%-36% |
| Conversion rate (SMS) | ~21%-40% |
| Opt-out rate (SMS) | ~1%-5% |
Note: ranges reflect multiple sources and vertical variance.
If you approach SMS as a second thought, you’ll miss out. But if you treat it as a high-visibility channel that deserves its own craft, you’ll see the difference. For small businesses trying to cut through the clutter, a well-written text isn’t just another campaign — it’s a direct line to your customer, in the moment they’re checking their phone. Use the 7 ingredients above as your blueprint.
Sources
20+ SMS Marketing Statistics (With Sources) to Know in 2025 – Emarsys
30 SMS Marketing Statistics You Need to Know For 2024 – Textellent
SMS Marketing Statistics 2025: Trends, Insights, and Data – Notifyre
SMS Marketing Benchmarks: 2025 Performance Metrics and Industry Insights – Sakari
The Ultimate Guide to SMS Marketing Statistics – Constant Contact
100+ SMS & Text Marketing Statistics to Know in 2025 – Klaviyo
24 SMS Marketing Statistics You Must Know – Sender
Key SMS and Text Marketing Statistics for 2025 – Mozeo
SMS Marketing Statistics Every Marketer Should Know in 2025 – TrueDialog
SMS marketing statistics: Key figures for 2025 – Infobip
