5 Tips to Grow Your SMS Subscriber List
If you’re using or thinking about using SMS marketing to drive growth, you’re in good company. The channel has skyrocketed in relevance. Research from multiple independent sources shows average open-rates as high as ~98%, with most messages being read within minutes. (OptiMonk 2025; Emarsys 2025; Infobip 2025) In other words: when done right, SMS isn’t just another channel—it’s a direct dial into your customer’s attention.
Here are five actionable tips (with real industry context) to help you build an SMS subscriber list that’s not just big — but engaged, permissioned, and primed to convert.
1. Make opt-in frictionless and clear
Your list is only as good as how easily and clearly people can join it and consent. According to Postscript, when customers explicitly opt in, you set yourself up for stronger engagement and higher lifetime value. (Postscript 2025)
Best practices include:
- Use short-and-sweet forms on your website: one field for phone number + clear consent language. (Klaviyo 2025)
- At checkout (physical or online), include an opt-in checkbox: the customer is already in a buying mindset, so the conversion friction is low.
- Use a keyword opt-in option (“Text JOIN to 12345”) that you can promote in store, on social, or in email. (Textedly 2025)
Collecting consent the right way means you avoid poor-quality subscribers who immediately opt out—or worse, never engage.
2. Incentivize smartly, but don’t over-discount
Giving someone a reward to join is effective—but it must fit your brand economics and deliver value beyond the one-time join. According to a guide from Community, use incentives like exclusive offers, VIP access, or early-bird deals rather than just “10% off your next order”.
Ideas to try:
- “Join our text list for exclusive early-access sales or flash deals”
- “Text ‘VIP’ to 12345 and get first dibs on our limited edition drop”
- Combine the opt-in reward with a personal benefit (e.g., faster service, extra support)
Tip: You want subscribers who are genuinely interested in your brand—not just people chasing a coupon code.
3. Leverage other channels (email, social, in-store) to promote your SMS offer
You already have marketing channels. Use them to funnel people into your SMS program. The omni-channel strategy is backed by list-growth playbooks.
Cross-promotion tactics:
- Add a link or banner in your email footer: “Prefer texts? Subscribe here.”
- On your social profiles, highlight the benefits of joining your SMS list and include the keyword/CTA.
- In-store signage or packaging: “Want early access and updates? Text JOIN to 12345”
- Use QR codes that take mobile visitors to an SMS opt-in form instantly. (Postscript 2025)
Why this works: You’re reaching your audience where they already are, reminding them of the value of your SMS channel, and making the opt-in ask relevant and timely.
4. Segment early and personalize from day one
Not all subscribers are the same—and treating them like one large monolith undermines the value of SMS. According to their “2025 benchmarks” report, Klaviyo found that the top 10 % of senders who segmented and personalized had ~7× revenue per recipient (RPR) versus average. (Klaviyo 2025)
Ways to segment and personalize:
- Upon opt-in: ask for minimal extra info (e.g., “What type of deals interest you?”) so you can tag the subscriber.
- Entry-flow text: Send a welcome message that thanks them for joining, confirms what to expect, and links to a special offer or survey.
- Segment by behavior: customers vs. browsers, frequent buyers vs. one-time; then tailor frequency and content.
- Use dynamic fields: “Hi [Name], thanks for joining! Here’s a 10% code just for you.”
By doing this early, you show subscribers that your brand knows them, and you keep your SMS list high-quality (not just large).
5. Make value-driven content the norm (not just promos)
Because SMS is inherently personal and intimate (it shows up on a person’s phone), you can’t treat it like just another blast channel. Subscribers expect relevance and utility.
Industry data backs this: A survey from SimpleTexting found that in 2025 most businesses (36 %) report SMS click-through rates of 21 – 35%, with conversion rates often in the 21 – 30% range. (SimpleTexting 2025) That kind of performance comes when the message is timely, helpful, and targeted.
Examples of value-first SMS content:
- Educational mini-tips: “Just a reminder: Your filter should be changed this week. Reply YES for our service special.”
- Exclusive previews: “Text list members: you’re invited to our VIP drop tonight, code VIP20.”
- Conversational prompts: “What product would you like to see on sale next?” This invites a reply and starts a two-way relationship (which SMS can support).
- Transactional + marketing mix: Use the channel not just for promos, but also for service reminders, loyalty updates, behind-the-scenes access.
Knowing your message will be opened (because of high open-rates) is great—but you still need to deliver substance after the open.
| Metric | Typical Range for SMS (2025) | Email for Comparison | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Rate | ~ 90 – 98% (many report ~98%) (OptiMonk 2025; Emarsys 2025; Infobip 2025) | ~ 20-30% | SMS significantly higher visibility |
| Click-through Rate (CTR) | ~ 20-35% (SimpleTexting; Adam Connell) | ~ 1-10% (Adam Connell) | SMS often beats email by large margin |
| Response / Engagement Rate | ~ 45% (Infobip; OptiMonk) | ~ 10% (Truedialog) | Two-way conversation potential |
| Opt-in Rate / Subscriber Growth | Varies widely; incentivized opt-ins boost numbers (Postscript) | N/A | Growth driven by strategy |
Why this matters for small and medium businesses
For SMBs and local businesses especially, one of the toughest things is cutting through the noise. The average consumer sees hundreds of marketing messages a day—email clutter, social ads, push notifications everywhere. SMS offers a distinct advantage because of how direct and immediate it is.
For example: Even just getting a high-quality text list means you can reach customers with offers, updates, reminders, or human-style conversation that shows up on their device—and gets opened. That matters when driving foot traffic, repeat purchases, service renewals, or new product launches.
In fact, industry reports estimate that businesses using SMS marketing are 5.89 × more likely to report digital-marketing success than those that don’t. (SimpleTexting 2025) That’s a striking figure, and it underscores the competitive advantage a strong, engaged list can provide.
Growing your SMS subscriber list is not about chasing big numbers—it’s about building the right numbers. You want contacts who welcome your messages, engage thoughtfully, convert more often, and stay subscribed.
By implementing opt-in best practices, leveraging other channels, segmenting/staying relevant, and delivering value consistently, you’ll build a list that becomes one of your most strategic marketing assets.
Sources
OptiMonk, 43 SMS Marketing Statistics for 2025: Open Rates, CTRs & ROI — [https://www.optimonk.com/sms-marketing-statistics/]
Adam Connell, 34 Top SMS Marketing Statistics (2025 Industry Data) — [https://adamconnell.me/sms-marketing-statistics/]
Truedialog blog, SMS Marketing Statistics Every Marketer Should Know in 2025 — [https://www.truedialog.com/resources/blog/sms-marketing-statistics/]
Emarsys blog, 20+ SMS Marketing Statistics (With Sources) to Know in 2025 — [https://emarsys.com/learn/blog/sms-marketing-statistics/]
TheBoutiqueHub, The Power of Text Marketing: Why It’s Essential for Small Businesses in 2025 — [https://theboutiquehub.com/blog/the-power-of-text-marketing-why-its-essential-for-small-businesses-in-2025/]
Klaviyo, 2025 SMS Marketing Benchmarks & Stats by Industry — [https://www.klaviyo.com/products/sms-marketing/benchmarks]
Mozeo blog, Key SMS and Text Marketing Statistics — [https://www.mozeo.com/blog/key-sms-and-text-marketing-statistics]
Infobip blog, SMS marketing statistics: Key figures for 2025 — [https://www.infobip.com/blog/sms-marketing-statistics]
800.com blog, 7 Small Business Marketing Stats for 2025 — [https://www.800.com/blog/7-small-business-marketing-stats-for-2025/]
SimpleTexting blog, SMS Marketing Statistics 2025: Key Insights — [https://simpletexting.com/blog/2025-texting-and-sms-marketing-statistics/]
Postscript blog, How Can Your Brand Maximize List Growth with SMS Opt-ins? — [https://postscript.io/blog/how-to-maximize-list-growth-with-sms-opt-ins]
Textedly blog, How to Get More SMS Subscribers: 10 Effective Strategies — [https://www.textedly.com/blog/how-to-grow-sms-subscriber-list]
Mailchimp resources, How to Grow and Optimize Your SMS Subscriber List — [https://mailchimp.com/resources/sms-subscriber-list/]
