After covering the essential elements that make an SMS message effective in Part 1, it’s time to take your writing to the next level: how to craft messages that truly drive action.
In this part, we focus on how to grab attention from the very first word, strengthen the recipient’s intention with strong Call to Action (CTA) phrases, use urgency wisely, and avoid the pitfalls that make a message look like spam.
1. Powerful Openings – Win Attention in the First Few Seconds
The beginning of your message is the most crucial part. If the recipient doesn’t “click” with your message in the first 1–2 seconds, there’s a high chance they’ll simply ignore it.
✔️ What works:
A strong claim or offer |
“🔥 24-hour deal – 30% off today only!” |
A smart question |
“Have you seen our new collection?” |
A personal greeting |
“Hi Maria, we’ve got something just for you!” |
❌ What to avoid:
Generic phrases like: “Dear customer, we would like to inform you that…”
These are formal, dull, and create distance.
Instead, get straight to the point with something catchy and relevant.
2. Clear Call to Action – The Instruction That Makes the Difference
The Call to Action (CTA) is the “tell me what to do now” part of your message. If your SMS lacks a clear CTA, the recipient is unlikely to take the next step.
✅ Strong CTAs |
❌ Weak CTAs |
“Buy now – the offer ends tonight!” |
“See more.” |
“Book your appointment online: “Link” |
“More info on the website.” |
“Use code SAVE10 to get 10% off!” |
“Click if you want.” |
Your CTA must be clear, energetic, and specific. Don’t leave room for indecision—guide the user toward a meaningful action.
3.Urgency & FOMO – The Fear of Missing Out Works
Creating a sense of urgency or scarcity significantly increases the chance of response. This is the power of FOMO – Fear of Missing Out.
Phrases that create urgency:
⚡ “Today only!”
⏰ “Offer ends at midnight!”
🚨 “Only 10 items left!”
🔥 “Last chance – order now!”
Example:⏳ 40% off until midnight! Grab yours now: “Link”
The goal is to make the recipient think:
“If I don’t act now, I’ll miss it.”
4. Avoid the Spam Trap – Because a Great SMS Can Still Get Blocked
Even the best-written SMS may never reach your audience if it triggers spam filters. Mobile carriers use sophisticated filtering systems, and users can easily get annoyed by overly promotional messages.
Tips to avoid being flagged as spam:
- Write in natural, human language.
- Avoid too many exclamation marks or full caps.
- Always include an opt-out option (e.g., “Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”)
- Stay away from trigger words like: FREE!!!, WIN NOW!!!, 100% GUARANTEED!
Example of a clean, effective message:
🎉 20% off all items until Sunday! Order here: “Link” | Reply STOP to unsubscribe.
Conclusion
A great SMS doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of strategy, simplicity, and the right words.
Key takeaways from Part 2:
✔ The first impression matters – write smart and direct
✔ The CTA is your conversion engine – make it strong and clear.
✔ Urgency turns intention into action.
✔Avoid excessive hype – or risk being labeled as spam.
In the next article, we’ll focus on the strategy behind SMS delivery:
- What’s the best time to send messages?
- How often should you reach out?
- And how can you measure the success of each campaign?