Keep a promotional text message focused on information a customer needs: what you are offering, who it is for, and what to do next. Send it only to people who have agreed to receive marketing messages.
SMS Character Limits
A standard GSM-7 SMS can contain up to 160 characters. Longer messages are split into segments, and messages using other character sets may have lower limits. This can affect the price, so check your provider's character counter before sending.
Write a draft, check the character count, and remove details customers do not need. Keep abbreviations familiar and easy to understand.
Character count is only part of the task. Put the offer or useful update near the beginning so customers can quickly decide whether it is relevant to them.
Lead with the useful detail
Lead with the main offer or update. Be specific about the product, price, dates, and conditions when they matter.
- Less clear: "We have new products. Visit us today."
- Clearer: "New product from price at business. Visit location or order at link. Terms: short terms."
Put the most relevant detail first, followed by the location, dates, terms, and next step. Only use a deadline or “exclusive” label when it is true. Give customers enough information to decide whether the offer suits them.
Timing Matters Just as Much as Wording
The right time depends on your customers and the offer. Test send times with similar audiences and compare the results:
- Weekday mornings: Try this for offers customers may want to plan for during the day.
- Lunch breaks: Test this for nearby shops, restaurants, or services.
- Before the weekend: See whether customers respond to offers they can use over the weekend.
Avoid sending messages too early or late. Ask customers about their preferences and use delivery and response data to guide future campaigns.
Promotional SMS examples to adapt
Replace bracketed text with accurate details before sending. Do not advertise a price, deadline, or benefit that your business cannot honour.
Retail shop: "New product now available at business. Visit location or browse link."
Restaurant or food business: "Try dish or offer at business. Available days or dates. See details: link."
Service business: "Book service with business by date at link or contact. Eligibility or offer terms."
Hardware or trade supplier: "Product is in stock at business. Check current pricing and availability at link or contact."
Appointment-based business: "Need service? View available times and book with business at link or contact."
Give recipients one clear next step, such as visiting, booking, calling, or opening a link. If they can simply read an update without responding, do not imply that a reply is required.
Building a Quality SMS Subscriber List
The most effective promotional SMS is useless if it goes to people who do not want it. Build a permission-based list. In Kenya, direct marketing must follow applicable data protection rules. Tell people what they are signing up for, use their details only for permitted purposes, and provide an easy, free way to opt out. See the Data Protection (General) Regulations and check current guidance from the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.
How do you grow your list? Ask customers whether they want promotional updates, explain how you will use their number, and record their choice. Make sure sign-up forms and other collection points state the purpose clearly. Do not treat a purchase or a phone number in your records as marketing consent.
A permission-based list helps you send relevant messages and respect customer preferences. Remove numbers when people opt out or when you no longer have a valid reason to contact them.
Measuring SMS Campaign Success
To know whether your promotional SMS is working, track three metrics:
- Delivery: Review delivery information where your provider and account make it available.
- Responses or visits: Use a distinct code, link, or redemption step if you need to connect customer actions to a campaign.
- Attributed sales and cost: Compare purchases you can reasonably link to the campaign with the cost of sending it. Note what the calculation leaves out, such as product costs or returns.
There is no single response-rate target that works for every audience and offer. Track delivery, link visits, replies, offer redemptions, and attributable sales, then compare campaigns with similar goals.
Send bulk SMS with a custom Sender ID
An SMS Sender ID is the name or number shown as the sender when a message arrives. A supported custom Sender ID can help a customer recognize your business, but it does not guarantee delivery or prove the message is genuine. Ask your messaging provider which sender options are available for your destination and account.
To use one, confirm the sender format and approval steps with the provider, request the name you want to use, and test it with a small message after approval. Use a name customers can connect to your business and keep a separate contact method in the message when they need to verify an offer.
SokoWise does not charge to set up a supported Sender ID integration or provide technical support for it. Approval, registration, and any Sender ID fees are set by the provider or mobile network. Sending the SMS uses separately charged credits; check the current rates and destination coverage in your account before sending.
Write a concise message, check every detail, and send it only to customers who have agreed to receive promotions. See SokoWise Bulk SMS for campaign, Sender ID, setup, and cost details.