Sending SMS with Mailchimp: Connect with Your Audience Directly
Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2025 10:27 am
In today's fast-paced world, reaching your audience quickly and effectively is super important. Email marketing, which Mailchimp is famous for, is great. However, sometimes you need to send a message that people will see right away. That's where SMS messaging, or texting, comes in handy. Mailchimp can help you do this too!
Why Use SMS Messaging?
Think about how often you check your phone. For most people, it's many times a day! Text messages have a really high open rate. This means that when you send a text, there's a good chance people will read it quickly. SMS is perfect for sending out important updates, reminders, or special offers that you want people to know about right now. For example, if you're having a flash sale that ends soon, a text message can be a great way to let your customers know immediately so they don't miss out. Also, SMS can be more personal and feel more direct than an email, helping you connect with your audience in a different way.
Getting Started with SMS in Mailchimp
Before you can start sending text messages through Mailchimp, there are a few important things you need to do. First, you need to make sure your Mailchimp account is set up correctly. If you already use Mailchimp for emails, you're one step ahead. Next, you'll likely need to get a phone number specifically for sending SMS messages. Mailchimp usually partners with other services to provide this. It's like getting a special costa rica whatsapp number list line just for your business texts. This helps keep your regular phone number private and organized. Furthermore, you will need to make sure that the people you want to text have given you their permission to do so. This is really important for privacy and making sure people want to receive your messages.
Setting Up Your SMS Number
Usually, Mailchimp will guide you through the process of setting up your SMS number. You might have the option to choose a number or it might be assigned to you. This number will be what your recipients see when they get a text from you. It's a good idea to pick a number that is easy to recognize, if possible. Moreover, Mailchimp will help you with the legal stuff, like making sure you comply with rules about sending text messages in your area. This might involve confirming your business details and agreeing to certain terms of service.
Obtaining Consent to Send SMS
Just like with email marketing, you absolutely need to get permission before you send someone a text message. This is called "opt-in." People should actively agree that they want to receive SMS messages from you. A common way to do this is through a signup form on your website. You can add a checkbox where people can say they're okay with getting texts. In addition, you can also get consent in person, for example, at a store checkout. However you do it, you need to keep a record of when and how people gave you their permission. This helps you stay compliant with privacy rules and respect your audience's preferences. Furthermore, make sure your signup process clearly explains what kind of messages people will receive and how often.
Creating Your First SMS Message
Once you have your SMS number set up and you have some contacts who have opted in to receive text messages, you can start creating your first message. Mailchimp's interface makes this pretty straightforward. You'll usually find an option to create a new SMS campaign, similar to how you create an email campaign. Then, you'll be able to write your message. Keep in mind that text messages are short, so you need to be clear and to the point. Every word counts! For example, instead of saying "We are having a special sale on our website that starts tomorrow," you could say "Sale starts tomorrow! Up to 50% off at [Your Website Link]." Also, consider using strong verbs and clear calls to action, like "Shop Now!" or "Learn More."
Sending Your SMS Campaign
After you've written your message, you'll need to choose who you want to send it to. Just like with email lists, you can segment your SMS contacts into different groups. This allows you to send targeted messages to the people who are most likely to be interested. For instance, if you're having a special offer on a certain product, you might only want to send a text to customers who have bought that product before. Moreover, you'll want to double-check your message for any typos or errors before you send it. Once you're happy with everything, you can schedule your message to be sent at a specific time, or you can send it right away.
Tracking Your SMS Campaign Results
After you send out your SMS campaign, it's important to see how well it performed. Mailchimp provides tools for tracking the results of your text messages. You can usually see how many people received your message, how many clicked on any links you included, and sometimes even how many people replied. This information can help you understand what kind of messages your audience responds to best. For instance, if you notice that messages with a certain type of offer get more clicks, you can use that information to improve your future SMS campaigns. Also, pay attention to any unsubscribe requests you receive and make sure to remove those contacts from your SMS list promptly.
Why Use SMS Messaging?
Think about how often you check your phone. For most people, it's many times a day! Text messages have a really high open rate. This means that when you send a text, there's a good chance people will read it quickly. SMS is perfect for sending out important updates, reminders, or special offers that you want people to know about right now. For example, if you're having a flash sale that ends soon, a text message can be a great way to let your customers know immediately so they don't miss out. Also, SMS can be more personal and feel more direct than an email, helping you connect with your audience in a different way.
Getting Started with SMS in Mailchimp
Before you can start sending text messages through Mailchimp, there are a few important things you need to do. First, you need to make sure your Mailchimp account is set up correctly. If you already use Mailchimp for emails, you're one step ahead. Next, you'll likely need to get a phone number specifically for sending SMS messages. Mailchimp usually partners with other services to provide this. It's like getting a special costa rica whatsapp number list line just for your business texts. This helps keep your regular phone number private and organized. Furthermore, you will need to make sure that the people you want to text have given you their permission to do so. This is really important for privacy and making sure people want to receive your messages.
Setting Up Your SMS Number
Usually, Mailchimp will guide you through the process of setting up your SMS number. You might have the option to choose a number or it might be assigned to you. This number will be what your recipients see when they get a text from you. It's a good idea to pick a number that is easy to recognize, if possible. Moreover, Mailchimp will help you with the legal stuff, like making sure you comply with rules about sending text messages in your area. This might involve confirming your business details and agreeing to certain terms of service.
Obtaining Consent to Send SMS
Just like with email marketing, you absolutely need to get permission before you send someone a text message. This is called "opt-in." People should actively agree that they want to receive SMS messages from you. A common way to do this is through a signup form on your website. You can add a checkbox where people can say they're okay with getting texts. In addition, you can also get consent in person, for example, at a store checkout. However you do it, you need to keep a record of when and how people gave you their permission. This helps you stay compliant with privacy rules and respect your audience's preferences. Furthermore, make sure your signup process clearly explains what kind of messages people will receive and how often.
Creating Your First SMS Message
Once you have your SMS number set up and you have some contacts who have opted in to receive text messages, you can start creating your first message. Mailchimp's interface makes this pretty straightforward. You'll usually find an option to create a new SMS campaign, similar to how you create an email campaign. Then, you'll be able to write your message. Keep in mind that text messages are short, so you need to be clear and to the point. Every word counts! For example, instead of saying "We are having a special sale on our website that starts tomorrow," you could say "Sale starts tomorrow! Up to 50% off at [Your Website Link]." Also, consider using strong verbs and clear calls to action, like "Shop Now!" or "Learn More."
Sending Your SMS Campaign
After you've written your message, you'll need to choose who you want to send it to. Just like with email lists, you can segment your SMS contacts into different groups. This allows you to send targeted messages to the people who are most likely to be interested. For instance, if you're having a special offer on a certain product, you might only want to send a text to customers who have bought that product before. Moreover, you'll want to double-check your message for any typos or errors before you send it. Once you're happy with everything, you can schedule your message to be sent at a specific time, or you can send it right away.
Tracking Your SMS Campaign Results
After you send out your SMS campaign, it's important to see how well it performed. Mailchimp provides tools for tracking the results of your text messages. You can usually see how many people received your message, how many clicked on any links you included, and sometimes even how many people replied. This information can help you understand what kind of messages your audience responds to best. For instance, if you notice that messages with a certain type of offer get more clicks, you can use that information to improve your future SMS campaigns. Also, pay attention to any unsubscribe requests you receive and make sure to remove those contacts from your SMS list promptly.