Yep, we're serious, text app marketing brought in an extra $180k for us, and we spent no more than 10 minutes a week doing it. It's hands down one of the simplest, and most effective tools we've used to connect with our people and boost sales. If you're not already using it, here's a breakdown of how we made it work (without burning out).
First up: Growing your subscriber list
You can’t text people if there’s no one to text. Getting subscribers was step one, and we kept it super simple. No overthinking, just consistent effort.
We talked about our text list regularly on socials with reminders in posts, casual mentions in stories, and links in bios. We ran giveaways where people had to text something like “ENTER2WIN” to get in. We also ensured that the signup information was easily accessible on our website, in our email footers, and in other relevant locations.
The key was meeting people where they were already hanging out and making it stupid-easy to join. No clunky forms. No buried signups. Just clear info and a good reason to opt in.
Focus On Value:
Nobody wants a flood of random texts. But everyone loves being the first to know, the first to get an exclusive discount, or the first to get a heads-up on something exciting.
Our texts weren’t just “Hey, buy this.” We used them to give our subscribers the inside scoop: early access to product drops, sneak peeks, flash sales, or reminders for stuff they already cared about. The goal was always to make subscribers feel like insiders, not just customers. That VIP feeling? That’s what keeps people subscribed and engaged.
Incentives Help:
Want more opt-ins? Give people a little nudge.
Offering 10% off their first order or free shipping when they signed up gave us a noticeable spike in subscribers. It doesn't have to be huge, just enough to push people off the fence. And if you combine that with real value in your ongoing messages? You've got a list that keeps growing and converting.
Follow-Ups: (Don't Skip These)
Follow-ups were another game changer. We ensured that we sent out last-call messages for pre-orders and reminders about the sales ending. A lot of people tend to forget or get distracted, and a simple reminder can be what tips them into completing their purchase. It's the digital version of a gentle nudge, low effort, high reward.
Change It Up:
Don’t be boring. We kept things fresh by mixing up the style of our messages.
Sometimes we sent clean, no-fluff text-only messages for quick updates or reminders. Other times, we used image-based texts to show off new gear or build hype. The mix kept our audience engaged and gave us flexibility in how we communicated.
And we didn’t overdo it, one or two messages a week was our sweet spot. That was enough to stay relevant without being the brand that texts too much.
Timing Matters (A Lot):
Turns out that when you send texts matters, almost as much as what you send. For direct-to-customer campaigns, late afternoons (4-6 PM) were golden. People were finishing up work and were more likely to scroll through their phones. For B2B content or updates to partners, we found that mid-morning (around 10 AM) or early afternoon (1 PM) worked best.
Of course, your mileage may be different. Test a few send times and see what gets the best results. But if you're not sure where to start, those time windows are a solid baseline.
At the end of the day, text marketing doesn't need to be overly complicated. It's all about staying consistent, offering value, and talking to your audience like real people. We've seen firsthand how impactful it can be with a small weekly time investment. If you're not using it yet, now's the time to start. Your next $180k might be just a few texts away.
