Text Blast Service for 2024: How to Send Text Blasts

Anyone who has tried sending out mass emails knows about the concept of an email blast.

Well, email blasts are great, but SMS blasts are also a thing—and they can be even more effective.

After all, Constant Contact suggests that with email, an open rate between 15%-25% could be considered a good open rate (with the average being close to 25%). However, SMS have reported open rates of up to 98%.

So what is an SMS blast? How can you send them? And what service should you use to send them?

We’ll walk you through all of that here.

What Is a Text Blast?

A text blast is a text sent to a sizable audience through a dedicated text messaging platform or service. Text blasts enable you to deliver your message to a large audience efficiently.

Text blasts are used for many different types of notices, including marketing promotions, important announcements, and appointment reminders.

And what does text mean, exactly? It refers to SMS/MMS or text messaging sent to mobile devices.

What Is a Text Blast Service?

While the concept of sending text blasts may seem straightforward, actually sending the texts is a different story.

Email service providers sometimes have an SMS option, but the features they offer aren’t very robust. Using a specific text blast service like Mobile Text Alerts is often the best way to get your message out in a way that’s easy and feasible.

A text blast service acts as your behind-the-scenes partner, giving you the infrastructure and features necessary to orchestrate successful text blast campaigns.

Text blast services come in 3 forms (with some including a combination of these forms, or all of them). The text blast form that you use will depend on your needs and your resources.

Text Blast Software (Platform)

Many SMS services will come with an out-of-the-box platform that you can start using with minimal setup.

With a text blast platform you’ll be able to load in your contacts and start sending messages by logging in and accessing the platform from the web.

The benefits of using a platform like this include:

• No technical knowledge needed
• Minimal setup necessary
• More fully featured than a mobile app (and in some ways easier to use)

The cons of using a platform like this include:

• Fewer customization options than using API
• Less convenient than a mobile app

API

In addition to, or instead of, a web platform, many services offer an SMS API.

API allows developers to program their own messages and comes with API documentation explaining to developers how to do this.

The benefits of using an SMS API like this include having much more control over how the text blast service is customized.

The cons of using an SMS API like this include:

• Development work needed
• More extensive setup needed

Text Blast App

Thirdly, many text blast services offer a mobile app. Often the mobile app isn’t a product in and of itself but is a companion to a web platform.

A mobile app allows users to access their text blast services in a way that’s mobile-friendly, when they’re not in front of a computer.

The benefits of using a mobile app like this include:

• No technical knowledge needed
• Minimal setup necessary
• Convenient

The cons of using a mobile app like this include:

• Typically less fully featured than a web platform
• Fewer customization options than using API

What Else Does a Text Blast Service Offer?

A text blast service should offer far more than just a way to click a button and blast out a message.

Here are a few other features you can expect from Mobile Text Alerts…

• AI Solutions: The ability to receive message suggestions, generate images, and shorten message content automatically via AI
• Message Automation: The ability to schedule text blasts for specific dates and times or to set up automated journeys and replies
• Segmentation and Targeting: The ability to group your audience based on various criteria, such as demographics, behaviors, and preferences.
• Personalization: The ability to personalize your text messages with recipients' names, preferences, or other relevant information.
• Opt-In and Opt-Out Management: The ability to allow subscribers different opt-in and opt-out options (such as texting in to join and replying STOP to opt out)
• Analytics and Reporting: The ability to access data on open rates, click-through rates, and other key metrics that help you measure the success of your campaigns.

How to Send a Text Blast

Setting up and sending your text blasts within an online SMS platform is easy-peasy.

Here’s how to do it within Mobile Text Alerts.

• Log In: Sign in to your text blast service account.
• Upload Your Recipient List (or Have People Opt In Automatically): You can import an existing list of recipients, or you can tell people to opt in by texting in a keyword, visiting a web sign-up form, or scanning a QR code.
• Create a Message: Enter your carefully crafted message into the designated text box. You can personalize messages using recipient information.
• Schedule the Message: Choose the date and time for your text blast to be sent. Consider your audience's time zone for optimal delivery.
• Review the Message: Double-check all details, including the message, recipients, and scheduled time. Once satisfied, initiate the sending process.
• Analyze Results: Check out delivery rates, response rates, and link clicks (not to be confused with a link to SMS feature) within your account analytics.

Alternatively, you can send messages from a mobile app or you can program messages to be sent via API.

Not Sure What to Send? AI Can Help!

If you have a general idea for the message you’d like to send but have a hard time coming up with the specific copy, you can plug your message idea into the platform SmartSMS Suggest function and it will give you suggested message content.

Similarly, AI can generate a suggested image for you directly within the platform. And if your message is too long, AI can shorten it for you to be more appropriate for text messaging.

There’s an App for That

Remember that message sending is available via mobile app as well, so you can still send messages even if you’re not at work or don't have access to a computer.

How to Text Blast for Free?

A question that may come up is, “Can I send text blasts for free?”

(After all, who doesn’t like free?)

Generally speaking, for most industries there aren’t legitimate texting services that will allow you to send text blasts for free. If you find a service that allows you to send free text blasts, there’s likely a catch in there.

However, text blast service plans start at reasonable rates (as low as $20 per month) and you can try it out for free for 14 days.

Text Blast for Business: How Businesses Use It

In the realm of modern marketing, businesses of all sizes harness the power of text blasts to connect with their audience in a direct and impactful way.

From engaging customers to boosting sales, text blasts are a versatile tool that can be tailored to various business objectives. Here are some ways businesses can use text blasts as well as some text samples.

Promotional Campaigns

Text blasts are an effective solution for promoting time-sensitive offers, sales, and discounts. You can send out exclusive discount codes, flash sale announcements, or limited-time deals directly to your customers' mobile devices. The immediacy of text messages helps make sure that these promotions are seen promptly, which, obviously, increases the likelihood of customer action.

“

🎉 Flash Sale Alert! 🎉 Get 20% off all items this weekend only. Show this text at checkout. Don't miss out!

Event Reminders and Invitations

Whether it's a product launch, webinar, or in-store event, text blasts help you deliver prompt event reminders and invitations. That way, you’ll be able to boost attendance and engagement.

“

📅 Don't forget! Join us for our webinar on [Topic] tomorrow at 3 PM. Click the link to register and secure your spot: [Link]

Customer Engagement and Surveys

Text blasts offer a channel through which you can engage with customers through surveys, feedback requests, or polls. This interactive approach not only fosters a sense of involvement but also provides you with valuable insights that can guide improvements in products or services.

“

Help us improve! Take a quick survey about your recent shopping experience and get a chance to win a $50 gift card.

Transactional Notifications

You can provide the best customer experience by using text blasts for transactional notifications—from order confirmations to shipping updates. These types messages help keep customers informed.

“

Your order #[Order Number] has been shipped! Any questions? Reply to this message. Track your package here: [Link]

Customer Loyalty and Rewards

Text blasts are an effective tool for nurturing customer loyalty. You can send out personalized messages to loyal customers, offering them exclusive incentives. This kind of approach strengthens customer relationships – and encourages repeat business.

“

Congratulations, [Customer Name]! You've unlocked a special reward. Show this text for 15% off your next purchase.

Urgent Communications

When time is of the essence, text blasts shine as an excellent means of urgent communication. Businesses can use text blasts to communicate critical information such as service disruptions, emergency alerts, or important announcements.

“

Important Update: Due to weather conditions, [Event Name] is rescheduled to [New Date/Time]. Your safety is our priority.

Appointment Reminders

Service-oriented businesses can leverage text blasts to send appointment reminders to clients. More reminders means fewer no-shows. And that means a better bottom line.

“

⏰ Hi [Client Name], your appointment with [Business Name] is tomorrow at [Time]. See you then!

Feedback and Reviews

Businesses can request feedback or encourage customers to leave reviews after a purchase or interaction. These messages can guide potential customers while enhancing the brand's online reputation.

“

📢 Share your thoughts! How was your recent dining experience at [Restaurant Name]? Reply with a rating (1-5 stars).

Targeted Product Launches

When launching new products or services, you can use text blasts to notify specific segments of their audience who have shown interest in similar offerings. That way, you can ensure that messages are relevant and likely to drive engagement.

“

🚀 Sneak Peek! Introducing our latest gadget: [Product Name]. As a tech enthusiast, you're among the first to know. Check it out!

Personalized Birthday Offers

You can foster a personal connection with customers by sending text blasts with special birthday offers or discounts, showing appreciation and encouraging repeat business.

“

🎂 Happy Birthday, [Customer Name]! Celebrate with us and enjoy a complimentary dessert with your meal today.

Why Send Text Blasts?

You probably don’t need to be convinced that texting is a powerful and potentially very effective medium of communication.

But should it be a major cornerstone of your business communication?

You betcha!

Here’s why.

High Open Rates

Unlike email or social media, text messages have a remarkably high open rate—as high as 98% by some reports.

These high open rates give you an unmatched opportunity to capture your audience's attention, which can be especially effective for limited-time offers and urgent announcements.

Direct and Immediate Reach

Text blasts cut through the noise often associated with other communication channels.

Your message is delivered directly to your audience's mobile devices and the notification shows up right in front of their faces, offering an intimate and immediate connection.

No other channel can give you that kind of directness.

Personalized Engagement

Text blasts offer the ability to create personalized interactions with your audience.

By segmenting your recipient list and tailoring messages to specific demographics or preferences, you can provide relevant content that resonates with each recipient. More relevancy usually means better responsiveness.

Versatility Across Industries

The utility of text blasts extends across virtually all industries.

Retail, hospitality, healthcare, finance—businesses of all types can leverage text blasts to achieve their unique goals (whether that’s promoting products, delivering news, or enhancing customer service).

Mobile-Friendly Experience

In an increasingly mobile-centric world, text blasts offer a seamless experience for users on the go.

Recipients can engage with your messages directly from their smartphones, no matter where they are. This mobile accessibility contributes to higher engagement rates and a more convenient customer experience.

Complementary to Multichannel Strategies

Text blasts complement other marketing channels seamlessly—especially email.

The multichannel reinforcement that SMS brings helps maximize the chances of reaching and engaging your audience.

Text Blast Compliance

One important element to keep in mind when sending out text blasts is compliance.

Although you’re unlikely to get into legal trouble in the current climate, not adhering to the mobile carriers’ compliance guidelines may result in your messages being blocked as spam.

So make sure you’re following the compliance best practices:

• Submit a registration form to pre-register your traffic with the mobile carriers (this just takes a few minutes and Mobile Text Alerts provides this form for you, easily accessible within your online dashboard)
• Get people’s permission before sending them texts
• Make sure people know that they can reply stop to opt out
• Clearly identify who it is that is sending the messages
• Refrain from including links affiliated with public URL shorteners—even well known and reputable ones like bit.ly
• Be careful of your message content—even legitimate mentions of questionable topics can cause delivery issues (chat with one of our SMS experts if you have questions about the appropriateness of your message content)

And some compliance practices are basic common sense:

• Don’t send texts at inappropriate times—keep your messaging within normal waking hours
• Don’t text randomly generated lists or auto-dialers
• Don’t continue to text people if they’ve asked to be removed

If you follow these basic guidelines for compliance, you’ll be good to go.

Text Blast FAQ

Best Text Blast Service?

You’ll find the text blast tools and support you need at Mobile Text Alerts.

You’re able to access services via web, mobile app, or API, so you’re sure to find a sending method that works for you.

Is Text Blasting Legal?

Yes! Text blasting is legal.

That being said, if you want to get the best delivery rates and results, you’ll need to follow the guidelines listed in the “Text Blast Compliance” section above.

How to Text Blast Using a Computer?

You’ll first get an account on the text blast service website (in our case Mobile Text Alerts).

Then you’ll be able to log in whenever you need and access the online dashboard. From there, you can manage your list of contacts. You’ll either pull in an existing list from other sources (for example, by uploading a spreadsheet), or you can use opt-in tools to build a text list.

Once you have your recipient list loaded in, you’ll be able to send a text blast using the online dashboard with just a few clicks.

How to Text Blast in iOS or Android?

To send a text blast via iOS or Android, you can either access the online dashboard via the mobile website, or you can download the mobile app.

The benefit of the mobile app is convenience and ease of access, and it’s specifically designed to function well on a mobile device—so you’ll get the smoothest experience.

Why Choose Mobile Text Alerts as Your Text Blast Service?

Here’s what you can expect from Mobile Text Alerts as a text blast service:

• Easy software to use—you can be up and running in minimal time without a huge learning curve
• Top-notch support—you can get all the help you need, when you need it
• 1-on-1 onboarding—you can get a FREE, live, 1-on-1 consultation with one of our SMS experts to help you get started
• Optimal delivery—you can rest assured that we’re working hard to help make sure you get the best delivery possible so that you have the most successful messaging campaigns
• Custom API—you can have the flexibility to create the customizations you need using our custom API

Interested in giving it a try? Try it free for 14 days now (no credit card needed).